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Leisure trip at a glance
Country / Region: Kingdom of Thailand (Bangkok)
Period: 21 to 23 Jan 2024
Flight timings:
21 Jan: TR 606, SIN-BKK, ETD 0930 ETA 1055
23 Jan: TR 607, BKK-SIN, ETD 1155 ETA 1525
Air tickets:
Return tickets at SGD 186.43 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam (21 to 23 Jan)
Currency exchange rate:
THB 100 = SGD 3.82 (Jan '24 period)
Singapore is ahead of Thailand by an hour (Thailand time: GMT +7 time zone). Total damage was about SGD 500 including airport taxes, transport, food and hotels, excluding personal expenses.
Day One
Traveled to Changi Airport Terminal 1 by bus before dawn. This direct bus journey took an hour and it was crowded even on a Sunday morning. Though had to stand most of time due to my luggage, I still preferred this mode of transportation as it cost only SGD 2 compared to about SGD 20 ride using grab or taxi.
Changi Airport Terminal 1
After gotten my air tickets printed, I then had my early breakfast at a fast-food restaurant located in the departure hall (left photo below). Ordered a breakfast set which cost SGD 8.20 (right photo below).
The boarding gate only allowed passengers to enter one hour before the flight departure time (left photo below). The flight TR 606 departed on time at 0930 hours and landed on Thailand at about 11 am (right photo below).
Immigration Clearance at Suvarnabhumi AirportLong queue was formed at the immigration clearance hall. This high volume was mainly due to the "revenge travel" after the pandemic and the recent visa-free agreement between Thailand and China. While waiting, overheard two visitors commenting on the efficiency of Thai government. They even mocked and doubted the success of the proposed Kra Canal or the recent land-bridge project given the competency of current government and its civil service members.
After the long wait, it took me over an hour just to go through the immigration checks.
Magic Food Point
Had my lunch in this Magic food point located on the first floor of the airport building (left photo below). Ordered a plate of pork trotters rice at THB 80 (right photo below).
As usual, I enjoyed this simple meal to start my trip.| 🍔 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) |
Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam
The Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam is a 3.5-star hotel located right next to the National Stadium BTS station, and just few minutes' walk to MBK shopping mall, Siam Paragon and Central World mall.
Booked this hotel online at THB 5,156.12 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).
Or Tor Kor MarketOr Tor Kor Market has an outstanding food court that offered a good selection local Thai food. My usual duck noodle store in this market was closed at about 2.30 pm. From the many stalls in the food court (left photo below), got myself a simple bowl of "yentafo" at THB 60 (right photo below).
| 🍔 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 |
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Known better as JJ market, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in Thailand with more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors divided into 27 sections (photos below).
It was a late afternoon at about 4 pm, so decided to get an iced drink from the "Coco Juice" store (left photo below). Got myself a coconut milkshake at THB 50 which was refreshing in the hot weather (right photo below).
Had a good time shopping in this large weekend market for some Chinese New Year goodies, such as the toasted breads from "Triple-D" bakery at 65 per pack (left photo below). Besides the goodies, I also bought an absorbent coaster at THB 90 to replace the old one (right photo below).
The One RatchadaOpened in 2022, the One Ratchada is an open-air night market and offers a wide range of goods and food, open-air bars and live music performances (photos below).
It is located on the previous "Ratchada Train Night Market" or "Talat Rod Fai Ratchada" that was closed due to the pandemic. The stores are lined up under white tents which is different from the rainbow-colored tents of the previous Train Night Market (photos below).
The One Ratchada is open daily from 1700 hours till midnight. This night market is located behind "The Esplanade" mall and the nearest MRT is the "Thailand Cultural Centre" station from its Exit 3.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. Decided to have my dinner in this outlet located in "The Esplanade" mall (right photo below).
Ordered a salad as side dish for THB 22 (left photo below) and a curry fried chicken set at THB 219 (right photo below).
Taste was good and its portion was satisfying. Total cost for this meal was THB 241.| 🍔 Yayoi Japanese Restaurant | |
|---|---|
| Address: | Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400 |
| Access: | Thailand Cultural Centre station of Blue Line, Exit 3 |
| Operating Hours: | 1000 hours to 2000 hours; daily |
Jodd Fairs Night Market
Opened in Nov 2021, there are over 700 different stalls in the Jodd Fairs night market. It is made up of two sections where the main section is dedicated to food and the other section, which is nearest to the entrance, consists of stalls selling various goods (photos below).
The night market offers a variety of fusion and Asian cuisines such as Japanese, Taiwanese, Western and even middle Eastern food to satisfy all cravings (photos below).
The Jodd Fairs is open daily from 1600 hours to midnight. This night market is located behind "Central Rama 9" shopping mall and the nearest MRT is the "Phra Ram 9" station from its Exit 2.Lotus's Rama I
Located near to "National Stadium" BTS station with just 10-mins walk, this three-storey mini-mall has lots of popular shops like Swensen, Dairy Queen, KFC, DIY store and Lotus's Supermarket (left photo below). Seldom known by most tourists, the Lotus's supermarket is less crowded compared to the Big-C supermarket. Most often products in this supermarket are on promotional discounts (right photo below). However, its product range is lesser than the popular Big-C supermarket.
Bought two types of dumplings from the 7-eleven store opposite the Lotus's Supermarket (left photo below). The "pork and chive wonton" from CP had too much of chive which I personally dislike (middle photo below). My preferred dumpling was still the "shrimp dumpling" from Jade Dragon (right photo below). Total cost for these two packs was THB 68.
Day Two
Hotel Breakfast
Had breakfast in the hotel restaurant located on its 7th floor. Due to its limited selections, my choices for this meal were similar to my previous stays (photos below).
Decided to explore a new mall outside of the central Bangkok which is located near to Si Rat station. From the hotel, I took BTS from "National Stadium" station to "Siam" station. This was my first time taking the BTS Sukhumvit Line beyond the Mo Chit station (left photo below). My impression of Mo Chit station stayed as a terminal station. However, since Aug 2011 subsequent new stations are added to this Sukhumvit Line beyond Mo Chit and On Nut stations.
Another first was taking the pink MRT Iine that opened only on Nov 2023 (right photo below). Initially thought that I had to purchase a separate train ticket when connecting from BTS to MRT system, but was delighted that this new pink MRT line also accepts payment from the BTS Rabbit Card.
My next destination was Cosmo Bazaar which was over 2-km by road from the Si Rat station. There were 4 options for me, namely to walk for 36-mins, take a "Grab", wait for their bazaar bus at certain frequency or to take motorbike taxi. My choice was to take the adventurous ride from the motorbike taxi.Motorbike Taxi
Motorbike taxi drivers can be found on every street corner throughout Bangkok often used by local for short trips, for example from a BTS station down to the end of a nearby soi. They are easily the fastest but to certain extend the most dangerous mode of transport in the city. Fares start at 20 baht for a quick trip and it's rare for a motorbike taxi ride to be long enough to cost more than 100 baht.
After negotiated the price with the driver at THB 30 per trip, I then hopped over the motorbike and sat tightly with one hand holding on the driver's shoulder. The ride was rather fast to me since it was my first time riding a motorbike. And I enjoyed its speed and maneuvering among other vehicles. But it shall be my last as it constitutes the highest and most frequent risk of traffic incidents.
Cosmo Bazaar
The Cosmo Bazaar is a 10-storey shopping center of 102,460 square meters in the heart of Muang Thong Thani (photos below). Open in early 2019, the two adjacent buildings have 300 shops and restaurants. Opening hours of the mall is 1000 hours to 2100 hours daily.
Outlet Square
- Located just a short walk across the road from the Cosmo Bazaar, this shopping area features many famous brands like Mizuno, Decathlon, Skechers, Under Armour, Asic Factory Outlet, Converse, Timberland, Nike, Adidas and Levis (photos below).
- Located on the ground floor of the mall, this food court offers a variety of local and western food (left photo below). A card system is used in this food court where customers have to first get a cash deposited card from the cashier before ordering any food (right photo below).
- Located on second floor of the mall, it offers transport to six different destinations in air-conditioned 12-seater vans. From its counter, I purchased a ride to Victory Monument at THB 35 and boarded the van within less than 10-mins of waiting time.
Let's Relax Spa
Took BTS from Victory Monument station and alighted at Phaya Thai station for some body massages. Opted for a two-hour full body massage which cost THB 1,200 in this Let's Relax Spa.
Prior to the massage, I was served with an iced pandan-flavored tea and a cold towel to freshen up myself (left photo below). At the end of the massage, a small plate of mango sticky rice and a cup of warm tea were then served at the lobby (right photo below). Overall, it was a relax and enjoyable experience.
Took BTS to Charoen Nakorn station.IconSiam Shopping mall
Iconsiam is a mixed-use development on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok (photo below). Opened on Nov 2018, it includes a large shopping mall, a 244-room Hilton hotel, a 70-floor Magnolia Waterfront Residence which is the tallest building in Thailand and a 52-floor Mandarin Oriental Residence which is the sixth tallest building.
The mall has a modern design which is not a common design in most shopping malls (photos below). There are a lot of high ends brands but also with mid brands to suit the needs of most customers.
Lego creation of the Thai royal barge scene was on display outside a toy shop (photos below).
Another not to miss is the "Sook Siam" which is a Thai traditional market located on the basement of the shopping mall. Food from four parts of Thailand, including Halal food, can be found in this market.The Iconsiam can be easily reached from Charoen Nakorn station of the APM Gold Line. Opening hours of the mall is from 1000 hours to 2200 hours daily.
Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri
Proceeded to Big-C supercenter at Ratchadamri for my shopping spree. I would usually purchase my food souvenirs from this supermarket. Spent slightly over a thousand baht on those daily items there. Following were some of the items bought in this trip.
- Little Farm Crispy Bread (70g) with 10 individual small packs of Black Pepper (left photo below), Garlic (middle photo below) and Butter (right photo below) flavors at THB 35 per pack.
- Roza Chili Sauce (250g) at THB 31 per bottle (left photo below). It tastes very much like McDonalds' garlic chili sauce.
- ChaTraMue 3-in-1 Milk Tea Powder (4 packs of 20g each) at THB 200 (right photo below). Most of the time it helps to quench my cravings for an authentic Thai milk tea.
- MAMA Oriental Kitchen instant noodles of Salted Egg (left photo below) and Carbonara Bacon (right photo below) flavors at THB 60 per pack. Each pack contains 4 individual sachets.
After my shopping spree, I then walked over to the Market Bangkok shopping mall for a "ChaTraMue" drink (left photo below). Bought a "Thai iced tea" at THB 45 (right photo below).
Walked along the overhead bridge towards the Siam Paragon.
Kai Chik Khao Krung Noodle
Had my early dinner in this noodle restaurant (left photo below). Ordered a bowl of medium-sized "Yentafo" noodles at THB 138 (right photo below).
Taste was good for this local Thai noodles.
| 🍔 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 |
Supper from 7-eleven
Bought my usual "croissant sandwich" at THB 29 (left photo below) and shrimp dumplings at THB 39 (right photo below) for supper.
Packed my luggage and then had a good rest after a long tiring day.
Day Three
Hotel Breakfast
Took my breakfast in the hotel restaurant before checking out. My selections were almost the same throughout my stays in this hotel (photos below). Glad that the hotel changed its fried noodle dish using glass noodles.
Checked out from the hotel and then took airport rail link at THB 45 per ride to the Suvarnabhumi Airport.Suvarnabhumi Airport
Since one of my favorite snacks is the "croissant sandwiches", I decided to purchase 4 packs from the 7-eleven store in the Airport before luggage check-in (left photo below). They were kept in a cooler bag and hand-carried onboard. These sandwiches can be baked using an air-fryer and were perfect as breakfast.
Another snack I got was the mango sticky rice in the transit area after custom clearance (right photo below). This mango sticky rice at THB 180 was the best supper when I reached home.
Had my lunch in a fast-food restaurant where I got a "Bacon Beef" burger and a hot coffee at THB 351 (left photo below).Scoot Airways
The flight TR 607 was delayed for about an hour due to one passenger missed the flight and the authority had to remove his/her luggage from the plane. Glad that the flight departed thereafter (right photo below).
The flight landed on Singapore safely at about 4.30 pm. With this, it ended my three days short trip to Bangkok.