Holiday Getaway at Bangkok, Thailand
I had a holiday in Bangkok from October 25-29, 2012. My trip lasted 5 days and 4 nights. I stayed at Tune Hotels in Asoke (also known as Sukhumvit), near Terminal 21, just a short walk across the bridge.
Terminal 21 is an impressive mall. The mall features a unique concept, with themed areas inspired by cities like Istanbul, Los Angeles, London, and more. One of the highlights was the surprisingly unique and creative toilets. They even had high-tech toilets with heated seats and built-in dryers – talk about luxury!
During my visit, Terminal 21 was hosting a One Piece exhibition, with some fans dressing up as their favorite characters – it was entertaining to see them bring the cartoon to life.
Well, before I go too far, let me write down the list of my trip from day 1 to day 5.
Day 1: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Tune Hotels - Grand Palace - Wat Arun - ChinaTown - Terminal 21.
Let's call this day my "Get Lost" day. The trip from the airport to the hotel was quick; we took the BTS. To use the BTS, we simply inserted a coin to get a BTS coin. The station was remarkably clean and vastly different from Jakarta. I wish TransJakarta could learn from their example and improve its cleanliness. The signboards were incredibly helpful during our trip, providing complete information on routes and costs. All we had to do was read and go, or ask the officers, who spoke excellent English.
Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to visit the Grand Palace as it was already closed. One of the highlights was taking a 20-minute boat ride to get there, which offered stunning views of high-rise buildings and seaside restaurants.
Day 2: Siam Park City.
Another day to explore! Siam Park City has three zones: Water, Family, and X Zone. The X Zone features extreme games. We paid 900 Baht to access all zones. I only tried one game in the X Zone, but I recommend trying them all – it might be fun! They also had a haunted house, which scared me enough. I must admit, I didn't open my eyes in some parts – haha! The park also features a Dinotopia museum, where you can see various dinosaur exhibits. Siam Park is enormous, with plenty of fun attractions and beautiful gardens filled with flowers. It's a lovely place to spend some time before continuing your journey.
Unfortunately, if you want to play at the Water Zone, you must wear a swimsuit; they don't allow tank tops. I learned this the hard way and had to remove mine. It made me recall that Waterbom allows tank tops. We ended our day at Siam Park City with a thrilling ride to watch the sunset from above. Simply beautiful.
Day 3: Chatuchak Market!
And that's why I'm so excited! It was the first day I truly felt like I was in Bangkok, and I couldn't wait to explore the market. Chatuchak market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, so I didn't want to waste a single moment. Interestingly, I found the men's clothing at Chatuchak to be better than the women's. I was more excited about the men's shirts and accessories. The market also features art and ethnic areas where you can find unique crafts. Plus, they have high-quality leather bags that rival those found in second-hand stores.
Chatuchak market has a plethora of unique stores. I had an absolute blast during the day, with plenty of snacks and drinks available. It's a shopper's paradise – shop and eat to your heart's content! You can find everything from bubble drinks and sweet ice to savory meat dishes. One area stood out, with trees and seating areas along the way, creating a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling market. The vendors have done an excellent job maintaining the environment. I was so captivated by Chatuchak that I returned the next day. Honestly, after finding Pratunam underwhelming on Sunday, we decided to head back to Chatuchak. I simply feel happier there! The ambiance and the enthusiasm of the shoppers are infectious. We also explored the night markets at Siam and other areas – it was a day filled with non-stop shopping!
Day 4: Chatuchak (revisit) - Siam Paragon - MBK.
As I mentioned earlier, I spent the morning and afternoon at Pratunam, but I only found 2-3 clothes, so we headed to Chatuchak – hurray! If I may suggest, it's highly recommended to bring a backpack to Chatuchak. Alternatively, if you plan to splurge, consider bringing a suitcase!
Siam Paragon and MBK were just ordinary malls to me, but Terminal 21 held a certain charm. I'm not sure why, but I found myself preferring it over the other two. Perhaps it was the unique decoration and concept that set it apart.
Day 5: Shuvit Garden.
After breakfast, we stumbled upon the serene Shuvit Garden. This enchanting oasis was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also exuded a warm, homey atmosphere that was incredibly calming. I couldn't help but feel drawn to return. The garden's lush green grass, which lined the winding paths, added to its refreshing and tranquil ambiance.
Tips for the trip:
- Always carry your camera with you to capture life's unexpected moments and culinary delights.
- Be cautious around the Grand Palace area, where you might encounter scammers offering questionable services, such as promising to take you to Wat Arun when it's already closed.
- Indulge in Thailand's iconic dishes, Pad Thai and Tom Yum. Unfortunately, I missed trying their famous Mango Sticky Rice – maybe next time!
- Bring your slippers, it helps, a lot.
- Don't hesitate to buy something you love when you see it – you might not find it again.
- Treat yourself to a rejuvenating Foot Massage or traditional Thai Massage.
- Learn a few basic Thai phrases – it might just score you a discount when shopping! And, as a fun fact, if you bear a resemblance to the locals, you might even receive a discount!
- One absolute must-visit destination: CHATUCHAK – trust me, you won't regret it!
*Please note that this was written on November 16, 2012. Information may have changed since then, so please take that into consideration.
Day 2: Siam Park City.
Another day to explore! Siam Park City has three zones: Water, Family, and X Zone. The X Zone features extreme games. We paid 900 Baht to access all zones. I only tried one game in the X Zone, but I recommend trying them all – it might be fun! They also had a haunted house, which scared me enough. I must admit, I didn't open my eyes in some parts – haha! The park also features a Dinotopia museum, where you can see various dinosaur exhibits. Siam Park is enormous, with plenty of fun attractions and beautiful gardens filled with flowers. It's a lovely place to spend some time before continuing your journey.
Unfortunately, if you want to play at the Water Zone, you must wear a swimsuit; they don't allow tank tops. I learned this the hard way and had to remove mine. It made me recall that Waterbom allows tank tops. We ended our day at Siam Park City with a thrilling ride to watch the sunset from above. Simply beautiful.
And that's why I'm so excited! It was the first day I truly felt like I was in Bangkok, and I couldn't wait to explore the market. Chatuchak market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, so I didn't want to waste a single moment. Interestingly, I found the men's clothing at Chatuchak to be better than the women's. I was more excited about the men's shirts and accessories. The market also features art and ethnic areas where you can find unique crafts. Plus, they have high-quality leather bags that rival those found in second-hand stores.
Chatuchak market has a plethora of unique stores. I had an absolute blast during the day, with plenty of snacks and drinks available. It's a shopper's paradise – shop and eat to your heart's content! You can find everything from bubble drinks and sweet ice to savory meat dishes. One area stood out, with trees and seating areas along the way, creating a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling market. The vendors have done an excellent job maintaining the environment. I was so captivated by Chatuchak that I returned the next day. Honestly, after finding Pratunam underwhelming on Sunday, we decided to head back to Chatuchak. I simply feel happier there! The ambiance and the enthusiasm of the shoppers are infectious. We also explored the night markets at Siam and other areas – it was a day filled with non-stop shopping!
Day 4: Chatuchak (revisit) - Siam Paragon - MBK.
As I mentioned earlier, I spent the morning and afternoon at Pratunam, but I only found 2-3 clothes, so we headed to Chatuchak – hurray! If I may suggest, it's highly recommended to bring a backpack to Chatuchak. Alternatively, if you plan to splurge, consider bringing a suitcase!
Siam Paragon and MBK were just ordinary malls to me, but Terminal 21 held a certain charm. I'm not sure why, but I found myself preferring it over the other two. Perhaps it was the unique decoration and concept that set it apart.
Day 5: Shuvit Garden.
After breakfast, we stumbled upon the serene Shuvit Garden. This enchanting oasis was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also exuded a warm, homey atmosphere that was incredibly calming. I couldn't help but feel drawn to return. The garden's lush green grass, which lined the winding paths, added to its refreshing and tranquil ambiance.
Tips for the trip:
- Always carry your camera with you to capture life's unexpected moments and culinary delights.
- Be cautious around the Grand Palace area, where you might encounter scammers offering questionable services, such as promising to take you to Wat Arun when it's already closed.
- Indulge in Thailand's iconic dishes, Pad Thai and Tom Yum. Unfortunately, I missed trying their famous Mango Sticky Rice – maybe next time!
- Bring your slippers, it helps, a lot.
- Don't hesitate to buy something you love when you see it – you might not find it again.
- Treat yourself to a rejuvenating Foot Massage or traditional Thai Massage.
- Learn a few basic Thai phrases – it might just score you a discount when shopping! And, as a fun fact, if you bear a resemblance to the locals, you might even receive a discount!
- One absolute must-visit destination: CHATUCHAK – trust me, you won't regret it!
Next, I'll be sharing my culinary adventures in Bangkok – stay tuned. For now, that's all from me. Get ready to book those tickets to Bangkok – I'm already itching to go back!
"Travel while you have the time and while you can have your favorite travel companion by your side."
Comments