I was eager to be in Bangkok to meet my youngest sister who is now working there. Could not describe the excitement of seeing her at Don Meaung Airport when she and her fiance came to give us a warm welcome.
Thanks to my sister who prepared my itinerary, done the hotel booking at Mybed @ Ratchada and Let's Sea al Fresco Resort, Hua Hin. Both a night stay each. I have my booking with RCI for the next 6 nights in Bangkok at Grand Tower Inn, Rama VI.
We took Air Asia flight departed at 7 pm from KLIA2 - "Airport in Mall, Mall in Airport" Concept for the first time . Landed Bangkok at about 8.15 pm (2 hours 15 minutes flight). Thailand is an hour behind us. We bought from DTAC unlimited data for 7 days which cost us THB299 inclusive of free calls of THB40.
Off we went for supper at Lat Phrao roadside stalls selling bamee tomyam, clear soup noodle, spicy soup noodle, only at THB40 per bowl before we were dropped off at Mybed Ratchada Hotel, a clean and cool concept hotel at THB900 per night. Complimentary wifi in room and cofee tea facility 24 hours at lobby. This hotel was just 5 minutes away from my sister's apartment.
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| Lobby of Mybed Ratchada Hotel. |
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| Lad Prao area
Next morning, after breakfast nearby the hotel, we were picked up from our hotel by my sister and her fiance and off we ventured to Hua Hin. Enroute, we stopped at PTT Park/Fuel Station to purchase snack and Khaw Wang (Palace) at Petchaburi for palm juice (sea coconut), if in cup THB10 and bottle THB35. Nearby, you could find a famous noodle shop.
We went to Santorini Park, entrance fee THB50 per pax and bought some tshirts there and took lots of pictures. If you enjoy waterpark, you may go opposite their water fantasy for some fun. After Santorini, we went for lunch besides the beach at Krua Medsai Seafood Restaurant in Petchaburi province. We had primantis prawn 500 gm, flower crab 1 kilo, seabass salted grilled, somtam, squid steam lime juice, clear tomyam prawn,grilled mussel, grilled fish and drinks for 5 of us THB1,835. We loved the food here.
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| Refreshing Palm Juice |
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| Fresh & Aroy Primantis Prawn Chaa Am |
After lunch, we checked into the beautiful Let's Sea Al Fresco Resort. My sister booked two units, one room direct to pool and another room upstairs which had roof top which we enjoyed at night having wine and food stuff bought from night market. As for dinner, we went to Jek Piek Restaurant for their Chim Chun (Thai Steamboat) and satay. We had steamboat (THB200),20 sticks of satay (THB70), claypot soohoon prawn (THB170) with drinks and the bill came out to THB480. We proceeded to Chatsila night market (Daily 6 pm - 3 am) and Cicada night market (Sat 4pm-11pm, Sun 4pm-10pm) before we went back to our resort.
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| Let's Sea Resort |
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| Cicada Night Market |
The very next day, after breakfast at the hotel which you may choose from the menu as each person was entitled to meal worth of THB690, we went for ATV and back to hotel for a dip into the pool before we checked out. We went straight for the famous and aroy Mango Sticky Rice located at Naresdamri Road nearby Hilton Hotel. Each packet will cost you THB80. We had lunch nearby at Chaolay Seafood Restaurant which I did not find their seafood fresh. On way back to Bangkok, we went for shopping spree at Cha am Premium Outlet prior to check into Grand Tower Inn Rama XI Road Hotel. Besides Grand Tower, there was this North East Cuisine Restaurant where we had duck, beef, and thai steamboat for dinner.
Next morning we boarded a taxi from our hotel to Platinum Shopping Mall, THB80 for about 25 minutes journey. We had our brunch 5 portion of moo ka rice and one each dry wanton noodle and soup noodle which cost us THB70. This small shop was so famous and that you gotta queue to get a table. Location just accross Platinum Fashion Mall at Pratunam area Soi Petchuri 19. We bought quite a number of tshirts from this mall. Similar to this mall, you may also opt for Union Mall, by MRT to Phahon Yohtin station.
There was this driver at the entrance to Grand Tower, Mr Manus Arronpong with a green Innova 8 seaters taxi, we found him very honest and uses meter all the time. He could be contacted at 0922785598 or Line: jonat1966 or nanta_hack@yahoo.com
After the mall, we visited Erawan Shrine, had 60 minutes foot massage (THB300) at Chang Foot Massage located at Siam Square. After massage, just a walking distance, you will reach Som Tam Nua, famous for its fried chicken, som tham and crispy fry fish with some drinks cost THB642 for 3 pax. Indulge in desert at After You Dessert Cafe at Siam Paragon. Do try their Shibuya honey ferrero toast THB245 and Choco lava dark chocolate baby size THB155. If you are around this area, look for coconut shake stall (open 1 - 8 pm) at Siam Square Soi 3, outside Digital Mall.
On Tuesday, 5th day, we have pre-booked a car with driver (Tony) with Bangkok Beyond to Maeklong Railway Market located at Samut Songkhram province and Damnoen Sanuak Floating Market. Tony picked us from our at hotel at 7.30 am using a 10 seaters Toyota. We arrived at Maeklong at 8.45 am, journey all depends on traffic, had our breakfast nearby and then waited for the train to pass through the market at 9.45 am. The train will depart from the station at 10.20 am. There will be an announcement 10 minutes prior to the arrival of train and the traders at the market would moved their stuff back from the rails for the train to cross. And after the train had passed, they would lay again the stuff they were selling.
Tony then drove us to Damnoen Sanuak Floating Market. He enquired whether we wish to board the boat the Shang Jetty which was 1-2 km from the market and cost THB800 per boat. Instead, we requested him to drop us at the floating market itself. The lady there requested us to pay THB1000 for a boat and I negotiated till THB500 per boat for the three of us. If you have a better bargaining power, you may go as low as THB350 per boat. Tried their boat noodles or BBQ skewer. Back to Bangkok, we had Tony dropped us at China Town/Sampheang Road for souvenir shopping and then seafood dinner at TK Seafood,China Town.
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| Busy Damnoen Sanuak Floating Market |
Be careful of some Tuk- Tuk driver, one actually lied to us that Wat Pho and Wat Arun was closed half a day due to some local prayers and offered us a very cheap fare to take us around the nearby area to Laughing Buddha etc. We ignored and proceeded to Wat Pho which was actually opened. Then we board boat (THB30 per person) from Tha Thien pier, a walking distance from Wat Pho and crossed the river to Wat Arun (entrance fee of THB50). Be informed that you need to adhere to dress code, no short or sleeveless t-shirts.
After Wat Arun, we boarded ferry from Tha Thien to Central Pier (THB40 per person). Then took BTS to Silom Complex for coffee break. From Silom Complex, we proceeded to Silom Soi 19 Baan Silom before walking back to Silom Complex for dinner with my sister and her fiance. Do try their crispy pizza if you happen to visit Baan Silom.
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| Sweet, Succulent, Tender Meat at Tha Thien Pier 4 sticks for THB100 |
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| 350 g Big Shrimp at Riverview |
Then we were dropped off at Wat Lokayasutha, no entrance fee was required here before we left for Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, an ancient Royal Monastery, THB20 for entrance fee. There would be row of Buddha images all wearing saffron robes surrounding the huge Chedi/Stupa swathed in golden cloth. We stopped at Ayutthaya Premium Outlet before our lunch at Ton Nam Riverview restaurant (near to Bang Pa In Palace, famous for big Fresh River Shrimp, the largest being 700 gm which cost you THB1300. Indeed very fresh and juicy.
After Ayutthaya, we told Mee to drop us back to hotel for a rest prior to our dinner with my sister opposite her apartment at Lat Phrao.
Mee's contact as follows if you want to get in touch for his service for beyond Bangkok at THB2,500 per day.
+66855548988
Facebook: Prasarn Ekthawornjaroenkit
Email: racingtu@yahoo.com
Line: meeluckykomkom
Vehicle : Toyota Camry
Our on last night there, we went shopping at Terminal 21 Shopping Mall, had brunch at their foodcourt before our massage at Health Land Spa (recommended), walking distance from Terminal 21 Mall. You may take MRT Sukhumvit or BTS Asok
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| Terminal 21 Shopping Mall |
We then left for Chatuchak but since it was a Friday, not all shops were opened. It was recommended to visit during Saturday or Sunday.
Chatuchak market opening hours:
Fri 6pm-12mn. Sat-Sun Open around 7-8am, and close at 6pm. When we were there, my sister called us and suggested we meet at BTS On Nut and from there, we took a taxi to Talad Rot Fai near to Seacon Square. We had our dinner at Banana Leave Thai Food Restaurant at Seacon Square. And then visited Talad Rot Fai, quite a large area with a few pubs and shops selling clothing and other stuff. Indoor Market-Tuesday to Sunday, 3pm to 11pm. Outdoor Market-Friday to Sunday, 4pm to 12am
The next morning, we engaged Mr Manus to take us to Don Meung Airport. Our hotel to the airport was about 25 minutes and Mr Manus had earlier quoted which we had agreed for THB500. Fuss free VAT refund at the airport.
Bangkok was such a heaven for shopping, eating and massage. A great city to visit.
http://aroimakmak.com/28-must-eat-bangkok/
Another place, Lopburi 2 hours North Bangkok if you have time for their sunflowers field at Amphoe Phattana Nikhom. The best to visit is November to February, early morning.
