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Business trip at a glance
Country: Kingdom of Thailand
Period: 20 Nov to 22 Nov 2007
- Flight timings:
20 Nov: SQ 970, SIN-BKK, ETD 0845 ETA 1010
22 Nov: SQ 625, BKK-SIN, ETD 1830 ETA 2155
Accommodation:
Grand Hyatt Hotel, Erawan Bangkok (20 Nov to 22 Nov)
Period: 10 Dec to 12 Dec 2007
- Flight timings:
10 Dec: SQ 970, SIN-BKK, ETD 0845 ETA 1010
12 Dec: SQ 631, BKK-SIN, ETD 1500 ETA 1825
Accommodation:
Grand Hyatt Hotel, Erawan Bangkok (10 Dec to 12 Dec)
Currency exchange rate: THB 100 = SGD 4.45 (Nov '07 period)
Airline Review
Singapore Airlines
The IATA code for this airline is SQ. It's a short flight between Singapore and Bangkok; only about 2 hours 25 mins. Luckily I've bought a flight adaptor which enables me to connect to their In-flight entertainment system once they have turned it on. That really saved precious time without having to wait for their headsets to be issued. I even completed watching the whole movie 'Ratatouille' on board the flight!
The meals served were pretty standard, but I do observe that SQ changed their food menu regularly; at least I do not get to eat the same food even though I'm on the same flight. Here were my meal selections for my two separate trips.
Period: 20 Nov to 22 Nov 2007
- Following inflight meals were served: 'Fried Bee Hoon' on 20 Nov (left photo below) & 'Tomato Spaghetti' on 22 Nov (right photo below).
Period: 10 Dec to 12 Dec 2007
- Following inflight meals were served: 'Nasi Lemak' on 10 Dec (left photo below) & 'Fried Rice' on 12 Dec (right photo below). Finally got the chance to taste the 'Nasi Lemak' on board; nothing really fantastic but at least something new.
Holiday atmosphere was there since there were Christmas decorations on the aircraft (photos below). It really brings out mood to celebrate the holiday. On the contradictory, it could really spoil the mood if the passenger is on business and will be staying overseas during the Christmas season.
The boarding passes of Singapore Airlines also had a new look; the outgoing passes (left photo below) from Singapore are very much bigger compared to incoming ones (right photo below). These new passes also included a 3D barcode, which probably only Singapore airport has the equipment to print and scan these barcodes. Therefore I believed that it will take some time for the rest of the world (especially SQ counter) to standardize and issue the same boarding passes as those back home.
Airport Review
Suvarnabhumi Airport
The IATA code for this Suvarnabhumi Airport is BKK. Remember I commented in my previous posting during Sep that there were birds flying over the marshes near the runway? Here's the evidence (photo below).
Accommodation Review
Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel
Stayed in this Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel during my second and third business trip to Bangkok. The hotel is in great location because it is at the heart of shopping area and just beside the famous Erawan Shrine (left photo below). However occasionally you will smell burnings from the offering at the shrine outside the lobby, depending on the wind direction. BTS station 'Chit Lom' is just 5 minutes walk away and the 'Central World' mall is diagonally opposite across the traffic junction (right photo below).
The hotel entrance does look grand and has securities present 24-hours to check incoming vehicles. No wonder even the UN secretary-general also chooses this hotel; I even saw Ban Ki-moon (with heavily guarded) walking towards his car using the red carpet on 11 Dec (no photos taken as I don't want my camera to be confiscated).
The hotel lobby is decorated with lots of greeneries with some real and some artificial plants (photos below), which is rare for most hotels.
The cost per room for a 'Grand-King' room is THB 6355.80 per night. Room is slightly smaller compared to Conrad hotel I previously stayed. Room design wise is modern, with a working-desk that would suit most visitors on business (photos below).
Mandarin oranges are complimentary at every room, which are good supplements of dietary fibers and Vitamin C for travelers (photos below).
Breakfast was part of the room package with great varieties to choose from. Here were two of my typical breakfast selections, with my favorite being the dim sum (photos below).
The Airavata, or Erawan in Thai, is a three-headed elephant in Hindu mythology is not only the god Indra's vehicle but also a symbol of the eastern religion's cosmography. Therefore sculptures of Erawan can be found at the hotel entrance (left photo below). As an appreciation, a small token (key-chain) was given to visitor who stayed in this hotel for more than once (right photo below).
Food Review
Fish-ball noodle stall
- Was glad that I was able to travel out of Bangkok city to visit other manufacturers in these second and third trips. This time, the contract manufacturer introduced his favorite store for lunch; a fish-ball noodle stall near the factory (left photo below), somewhere at Khet Ratchathewi district. I couldn't recall where exactly the place was because most of the time I was chauffeured by the manufacturer's vehicle. From the appearance it doesn't look as it serves good food, but once you have taken the bite, you will change your opinion. The soup is tasty and the fish ball is crunchy, and best of all there were at least 4 types of fish balls served (right photo below). Usually I would order two bowls as the portion served were rather small.
Lao Li Shark's Fin Restaurant (海外天)
- Often dinner was either arranged by the contract manufacturer or taken at the hotel, but this time I suggested to go Chinatown (along Yaowarat road) for sharks' fin. The choice would be 'Lao Li' restaurant (photos below), which was recommended by most tour books and personally I had tasted it during my last visit in 2006. Of course this time is either on company's or manufacturer's bill.
Ordered one shark's fin with crab meat (left photo below) for each of us and some side dishes like fried oyster egg and prawns (right photo below). Taste remains good and the service is acceptable. Don't be surprised that most of the waitress could understand Chinese / Teochew, since it is located at Chinatown. Above is the location of this restaurant.
- After the shark's fin, my next destination would be Bird's nest soup at 'Nam Sing' restaurant (left photo below) which is just at the other corner from the 'Lao Li'. 'Nam Sing' does sell shark's fin, but heard comments that their bird's nest is even better. There are several grades of bird nest to choose from, and we have ordered the 'second' grade, either with ginko nuts or dried longans (right photo below). There is also 'take-away' service available.
Nara Thai Cuisine
- Nara Thai Cuisine was introduced to me by my colleague (left photo below). It was conveniently located at the basement of Erawan Bangkok (shopping mall) next to Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. Food in this restaurant is authentic, and has good dining atmosphere. What caught my attention was the tray of five different seasonings on each table (right photo below).
Rest and Relax (R&R) Review
Health Land Spa & Message
- Wanted to have Thai message which I've missed during my first visit. Luckily had some free time during my second visit to try out at this Health Land Spa & Message at North Sathorn (photos below). Took the package of two hours Body message and one hour foot message. Totally feel relaxed after the message. Think I'm addicted to it!
Couldn't remember the total cost as it was claimed through the travel expense. But from the brochure above, it costs about THB 700.
Interesting Facts about Thailand
Election Fever
- It was parliamentary election period during my 3rd trip in Bangkok. Noticed that huge posters of candidate were on displayed at almost every available lamppost or tree. The candidates on these posters were very well dressed; some were in military uniform, while others in business suits. The candidates I saw some really looked too young to be members of parliament, while others do looked like advertisers from spa / massage companies (left photo below).
Calendar Year Confusion
- Saw some of the Thai documents written with the current year to be "50". Was shock at first and thought that the documents I saw were from the 50s. Later I was told that it was neither the Gregorian calendar we used nor their Imperial Year. It is the Buddhist year! So our usual year at A.D. 2007 would be the Buddhist year of 2550 (right photo below). Probably only few countries in the world still uses Buddhist calendar. Have to take note as some of the food products I observed do use this Buddhist year, so not to be mistaken as had already expired for 50 years !
Dress code color
- Probably the dress code started when their Thai King commemorates his 60th of reign where everyone wore yellow to celebrate. After which it had became a trend to wear yellow on every Monday (as their King is born on Monday). Yellow had since become the best selling color and even brands like Burberry's, Adidas etc also merchandize these yellow T-shirts. Recently the King wore pink during one of his public appearances. Now it had become another trend to wear pink on every Tuesday.
Isn't it a great idea where everyone doesn't have to think of what color to wear for work!