I wanted this blog to be short and concise. But let's see, I'm a bit excited sharing our story of our recent trip to Bangkok, and it happens to become our second time around.
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| Goodbye, IO horror stories LOL |
Anyway, here we go. Our second time in Bangkok, Thailand!
Since our first trip there (November 28, 2019), it's no secret that we had plenty of places that we missed to visit. We only have 5 days to roam around the city and the 5th day is our departure back to Manila.
Our to-do-list for this trip includes:
- MBK Center
- Pratunam Area
- Siam Square and Siamscape
- centralwOrld
- Mahanakhon Tower
- R-Walk
- Erawan Shrine
- Erawan Museum
- Samut Prakan Ancient City
- Ride a Songtaew
- IconSiam
- GMMTV25 Studio
- GDH Studio
We never got on a Songtaew though, but at least we saw it. The studio(s) where we can actually sight see some artists didnt materialize since there was the Lazada event where most of the GMM TV artists are there. But most of these we checked off our bucket list.
ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK (December 12, 2022 Monday)
Our flight itinerary is a slight modified version of our 2019 trip, we booked the first flight to Suvarnabhumi airport via Cebu Pacific 5J929 arrival (BKK time) 10:00AM. Now, we altered our flight back to Manila from 3:00AM departure to 11:30AM. So we got ourselves some time to sleep and prepare for our flight back to Manila at December 16. Rest is kind of essential for us during this trip.
Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, its a breeze-- proceeded to the conveyor belt to get our checked baggage then since we kind of memorized everything up until exits going to the airport rail link, got our Klook WIFI, ate our favorite snacks in 711 near the rail link, then off we proceed to Phaya Thai station where we interchange to BTS. This time, going to Siam station then walk to MBK.
Upon arrival in Phaya Thai station, we crossed to BTS train going to Siam station. Then we just detoured around Siam Discovery to reach the famous walk crossing to MBK Center. As we entered MBK, I finally saw the factory outlet of shoes which is the Superstore. We bought a pair of shoes then we shopped around the ground floor of MBK center as it showcases a lot of cheap items such as clothes and accessories. Were just killing time because our check in time to our accommodation is 2:00PM. As soon as we reached 1:30PM, we checked Grab App so we could go there faster. But seems like there's a demand in hailing their services, we immediately switched to BOLT app. There, we managed to book a car going to Sukhumvit area, then reached our accommodation a bit late of 10 minutes. But way convenient since we still have our luggage with us.
Upon check in, we rested a bit, bought ourselves lunch at the nearby 711 just outside our place. We bought our favorite sandwiches + we bought in advance our breakfast for the second day.
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| Baifern <3 |
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| Lots of Mookda <3 |
At 5:00PM, we decided to attend the Lazada 12.12 event at Siam Square. So we managed to ride our shuttle going to Phrom Pong station (which is free btw) and we're on our way to BTS Siam station.
We reached Siam Square for the first time, still remember the first time in 2019 when we just stood at the entrance wondering what is inside. Now, we eventually made that revenge and proceed inside only to see a Shibuya like place like it's the haven for teens. Then we found our way to the event to our surprise there are a lot of fans. Turns out that the famous artists of GMMTV 25 are there in attendance making their way to the red carpet. We saw the likes of Bright, Off, Jan, Jane, Aye, Billkin, PP Krit to name a few.
Then after an hour, we decided to have dinner at MBK again since it's just walking distance going MBK. We then proceeded to the 6th floor to their food hall, and had our dinner. After that, we hailed a cab again c/o BOLT app.
ERAWAN MUSEUM AND SAMUT PRAKAN ANCIENT CITY
We woke up at 6:00AM and ate our breakfast, took a shower and got out of our accommodation at exactly 9:00AM. As soon as we arrived in Phrom Pong BTS, we bought our train tickets to Chang Erawan station. We rode the BTS train for like 20 minutes, arrived at Chang Erawan station around 9:30 AM, we had our coffee at eh nearby 711. Then we walked for 10 minutes to immerse ourselves with the community slightly far from the bustling city of Bangkok. We stumbled upon a fruit cart then we bought some Thai Oranges. As soon as we reached the walls of the Erawan museum, you'll see the giant three headed elephant which is the landmark that you now arrived at the museum. We took pictures there first before we head over the main entrance.
Upon arrival at the entrance, we redeemed our vouchers (via Klook) at the redemption center, then got inside the museum. Here are some of the photos:
After two hours of roaming around the museum, we then used the BOLT app to book us a car going to Samut Prakan Ancient City. Original plan was to take a taxi to Chang Erawan BTS station again, but opted not to as it'll be difficult for us to chase the 12:00nn Lunch package we booked for the tour.
We arrived at Ancient City with smiles we were greeted by few visitors. It was all smooth until we get to rent ourselves a golf cart that we can use to roam around the ancient city as it was huge. Cant explain our experience here so you might be interested to see our pictures here:
After ancient city, I asked them if they have some energy left to proceed to IconSiam. It was originally planned to go to IconSiam if not for the Lazada 12.12 event. So we opted to go there right after our tour of the ancient city. So we took a chance at a nearby taxi whose waiting, told us that we can book him until Kheha BTS Station at 100THB. I think that's a good deal considering we can actually use the Songtaew or their version of the jeepneys, but using pickup trucks with a cage like appearance. So we booked him until Kheha BTS station, took us like 30 minutes to reach it, then we booked ourselves a ticket going BTS Siam station, and interchange to BTS 2, going Saphan Taksin station. It took us almost 40 minutes to go to Sathorn Pier.
At Sathorn pier, we took the free shuttle to IconSiam (Thanks my vlogger friends from Thailand!) and after 15 minutes we arrived in IconSiam.
We decided to get our dinner inside Sook Siam, and inside Sook Siam, we saw the Japanese restaurants inside Siam Takashimaya, and we just ordered there. After our dinner, its almost 8:00PM, so we decided to go back to our accommodation and to our surprise, there were a lot of fireworks outside. Prompting the feeling that we actually spent a new year abroad. What a meaningful night.
Oh yeah, when we arrived at Emquartier, since we're so exhausted, we eventually took a chance at riding a TukTuk, and we find it funny. He eventually tricked us on paying 150 THB (50 THB x3) and we just grabbed it for experience. It didn't even reached one kilometer to reach our place. Very funny.
OUR AMENITIES AND SHOPPING DAY AT PRATUNAM
Since this is a revenge trip by description, we promised ourselves to at least try our amenities that we didn't take advantage during our first trip in 2019. This time, we brought extra clothes to at least try their pool or gym. But ended up using only the pool since when we arrived at the pool area, there's just us using the pool. I think the photos here can at least produce justice to my fascination of the pool area:
After we took a dip at the pool, its time for shopping. Since our trip to ancient city is quite draining and exhausting, we decided to chill a bit and just go to Erawan Shrine, centralwOrld, Big C supercenter and Platinum Fashion Mall. Never got the chance to take pictures or vlog at least because I can't think of creative ways to show the places we've been to. Very similar to what our 168 Mall is the platinum fashion mall but very affordable price. Anyway, from Phrom Pong BTS station, we alight at Chit Lom BTS station and just used the Ratchaprasong walk or RWalk to shorten our distance of walking.
CHINATOWN AND MAHANAKHON TOWER
It's another chill day as technically its going to be our last day of touring around the city. First stop, Chinatown. We wanted a glimpse of how a different country with its own Chinatown differs from us. So what we did going to Chinatown is we took a BTS train to Asok station (just a station away from ours), then interchanged to MRT (their subway), and purchased tickets going to Wat Mangkon station. We opted for Wat Mangkon station versus Hua Lamphong station since it's near the golden arc of Chinatown.
Upon arrival at Wat Mangkon station, we walked over Plaeng Nam road, then saw a Thai massage service along the way, assessed the price, then finally decided to go for a 45 minute foot massage that rejuvenated us from walking. It took us 250THB per head but it's worth it.
Then as we proceed to walk along the streets of Chinatown, we saw a similar food that resonates our very own kikiam, so we tried it. Funny thing is, it's really similar but more crunchy, and it has a side dish of cucumber. Makes it healthy I guess? But it's good.
We decided to grab our lunch, we sued Google Maps to find us a nearby restaurant that offers food with rice. We were directed by Google Map to Shangarila Restaurant. We ordered ourselves beef with veggies, and lemon chicken. But their fried rice is the best.
After eating, we then go back to Wat Mangkon MRT station, then to Si Lom station. We tried exchanging our remaining dollar to baht, but unfortunately we never did as we have a few pesos left. Then at Si Lom station, its an interchange to BTS Sala Deang station, then go to Chong Nonsi BTS station and it is already connected at Mahanakhon Cube.
Entering Mahanakhon tower, we redeemed our Klook vouchers at the counter. Note, there is a senior citizen discount for their tickets, and its a huge discount I must say. Almost 70% I think. Then we formed a line going inside but restricted us during bag check as they saw our souvenirs and food we bought at chinatown. We decided to use the locker which they offered for free to stash away our stuff. Then we proceed at the high speed elevator. Here are the photos:
After appreciating the Bangkok skyline from above, it's dinner time. We decided to try the restaurants inside Mahanakhon Cube. And to our surprise again, most stalls are Michelin star ranked stalls! I mean 90% of it. And its the best. And we also tried probably the best Pad Thai we ever tasted in Thailand beating out Thipsamai.
On our way back, we decided to take a picture where the lakorn My Ambulance music video starring Pearwah and Paris shoot at Emquartier.
BACK TO MANILA
Since we booked an 11:30AM flight back to the Philippines, we had a good rest. And we actually prepared without rushing. Since it's an international flight, we have to observe the four hours before departure rule. So we check out of our accommodation at 8:00AM, used BOLT app again to Suvarnabhumi airport.
It was a bittersweet experience all in all. I almost shed a tear as we hopped on the plane back to Manila. I sincerely felt that I left a part of my soul in Thailand up until I was writing this. I literally fell in love with the country as a whole, and realized that it might be a prelude wo my dream destination which is Japan. Thailand is mostly influenced by Japanese culture and you can actually hear, feel, see why. They have plenty of Japanese restaurant there especially at our street. And they actually have this OTAKU mentality. I realized it late since we got back home. They are passionate, forgiving, calm and steady. Probably their Buddhism might be a bit similar to Japanese' Shintoism. But, who knows right? Until now, I still wonder of the vloggers, articles related to Thailand. Even their slight changes in entry rules posted in January 9 which they eventually retracted. I really love Thailand. Its truly amazing.
My home away from home.
You can watch my Thailand 2022 vlog here
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