Bricklayer in Bangkok

I wake before the sun, trowel in hand, cement sticky under my nails. Seventeen, nearly eighteen, already spent more hours sweating over walls than most lads spend on phones. Brick dust in my hair, gloves cracked from the gym, fists raw from punching bags. Days I build, nights I fight. Bricklaying and boxing—they’re the same: timing, strength, precision, patience, pain.

Dad comes in, wiping his hands on a rag. “Son, you’ve earned this,” he says, slapping an envelope on the table. My heart lurches. I rip it open.

Bangkok. May 2026. Fourteen days. Three in the city, the rest on Koh Samui. Aunt Donna’s coming too. First time for both of us in Asia.

“Travel light,” Dad says. “Shorts, T-shirts, trainers. And don’t forget your gloves.”
Donna’s buzzing. “You’ll melt, lad. Bangkok’s hotter than your gym in July. And the street food… it’ll set your mouth on fire, but you’ll love it.”

I grin. Adventure. Heat. Sweat. Strangers smiling. I’ve never been anywhere like this.

Day 1 – Arrival

Touchdown. Bangkok hits like a punch: thick, humid, alive. Tuk-tuks swarm like bees, horns blaring, people smiling. Land of Smiles—they mean it.

Donna’s filming everything. “This is insane, Tommy. Look at all the lights!”
I grin. “Yeah… and we haven’t even tried the street food yet.”

She nudges me. “Try saying this: Sawasdee krab. That’s hello.”
I mimic her. “Sawasdee krab.”
“Not bad. Now try khop khun krab—thank you.”
“Khop khun krab,” I repeat. The street vendors grin. “See? Works every time.”

Adventure Prompt: Try learning a Thai phrase before your next trip—it’ll make locals smile instantly.

Day 2 – Streets, Temples, First Training

At Sakchai Muay Thai Gym, trainer grins. “England boy? You box?”
“Yeah.”
“Train.”

Heat slaps me. Sweat drips into my eyes. Thai lads move like water, precise, fast. I land a clean right, they cheer.

Donna leans on the doorway, waving a coconut. “Fancy a coconut after that, champ?”
“Please.”
She hands it over. I sip. “Aroi mak,” I say, copying her.
“Means very tasty,” she says. “You’re learning fast.”

Later, temples. Wat Pho, Reclining Buddha, forty-six metres of gold. Wat Arun across the river, climbing steep steps, city sprawling below: temples, streets, chaos, calm all tangled. Tuk-tuks dart past, music, sizzling woks. Pad Thai thirty baht, sticky rice twenty, Chang beer fifty. Cheap. Delicious. Alive.

Travel Prompt: Step into a Muay Thai gym—even for an hour—and feel the rhythm, the heat, the respect.

Day 3 – Markets and Food

Chatuchak Weekend Market. Donna drags me past stalls. Fried insects, clothes, trinkets. I grab a mango.

“This is amazing,” I say. “How much?”
“Twenty baht. Less than a pound,” she grins.
I bite. Sweet. Cold. Perfect. “Argh, this is brilliant. And cheap. Love it.”

She nudges me. “Try papaya salad.”
I nod. “Spicy, right?”
“Oh, very.” She laughs as I grimace. Mouth on fire. “Aroi mak!” I gasp.

Adventure Prompt: Street food is your friend. Pick one thing you’ve never tried—go for it.

Day 4 – Koh Samui Arrival

Palms, turquoise water, sugar sand. I kick off my trainers. “This… this is paradise.”
Donna laughs. “Told you. And look, they’ve got gyms right on the beach. Fancy a barefoot sparring session?”
“Definitely. Sand under my feet, waves behind me… perfect.”

Travel Prompt: Swap a hotel gym for training outdoors—sand, sun, or waves make every session unforgettable.

Day 5 – Exploring

Scooter through jungle roads. Waterfalls hiding behind thick leaves. I shadowbox into the sunset.
Donna films, laughing. “Next time, you better not sweat all over my camera.”
I grin. “No promises.”

She points to a street stall. “Coconut ice cream?”
I nod. “Yes. And grilled squid too. Cheap and perfect.”
“See? Travel light, eat heavy,” she teases.

Adventure Prompt: Explore local markets—you never know what flavours or surprises you’ll find.

Days 6–10 – Training, Beaches, Local Life

Morning, sand under my feet, waves crashing. Afternoon, villages, markets, temples. Evening, beers, seafood, sunsets. Every day feels like the first.

Donna laughs, handing me a sticky rice ball. “You’ve got the Thai phrases down now?”
“Khop khun krab,” I say.
“Not bad. And you can say Mai pben rai?”
“Mai pben rai,” I repeat. “No problem, right?”
“Exactly. You’re blending in fast, bricklayer.”

Travel Prompt: Learn one local phrase each day—it opens doors and hearts.

Days 11–13 – Adventure and Reflection

Jungle trails, hidden waterfalls. Swimming in clear pools.
Donna grins. “Think we’ll ever come back?”
I pause. “Hell yes. After this, I know I could go anywhere… Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia. Build, fight, live.”

Adventure Prompt: Map nearby countries and plan a route—you’ll see the world differently once you know how close it all is.

Day 14 – Last Night

Sitting on the beach, sky molten red fading to violet. Waves brushing toes. Donna quiet. “You’ll never see the world the same again.”
I nod. “I won’t.”

Plane lifts. Bangkok shrinking below, lights flickering like trapped stars. Gloves in my bag, passport in my pocket. Head buzzing.
“Next time,” I whisper, “I’m staying longer.”