Bangkok free and easy

No itinerary planned for this June  2025 trip as we have been to Bangkok numerous times.

Gotta clear my RCI points and hardly you can find Anantara Riverside Bangkok available. I have paid SGD236, was charged RM797.08 for my seven (7) nights stay there.  Flight through Batik Air where it cost RM482 per ticket is a good deal.

Not sure what to expect, upon arrival at Don Meung airport, we took grab to the hotel and was allocated room at their 3rd floor (anantara vacation club rooms). There is tea break provided at the same floor at 3 - 5 pm with 2 types of drinks, 2 types of cookies and 2 types of finger food (mini bagel with shrimp, smoked salmon, tuna sandwhich, ham & cheese sandwich).

Anantara also provide complimentary boat shuttle to Sathorn Pier which is few minutes walk Saphan Taksin BTS, Icon Siam, Rivercity so is actually quite convenient.  There is a covered walkway to Riverside Plaza where you can have your meals, massage, snacks, shopping. 

With so many times waiting for shuttle boat, is quite serene looking at the boats passed by at Chao Phraya River. 

Day 1 (Plaza Riverside)

Lunch at Bangkok Bold after hotel check in, their som tam is fragrant with very fresh lime, tomyum was good too and we had Koong Ob Woonsen as well. Total bill THB650.

Dinner we had simple pizza (THB238) to share. We had rum and raisin ice cream at Swenzen (THB69) 

Fare from Don Meung airport to hotel THB564 (Fare THB408, Toll THB140, Foreign payment fee THB16)

Day 2 (Chatuchak)

Saphan Taksin BTS to Siam BTS, change Sukhumvit line and stop at Mo Chits BTS, walk few minutes to Chatuchak.  Good that the morning rain and the day is very comfortable to explore that huge area. Plenty from pets, plants, clothing, food, souvenirs, massage. Had brunch in that area cost us THB300 only.

Dinner was kar moo (braised pork knuckles rice) THB325.

Day 3 (Chinatown)

We took hotel complimentary boat ride then another public boat ride to Chinatown.  Each had small bowl of fishball noodle soup (THB212). Then we tried the tiny Siew Mai (steam pork dumpling) sold by old uncle using a cart. 6 pieces for THB21.  Dessert at Nam Doa Huu THB210 with 3 Pattongo (THB20), if you need kaya add on THB25.  After Chinatown, we alight to Icon Siam.  Had Pang Cha tea there (THB200).  Back to hotel for a rest before we head out later to sister's condo at Lao Prat via BTS & MRT then hop onto their car.  Dinner we had with my younger sister, her husband and his family (parents and sister) at Niitaya Kai Yang Nawamin branch closer to the parents' house. Quite a few years we last met his parents in Bangkok.

Day 4  

We met up with sister after her lunch appointment at Central Embassy. Took BTS to Phloenchit. We had brunch at the food court for their crispy osyter omelette (THB190), had a stroll, bought some souvenirs, then for some dessert (THB406) before back to her condo for dinner with my another sister who was coincident in Bangkok to visit her daughter/my niece.  Dinner was just next to the condo (THB600).

Day 5

We explore Thalat Phlu food  market as recommended by my Bangkok sister. Grab from hotel to that area was THB100. Had the delicious Tongleng fish ball noodle THB180. Lunch at Tek Heng Michelin Bib Gourmand for its Crispy Rice Noodle and Fish Maw soup THB415. Bought the dumpling (THB65) and Tako THB36 at Khanom Wan Talat Phlu on Soi Thoet Thai 25 back to hotel. Evening we went to Asiatqiue then stop at Icon Siam  before taking grab (THB92) Bangkok Chim Chun for dinner (THB598).  The boss was friendly and we chatted a while about some chinese immigrants history as his father was from China. Grab back to hotel cost THB140. 

Thalat Phlu is the area of shooting the movie How to make million before grandma dies.

Day 6

Hubby suggested grab (THB230) to Thon Buri, quite a huge area selling live seafood, vegetables, clothing, lots of street food.   We had river prawn, osyter, crab, squid cost us THB1300. Massage at Tonsakpakkai for 2 pax THB1020, hubby 2 hours, myself 1 hour). After massage, we had noodles, banana fritters, sweet potato ball  before heading back to hotel. 

Day 7 

Went to Peppery Thai Bistro Icon Siam for brunch (THB824), tried their delicious curry crab. Met sister and her husband for dinner at CentralWorld. 

Day 8

Grab to airport (THB477 + Toll THB50) for our flight home via Batik Air.  Glad that it was on time.  Hubby's dragon pass managed to get us access lounge and he was able to bring a companion. More of thai food again before boarding.

Back home we still miss Thai food and had our dinner at Thai Restaurant next day. LOL.

Bangkok - City of Angels

I always think once the kids started their working life, will be quite difficult to get everyone in the family to travel together.  But this trip happened because younger son could take few days off and elder son loves cities as he likes taking photos, also because he has some last year annual leave to clear.  

So we managed to go on a short but sweet family trip with lots of good food and catch up with sister & her hubby.

We left home at 6.30am as afraid of morning traffic even though our Air Asia X flight ETD 10.50am. We reached airport by 8am, after drop baggage for younger son, we went to Priority Lounge for breakfast, cleared immigration and off to boarding gate.

I can say that this trip was more on food rather than places of interest to visit since we have been to Bangkok few times. Swensen Rum & Raisin ice cream and Pork burger a must since we do not have these in KL. We had pork burger in the Suvarnabhumi Airport on our return trip.

Places where we had our meals:

1. T & K Seafood at Yoawarat China Town for seafood dinner

Indoor air condition or outdoor for lots of seafood choice. We had grilled lobster, grilled squid, bbq cockles etc.

2. Pa Tong Go, You Tiow with pandan kaya custard - MIchelin Guide Street Food - delicious dipping into the kaya custard.

3 Nam Sing Bird Nest, Yaowarat - you can have the small individual bowl here.

4. Savoey at Terminal 21 for local thai dinner

Food was good, place was packed but did not have to wait for long for food to be served

5. Pala Pizza Romano at  BTS/MRT Sukhumvit Asok - sourdough pizza for supper

Love the Sourdough pizza whereas son had risotto

6. Here Hai at Thonglor - Michelin Guide Seafood lunch

Be prepared to wait as the queue is long. We waited less than an hour. We had crab omelette, crab fried rice, river prawn etc

7. Thong Smith at Central World

Boat noodle, choice of beef or pork

8. Kub Kao Kub Pla at Siam Paragon

Few Signature Thai dishes you should tried here. I love the green curry, creamy and fragrant.

9. Thai Niyom at Ploencit Road - Michelin Bib Gourmand array Thai Cuisine from Chiangmai to Hadyai

Thumbs up for the delicious food

Shopping was only done at Big C for some snacks/souvenirs. Though both sons have their own separate visit to Wat Arun, we had our prayers at Four Faced Budha (Erawan Shine) and window shopping at Terminal 21 since we stayed nearby.

Our stay was only 3 nights but hope to be back soon. It was 2 rooms at Airbnb, 10 mintues walk to Terminal 21.  Though my sister who is working in Bangkok has been recommending so many hotels for me to consider.  Will consider staying in hotel for my next trip.

Marketing Organization for Farmers @ Bangkok

Interesting clean market where you find lots, from live fish, vegetables, mixed rice, dessert, dry stuff, fruits, juice and even mango sticky rice, somtam, cooked large prawn and crab meat, cashew nuts and dried longan.

We had our breakfast, moo kar rice and noodle soup as there are quite a number of food stalls here.

We were staying at Sutthisan where the MRT is just 1 minute walk away, so convenient with THB26 one way to Kamphaeng Phet station. Exit 1 right into this Marketing Organisations for Farmer market. Local language this market is called Or Tho Kor. You can also go to Chatuchak weekend market from this station.

Look what we found, plenty of goodies here.

Varieties of cooked dishes

These are yummy

Plenty of fruits and also fruits basket

Cooked Crab & Prawn

Dried Stuff eg Dried Shrimp

Sawasdee Bangkok

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.

Lobby of Mybed Ratchada Hotel.

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.



Refreshing Palm Juice

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.

Let's Sea Resort

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. 

Busy Damnoen Sanuak Floating Market

On our 6th day, we had Mr Manus to drive us to Grand Palace, about 25 minutes from our hotel.  Then walked 10 minutes from Grand Palace to Wat Pho, Temple of Reclining Budha.  Entrance fee for Wat Pho was THB100 but there was a notice stated it would increase to THB200 in 2015.

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.

Sweet, Succulent, Tender Meat at Tha Thien Pier 4 sticks for THB100



350 g Big Shrimp at Riverview

On our 7th day, Bangkok Beyond outsourced to Mee, a driver with Toyota Camry who came to pick us from our hotel at 8 am to Ayutthaya.  We had our breakfast at one of the restaurant at Ayutthaya.  According to Mee, it was a restaurant frequented by their Princess who loved the Pad Thai there.  After breakfast, we went to Wat Phra, a large temple that was quite thoroughly ransacked by the Burmese.  You could spot the famous tree that has grown around a Buddha head.  Entrance fee cost you THB50 and if you required audio, it would be THB100.  No strict dress code in Ayutthaya.

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

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.

Check this out for recommended food in Bangkok:
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.