Bangkok: how not to get lost.

Bangkok is so built up these days that taxi drivers take their bearings from the hundreds of high rise apartments and hotels.

The Baiyoke Tower shown in the photo is a particularly good navigational fix when venturing north east of the river. It's about a kilometre north of Siam Square and is about 90 stories high. Mr Pumpy stayed near here on his most recent trip to Bangkok (April '99) and was so fixated by it he went to a cafe nearby, sat down and counted the floors.

Around the Baiyoke are a number of very good markets frequented by African ex-pats who congregate in the area. It a nice mix of cultures.