Scoff at the laws of physics and sample the rides at the Singha Global Carnival
The Singha Global Carnival, at the British Embassy until March 14, leaves a couple of things to be desired - mainly, the only two games that everyone seems to want to play, out of 21 games available.
And these two are the lamentable G-Force and the springy Reverse Bungee.
There's little of the theme-park feel to the setting, either. This is possibly due to the limited space, but it's more like a collection of different toys, each one glittering like a Christmas tree.
Nevertheless, the thrill seekers were enthusiastic. Sukol Sukhumavasi, a hotel musician, was waiting for the doors to open, keen to take a turn on the Reverse Bungee for Bt400. He got his money's worth, rating the ride six out of 10, while his wife Gob reckoned G-Force - the scariest thing she's ever done - was 10 out of 10.
"I'm so dizzy I can't see anything!" she declared, and she wasn't alone. A little girl from Qatar told her dad, "My face is falling!" after a second turn on the ride, which has Akon's song "Dangerous" as its soundtrack.
Actor Prem Busarakamwong, whose company is presenting the Singha Carnival, tried out the Reverse Bungee. "It really made me feel old," the aspiring skydiver joked, but he found it quite a thrill.
Chayada "Bow" Liewchalermwong was there with her son Ashi, who was more interested in tossing hoops to win a cute doll.
Excitement of a different order is offered by the 43-metre-tall Freij Wheel (Freij is the Dubai firm that brought in the rides), but Wild River doesn't quite live up to its name. There are also the swaying Terminator, Roller Coaster, the Viking-evoking Stern Von Rio and the bouncy Tagada.
Motor Show is a short-distance car-racing track, and the Mirror Maze is a great place to get lost.
Wave Swinger was getting everyone screaming, and apparently for good reason: "It didn't seem securely attached at all!" a rider said.
"They're all quite safe," a Freij employee assured me, quite convincingly.
Astronaut training
The Singha Global Carnival continues until March 14, on weekdays from 4 to 10pm and on weekends from 10am to 11pm.
Children under 90 centimetres in height get in for free. Admission for everyone else is Bt50, but you can get a Bt500 pass that includes all the rides - except the popular G-Force and Reverse Bungee.
Get tickets in advance at (02) 262 2456 or www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
There's no parking at the British Embassy, so leave your car at Central Chidlom.
