Today is my birthday, and it was slightly disappointing to spend the first part of it on a bus. I can normally sleep anywhere, and although I slept for much of the journey, I never became comfortable. Eventually, I arrived in Bangkok and made my way to Khaosan Road, a popular area for backpackers.

I find my companion’s fascination with night markets and bazaars highly entertaining. To borrow a line from Karl Marx, if religion is the opiate of the masses, then markets must be hers. Even supermarkets qualify.

I eventually reached Lamphu House, which several people online had recommended. Every room was occupied when I arrived at 8:30am, but checkout was at 11:30, so I decided to wait. I had a pleasant breakfast, including another curry that was more Thai than Indian in style, and continued reading. The many characters in War and Peace had initially been dizzying, but the story was becoming addictive.

At about 10:30am, a room became available and I settled in. I showered, brushed my teeth, and went out again. I rode a river taxi for the first time and walked around Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. Across the street, I stopped for food and a pitcher of Singha. The beer left me pleasantly light-headed.

I took another river taxi towards the city centre and later travelled to Nana station. This part of Sukhumvit was where I had ordered my suit. After one final fitting, a coffee, and a long conversation at the shop down the street, the suit fit perfectly and I left. I carried it back to the guesthouse, took another shower, and browsed the surrounding markets.

Bargaining is an art here, and obvious tourists often begin at a disadvantage. I was not especially skilled at it anyway, so I bought only two shirts, which was all I had intended to purchase. I eventually realised that I needed to save enough money for the trip to the airport and returned to the guesthouse. After a little more reading, I fell asleep.