We soon found ourselves exploring the market streets in Banglampoo (Bang Lamphu), along the area of Khaosan Road.
I found I had difficulty in adjusting to Bangkok's pace after the quiet, restful days in Luang Prabang.
The atmosphere was also more humid, so it was back to sweat running in my eyes, toiling with sticky clothing; it was hard to imagine people at home were bracing against winter conditions!

We found this useful bookshop near our hotel (Navalai River Resort), among the shops and stalls in the area across the road. Swapped one book and bought a few others. The bookstore did not have a calling card, so I forgot about the name; I think it could be on Soi Rambuttri (on the river side of Chakrabongse Rd).
We also chased another bookstore, Chula Books near Siam Paragon, but found this to be a university bookstore and of little interest to us as non-students.

They even had a good selection in Dutch!

This bookshop, DASA, came recommended by Lonely Planet.
One cab driver (outside our hotel) refused to take us there, perhaps it was outside his comfort zone. It was quite a drive, and Sukhumvit Rd was one big traffic jam. The cab driver who accepted the fare struggled to understand us, but we got there in the end. We found it of nu use to show him a map (from the LP guidebook): he may well have been unable to read English or unable to interpret the map. Also you may find a cab equipped with a meter but that doesn't mean it will be put to use; the driver will negotiate a price, and it actually may be the better deal for you if traffic jams cause considerable delay.
The DASA Booke Café wasn't much bigger than the shop near our hotel, but did have some books of interest to us.

And DASA offered a seat and coffee! While bargaining wasn't accepted, we did get a 20% discount as a sale was on.

This is the bookshop in Siam Paragon, Kinokuniya, a lovely place to browse and I left with some nice photobooks.

With so many international tourists and expats it doesn't come as a surprise Kinokuniya has a great English section.
Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

We walked into a performance by 'Hunz', sponsored by some beauty brand I think; 'Hunz' is the artist name for Isariya Pattraramanop and is (or was) a talent of Thailands tv program 'The Star 8, Thai Prince of Dance' (2012) www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYyDs1-iA9I
He was the latest tv idol during our visit and came with a screaming fanclub and lots of media attention.

I rather enjoy beauty over fame!

The nightscene outside Siam Paragon; here we always found plenty of tuk-tuks for the ride back to the hotel. It would cost us THB 200, some 5 euro. But during times when tuk-tuks were in demand we couldn't get a better price than THB 300.

Good advice to prevent theft.

A simple streetscene, but there is so much detail in there if you examine it closely.

A very rich streetlife kept the camera in constant use.

Quite a bit of wind on the river resulting in choppy waves.
Travel on the River Boat Express seemed easy enough, but I missed the dock I planned to exit at. I had shown my map to the conductress and I thought she acknowledged to help when I indicated the dock I planned to disembark. But she did nothing, maybe forgot whil ekeeping tabs on embarking & disembarking. So we continued to travel down river and exited at the next dock; there is always enough to see.

From above water we went below water... The is the Siam Ocean World at Bangkok's Siam Paragon Aquarium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siam_Paragon

Smile: you are on camera!

We opted for a boatride (against additional costs) among the canals of the floating market; as did most people.
The items on sale were mostly souvenirs; the locals had bought their food hours ago and had long gone. It was a crowded affair on the water, boats bumping into each other. Mind to keep your hands inside the boat!

Men were a minority here.

Hug a snake!