I just got back from my 4 day trip to Bangkok. This city is cosmopolitan, rich in culture, and never sleeps - the most amazing place I've ever been in Asia.
FLIGHT DETAILS
Clark to Bangkok
Departure: Sat Sept 17 2011 20:45
Arrival: Sat 17 Sept 2011 23:00
Bangkok To Clark
Departure: Tue Sept 20 2011 23:40
Arrival: Wed Sept 21 03:55
* Price: P4,710 (roundtrip airfare) + 600 (terminal fee) + 1,620 (Philippine travel tax for Filipinos) = P6,930 (Total)
* Conversion rate: 1 USD = 43.55 PHP , 1 THB = 1.43
* Manila is one hour ahead of time.
DAY 1
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport is huge, modern, and well-lighted. To go to the city center , you can take the train or bus, but it's recommended to take the taxi if you're travelling in 2 or more as the cost is reasonable. We paid 340 THB (220 meter, 70 autoroad toll, 50 airport add on). It took us around 40 minutes with minor traffic to go to our hotel.
* Be sure to take the metered taxi outside the airport as it's less expensive than airport taxis.
* Write your hotel address, most drivers don't speak English
The Ambassador Bangkok Hotel
We stayed in The Ambasador Bangkok <
http://www.amtel.co.th/> which is located in Sukhumvit Soi 11. It's located in the center, 1 minute walk from Nana BTS Sky Train Station and close to restaurants and party places. There's also a swimming pool where you can relax after a long day of sightseeing. If you need to buy something like water, bread, or coffee, there's 7/11 right across the hotel which is very convenient.
* We paid 1,490 THB per night. The regular price is 2,600 THB per night. We got this special 40% dicounted rate in Agoda (
http://www.agoda.com/)
Pad Thai
After arriving to our hotel around midnight, we tried this famous cuisine Pad Thai (stir fried noodles with lots of ingredients) in UPS, a resturant nearby somewhere in Sukhumvit Soi 11.
Bossy and Spicy Club
Since it's our first night in Bangkok, we wanted to explore the night life. First we went to Bossy Club (entrance 300 THB) and this looked dingy. So we decided to transfer to Spicy (entrance 300 THB) which looked more of a party club. The problem is that there are a lot of prostitutes and old fugly foreigners. So I won't recommend this club if you're looking for normal clubbing experience.
* If you go to these clubs Bossy and Spicy, you don't have to pay for the taxi as the club gives commission to taxi drivers.
* Always ask for the meter when taking a taxi. Some drivers would ask for 150 to 300 THB while a taxi ride around the city center only costs around 50 to 100 THB.
DAY 2
Cabbages & Condoms
There's this famous and interesting restaurant
Cabbages & Condoms <
http://www.pda.or.th/restaurant/> which is located in Sukhumvit soi 12, around 10 minutes walk from Nana Sation. This restaurant promotes safe sex and instead of giving candies after eating, they give condoms. I like the theme of this restaurant as it's unique and for a good cause. However, there's nothing fancy with the cuisine and can actually be pricy. We paid around 1400 THB for a simple lunch. Nevertheless, it's good for the experience.
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| Entrance |
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| Santa made of condoms |
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| Guidelines... |
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| Need a storage for your files? |
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| Tables outside |
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| Nothing special with the food |
Don't throw your cig butts on the streets!
On our way to Nana metro station, Wanwan was apprehended by a police officer for throwing his cigarette butt on the road. He was asked to pay 2000 THB for the fine. After an hour of negotiation, the police officer let us go and did not let us pay. Lucky you Wanwan!
* The fine for throwing a cigarette butt on the road is 2,000 THB for the first offense and then 10,000 THB for next offense. You wouldn't easily see police officers until they caught you. If you're a smoker, be careful!
BTS Sky Train and Metro
Bangkok has impressive BTS sky train (elevated) and metro (underground) as the stations are accessible and the lines are well-connected. A ride would cost around 15 to 35 THB. It's even less expensive to take a taxi when there are two or more people going around the city.
Chatuchak Market
Chatuchak is the largest market in Southeast Asia composed of 8,000 stalls which is located in northern part of Bangkok. Take the skytrain from Nana to Asok (15 THB) then take the metro from Sukhumvit to Kampheng Pet (35 THB). Here you can buy everything - clothes, food, accessories, shoes, etc. However, it's only open during weekends.
You should try this Thai Milk Tea (30 THB)! Looking at the exhibition of this tea maker, this looks authentic (better than the one in restaurants). And of course, don't miss the fresh coconut juice (25 THB).
Lumphini Park
Once you get tired of the buzz of Bangkok, you can go Lumphini Park to stroll and unwind. The view is scenic and therapeutic. From Chatuchak, take the metro Kemphaeng Phet and get off at Silom (40 THB).
DAY 3
Chao Phraya River Cruise
To experience the river ride, we rented a boat in Saphan Taksin, somewhere in the western side of Bangkok. We were asked to pay 1,000 THB per person for 1 hour ride which was crazy but we managed to negotiate it to 250 THB which was more reasonable (but still expensive!). We should've taken the public boat as it would've been so much cheaper but the taxi took us to the pier that rents out private boat for tourist (because cab drivers get commission). Nevertheless, we had fun in our shaky river ride while looking at the old side of the city.
*If you're taking the taxi (around 80 THB from the center), I suggest that you go straight to Grand Palace (right bank of the river) then go to Wat Pho (it's just behind the palace), and finally go to river side and take the boat to Wat Arun (it's on the left bank of the river). You can take the boat back again to Grand Palace and take the taxi to Khao San Road (around 50 THB).
*Beware of taxis that will say that the palace is still closed and will recommend to go river cruise in Chao Phraya as they'll take you to piers that offer boats for crazy expensive price. Actually, the palace is not close at all so you can go straight there.
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| Gasoline Station |
Wat Arun
Wat Arun (entrance 50 THB) is a Buddhist temple located in the west bank of the river. This was our first stop after our 20 minute boat ride. Be careful when you go to the peak as stairs are too steep.
*Wear pants and shirt with sleeves when going to temples. Otherwise, you won't be allowed to get inside.
Tuktuk Scam!
Tuktuk is a unique and local 3-wheel 4-seater form of public transportation in Bangkok. Beware of Tuktuk Scam! After Wat Arun, we went to Grand Palace which was on the east bank of the river. The guard told us that the Palace will open at 1:30 after the praying time. He then instructed us to visit other Buddhas in the city and directed us to the Tuktuk driver who only asked us to pay 40 THB. After visiting the first Buddha, he asked us to visit this tailoring shop so he could get free gas. Then he begged us again to visit this jewelry shop to get free gas. Instead of seeing 3 Buddhas, we wasted more than an hour visiting these tailoring and jewelry shops!
*Beware of nice guards/people who will say that the Palace is closed due to some reasons such as praying time or whatever and will show you the map of other Buddhas to visit while waiting for the Palace to open. Then they'll lead you to Tuktuk drivers who will offer cheap tour (around 40 THB). These drivers will just bring you to clothing or jewelry shops and you'll end up wasting your time. After all, the palace never actually closed.
Grand Palace
Grand Palace (entrance 400 THB) is a group of intricate ancient buildings located in the east bank of Chao Phraya River. This served as the residence of the Kings way back in history. Because the entrace was pricey, we decided just to take photos outside.
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| With my travel mates - Praxe, Wanwan, Me |
Wat Pho
Wat Pho (entrance 50 THB) is another temple located behind Grande Palace. It's where you'll see the famous and gigantic Reclining Buddha. Because it was too hot to walk, we decided to take a taxi from Grand Palace to Wat Pho (40 THB).
* It can be really hot in Bangkok - better to put sunblock and bring extra shirt.
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| Reclining Buddha |
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| Reclining Buddha |
Khao San Road
From Wat Pho, we took a taxi (50 THB) to Khao San Road, which is known as the backpakers haven. In the street, you'll see a lot of foreigners from all over the world. There good resturants at a reasonable price. Street food is a must try. You'll also find small stores where you can find clothes. You deserve a Thai massage after the long historical tour.
Beer at Cheap Charlie's
After our sightseeing, we went to Cheap Charlie's located in Sukhumvit Soi 11 (Nana station) to grab a beer. This is an outdoor bar that sells reasonable-priced imported beers. You should try the beer from Laos (60 THB) - light and smooth taste. This bar seems to attract young expats and tourists.
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| Me, Praxe, Sylvain, Wanwan |
Family Bar-B-Q - Authentic Thai Barbeue and Seafood Buffet
This is my most authentic dining experience in Bangkok. It's located in Phetchaburi road (near Phetchaburi station). Most people who eat here are the locals. For 200 THB, you get to pick alive seafood, barbecue, etc. and cook it in front of you. You can also ask the waiter to cook for you and put some Thai recipe. I recommend that you get some shrimps and ask the waiter make it Tom Yum, a spicy soup (yummy).
Sirocco - Lebua Hotel
Sirocco is the restaurant on the roofdeck of Lebua Hotel located in Silom district. The view is fantastic especially at night - Bangkok Skyline full of lights. It's exactly the same place where Hangover II was filmed. They don't allow to take photos unless you go to Sky Bar and get a cocktail drink for around 400 THB the minimum. Neverthless, you can still go around the deck and enjoy the view for free.
Bangkok Party at RCA (Royal City Avenue)!
If you want to experience night life in Bangkok, go to RCA. The entrance is 400 THB that comes with 2 drinks. This club is posh and the crowd looks elite (no prostitutes). There are three bars inside (Trance, R&B, and Thai). It's good that you hop from one room to the other to experience different music and people. We went on a Monday night and the club was jam-packed. Thais know how to party hard!
After party street food
People eat along the street after party. Try this BBQ, it's good!
DAY 4
Platinum Mall
This is my most recommended shopping mall in Bangkok. It's located in Ratchadamri road which is in the heart of the city. You'll find clothes made locally at a good price. There's no immitation of luxury brands unlike in Chatuchak or MBK. It's fully airconditioned and the sales ladies are not pushy, which makes it easy to shop.
Bangkok Center - Ratchadamri Road
Traffic's insane!
Isetan Mall and Siam Paragon
These malls sell high-end brands such as Hermes, Chanel, Zaram etc. It's good for window shopping.
MBK
This is the most featured shopping center in Bangkok. You'll find everything here - clothes, shoes, jewelries, electronics, food, etc. From Platinum, you can walk to Isetan Mall, pass by the sky walk to Siam Paragon, then take the bridge to MBK. If you're only looking for clothes, I wouldn't recommend this mall as mostly it sells imitation of luxury brands. It's better to go Chatuchak Market or Platinum Mall for good quality clothes with no brands at a cheap price.
Tom Yum and Crepe on the street
Our yummy last meal in Bangkok! Tom Yum costs 30 THB and Crepe costs 40 THB. If you're on a budget travel, you can eat in stalls along the streets and pay 5 times less than average restaurants.
EXPENSES
Airfare + Philippine Travel Tax + Terminal Fee (6,930 PHP)
Accommodation (2,210)
Food, Transportation, Sites Entrance Fee, Party, Shopping (12,155)
Total (21,295 PHP) (489 USD) (14,892 THB)
I hope this itinerary helps!
Regards,
Amazing Young Traveller
