Sawasdee ka!
Again m in Bangkok for the 5th time I guess.This time, I have 2 have China friends & one Malaysian. Went to touristy places like Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Shopping at World Trade Centre,Pratunam Centre & market.Where I stay , check this out
http://www.staybangkok.com/watana.html. Need not take the package they offer. Just go for room & breakfast basis. From new airport, just walk out from the airport building (walk out from gate 8), go to the counter and get a coupon (no payment require), get a taxi from here.Print out the map & add in Thai from the site & show it to taxi driver.It is by metre.Cost no more than 350 baht to this hotel. You will probably bombarded by airport limo taxis as you exit the arrival hall just ignore them (they are legal) but expensive. Why pay so much when u can use a metre taxi which is Toyota Altis - clean & running fast & colorful...pink...errr eeew, orange, blue etc
This hotel is convenient though not near the city.Is a service apartment basic & clean. Need not pay high cos you will probably out whole day.Nearby the hotel there is MRTA -Sutthisan station (underground train) which take you to everywhere & also connects you to BTS station interchange (Sukhumvit) to Asok stationOn the first day, like all tourist we went to Erawan Shine to "report" oursleves..the famous "4 face buddha", then travel by BTS to Saphan Thaksin to take a boat ride (don't take the unlimited wholeday boat @ 120 baht - not worth it), just get into the local tourist boast cost us 20 baht to Tha Thien pier to Wat Po & Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). To go to Wat Arun , from Tha Thien take a boat across. (0.35 baht).
From Wat Po you actually walk to Grand Palace (may be 1 - 2km) walk.There's entrance fees to all the temples & grand palace too.respect the temple rules, don't wear shorts or short sleeves.You may not be allow to enter.Bewarer of liars telling that these places are close & take you for ride in their tuk tuk & charge you a BOMB.
Then at night we went to Suan Lum Night Bazzar near Lumphini Park. There's open food court with ppl singing on stage. Just enjoy the food . Not really expensive. Must buy coupon and excess is refundable on the very same day. And here you can shop too. People who don't like shopping in the day time might like it here cos they only open at night. Things are more expensive than Chatucak. If you are going to chatucak, need not come here.2nd day we went to all shopping centres.
Lingerie, tooth paste.tom yam noodle (mama brand) are relatively cheap here (go to Carrrefour, Tesco, or Central). You can also get dried pork meat (deep fried) in Bangkok (can't get in Malaysia). More choices of dried pork meat if you go to China Town (Hua Lam Phong).During weekend of course we didn't miss the weekend market (Chatuchak). From our hotel take MRTA Sutthisan to Khampeng Phet station. Traders don't really give you a good bargain cos price cos already very low here. Unless you buy a lot. U can bargain on certain things for abt 30 - 50% lower. Well all depends. Some are wholesaler here, therefore they don't lower the price anymore. So it all depends on what you want. Chatucak open very early on weekend only. Go early to avoid the late hot sun. Very big - take your time.
Massage are everywhere in Thailand. Well,I went to the one I familiar which is just next to Sutthisan MRTA station - Massage 7 - operated by Korean.2 hr for 300 baht...good deal!Open from 10am - 10pn.At the hotel I stayed in, they do have, booked it before 10 pm and they will go to your room - 500 baht for 2 hours.I went to Pratuman Centre (2nd floor) and had my foot massage @ 129 baht for 1 hr. Complete with head, neck & back massage...ahhh so good..after hours of shopping spree. Well, everyone offer the same price here.For bargaining conversation, you just need a calculator & press the figure u want.
Food - try everything on d street. Bangkok is famous for braised pork's leg rice ("ka - leg moo - pig)", freshly squeez orange juice & coconut water is a real thirst quenching.I suggest go for it.Other food that you must try are Mango with Glutinuous rice, Tom Yam Gung,pork sausages, local fried koay teow and their other desserts.
Bangkok jam - not really for us cos we travel very little by taxis. BTS provide a special preloaded card of 120 baht for unlimited ride a day. And MRTA will also provide a preloaded card where u travel at a cheaper rate.Well, calculate the cost whether is cheaper for you.Make your choice. They do have single journey ticket.
Overall shopping & massage is great here except that this time I have very bad foot & leg ache which made me no mood to explore more.Upper thigh muscle were in pain .Never happen like this before. Guess age is catching up...LOL!
kap khun ka!
