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Leisure trip at a glance
Country: Kingdom of Thailand
Period: 03 Mar to 06 Mar 2016
Flight timings:
03 Mar: TR 2102, SIN-BKK, ETD 0705 ETA 0830
06 Mar: TR 2107, BKK-SIN, ETD 1455 ETA 1830
Air tickets:
Return tickets at SGD 198.99 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodations:
Amari Watergate Bangkok (03 to 04 Mar)
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok (04 to 06 Mar)
Currency exchange rate:
THB 100 = SGD 4.01 (Mar '16 period)
Singapore is ahead of Thailand by an hour (Thailand time: GMT +7 time zone). Total damage was about SGD 400 including flight tickets, transport, food and hotels, excluding personal expenses.
Day One
Traveled to Changi Airport by taxi early in the morning.
Tiger Airways
After custom and security clearance, boarded the flight TR 2102 which departed on time at 0705 hours. Comfortable leather seats in arrangement of six per row was provided in this flight (left photo below). Clear view of the suburban areas could be seen when the flight was descending and approaching the airport (right photo below). The flight landed smoothly on Thailand at about 8.30 am.
| ✍ Update: |
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| Tigerair was merged into Scoot on 25 Jul 2017 by their parent company Singapore Airlines. |
Magic Food Point
Had my breakfast in this food court located on the first floor of the airport building (left photo below). Ordered a bowl of beef boat noodles at THB 50 and a can of coke at THB 15 (right photo below). Completely enjoyed this light and simple breakfast.
First took airport rail link to Phaya Thai station, then changed to BTS and alighted at Chit Lom station. Walked about 10-mins before reaching the Amari Watergate Bangkok hotel. As there was no room available in the morning, therefore I could only deposit my luggage at the counter after checking in to the hotel. Thereafter walked towards CentralWorld shopping mall for some window-shopping and lunch.Japanese Omurice Restaurant
While walking in the CentralWorld mall, saw this Japanese restaurant that had a interesting renovation and an appetizing food display (left photo below). Thus, decided to give it a try. The restaurant ceiling was decorated with wooden rods in a nest-like random arrangement (right photo below).
Got myself a set meal that first came with a bowl of egg soup and a soft-drink (left photo below). Soon after, the main dish of omelette rice with curry was served (right photo below). Total cost for this meal was THB 260 with 7% VAT and 10% service charge. Taste was acceptable and it was moderately priced with reasonable portions.
Asiatique: The RiverfrontTook BTS to Saphan Taksin station and then walked for about 5-minutes to the pier for the complimentary shuttle boat (left photo below) to Asiatique. It was less occupied with only several passengers as it was only in late afternoon when I boarded the boat (right photo below). Most visitors would go to the Asiatique only during the evening time after 6 pm.
First time exploring the far side of the warehouses where I saw that there were more shops selling local souvenirs (left photo below). The popular Bangkok fashion bag shop "NaRaYa" was located near to one of its entrances near to the road.
Spent about three hours in Asiatique. After which took the complimentary boat back to the pier and then BTS to Chit Lom station.Yayoi Japanese Restaurant
The Yayoi Japanese Restaurant is a chain restaurant that has many outlets across the city (left photo below). Opened its first Thai branch in Mar 2006, this restaurant is popular for its wallet-friendly price and rational portions.
After orders taken, I was served with hot green tea in an elaborated pot (right photo below).
Chawanmushi was the side dish I ordered (left photo below) and it was followed by the main dish "Gyudon" (牛丼) or literally "Japanese Beef Rice Bowl" (right photo below). Total cost of this meal was THB 236. Taste was savory and the beef was tender.
Mango Sticky Rice at Pratunam areaWhile walking along the Pratunam area towards the hotel, I saw this vendor selling mango sticky rice (left photo below). Bought a box at THB 180 which I felt was rather expensive for only few slices of mango (right photo below). Disappointedly the mango was not sweet and the coconut not really fresh.
Finally, I got to check in my hotel room in Amari Watergate.Amari Watergate Bangkok
The Amari Watergate hotel is a 5-star hotel located next to the Pratunam Fashion mall and CentralWorld mall. However, the nearest BTS stations, either Chit Lom or Siam station, is a 10-minutes walk away. Booked this "Deluxe King Room" online for one night without breakfast at THB 3,401.53.
The Deluxe Room had comfortable bed (left photo below) and a spacious bathroom attached (right photo below).
In addition, a good writing desk (left photo below) and an armchair together with another two-seater sofa (right photo below) were provided in the room.
Being a five-star hotel, a decent sized lagoon-style outdoor swimming pool together with a children's pool were located on its 8th floor (left photo below). A good view of the twin towers of Berkeley Hotel, another 5-star hotel, could be seen from my room (right photo below).
Had a good rest after my tiring walks during the day.Day Two
Checked out from the Amari Watergate Bangkok and walked towards Grant Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. Room was available after checked in to Grant Hyatt. After some washup in the room, I was out for breakfast.
EmQuartier
The EmQuatier is a large shopping mall connected to Phrom Phong BTS station (left photo below). The mall is divided into three sections and has an impressive five-storey outdoor waterfall within its complex (right photo below).
Roast Coffee and Eatery
This Roast Coffee and Eatery has opened its new outlet in EmQuartier (left photo below). It is definitely more convenient for visitors like me as I no longer needed to walk for 10-minutes from Thong Lo station to their first outlet just to enjoy its food.
Ordered a "Corn & Zucchini Fritters" set that first came with two toasted slices of sourdough bread and butter (right photo below).
Next a cup of cappuccino was served (left photo below). As for the main dish, the "Corn & Zucchini Fritters" has three pieces of fritters covered with avocado salsa, tomato, bacons and tzatziki sauce (right photo below).
It was in good taste and this restaurant had a pleasant dinning environment. Total cost for this brunch was THB 471 with 7% VAT and 10% service charge.Chang Foot Massage & Spa
Had a massage in this Chang Foot Massage & Spa located in Siam Square (left photo below). Opted for one-hour foot massage at THB 300 (right photo below). It was a total relax for me.
Amphawa Noodles
Had my late lunch in this Amphawa Noodles located on the 4th floor of Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri (left photo below). Ordered a fish ball noodle set at THB 159 that came with a Thai milk tea, fish ball noodles and a bowl of assorted fish balls in savory sauce (right photo below). Though portion was small, the fish balls were chewy and tasty.
Big-C Supercenter RatchadamriHad my shopping in Big-C Supercenter after lunch. Purchased about THB 1,000 of items from this supermarket. Off-loaded my loots in the hotel room before continuing my window-shopping in the Siam Paragon.
Santa Fé Steak
Tired and hungry after some window-shopping, I then had my dinner in this Santa Fé Steak in the CentralWorld (left photo below). Ordered a Ribeye steak with black pepper sauce and an iced lemon tea with a total cost of THB 274 including the 7% VAT (right photo below). Not a fine-dinning restaurant but it had acceptable western-style food.
Bangkok SnacksSaw some interesting snacks that never appeared to me in my previous trips. These snacks were sold in local 7-11 convenient stores.
Pack of toasted breads with garlic seasoning from Bow Bakery House caught my attention (left photo below). This snack reminded me of the popular Triple-D Bakery in Chatuchak. There was another snack that looked like the Bangkok version of Tokyo Banana (right photo below). This Le Pan Banana cake, which had a banana flavored in a banana-shaped cake, was available for only THB 12 each.
Day Three
Or Tor Kor Market
Besides the agricultural products, there is a small food court selling delicious Thai food in Or Tor Kor Market (left photo below). My favorite stall is the braised duck noodles. Got myself a "Total Duck" at THB 80 which included a drum stick, small portion of duck intestines, few chunks of blood cake and some crunchy bean sprouts and spring onions together with the rice noodles (right photo below).
Chatuchak Weekend MarketClaimed to be the World's largest weekend market, Chatuchak Weekend Market can be reached by "Mo Chit" BTS station, or from both the "Kamphaeng Phet" or "Chatuchak Park" MRT stations.
Visitors will be surrounded with wafting aromas of seafood and sweets from food stalls, and blasted by techno music from trendy clothing stalls. Price range can be wide for similar items; for example from the ceramic products I saw, it can stretch from budget for the plain looking ones (left photo below) to pricey for exquisite ones (right photo below). This weekend market is one destination that tourists cannot miss visiting.
Happened to see food vendors selling squid eggs near to the MRT exit (left photo below). Out of curiosity, I bought one box at THB 40 to try (right photo below). These squid eggs tasted rich and buttery.
There were many stalls selling Thai iced milk tea in the market (left photo below). Bought a cup at THB 40 (right photo below) which tasted quite nice and refreshing in a hot afternoon.
Left the market at about 2 pm in the afternoon.
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
The Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel located at the center of downtown Bangkok in Rachaprasong area and is connected directly to Chi Lom BTS station via skybridge. Redeemed my expiring Hyatt reward points for a Grand King room for two nights without breakfast. These points were credited for the two weeks stay in Hyatt Westlake Plaza during my business trip to California back in 2011.
The Grand King room with an area of 40-square meters was recently renovated. The room had a soft and comfortable bed (left photo below) with a spacious bathroom attached (right photo below).
A good writing desk with a long sofa (left photo below) and a TV console with a beverage corner (right photo below) were provided in the room.
Took a swim in the lagoon-style outdoor swimming pool after my chatuchak trip (left photo below). Located on the 5th floor of the hotel, the surrounding buildings such as the CentralWorld, Amari Watergate and even Baiyoke Sky Hotel could be seen from the pool (right photo below).
After some swimming laps, I then went to Siam Square to have a body massage in Chang Massage & Spa.The Manhattan Fish Market
Had my dinner in "The Manhatten Fish Market" located at the CentralWorld (left photo below). Got myself a "Happiness Infusion" fruit juice (right photo below), followed by a "Seafood chowder" (bottom left photo) and lastly a "Small grill with chips and rice" (bottom right photo).
Total cost was THB 561 including 7% VAT and 10% service charge. Taste was rather standard similar to the ones I had back in Singapore.| ✍ Update: |
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| This "Manhatten Fish Market" is permanently closed in CentralWorld. |
Mango Sticky Rice from Gourmet Thai
Bought a box of mango sticky rice at THB 120 from the Gourmet Thai Supermarket in Siam Paragon (left photo below). This famous dessert was much cheaper than the one I bought from the roadside vendor in Pratunam area, and in contrast its taste was far better. As it was good, I continued to buy the same mango sticky rice as my supper on the third day (right photo below).
Day Four
Grand Hyatt Buffet Breakfast
Perhaps I really missed the buffet breakfast in this hotel during my business trip back in 2007, I then decided to pay THB 750 to enjoy it.
Ambience
- Breakfast was taken in the "Dining Room" located on the ground floor of the hotel with time period from 7 am till 10.30 am (left photo below). There were plenty of seats available in this dining area (right photo below).
For me I always like to sit near the buffet area so that I can watch for the queue and have the shortest route. Warm colored lightings filled the "Dining Room" which created an intimate atmosphere to stimulate appetite (photos below).
- There was a good spread of bread and pastry (photos below).
A wide selection of high-quality food extending from Western, Thai, Chinese to even Indian could be selected from the buffet (photos below).
- Following were my selections in this buffet breakfast (photos below).
Packed my luggage before checking out from the hotel. Thereafter took BTS then airport rail link to the Suvarnabhumi Airport. After checked in my luggage at the airline counter, I then proceeded to the first floor of the building to the Magic Food Point for lunch.
Magic Food Point
Bought a Beef Stew with Rice at THB 60 (left photo below) and a Red rubies dessert, or Tubtim Krob in Thai, at THB 40 (right photo below). The portion was good at a reasonable price.
Tiger AirwaysThe flight TR 2107 took off at 1455 hours and landed safely on Singapore at about 6.30 pm. With this, it ended my four days trip to Bangkok.