Bangkok (Jul '17)

Traveled to Bangkok (曼谷) from 28 Jul (Fri) to 30 Jul (Sun) over the weekend. Seems like Bangkok has become my annual trip where I gave myself a good break from work. This short trip, of only two full days, focused mainly on shopping and eating without any museum or park visits.

Leisure trip at a glance

Country: Kingdom of Thailand
Period: 28 to 30 Jul 2017
Flight timings:
28 Jul: TR 2106, SIN-BKK, ETD 0825 ETA 0950
30 Jul: TR 2107, BKK-SIN, ETD 1025 ETA 1355
Air tickets:
Return tickets for at SGD 220.47 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam (28 to 30 Jul)
Currency exchange rate:
THB 100 = SGD 4.10 (Jul '17 period)

Singapore is ahead of Thailand by an hour (Thailand time: GMT +7 time zone). Total damage was about SGD 450 including flight tickets, transport, food and hotels, excluding personal expenses.


Day One

Traveled to Changi Airport by taxi early in the morning. Had fast-food McDonald's as breakfast in the arrival hall of Terminal 2 before boarding.

Tiger Airways

The flight TR 2106 departed on time at 0825 hours and landed on Thailand at about 9.40 am (local time) which was 10-mins ahead of schedule.

✍ Update:
Tigerair was merged into Scoot on 25 Jul 2017 by their parent company Singapore Airlines.

Magic Food Point

Had my second breakfast in this food court located at the first floor of the airport building (left photo below). Ordered a plate of pork trotters rice at THB 70 and a can of coke at THB 15 (right photo below).
Simply enjoyed this simple yet rather heavy breakfast.

🍔 Airport Street Food by Magic Food Point
Address:	1st Floor of Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Access:	Before Security Clearance. Bottom floor on the right if facing the runway
Operating Hours:	24-hours (might differ on Public Holidays)

After which took airport rail link at THB 45 per ride to Phaya Thai station, then changed to BTS and alighted at National Stadium station.

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam

The Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam is a 3.5-star hotel located next to the National Stadium BTS skystrain station, and just few minutes walk to MBK shopping mall, Siam Paragon and Central World (left photo below). It has a nice rooftop garden located on its 24th floor (right photo below).


Booked this hotel online at THB 5,000.24 for two nights per Standard Room with breakfast. This standard room had comfortable queen-sized bed (left photo below) and a good writing desk (right photo below).
The bathroom was clean with basic amenities provided (left photo below). Was assigned to 22nd floor which had a good view of the national stadium complex and partial skyline view of the city (right photo below).


After some washup, I then proceeded to have my brunch.

Roast Coffee and Eatery

This Roast Coffee and Eatery outlet is located in EmQuartier with a nice view of the waterfall (left photo below). Ordered a "Roast Breakfast" set that first came with two toasted slices of sourdough bread and some butter (right photo below).
Next a cup of cappuccino with a 'heart-shaped' latte art was served (left photo below). As for the main dish, the "Roast Breakfast" came with scrambled eggs, bacon, pan-fried tomato, mushroom and potato, and smoked salmon (right photo below).
The restaurant had nice ambiance and good food, though the price was higher and almost the same as most Singapore cafés. Total cost of this brunch was THB 471 with 7% VAT and 10% service charge.

🍔 Roast Coffee and Eatery (EmQuartier)
Address:	1st Floor, The Helix Quartier of EmQuartier
Access:	Phrom Phong BTS Station of Sukhumvit Line
Operating Hours:	1000 hours to 2200 hours

EmQuartier Food Hall

After some shopping in the EmQuartier mall, I then decided to have my late lunch in this EmQuartier Food Hall located at its basement (left photo below). Ordered a "Papaya Pad Thai" from one of the stalls at THB 130 (right photo below).
Taste was good and not too spicy as I told the friendly stall owner to put less chili.

🍔 EmQuartier Food Hall
Address:	Basement Floor, Quartier Food Hall of EmQuartier
Access:	Phrom Phong BTS Station of Sukhumvit Line
Operating Hours:	1000 hours to 2200 hours

Siam Square Kota Chicken Rice

Located in Siam Square and opposite the Chulalongkorn Book Center, this chicken rice restaurant has recently become popular among tourists due to its location and air-conditioned dinning area (left photo below). As it was my first time to this restaurant, got myself a plate of chicken rice at THB 70 to try (right photo below).
The rice was flavorful and chicken was as good as those sold in Pratunam area. One crucial plus point was that I did not sweat while having my meal there.

🍔 Siam Square Kota Chicken Rice
Address:	Soi Chulalongkorn 64 Pathum Wan
Access:	Siam BTS Station of Sukhumvit and Silom Lines
Operating Hours:	1000 hours to 2200 hours

Ratchada Night Market

Decided to explore the Ratchada Night Market in Bangkok for the second time since 2015 (left photo below). Thus took BTS then MRT to Thailand Cultural Centre station. The night market is just located behind the Esplanade Mall from MRT Exit 3. It was enjoyable browsing at the items from those individual vendors in the cool evening (right photo below). Nevertheless I did not buy any item from the night market.
Yayoi Japanese Restaurant

Was rather hungry after the 'window-shopping' at the night market, therefore it was clear for me to have dinner in the Esplanade Mall. After some restaurants searching in the mall, I made up my mind to dine in the Yayoi Japanese Restaurant (left photo below). Got myself a curry rice set at THB 215 (right photo below).
The food was served rather fast. Its portion was satisfactory and food was flavourful, especially its crispy fried chicken.

🍔 Yayoi (Esplanade Ratchada)
Address:	Basement floor of Esplanade Ratchadaphisek
Access:	Thailand Cultural Center MRT Station Exit 3
Operating Hours:	1000 hours to 2000 hours

Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri

After a fulfilling dinner, I then proceeded to Big-C supercenter at Ratchadamri for my purchases. Spent over a thousand baht on those daily items there.

While walking on the overhead bridge from the Big-C Supercenter to Central World, I noticed that the road at Ratchadamri area was congested even in the evening at about 8 pm (left photo below). This gave me the reconfirmation that the best public transport to avoid traffic jams in Bangkok is to convey using BTS and MRT.

Fast Food as Supper

McDonald's is conveniently located on the ground floor of the Holiday Inn Express. Before proceeding back to the hotel room, I then bought a "Signature Angus Beef" set at THB 209 from this fast food restaurant as supper (right photo below).
Had a good rest thereafter.


Day Two

Hotel Breakfast

Took my first breakfast buffet in this hotel where I had some noodles, egg rolls, sausages and cereals (left photo below). This was followed by some salads, fruits and juices to end the meal (right photo below).
Though appetizing, the food selection was rather limited in this breakfast buffet.

Or Tor Kor Market

Once reached Or Tor Kor Market, I then went to this small food court located at a corner of the market (left photo below). My favorite food is the braised duck noodles. Got myself a "Total Duck" at THB 80 (right photo below). Taste was as good as before.

🍔 Or Tor Kor Market Food Court
Address:	101 Kamphaeng Phet Rd, Chatuchak
Access:	Kamphaeng Phet MRT Station Exit 3
Operating Hours:	0600 hours to 1800 hours

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Had a good time shopping in this large weekend market. Bought some room freshener refill bottles and triple-D toasted bread. I left the market at about 1 pm.

Let's Relax Spa

Patronized this Let's Relax Spa located next to the Phaya Thai station (left photo below). Besides massage treatments and spa services, this chain boutique also sells a wide range of beauty products (right photo below).
Opted for a two-hour full body massage which cost THB 1,000. After payment I was served with an iced pandan-flavored tea and a cold wet towel to freshen up myself (left photo below). Seems like this chain boutique has an honesty policy where the actual massage was exactly 120-mins which excluded the waiting and changing time. Definitely this give customers a sense of reliability and credibility on the boutique.

A small plate of mango sticky rice and a cup of warm tea were then served at the lobby towards the end of the massage (right photo below). Overall, it was a relax and enjoyable experience.


Kai Chik Khao Krung Noodle

Saw this noodle restaurant in Siam Square that claimed to be free from monosodium glutamate (MSG), thus decided to confirm it (left photo below). Ordered a bowl of medium-sized noodle soup and a Thai iced tea at a total cost of THB 155 (right photo below).
Taste was good for this local Thai noodles and after this meal I did not feel thirsty at all.

🍔 Kai Chik Khao Krung Noodle
Address:	414/7-8, Henri Dunant Road
Access:	Siam BTS Station of Sukhumvit and Silom Lines
Operating Hours:	0830 hours to 2230 hours

Easy Ribs and Wings

This Easy Ribs and Wings restaurant was located on 7th floor in Central World (photos below). This restaurant combines American BBQ Ribs with Korean Fried Chicken and a dose of Thai spice.
Ordered a Thai Iced Tea at THB 80 (left photo below) and a set of "Six wings and Five Ribs" at THB 310 (right photo below). It was satisfying especially for a meat lover like me.

✍ Update:
Easy Ribs and Wings at Central World is permanently closed since 2020.

Beneficial Herbal Tea

While browsing for some souvenirs, happened to see the advertising notes on the benefits of herbal tea like the "Butterfly Pea" (left photo below) and "Safflower" (right photo below). Guess I will need to take the "Butterfly Pea Tea" more often.
Typical Supper in Bangkok

My supper was rather typical when in Bangkok. Bought a four-colored mango sticky rice at THB 150 from Gourmet Market @ Siam Paragon (left photo below) and a bird's nest soup from 7-eleven near my hotel at THB 45 (right photo below) as supper.



Day Three

Hotel Breakfast

Woke up early in the morning to be the first few to take the breakfast buffet at 0630 hours. There were only two guests in the restaurant therefore, managed to take the buffet area layout without any people in the picture (photos below).
The restaurant was rather quiet due to the early timing (left photo below). Though limited in choices, I still managed to get some satisfying food for my breakfast (right photo below).


Once checked out from the hotel, I subsequently took the same route of BTS then airport rail link to the airport.

Magic Food Point

Soon after checked in my luggage at the airline counter, I then proceeded to the Magic Food Point for my early lunch (left photo below). Ordered a roasted duck noodles at THB 65 and a can of coke at THB 15 (right photo below).
Surprisingly the duck noodles tasted good for the amount of price paid.

🍔 Airport Street Food by Magic Food Point
Address:	1st Floor of Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Access:	Before Security Clearance. Bottom floor on the right if facing the runway
Operating Hours:	24-hours (might differ on Public Holidays)

Miniature Handicrafts

Saw these intricate miniature handicrafts from a souvenir shop in the transit area of the airport (photos below). Was amazed that these handmade miniatures were in a scale of less than 1:12 but could depict the food so vividly and precisely. Almost tempted to purchase one of these miniatures but had to give up the idea as my display shelve was fully occupied.

Food Souvenirs

It is my usual practice to buy some local snacks or food as souvenirs. Managed to buy two packs of Lays' Scallop Butter Garlic Flavor Potato Chips which was difficult to find in Bangkok (left photo below). It had unique flavor of scallop taste and a light sense of garlic flavor that was different from most Lays' potato chips.

Another highly recommended food was the braised eggs which can be found easily in 7-eleven stores (right photo below). It combines the essence of two sacred objects, both candied eggs and marinated eggs. In additional, the sachet comes with soy sauce to enhance the egg flavor to be more savory yet sweet.


Tiger Airways

The flight TR 2107 took off one time at 1025 hours and landed safely on Singapore at about 2 pm.

With this, it ended my three days trip to Bangkok.