Bangkok (Oct '15) - Overview

Traveled to Bangkok (曼谷) from 15 Oct (Thu) to 18 Oct (Sun) including the weekend. Although been to Bangkok only two years ago, I was inspired and motivated by the travel vlogs on YouTube to explore the capital city again.

This was my first solo trip to Bangkok, I tried to have a tight itinerary to cover many places as possible and to maximum my time there. Therefore, after consolidating the photos, I decided to have two separate blog entries on this Bangkok trip instead of the usual one for short trips.


Leisure trip at a glance

Country: Kingdom of Thailand
Period: 15 Oct to 18 Oct 2015
Flight timings:
15 Oct: 3K 511, SIN–BKK, ETD 0715 ETA 0845
18 Oct: 3K 512, BKK-SIN, ETD 0925 ETA 1250
Air tickets:
Return tickets at SGD 197.62 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodation:
Grand Sukhumvit hotel Bangkok (15 to 18 Oct)
Currency exchange rate:
THB 100 = SGD 3.97 (Oct '15 period)

Singapore is ahead of Thailand by an hour (Thailand time: GMT +7 time zone). Total damage was about SGD 550 including flight tickets, transport, food and hotels, excluding personal expenses.

Here's the overview of the trip itinerary:

Day 1 – Morning flight 3K 511 to Bangkok. Took Airport Rail Link then BTS to hotel. Had late lunch at Roast Café and then bought Mae Varee mango sticky rice. Proceeded to Big-C for shopping. After washup in hotel, took complimentary boat ride to Asiatique. Had dinner at Pizza Company.

Day 2 – Brunch at BX2 noodle. Took Khlong Saen Saep boat service from Pratunam pier to Bang Kapi pier. Visited Batcat Museum and Toys. Had lunch at Fuji restaurant inside 'The Mall'. Took cab back to Bangkok downtown. Had 'Mango Tango' for tea-break. Had dinner at 'Eathai' in Central Embassy. Took MRT to Ratchada night market and then to Terminal 21.

Day 3 – Took MRT to Or Tor Kor market. After which explored Chatuchak weekend market. Back to hotel to rest. Took dinner at 'Nara' in Erawan mall. Had foot massage before going back to hotel.

Day 4 – Took cab to Airport. Boarded 3K 512 back to Singapore.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

The Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the two international airports serving Bangkok metropolitan region. The other airport is Don Mueang International Airport that has the IATA code of DMK. This Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 25-km east of Bangkok downtown and it is the largest and busiest airport in Thailand. The IATA code for this airport is BKK.

Architectural Design

The most impressive architecture is the huge glazed and translucent oval roof panel spanning 27-meters over the concourse. This unique energy saving design allows maximum daylight to penetrate to the concourse, while the translucent membrane helps to mediate the interior and exterior temperature (left photo below).

Art Pieces

Giant statue of Tosakanth (Ravana) at the height of 6-meters can be found before the immigration checks at the airport (right photo below). Similar statue can also be located at the inner balcony of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Tosakanth is the embodiment of the demon gatekeeper and personification of all evil.


One famous sculpture in the transit area of Suvarnabhumi Airport is the 'Vishnu Kurmavatara Churns the Milk Ocean'. Vishnu Kurmavatara is seen dancing atop of Mount Mandara (left photo below). Devas (demigods) and Asuras (demons) on either side pull on the body of Naga (king of serpents) to churn the primordial Milk Ocean to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality) (right photo below).

Getting in/out from the Airport

Besides car or personalized transfer service, there are three modes of public transport.

• Taxi
  
  
  
  Taxi is simple, comfortable and quick way to reach city center. The journey will last about half an hour and the price on the meter will range from THB 250 to THB 400, plus THB 50 for airport charges and another toll charges between THB 25 to THB 70. This option is good for travelers in group.


• Public Bus
  
  
  
  Unless on strict budget and wanted true local experience, then this will be a good option. There is a free shuttle bus at the airport to public transport terminal about 3-km away. From the terminal, bus line 551 to BTS Victory Monument station at THB 40 or bus line 552 to BTS On Nut at THB 20 are available.


• Airport Rail Link
  
  
  
  Airport Rail Link is cheap and reliable way to reach city center. It connects to BTS stop at Phaya Thai and cost THB 45 and journey will take about 30-minutes. Refer to the details below.

Transportation

Airport Rail Link

The Airport Rail Link (ARL) is an express rail line providing link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to downtown Bangkok. Opened in service on Aug 2010, this 28.6-km long rail is mostly elevated except near the underground terminal at the airport. It operates daily from 0600 hours to midnight 2400 hours.

Stations

There are 8 stations in the Airport Rail Link (photo below). It takes about 27-minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport station (denoted by A1) to Phaya Thai station (denoted by A8). The Makkasan station (denoted by A6) is interchanged to MRT Blue line and Phaya Thai station (denoted by A8) is connected to BTS line. The Suvarnabhumi Airport station is located at the basement of the Airport Terminal.
Riding the ARL can be easy by following the steps below:


1. Ticket Purchase
Tickets can be purchased from the sales office or the vending machines. These vending machines are equipped with automatic touch screen that accept only Thai Baht coins and banknotes. Do note that these machines do not accept credit cards or any mobile payment. The average fare depends on the distance and range from THB 15 (Lat Krabang station) to THB 45 (Phaya Thai station) for single trip.
2. Train Token
A plastic token will be dispensed out once purchase is done. To enter the station: scan the token on the sensor pad of the turnstile machine. To exit the station: insert the token into the turnstile machine.
3. Station Platform
Wait for the train to arrive at the station platform. Train arrives every 10-mins during peak hours or every 15-mins during off peak hours and on weekends. There is security screening and train cleaning once all passengers have alighted from the train at the Airport station. Do not board the train until clearance is given by their uniformed security personnel.
4. Train Boarding
Once train arrive, board the train and sit comfortably. The train is modern, clean and air-conditioned. As the train is often packed, do not place luggage on the train seats. This Airport Rail Link may not be suitable for travelers with many luggage due to its limited space.
5. Train Alighting
Besides tourists, the locals also use the ARL for their daily commute. Do prepare and walk towards the train door before the train reaches the station to avoid being 'trapped' in the train and miss the station. Most tourists get off at Phaya Thai station, so do be patient as there are only two descending escalators in each platform.

BTS Sky Train

BTS Skytrain is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok. There are two lines namely Sukhumvit Line (lime green color) and Silom Line (dark green color). Trains run about every 5-minutes and operating hours from 0530 hours till midnight 2400 hours daily.

Station Design

The system stations are all elevated and designed with three distinct levels. The street level is where passengers can access to the station using stairs, escalators (left photo below) or lifts. The first elevated level houses the ticket booths, small kiosk-style shops (right photo below) and turnstile gates.


The second elevated level is dedicated to the platforms and rails. For added safety and assistance, uniformed security personnel are stationed at every platform and in the ticketing halls (left photo below). Since 2014, half-size platform screen doors have been installed to several stations (right photo below).

Ticketing

Tickets can be bought at ticketing machines at every BTS station and can only be paid for in cash. Fares depend on the distance and vary from 15 to a little over 50 Thai Baht for single trip.

As for me, I went straight to the ticket sales counter at Phaya Thai BTS station to get the stored value card before taking the BTS Skytrain (left photo below). The stored value card cost THB 200. Introduced in May 2012, the 'Rabbit Card' not only covers the fares for BTS and Bus Rapid Transit, it also functions as another payment method to various services or restaurants (right photo below).

Train Cabins

BTS train design is sleek (left photo below) and its interior is modern, clean and air-conditioned (right photo below). The most enjoyable part of riding these BTS Skytrain is their strong air-conditioned at much lower temperature compared to the warm and humid temperature outside the train.

Bangkok MRT system

The Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) is a mass rapid transit system serving the Bangkok Metropolitan region. There are two fully operational rapid transit lines namely the Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line (Blue color) and Chalong Ratchadham Line (Purple color) and one operational monorail Yellow Line.

As Bangkok is susceptible to flooding, the entrances to MRT stations are constructed approximately one meter above ground level and equipped with integrated floodgates to prevent water from entering the system (left photo below). Trains used are Siemens Modular Metro type operating using three-car trains. Similar to BTS Skytrain, the interior cabin is clean and air-conditioned (right photo below).
Asiatique complimentary shuttle boat

The most convenient and popular way to get to Asiatique would be by boat. This can be reached by taking the Bangkok Sky Train (BTS) to Saphan Taksin (S6) and take Exit 2 towards the Central Pier, also known as the Sathorn Pier (photos below).
The free shuttle boat heading towards Asiatique at a frequency of 15-mins from 1700 hours to 2300 hours daily. The boat ride takes approximately 10-mins and can accommodate up to 80 passengers (photos below).
The ride to Asiatique via the Chao Phraya River offers stunning views of the well-known continental hotels and buildings located along the river banks. Besides the modern structures, there are also some well-preserved old buildings that are used as housing. Towards the end of the ride, an impressive Ferris wheel from afar will be visible (photos below).
Khlong Saen Saep boat service

The Khlong Saen Saep boat service is a water bus operating on the Saen Saep Canal through the city's commercial districts (left photo below). Operating since Oct 1990, the 18-km route is served by about 100 boats and operates from 0530 hours to 2030 hours (weekdays) or 1900 hours (weekends). Once onboard, the conductor will go to each passenger to collect the fee in exchange for a ticket (right photo below). Prices range from THB 8 to THB 20.

Each boat is able to take from 40 to 50 seats (left photo below). Interestingly there are blue-striped plastic screens, like poly tarp, along each side of the boat, where passengers control with nylon ropes on pulleys (right photo below). The screens are to stop splashes from the wake on the klong walls or when another boat passes. They are used diligently by the locals. It is rumored that the water was so polluted that even a healthy adult will fall sick if accidentally drank it. As a foreigner, I kept my mouth closed throughout the ride.
There are picturesque sceneries along the canal. Besides the local boathouses, colorful graffiti on the perimeter walls could be seen during the ride (photos below).

Accommodation

Grand Sukhumvit hotel Bangkok

The Grand Sukhumvit hotel Bangkok is a 5-star hotel located within 2-mins walk from Nana BTS Skytrain station. Booked this hotel online for a Suite Deluxe Room at SGD 324.45 for three nights with breakfast.

The Suite Deluxe room had comfortable bed (left photo below), with a spacious bathroom (right photo below), a good writing desk (bottom left photo) and a well-equipped kitchen (bottom right photo).
The suite room was a cozy apartment with reasonable layout. The kitchen was located at the end of the walkway once entered (left photo below). The living room was located on the right of the walkway (right photo below) and the bedroom with bathroom could be reached after the writing desk.
Being a five-star hotel, facilities such as a wading pool with jacuzzi (left photo below) and a grand dining area at its ground floor (right photo below) could be located.
Breakfast selection was good with satisfactorily options. Salad bar and trays of bread were setup at the corner of the dining area (left photo below). There was even a noodle counter with a chief available (right photo below).
Following were my choices made on my first breakfast (photos below).
My selections on second breakfast (photos below).
And my final breakfast in this hotel (photos below).
Interesting Observations

• A fence full of love locks spotted at Asiatique (left photo below). Seems like it is a popular practice for couples worldwide.


• Even though McDonalds is a multi-national company, it stills blends into Thai Culture where Ronald McDonalds is clasping his hands together to welcome every customer (right photo below).
  
• Popular Sanrio icon 'Hello Kitty' has opened its own themed café at Siam Square One (left photo below). In general, Thai people do appreciate Japanese culture including food, technology and even their pop culture.


• Similar to Japanese culture, it is common to see local commuters queuing in line to wait for their turns to board (right photo below).
  

  ✍ Update:
  Opened in Aug 2014, the 'Hello Kitty' house was closed in Jul 2019 after almost 5 years of operations.

Recommended Souvenirs

Based on the recommendations from several travel vlogs I watched, decided to get some of them to see if they are worth it.

• Glico Pretz biscuit stick snacks in various interesting Thai flavored cost about THB 50 per pack (left photo below). The biscuit sticks seasoned with stir-fry basil pork (Pad Kra Pao) and Tom Yum were flavorful while the corn sticks tasted rather sweet.


• Another recommended snack is the Glico Pocky sticks with coated chocolate banana or mango flavors (right photo below). Each box of 10 packs cost about THB 140. My favorite was the chocolate banana flavor and no wonder it was one of the most popular souvenirs in Big-C.
  
• Dentyne Splash by Trident sugar free xylitol gum was another well-liked snack (left photo below). Each of the tablet gum was filled with syrups of refreshing fruity flavors. Each pack of gums cost about THB 21.


• Gumgig Pean Lozenges (甘桔喉糖片) 20 tablets is good for relief of throat irritation (right photo below). Cost about THB 130 per pack. According to the vlog I saw, the manufacturer was originally from Hong Kong but shifted its manufacturing to Thailand. These lozenges did work whenever I felt some throat irritations.
  
• Tea lovers will not be disappointed by the Lemongrass & Ginger Tea at THB 150 and the ChaTraMue 3-in-1 Thai tea packs at THB 40 (left photo below). The Thai Milk tea sachet often satisfied my cravings for a cup of delicious authentic hot milk tea.


• Cheaper version of natural tea can be found in Big-C which cost only about THB 20 (right photo below). Taste was rich despite its economical price.
  
• Thailand Royal Project Chitralada Honey cost only THB 45 (left photo below). As the product name suggested, it was initiated as a Royal project to provide essential economical products to the lower income of Thai population.


• Similar to the honey, the Chitralada also produces milk tablets. However, 7-eleven also produces comparable milk tablets that sold at only about THB 20 per pack (right photo below). These milk tablets tasted very close to one of my childhood sweets.
  
  

Some useful links:

• Tourism Authority of Thailand:
  https://www.tourismthailand.org/
  
  
• Bangkok - Wikitravel:
  https://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok
  
  
• Tourism in Bangkok - Wikipedia:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Bangkok