I’m all moved into my third place in Bangkok: a condo that I’m subleasing. It’s kind of funny, because I mentioned in a previous entry that I didn’t want to sign a lease until I found a job, because if I find a job in Pinklao, I would want to live near it. Not that I wanted to, but I did indeed find a job in Pinklao, which is where I am living now. Incidentally, if you think you can pronounce “Pinklao,” simply by saying “pink,” and adding “lao” to it, I am afraid you are sadly mistaken. I have yet to successfully get a Thai person to understand where I live.

I’m technically not as far away as I was when I lived up in the wastelands of Chatchuchak. That was a 100 baht ($2.50) taxi ride home after a night on the town. This is only an 80 baht ($2) ride away. But even though it’s closer, since it’s across the river, it’s perceived as being far.

It sort of sucks to not be in the center any more. But a ten minute walk/motorcycle ride to work is better than an hour in a bus twice a day. It’s better to commute an hour to get “into town” when I want to. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I live right off of the very busy Charonsonitwong road. Until I learn how to pronounce “Charonsonitwong,” getting home will be very difficult. Unlike busy Phahayothin Road I used to live on, which had nothing, there are a lot of vendors selling stuff, and there are quite a few people walking around. And unlike Victory Monument, there are very few farang about. There’s also a big mall a 20 minute walk away if I’m in the mood for an expensive cup of coffee, or Au bon Pain. Unfortunately, due to the lack of farang Au bon Pain seems to lack a lot of the good breads the Siam Discovery Center store has, even though the menu is the same.

My apartment’s nothing special, but it only costs 7,000 baht ($175), down from 10,500 ($260). It’s a studio, and comes with some furniture, a TV, and a fridge. I was sort of surprised when I found out it was on the thirteenth floor. Why not? I figured. Someone has to live on the thirteenth floor, right? Then I read an article in an English book about how in the West, the number 13 is considered unlucky, and buildings don’t have a thirteenth floor. Bullocks, I thought. But then I looked carefully in the elevator of my old building, and sure enough, there was a 12, then a 14, but no 13. Hopefully I will not be cursed with a year of bad luck.

There are a lot of amenities on the sixth floor. A swimming pool, sauna, and weight room. I hope to start using the weight room eventually.

I wouldn’t mind making my place a little homey, so I need to buy some things. I might take some pictures once I’m all set up.