After 3 years of wishing one day I'd visit Thailand, on 2015, an opportunity finally presented itself, which I am really grateful.
BANGKOK
Transport: 9/10
I love the skytrain.
It remind me so much of the inner city train in Tokyo. The stations are very close to each other, it is frequent and it has bilingual announcement.
The exit was confusing at first, but after one time, you'll get the hang of it.
Easy train from Suvarnabhumi to city too. Only 35 minutes to Phaya thai for 45 baht and then transfer to any BTS station.
MRT. Isn't the difference with the BTS that MRT is a subway?
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| BTS station |
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| Helps you to see where you are |
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| MRT |
Taxi is plentiful and colorful.
Most of drivers don't speak English though. Always asking for meter, because I've met a couple of silly driver trying to rip me off.
Tuk Tuk is surprisingly comfortable.
I was apprehensive to take
tuk tuk as I hate to bargain my fare. But I did once for a short
distance and it turned out to be a very comfortable ride.
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| Tuk tuk and a taxi |
Shopping: 8/10
There are a lot of malls, as in any big city in South East Asia. Wouldn't say Bangkok offer the cheapest. In attractions, you can bargain your way, but I still found the price is relatively cheap (Sydney, you are the most ridiculously expensive city) so I didn't even bother to bargain.
There are a lot of Japanese store chains like Cath Kidson and Loft aside from restaurants. But I was disappointed that the price is as expensive.
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Terminal 21 mall
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Siam Paragon
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If you aren't fussy about haircut like me, try the 100 Baht hair cut at Easy cut. I found this on the internet, and decided to give it a go, especially when I found out, I can walk there easily and quick from my hotel in Asok. The review? It's mixed. Most people complimented the haircut, which is nothing special, just a normal shoulder length bob style. The hairdresser did say something in Thai, my guess that she actually recommended me to go to salon (the only word I could catch), probably because she saw I had a thick long hair that really needs professional help.
Safety: 9/10
I was a bit nervous as I traveled solo in Bangkok, but I was wrong. Bangkok is a safe place for female traveler. Perhaps it helps that I blended nicely to the crowds, being a tiny Asian female. But then again I avoid bars and red districts, so you still need to be wise.
Price: 7/10
Food price is still considerably cheaper than Sydney, but then again anywhere else does, even in Japan I can get a descent lunch for 500 yen. Street food like skewers are only 10 baht and they fill you up. In restaurants, the price is actually same as in Sydney.
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| 35 baht small mango and sticky rice in coconut sauce |
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| 18 baht rose apple..yum |
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| 20 baht original thai crisp pancake |
Clothing price is at par with Sydney, in big mall that is. I didn't go to wholesale market like MBC.
Admission fee: depending on the site, some are quite ridiculous.
Language: 8/10
I didn't use much Thai (or my Thai language app) in Bangkok. There are signs in English and I see a lot of foreigners.
Side note:
Controlled graffity
Asiatique
If you have nothing to do in Bangkok for one night. Try going to Asiatique. They have restaurants, the price is average (start from 150 baht), live music, a big ferries wheel, some sort of ride near the ferries wheel, and endless shops. It is best to come at night time for the view.
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| Live music |
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| A ride? |
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| Rows of shop |
Direction: Get off at Saphan Taksin BTS, exit no 2 to the Sathorn pier to take the free shuttle boat to Asiatique pier.
The boat is very big, so even with the very long queue, you won't need to wait for too long.
It took only 5 min when the boat speed, but on normal speed it took 10 minutes.
Khao San Road
The mecca of backpacker in Bangkok. I had time to kill in the afternoon, and I was curious. You either like it or hate it. It was surprisingly small street, I didn't really spend a lot of time there, I bought few shirts (Couldn't help but shopping) then decided to avoid eye contact with the stalls before looking for insects food stalls. Yes I decided I would give bug eating a try. Unfortunately (or is it), a local told me that they will be available on the evening.
I think I saw the location where Running Man ( a popular Korean variety show) shot, the fan girl in me just screamed "That's the running man shooting location".
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| Where a Running Man team did the charade with foreigners? |
Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya river is a one very busy river. Tourist and locals alike uses it to go to places. It house as many as 30 something piers. Chances are you will use some of the boats on the rivers as a mean of transport. Along side the river is home of hotels, homes, temples, church, Chinese temples, shopping malls. There should be just one blog entry about the river. I lost count at how many type of boats running around in the big river
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| House of many different bridges too |
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| Grand palace as seen from the river |
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| heavy duty boat |
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| one of Chinese temple as seen from river |
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| River Sun mall from the river |
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| Wat arun |
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| Sa thang pier |
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| Thai style building |
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| The modern buildings view of the river |
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| The central pier, Sathorn pier |
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| Not the cleanest river, but not so bad |
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| Wat arun |
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| Busy river |
Bangkok is the best for getting around cheaply if you don't drive. Also there is less language barrier in Bangkok than in other smaller city like compare to Kanchanaburi. I reckon you only need 3-4 days in Bangkok. 2 days in Sukothai (not exactly bangkok that's why you need overnight stay), 1 day for floating market, khao san road and mall hopping (just the ones at Siam station because there are three big malls and MBC mall is also near), then 1 day at the grand palace and some out of this world museums like forensic museum.
