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Leisure trip at a glance
Country: Kingdom of Thailand
Period: 29 to 31 Dec 2019
Flight timings:
29 Dec: TR 608, SIN-BKK, ETD 0700 ETA 0830
31 Dec: TR 605, BKK-SIN, ETD 1455 ETA 1820
Air tickets:
Return tickets at SGD 329.49 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam (29 to 31 Dec)
Currency exchange rate: THB 100 = SGD 4.52 (Dec '19 period)
Singapore is ahead of Thailand by an hour (Thailand time: GMT +7 time zone). Total damage was about SGD 500 including flight tickets, transport, food and hotels, excluding personal expenses.
Day One
Traveled to Changi Airport Terminal 1 by taxi in the early morning.
Changi Airport Terminal 1
Had my early breakfast in a fast-food restaurant at the basement of the terminal. Ordered a deluxe breakfast set which cost SGD 8.60 (left photo below).
Saw an interesting scene after custom clearance where the sign clearly states "Terminal 1 Arrival Immigration" but the billboard above it was the advertisement from "Bank of China" promoting the use of RMB (right photo below). Not too sure if this would cause a confusion or leave a different impression of Singapore to first-time travelers.
Scoot AirwaysThe flight TR 608 departed on schedule at 0700 hours and landed on Thailand at about 8.10 am (local time) ahead of schedule by 20-mins.
Magic Food Point
Had my second breakfast in this food court located on the first floor of the airport building. My favorite food was from a stall that sells braised pork trotters (left photo below). Without a second thought, I ordered a plate of pork trotters rice at THB 70 and a can of coke at THB 20 (right photo below).
As usual, I enjoyed this simple 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 station, and just few minutes' walk to MBK shopping mall, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld mall. Booked this hotel online at THB 4,662.69 for two nights per Standard Room with daily breakfast. This standard room had a good writing desk (left photo below) and a comfortable queen-sized bed (right photo below).
Was assigned to top floor which had a good view of the national stadium complex (left photo below) and the futuristic cuboid-surfaced helix cut 'King Power Mahanakhon' (right photo below).
Or Tor Kor Market
Or Tor Kor Market is one of the best fresh wet markets in Bangkok and also has an outstanding food court. Got myself a "duck noodles" at THB 60 (left photo below) and a "red ruby" dessert at THB 40 (right photo below) as my lunch.
| 🍔 Or Tor Kor Food Court | |
|---|---|
| Address: | 101 Kamphaeng Phet Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 |
| Access: | Kampheng Phet MRT Station, Exit 3 |
| Operating Hours: | 0600 hours to 1800 hours; daily |
In addition, I bought two mangoes at THB 140 each at the market which was the same price with the one I bought during my October visit.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Had a good time shopping in this large weekend market for some Chinese New Year goodies. I left the market at about 12 noon.
Let's Relax Spa
Took BTS from Mo Chit station and alighted at Phaya Thai station for some body massages. Opted for a two-hour full body massage which cost THB 1,100 in this Let's Relax Spa located next to the mentioned BTS station.
After a relaxing massage, I was served with a small plate of mango sticky rice (left photo below) and a cup of warm tea (right photo below) at the lobby.
Deposited my purchases from Chatuchak in the hotel and I was out in Siam Square.Kai Chik Khao Krung Noodle
Ordered a small cup of Thai iced tea at THB 18 (left photo below) and a bowl of medium-sized "Yentafo" noodles at THB 138 (right photo below).
Taste was good for this local Thai noodles with a blend of sweet and sour taste in the soup.
| 🍔 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; daily |
Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri
After a fulfilling dinner, I then proceeded to Big-C supercenter at Ratchadamri for my shopping spree. Spent slightly over two thousand baht on those daily items there.
To my surprise, I was given a free gift of a box of instant noodles at the cashier counter due to my purchase (left photo below). It was 40-packs of "Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum" flavored instant noodles that had an expiry date of six months (right photo below). In the end I could not finish them but had to give most of them to my friends and colleagues.
SupperBought a pack of shrimp dumplings by Jade Dragon at THB 35 from the 7-eleven convenience store located near to the hotel (left photo below). The dumplings were still warm even when I reached my hotel room as I requested the staff at the convenience store to microwave them (right photo below).
Each dumpling has a real shrimp in it and the dumplings are more delicious after being microwaved. A small packet of vinegar is included which definitely enhanced the taste of each dumpling.
Had a good rest after a long tiring day.
Day Two
Hotel Breakfast
Took the breakfast during my second stay in the hotel restaurant located on its 7th floor (left photo below). Had some noodles, fried rice, scrambled egg and sausages as main (right photo below). And was followed by a bowl of cereals (bottom left photo) and a noodle soup (bottom right photo).
As usual the food selection was rather limited in this breakfast buffet.
Roast Coffee and Eatery
I then proceeded to EmQuartier and had my brunch in the Roast Coffee and Eatery (left photo below). A cup of cappuccino was served soon after my orders were taken (right photo below).
This was followed by two slices of sourdough breads (left photo below) and my main dish that came with scrambled eggs, bacon, pan-fried tomato, mushroom and potato, and grilled ham (right photo below).
As per my previous comments, this restaurant got nice ambiance and good food but had a pricey tag. Total cost for this brunch was THB 470.80 inclusive of 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 |
Central Village Bangkok
Central Village is a luxury brand outlet village with over 130 shops, a food section and information center located next to the Suvarnabhumi Airport. It is the first international luxury outlet in Thailand. This outlet village is diversified with leading brands both from Thailand and countries abroad, and offer discounts of up to 35% to 70% every day. Shady beauty of nature and Thai modern architecture provide a luxury outlet shopping experience for visitors (photos below).
Stores and Brands- Various brands can be located in this outlet village, including Addidas (left photo below) and SuperSports (right photo below).
- Had my late lunch in the food section after some shopping. The food village is a spacious and modern food court offering many local Thai cuisines (photos below).
Bought a "yentafo" at THB 70 (left photo below) and a "red ruby" dessert at THB 35 (right photo below). Taste was simple and its portion was rather small.
- There are several ways to the outlet village: through taxi or by shuttle bus. I took the complimentary shuttle bus from the bus stop opposite the On Nut BTS station. It took only 15-mins to reach the village.
| ✍ Update: |
|---|
| Ticket fare of THB 35 per trip is now required to take the shuttle van from On Nut BTS station. |
Opening hours of the Central Village is from 1000 hours to 2200 hours daily.
Eathai Restaurant
Located on the ground floor of Central Embassy, this restaurant serves local Thai food in an air-conditioned environment and uses card system for ordering similar to the 'Marchè' restaurant.
Ordered a "yentafo" at THB 195 (left photo below) and a "durian sticky rice" at THB 90 (right photo below).
| 🍔 Eathai Restaurant | |
|---|---|
| Address: | 1031 Phloen Chit Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 |
| Access: | Phloen Chit BTS Station of Sukhumvit Line |
| Operating Hours: | 1000 hours to 2200 hours; daily |
Year End Party at CentralWorld mall
Went to the Big-C for my final purchase. While walking back to Phloen Chit station, saw the 'Bangkok Countdown 2020' having its rehearsal at the square outside CentralWorld Mall (photos below). Seemed like it would be a big event during the countdown where there were many anticipations for the new year.
SupperBought a bottle of coconut drink at THB 24 (left photo below) and a "Tuna Croissant Sandwich" at THB 29 (right photo below) from the 7-eleven convenience store while walking back to the hotel.
Day Three
Hotel Breakfast
Managed to take some photos on its breakfast buffet variety and layout (photos below).
Perhaps due to its limited selection, my breakfast on the third day of stay remained almost similar as my choices on the second day (photos below).
Checked out from the hotel and then took airport rail link at THB 45 per ride to the Suvarnabhumi Airport.Suvarnabhumi Airport
Had my lunch in the same Magic Food Point. Got myself pork trotters rice at THB 70 and a can of coke at THB 20 (left photo below). Noticed that festive decorations were up in the airport departure hall for Christmas and New Year while walking towards the immigration gate (right photo below).
Probably I went into the transit area too early, I felt hungry again. Had my break in a fast-food restaurant where I got a "mushroom swiss burger" set at THB 528 (left photo below). Prior flight boarding, I also bought a mango sticky rice at THB 180 from its duty-free shop (right photo below).
Scoot Airways
The flight TR 805 landed on Singapore safely at about 6.30 pm. With this, it ended my three days short trip to Bangkok.