the purrfect city

Bangkok is a city roaring with life

Name: David Willians
Job title: Customer Srevice Manager, Long-haul
Length of time with Jetstar Airways: 18 months
Service routes: Meubourne to Bangkok and Bali, and Sydney to Honolulu, Ho Chi Minh City and Osaka.

Which is your favourite international Jetstar destination?
I think my favourite would be Thailand, Bangkok in particular. Phuket is great for lazing around, but if you love mega-vibrant, cultural cities, then Bangkok has to be seen to be believed.

Tell us about Bangkok then. Where’s the best place to go for breakfast?
My favourite breakfast spot is the Atlanta Coffee Shop in Sukhumvit on Soi 2. It’s a retro Thai vegetarian coffee shop.

What’s been your best night out in Bangkok?
One of the best was my birthday last year. We had a great meal of traditional Thai food at one of the many restaurants along the Khao San Road night markets and then went for cocktails at the Dome. It’s an alfresco bar on the 65th floor of the State Tower. Amazing.

Your favourite hotel?
My favourite hotel definitely worth a look – if not a stay – would have to be the Banyan Tree, one of Bangkok’s super-deluxe hotels. Lots of oil-burner scents in the lobby mixed with sleek modern-Asian design.

The splendour of
Bangkok’s Golden Palace What’s your favourite local festival?
A festival to drench yourself in is Songkran. For a week in April, everyone gets soaked just walking along the streets as local people celebrate the Thai Lunar New Year with water in abundance.

Can your give us your best ‘insider’s’ tip to Bangkok?
If shopping is your game, do your homework. Don’t start bargaining unless you intend to buy and don’t be aggressive or raise your voice. Bargain in a friendly style. Thais love a good bargainer, just not a rude one.

What’s your pick of the local activities?
A sport that can’t be ignored in Thailand is boxing, or ‘Muay Thai’, as they call it. It’s often violent, but a great colourful spectacle of wild music and rituals along with a manic crowd – it has to be seen to be believed.

Can you recommend the best thing to do at night?
Apart from eating, the other great evening event is the night markets. Several of them surround the city, all bursting with colour and bargains and enough energy to fuel you for your next shopping frenzy!

What should a visitor buy?
Thailand’s tailors are famous all over the world for their craftsmanship and attention to detail. If you’re looking for that new custom-made suit, Thailand’s the spot. A must for the discerning fashionista.

Cruising Bangkok’s Chao Phraya RiverWhat about eating?
Bangkok has influences from all over the world and this is reflected in its wide range of food. If you love Thai food (and who doesn’t?), you can’t go wrong, but if you feel like a different style of food every day throughout your stay, you’ll not go hungry.

What’s something unusual to do in Bangkok?
Art galleries might not be the first thing that  come to mind when you visit Bangkok, but if you step off the tourist track and into a few of the local galleries, you’ll find some great contemporary art.

Who or what would you say is Thailand’s most famous export?
Most famous? That would have to be their beloved king. Everywhere you look there are images of His Majesty – on the sides of buildings, in people’s cars and in every shop. He is definitely the most photographed and respected man in the land.

Bangkok is a city full of tradition along with mystery and surprises at every corner you turn. Everyday will be different from the day before. Keep an open mind and let the city unfold itself into your arms. Simply magic!

You’re due to appear in Channel 9’s documentary Going Places, about Jetstar Airways destinations, at the end of the year. What was that like?
The making of Going Places was both nerve-racking and fun. The film crew were great support whenever I stuffed up a shoot. Oh, the pressure! Trying to relax in front of the camera with a growling tiger on my lap wasn’t the easiest bit of acting I’ve ever had to do… Neither was kissing a dolphin!

So what’s the difference in service between Jetstar Airways’ domestic and international flights?
International routes offer a much wider choice of full hot meals, snacks and beverages. Passengers can also purchase comfort packs containing an eye mask, earplugs and blanket, in addition to entertainment. If you’re in economy, you have the choice of ordering any of these on board [subject to availability], or passengers can enjoy a discount when they pre-purchase at the time of booking. For those who want all of the above perks with their airfare, they can book a seat in our more luxurious StarClass cabin on our international routes.

Learning to speak dolphin in Hawai Are the international aircraft different to domestic aircraft?
Yes. The domestic A320 has one cabin and the seat configuration is aisle in the middle with three seats either side. The international A330 has two cabins, economy and StarClass. Economy has two aisles and a seat configuration of two-three-two. StarClass has wider seats with bigger seat pitch, foot rests, lumbar support and a longer recline.

How can passengers make themselves more comfortable on long-haul flights?
I only have one word to say for all types of passengers and their comfort on a long-haul flight… water!

What famous passengers have you served?
During my career as a long-haul flight attendant, mostly in the UK, I’ve met various members of the royal family. What first struck me was their genuine warmth and secondly, the wicked sense of humour of some. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, in particular!