Bangkok 2018
Introduction
It's holiday time again and our destination is Bangkok, that cosmopolitan and vibrant city. We've decided to take off for 7 days and enjoy the sights and sounds of Bangkok life. We enjoyed ourselves but also discovered some important information that tourists should know. More on that later in special "Important Note" and "Scam Alert" sections.
Flights
Prior to that, we book our flights online. We're flying MAS this time and it's great to have in-flight meals, entertainment and luggage included in the ticket price for a change and not have to worry about additional charges. The flight to Bangkok cost us RM 2424.00 for 6 persons.
Accommodation
Our modest accommodation was Patumwan House which is located conveniently near some famous shopping malls such as Siam Center, Siam Paragon, MBK and Siam Square. It's also located close to the National Stadium BTS station. We stayed in a 2 bedroom hotel apartment for 6 nights which set us back about RM 2650 (THB 20,640). This is quite reasonable as the place is near many tourist attractions, shopping malls and near BTS station. The hotel provides basic toiletries in the form of towels, shower gel and shampoo (no toothbrush and toothpaste). No cooking is allowed even though there is a big kitchen in the apartment.
Important Note: Patumwan House accepts ONLY CASH for payment. This threw us off guard from the moment we checked in at the hotel. Imagine having to pay so much money using CASH when you expect the hotel bill to be charged to your credit card. So, please be aware and check if your hotel accepts credit card for payment.
Since we had to use most of our cash to pay for the hotel bill on the very first night, we were somewhat worried as to how we can get through the next few days. We had some spare cash in ringgit though not sufficient for the whole duration. So, our plan was to charge as much as possible to credit card for our purchases. On top of that, we also have the option to withdraw money from ATM machine but that is the last option as it costs THB 220 for every transaction (talk about highway robbery).
Transportation
There are many methods of travel in Bangkok. Let me list some of these and provide some justifications as to which option to choose:
Scam Alert: Remember to avoid Bangkok taxis where possible as they are completely untrustworthy and would not think twice about taking tourists for a ride. Please find more details of this as you read on.
First Day
After checking into the hotel, we dashed out to the nearest mall (MBK) in search for dinner. Since it was already quite late when we arrived at the hotel, we had very little choice when it came to food. We took the what's available and that came in the form of a Japanese Restaurant in the mall. Imagine having Japanese food on the first day in Bangkok. Anyway, we got to charge the bill to our credit card so that's a plus point given our situation.
After dinner, we took a short walk around the place before we called it a night.
Second day
As we were greeted by the morning sunshine, we hear some noise from the back of the hotel. It appears that there is a 'khlong' (water channel) right behind the hotel. Longtail boats ply these water channels to ferry people around the city. 'Khlongs' are important transportation routes for Bangkok.
We took a walk around the back of the hotel to have a closer look at waterways while we head towards our first destination, Jim Thompson House.
Jim Thompson House is located just a stone's throw away from our hotel and it is in fact a museum which used to be the housing compound of Jim Thompson, the Thai Silk king. The former US soldier is credited for popularizing Thai Silk around the world before he disappeared in Cameron Highlands during his holiday there. The museum tells of his life's story in Thailand.
We followed a tour guide who explained the history of the place and person in English. It was very informative and the compound was serene and beautiful. It's hard to imagine that this place is set right in the middle of one of Bangkok's busiest area.
The ticket price is THB 200 for adult and THB 100 for child. We paid THB 800 in total but it was worth it.
After that, we went to Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World in Siam Paragon. We had purchased the tickets online through KLOOK before our trip. The total price was RM 320.00 and it's cheaper than buying at the Ocean World. It's quite an interesting place especially for children. Lots of sea animals to see not to mention it's air-conditioned (an important aspect given the heat and humidity of Bangkok).
After spending a few hours marveling at sea life, we headed to Bangkok Chinatown or Yaowarat. As with all Chinatowns around the world, it's a busy and colorful place. Of course, food is the main item on the list.
First thing first, we took a tuk-tuk from Siam Paragon to Chinatown. How we fit 6 people at the back of a tuk-tuk will remain a mystery. Our first destination in Yaowarat was Wat Traimit where we can find a golden Buddha statue.
We then proceeded to the Chinatown Gate and then to the Guan Yin Temple. As we walked on we felt tired and thirsty from the heat and humidity, so we decided to take a break and have some dessert. The dessert somewhat resemble those back home with the exception of one which featured noodles in a sweet broth (strange but true). All tasted great and refreshing.
Third day
After that, we proceeded to Pratunam Morning Market. There were so many people it was so packed and difficult to move around. But it was quite an experience.
Fourth Day
Fifth Day
Sixth Day
Seventh Day
It's holiday time again and our destination is Bangkok, that cosmopolitan and vibrant city. We've decided to take off for 7 days and enjoy the sights and sounds of Bangkok life. We enjoyed ourselves but also discovered some important information that tourists should know. More on that later in special "Important Note" and "Scam Alert" sections.
Flights
Prior to that, we book our flights online. We're flying MAS this time and it's great to have in-flight meals, entertainment and luggage included in the ticket price for a change and not have to worry about additional charges. The flight to Bangkok cost us RM 2424.00 for 6 persons.
Accommodation
Our modest accommodation was Patumwan House which is located conveniently near some famous shopping malls such as Siam Center, Siam Paragon, MBK and Siam Square. It's also located close to the National Stadium BTS station. We stayed in a 2 bedroom hotel apartment for 6 nights which set us back about RM 2650 (THB 20,640). This is quite reasonable as the place is near many tourist attractions, shopping malls and near BTS station. The hotel provides basic toiletries in the form of towels, shower gel and shampoo (no toothbrush and toothpaste). No cooking is allowed even though there is a big kitchen in the apartment.
Important Note: Patumwan House accepts ONLY CASH for payment. This threw us off guard from the moment we checked in at the hotel. Imagine having to pay so much money using CASH when you expect the hotel bill to be charged to your credit card. So, please be aware and check if your hotel accepts credit card for payment.
Since we had to use most of our cash to pay for the hotel bill on the very first night, we were somewhat worried as to how we can get through the next few days. We had some spare cash in ringgit though not sufficient for the whole duration. So, our plan was to charge as much as possible to credit card for our purchases. On top of that, we also have the option to withdraw money from ATM machine but that is the last option as it costs THB 220 for every transaction (talk about highway robbery).
Transportation
There are many methods of travel in Bangkok. Let me list some of these and provide some justifications as to which option to choose:
- Taxis - Generally I find taxi drivers untrustworthy as they do not use the meter. They will quote a high price and you have to bargain for it. Avoid this type of transportation where possible. We were charged a fixed fee of THB 500 from airport to our hotel as the taxi driver refused to use the meter.
- Tuk-tuk- Still expensive but should be cheaper than taxis. Price haggling is requisite but normally their prices are quite standard in the same area of operation. Plus, you get to experience a mode of transport you do not normally get anywhere else.
- Grab cars - We did not try this mode of transportation but it should be better than taxis and tuk-tuks as you can check the price first before deciding whether to take it. For taxis, sometimes you only know after you're on your way.
- BTS and MRT trains - Definitely the most convenient and fastest way to move around in Bangkok. Hassle-free travel but rush hours may see many people lining up to buy tickets. To avoid the queue, you can get a Rabbit card.
- Longtail boats- Another great way to travel and see Bangkok from the waterways. It's a cheap way to travel not to mention you skip the notorious Bangkok jam. Just head to the nearest jetty where you'll find boat schedules.
- Trains- this can be considered if you want to make a trip outside of Bangkok. Again it is a cheap and convenient way to travel to places outside the city. Just head to Hua Lamphong train station which incidentally also has its own MRT station. What more can you ask for. For example you can plan a day trip to Ayutthaya which is the ancient capital of Thailand.
- Bus - this is probably one of the cheapest form of transport in the city. The buses can be old but the conductor we met was friendly and would let us know where to alight. It beats the throat-slashing taxi drivers anytime.
- Airport trains - This is actually a cheap and comfortable way to get to the city from Suvarnabhumi Airport if you are not carrying a lot of luggage.
Scam Alert: Remember to avoid Bangkok taxis where possible as they are completely untrustworthy and would not think twice about taking tourists for a ride. Please find more details of this as you read on.
First Day
After checking into the hotel, we dashed out to the nearest mall (MBK) in search for dinner. Since it was already quite late when we arrived at the hotel, we had very little choice when it came to food. We took the what's available and that came in the form of a Japanese Restaurant in the mall. Imagine having Japanese food on the first day in Bangkok. Anyway, we got to charge the bill to our credit card so that's a plus point given our situation.
After dinner, we took a short walk around the place before we called it a night.
Second day
As we were greeted by the morning sunshine, we hear some noise from the back of the hotel. It appears that there is a 'khlong' (water channel) right behind the hotel. Longtail boats ply these water channels to ferry people around the city. 'Khlongs' are important transportation routes for Bangkok.
We took a walk around the back of the hotel to have a closer look at waterways while we head towards our first destination, Jim Thompson House.
Jim Thompson House is located just a stone's throw away from our hotel and it is in fact a museum which used to be the housing compound of Jim Thompson, the Thai Silk king. The former US soldier is credited for popularizing Thai Silk around the world before he disappeared in Cameron Highlands during his holiday there. The museum tells of his life's story in Thailand.
We followed a tour guide who explained the history of the place and person in English. It was very informative and the compound was serene and beautiful. It's hard to imagine that this place is set right in the middle of one of Bangkok's busiest area.
The ticket price is THB 200 for adult and THB 100 for child. We paid THB 800 in total but it was worth it.
After that, we went to Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World in Siam Paragon. We had purchased the tickets online through KLOOK before our trip. The total price was RM 320.00 and it's cheaper than buying at the Ocean World. It's quite an interesting place especially for children. Lots of sea animals to see not to mention it's air-conditioned (an important aspect given the heat and humidity of Bangkok).
After spending a few hours marveling at sea life, we headed to Bangkok Chinatown or Yaowarat. As with all Chinatowns around the world, it's a busy and colorful place. Of course, food is the main item on the list.
First thing first, we took a tuk-tuk from Siam Paragon to Chinatown. How we fit 6 people at the back of a tuk-tuk will remain a mystery. Our first destination in Yaowarat was Wat Traimit where we can find a golden Buddha statue.
We then proceeded to the Chinatown Gate and then to the Guan Yin Temple. As we walked on we felt tired and thirsty from the heat and humidity, so we decided to take a break and have some dessert. The dessert somewhat resemble those back home with the exception of one which featured noodles in a sweet broth (strange but true). All tasted great and refreshing.
Having savoured the delicious dessert, we proceeded on to some of the Chinatown Markets along Yaowarat road namely Mai Market and Kao Market. There were lots of things on sale and we also saw another temple along the way.
We walked along the shops and watched how the industrious people around the area go about their business. There was an eatery located in a corner shop that seemed to be quite popular as there were many people queuing up for food. The food itself which is mainly braised meat looked appetising enough. By the way it is not surprising to see people queuing up for food as space is limited in many of the shops here. As it was still too early for dinner so we walked on.
When our stomachs called for dinner, we proceeded to look for the nearest decent eatery for some much needed nutrition. This shop happened to be a shop selling braised duck meat. Turned out the food was really great as we consumed to our hearts content.
We continued our walk after dinner as the night was still young. We were searching for the night market but was getting lost. Turned out that we were walking in the wrong direction along Yaowarat road. We should walk towards the Golden Buddha temple. We corrected our route and we started seeing a hive of activity along the road even as the night wore on. However the night market here is not really the type you find elsewhere in Bangkok. It's mainly located in shops.
We bought some pastries for our breakfast the next day. On our way home we stopped by Hua Lamphong train station to admire the architecture and splendor of the classic looking building.
On the way back to the hotel, we visited some booths setup outside of MBK mall selling various items and food & beverages. As we surveyed the stalls, we saw some eateries selling local delicacies and decided to try it out.
Important Note: Now, the food may look nice and tasty but be sure to ask for the price first before you order. We made the mistake of not doing that and for the 1 bowl of tom yam noodle and 1 plate of pad thai below we were charged THB 410 which is so extremely exorbitant for ordinary street food.
Third day
We woke up bright and early with great anticipation for we are going to the Pratunam area which is famed for its markets and Platinum Fashion Mall.
We took a walk from our hotel as we were full of energy. One surprising thing we noticed is how walk-able Bangkok city center is as we see good and wide walkways along the road and also long elevated walkways which made traversing the city center as a pedestrian a breeze.
Along the way we enjoyed the views of big shopping malls. As it was still early, most of the malls were still closed. A beautiful little rainbow greeted us on Siam Paragon's water feature.
Scam Alert: When walking along Bangkok streets, beware of people who are out to make a quick buck from tourists. In this particular instance, while we were ambling along towards Pratunam, we were approached by a gentleman who introduced himself as working for the Thailand Tourism Ministry. He pointed to a building across the road and the official shirt he was wearing. He made an effort to strike up a conversation and be friendly. He mentioned that it was a holiday in Thailand (which was not true) and most shopping malls were closed and the markets will open later (another lie). He suggested we visit a temple which was located across town where there is a special ceremony to commemorate the special Buddhist day. He insisted we take a boat ride which cost THB 800 per person not including the tuk-tuk ride to the pier. His lie was discovered when we say we wanted to go by tuk-tuk directly to the temple instead of the costly boat ride. He was adamant we take the boat ride so we declined and walk away.
The point of this story is that tourists need to be careful in Bangkok to ensure they are not cheated by unscrupulous taxi drivers and individuals pretending to be government officials.
Anyway we proceeded on our way and our first stop is the famed Erawan Shrine. As expected there were so many people cramped into the small shrine. There were worshipers making offerings and requests, those giving thanks for requests granted and tourists. The 4 faced Buddha statue which all worshipers came to pray to is right in the middle. Traditional dancers can be hired to perform special thanksgiving dance/prayer for a small fee. The proceeds and donations are channeled towards charitable causes and the amount is shown on a digital board for all to see. After conducting a prayer and taking some photos we moved on.
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| Washing with holy water |
On our way, we saw a Big C Supercenter which is famed for low prices. This would definitely be one of our destinations in the days to come.
The connected overhead pedestrian bridge beside the malls made it very easy to walk and avoid the heat from the sun. There are also statues of Hindu Gods on display. Thai Buddhism is influenced by Hindu culture.
Finally, after an eventful morning we arrived at Platinum Fashion Mall. This is the place to shop for the latest fashion at cheap prices according to many but I feel that Chatuchak Market is still the one to beat. There are 3 different zones in the mall and it takes some time to cover all the shops. We did not have much time as we have other itineraries for the day so we just cover as many shops as possible within a short time.
After that, we proceeded to Pratunam Morning Market. There were so many people it was so packed and difficult to move around. But it was quite an experience.
We also went to Pantip Plaza to have a look at the IT gadgets there but it was a much less happening place compared to the market area.
As evening approached, we proceeded to our most important destination of the day which is Baiyoke Sky Tower. Prior to the trip, we have booked 6 Baiyoke Sky Buffet tickets on 76th floor. It includes admission to the 77th and 84th Observation Decks and Revolving view point respectively. The cost of the tickets is RM 500. This is quite worth the money as the food was good (not great level) and the view was breathtaking. We made the booking at www.joinfull.com.
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| Bon Appetit |
At the observation deck, there are also some nice decorations on display. Lots of photo opportunity inside the building in addition to the outside view.
Fourth Day
On the 2nd day, we made a booking at the hotel for a private car tour on the 4th day to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maekhlong Railway Station. These 2 places are famed tourists sites outside of Bangkok and needs pre-arranged transportation for tourists.
We left early from the hotel at around 8 am. The private car turned out to be a taxi. If you've read my blog so far you would know that they are not to be trusted. The same goes here. The fee for the trip was agreed at THB 1200 during the booking. Along the way, we talked and after reading about some bad experience from other tourists, I told the driver we do not want to take the longtail boat from a pier to the floating market which costs THB 2000. He tried hard to not tell us about the longtail boat fair but we know that from what my son has read.
That's also around the time when his attitude changed. He kept quiet and then made some calls and spoke in Thai language. He did not seem unhappy at the time. After about an hour and a half's journey, we reached the railway station.
As the train won't be coming until at least 11am we had to walk around for about 1.5 hours which is not a problem for us as there is much to see and experience at this unique train market. But his attitude quickly changed and he tried to hurry us to see and leave the market without waiting for the train and kept saying that we had to wait a long time. We were puzzled but we decided to wait anyway so he has no choice. Another thing to note is that he chose to park further away from the market saying that nearer spots will require parking fee. At this point, our impression of him changed and we can sense that he was not genuine in helping us on this trip but just wanted to get it over quickly.
We started exploring the market where there is a wonderful mix of stalls selling fresh produce and manufactured products. On our way from the parking spot to the train station we saw stalls arranged in wet market fashion but not many were open. There were also shops as we walked closer towards the station. When we reached the Maekhlong railway station we saw that it was in fact a terminal station. We took some photos and proceeded across the road to the railway station market.
Now this is a really unique place. The stalls are arranged on both sides of the track and in fact they are so close to the tracks and that the train would not be able to pass through. What a sight to behold!
The sellers were busy selling their wares and enticing tourists to buy from them. There were also local customers there. The prices were reasonable. We took our time to explore all the stalls while being careful not to stumble as we walk along the tracks. We also took the opportunity to have lunch as we may not have the time when the train arrives.
As the time for train arrival neared, we jostled with other tourists to find the best place to position ourselves to take photos. Basically what happens is that when the train arrives, the sellers would move their wares further away from the tracks and then close the canopies that they've extended outwards. Then they reverse the process. They do it so efficiently that it looks like just part of business. One point to note is that the train is much wider than the track, so anyone attempting to position themselves beside the track to take photos must be careful not to venture too close.
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| Preparing for the coming train |
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| Back to before in no time |
It was really an amazing experience having the train come so close to you and at the same time take photos of it approaching and leaving. Also having tourists inside the train take pictures of those outside the train taking pictures of them. Definitely a must visit for those looking for something different.
Conscious of time we rushed back to the taxi. By now the driver was already impatient. His tone of voice was not nice when he said that we need to rush through our next 2 sites as there was not much time left. In fact, it was only 11.45 am at the time.
Along the way, he showed his true colour when he said that we caused him to lose his income by not going on the longtail boat ride at the floating market. He would've received part of the fee from the operator but now he will lose that. This he repeated many times. We were surprised at his rude and totally unacceptable behaviour. He should be thankful to have our business and yet he was complaining to us. We just kept quiet and did not respond but told him we will hurry up in the next 2 destinations.
Then we reached Wat Bang Kung which is quite unique as the temple itself is located inside a tree. The hollow tree trunk housed a modest sized temple with a Buddha statue inside. We took some photos, performed a prayer and walked around the compound. My wife and I agreed to give an extra THB 300 to the driver to calm him down although he did not deserve it.
On the way to our last outskirt destination of the day which is the floating market, we told him of the additional fare we will top-up to cover his imaginary loss but still he did not seem happy. In any case it helped to shut him up.
When we were near to the floating market, we saw the piers from where the longtail boats operate from. He continued driving but then decided to drop us off about 1km from the floating market area where a paddle boat operator was stationed. Again he mentioned that he did not want to pay parking. His ungratefulness was astounding. In the end we decided to take the paddle boat to the floating market which was not so bad as it gave us a different view of the market and it only cost THB 500.
The Damnoeng Saduak Floating Market is a sigh to behold with longtail and paddle boats pushing against each other to bring tourists to the stalls on both sides of the river. It was packed in certain sections so much so that it's difficult for the boats to move. We enjoyed the sights and sounds of the market as well as the people there. The food sold were not really that expensive at least not as bad as some reviews would have you believe. Not sure about the non-food items though as we did not plan to buy any. The whole boat journey took about 1 hour and we enjoyed some coconut water and ice-cream along the way.
By the time we reached back to the pier it was about 2pm. We hopped on to the taxi and asked the driver to drop us off at Lumphini Park. As expected he was quiet all the way back to town. We decided to make a complaint about him to the hotel after we complete our trip to Bangkok. He should not be allowed to take tourists on such trips anymore.
It was late afternoon when we reached Lumphini Park. We walked around the outside of the park which has a statue of King Rama V. We saw some stalls selling fried meat and fried chicken. We decided to try some as we had an early lunch and was hungry by then. It turned out to be a good buy as the food was delicious.
After a whirlwind tour of the outskirts of Bangkok we took the opportunity to rest and relax at the park. There were many people exercising at the park. There was also a lot of pigeons and fishes. The kids had a wonderful time feeding the animals and the two elder ones took a cycleboat out to the lake. There was also a children's playground.
We hung around the park for a couple of hours before proceeding to our final destination of the day which is Patpong Night Market. It's just a short walk away from the park. Back in its heyday, Patpong is notorious for gogo bars. People associate the area more for those bars than the night market. This time around we find the place quite dull and the night market not so happening. It could be due to clampdown on these bars in the past and also the believe that prices of goods in this night market is over-inflated. After having dinner at McDonald's, we walked a while longer before we headed back to the hotel.
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| You can find anything or anyone here... |
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| McD here we go !! |
Fifth Day
A visit to Bangkok would not be complete without a tour of the Grand Palace or so they say. That's exactly our first destination of the day.
We took a taxi there and as usual the driver does not use meter and charged a fix fee that is more than double the actual fare. He would take a longer route to give the impression that it is further than it really was.
We reached the Grand Palace and saw huge congregations of tourists, mainly from China, moving towards the palace. I wondered how anyone can enjoy a tourist site that is so overwhelmingly crowded.
Important Note: The entry ticket to the Grand Palace is THB 500 which is quite hefty. On top of that, tourists who are wearing shorts or skirts above the knee will be required to buy something to cover the legs and this can cost up to THB 200. So a visit to this overcrowded tourist site can be very costly. There is little quality photo opportunity given the enormous number of people jostling for space. If you are not interested in the history of the Thai Royal family I would suggest you give this place a miss. It's probably the most overhyped tourist destination in Bangkok.
Since we were already there, we made the best of it and tried to enjoy the surroundings. We joined a free English tour to try to understand the history of the palace but the din from the overcrowded place made it very difficult to hear what they guide was trying to say. We could not catch most the information being shared.
The most important building in the palace complex would be the Temple of Emerald Buddha. It's a small emerald Buddha statue that is situated at the top of a very high pedestal. It's probably one of the most valuable item here.
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| The Emerald Buddha deep in the temple and high on the pedestal |
After visiting the temples and shrines , you will be lead by the guide to the palace area. This is where Thai kings and their families used to live (from King Rama I to King Rama V).
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| At ease... |
Important Note: When following the guide from the temple/shrine area to the palace area, please note that you will need to follow him/her back to the temple/shrine area if you want to backtrack for a second visit. This is because you are not allowed to enter the first area again after exiting it. This is not stated anywhere and tourists would be surprised when they find out that they are not allowed to visit both areas freely. Please take note of this in order to enjoy a more fruitful visit and make the most of the expensive ticket price.
Outside the palace compound, we can find the Queen Sirikit Textiles Museum. Though this may not be normally mentioned as a main attraction at Grand Palace, it is indeed an interesting and important part of the visit. It houses Queen Sirikit's royal clothes that Her Majesty has won over the years. It's laid out fashionably and explained in detail in the form of words and videos. To top it off, it is air-conditioned which is becomes the most important factor on hot and humid days. There is also an activity center for children in the museum where one can experiment with Batik designs.
After taking in the atmosphere and sites at the Grand Palace it was time for lunch . We walked across the road from the palace to an eatery serving Thai food. It's more expensive than normal eateries but is convenient.
After having lunch, we decided to move on to another famous temple, Wat Pho where one can see a sleeping Buddha statue. However, Wat Pho is actually much more than that. It's a temple complex with a large compound and many nicely designed and decorated buildings. This is definitely a gem among the tourist places you can find around the area. When we were there they were having an anniversary celebration with elaborate ceremonies and monks from all over the place.
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| Wat Pho complex |
Our next destination is just across the river and to get there we need to go on a ferry. The ferry terminal is made of wood and is quite unique.
Our third destination is Wat Arun, which rises magnificently when seen from the river. Again, it is a temple complex but much smaller than Wat Pho. One unique feature here is heavy influence of Chinese culture,
As the sun begins to set, we make our way to the ferry terminal to catch a ferry to Asiatique. It would be quite a ride as it is rush hour and there should be a lot of people. We caught the orange flag ferry to Wat Rajsingkorn. This ferry operates only until around 7 pm. In fact, we happened to catch one of the last ferries out of the Wat Arun pier.
Asiatique is an open air mall that caters mainly for tourists. It's a nice setting but can get a bit hot as it is not air-conditioned except for some of the individual shops. We had our dinner at a Japanese restaurant. There are a lot of massage joints here. One can also catch Muay Thai matches here too.
When it was time to return to our hotel, we tried getting a taxi but again the driver quoted an exorbitant fee of THB 500. We decided to take a bus followed by BTS instead and that come up to less than THB 300 for 6 people. Goes to show how horrible taxi drivers in Bangkok are.
Scam alert: While we were enjoying the sights and sounds of the area, we saw a young girl in traditional costume started to dance. In front of her was a basket to collect donations apparently for her education. Not long after 2 young Thai boys came to disturb and laugh at the girl. Suddenly a male minder came out to hit one of the young boy at the back very hard. This is to stop them from disturbing the girl so she can continue with her performance. Knowing Asia and how things work, I'm quite sure this is a scam to get tourists to unknowingly donate to a syndicate by using an innocent young child as a lure. So, when making donations, please take this into consideration.
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| Beware when making donations... it may be going to illegal syndicates |
Sixth Day
A visit to Bangkok would truly not be complete if you've not dedicated some time for shopping so the sixth day was solely for this activity. Our first shopping place is Terminal 21 mall located at Asok BTS station. This place is famous for reasonably priced items. There are about 7 floors and each floor is themed after a city or region in the world like Caribbean, Paris, Istanbul, San Francisco, Tokyo and London. We found the lower ground floor to be most suitable for us with Daiso and Tao Kae Noi stores. Terminal 21 happens to have one of the cheapest food court. The food here is even cheaper than some of the hawker stalls. It's packed during lunch hour so be prepared to wait for a seat.
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| Video games you can play for a small fee.. should have this in KL |
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| Some angry bears we have here.. |
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| Even the toilets are themed |
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| Why are they following me ?! |
After Terminal 21, we proceeded to other shopping sites such as Big C and CentralWorld. Spotting good deals is hard and tiring work. But it was satisfying and rewarding at the same time.
Seventh Day
Since the last day of our stay in Bangkok is a Saturday, we decided to check out Chatuchak Market. This is a huge market where you can find bargains on almost anything. The layout goes by Section and Soi (street) so you can track where you've been and where you want to go. At the market information counter, you can find a map of the market and also advice on where to go. There is also a JJ Market where you can find lots of food and also JJ Mall where you can continue your shopping.
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| Animal section near JJ Market |
As time was approaching for us to go to the airport, we decided to rush back to our hotel area and catch a last glimpse of Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre. This is a big building which houses all manners of works of arts. It's definitely a must see even if you are not an art enthusiast. The interesting displays there are intriguing and thought-provoking.
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| Basket Cases |
It's time to go back to KL and we head to the airport. As we have little choice we had to book a taxi which cost THB 700. For those travelling alone with few friends and no children and little luggage, I would advise to use other forms of cheaper transport like airport train.
Places and things we missed out
There are a few interesting places which we would've loved to visit if we had more time and here they are:
- Ayutthaya - that ancient Thai capital with its interesting ruins, temple and palace would make an interesting day visit. You can take the train from Hua Lamphong station for a small fee
- Rod Fai market - this rustic bazaar selling various food and antique items would be make an interesting visit
- Khao San road - this interesting backpacking area with its bars and night market is a good place to visit
- Bangkok Old Town - More time to explore the old city as there are museums and interesting temples doting this area.
- Massage - we never got the chance to have a massage but it would've great if we can get a simple foot massage to soothe our aching feet after 7 days of whirlwind tour.
Conclusion
Bangkok is an interesting city with different activities to cater for different people. You can find what you want in this City of Angels if you look hard enough. However, there are some pitfalls and scams to avoid in order to make your stay more pleasant and I have tried to highlight some of these.
So, what's the total damage to our pockets for this trip? About RM 8,200 for 6 people inclusive of flights, hotel, transportation, food, shopping and tickets.
In our visit, we are guided by 2 apps which really made it easier for us to move around city. One app suggest interesting sites and walking tours. The other provide info on BTS and MRT lines, cost and route from source to destination.
Remember to bring sunscreen, umbrella and lots of energy and have fun exploring this city that never sleeps.
