My Thai Trip
 |
| #MyThaiTrip |
DAY #1
Although my aunt insisted I go shopping all out in Bangkok, I kept saying no. On my first day in Thailand, I landed at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. It was 10 a.m. I was a bit tired and sleepy because I took an early morning flight before.
My first day in Bangkok was not pleasant. It's all because my stomach got cramped due to my period. So I wasn't able to enjoy my shopping afternoon session. Yes, that day after landing at Airport, I took a bus to the Pratunam area to find the hotel to drop luggage. Later I went to Platinum Mall; Which is one of the largest wholesale malls in Bangkok. There are hundreds of fashion stores for women, men, and children. It was busy with shoppers, sellers, re-sellers, and tourists.
 |
| "I don't want to do the shopping" policy while In Bangkok |
Although it was huge and had a variety of fashion items It does not interest me much. Maybe because of the "I don't want to do the shopping" policy that I have put deep in my mind before. So, well yeah not interested.
The Hotel
I stayed in a small hotel in the Pratunam area named Cloud Nine Lodge. It was a recommended place to stay with my Thai friend and my Indonesian friend who has visited Thailand before. It was a small yet so comfortable and clean hotel. I booked the biggest room that can fit four people. It has two king-size beds, a sofa, a TV, and a wardrobe. The most amazing part is actually the bathroom. It has four bathrooms each with a shower and toilet seat on it. Not to mention a three-hand washing and giant mirror with good lighting. A perfect bathroom for ladies on a group tour. It is definitely a recommended place to stay.
DAY #2
On the next day, I and my other friends decided to go to Chatuchak Market. It is a Weekend market that is full of fashion and food sellers. Since it was Sunday we just don't want to skip that place. We go there by taxi and it cost us 200 Baht, and that is quite expensive. Many taxis in Bangkok around the Pratunam area insist that they don't want to use the taxi meter. So that's very unfortunate.
 |
| Let's go shopping! |
When I entered the Chatuchak Market area I was really excited. I like the vibrant shops there. It was nice ambient, casual, and maybe quite touristic but somehow I love it. In my opinion, this is one of the best shopping areas in Bangkok and probably my favorite spot to go to.
Chatuchak is full of modern fashion items and also traditional ones. Here I decided to do a little shopping and bought several shirts with my favorite white stripes pattern and pastel mood color. I also bought short black pants and sunglass. Some articles I've read said Chatuchak Market is quite pricey due to many tourists but I don't think like that. All shirts that I bought only cost 100 Bath each, or 300 Bath for two pieces. For earrings, it is way cheaper, 100 Bath for five pieces. OMG! I was so excited. In the end, I bought ten pieces of it.
 |
| This Pad Thai and Thai Milk Tea cost me 900 Baht |
After having lunch at some local food vendors I felt like I got robbed. My aunt and I have to pay 900 Baht for one bowl of Tom Yum, a plate of Pad Thai, one Mango Sticky Rice, additional Rice, a glass of Thai Tea, and bottled water. But, we did make a mistake by not asking first how much does it the price is for the food. So, yeah there's nothing that we can do. Well, lesson learned.
Luckily that robbing incident doesn't make us feel a bad mood. We kept continuing shopping around and searching for other cute accessories or clothes. A few hours later it was pouring rain, but still, it doesn't stop us to enjoy our time there. Then I started to feel so tired and decided just to enjoy another Thai Milk Tea. It was one of the nicest things to do in Chatuchak because I can just sit still and enjoy my drink while observing people buzzing around.
One hour later we decided to return to the hotel and took a Tuk Tuk. It is one of Thailand's famous icons. It was just like a Bajaj in Jakarta but more spacious. Tuk can fit two to six people and didn't have a door or window, only in the front. But the way they drive, between Bajaj and Tuk Tuk drivers, are quite similar. They are so fast and like to do crazy kinds of maneuvers between cars. Well, yeah it sure does make our heartbeat run faster. Thank God, we arrived safely at the hotel.
DAY #3
 |
| Floating on A Boat at Floating Market |
It was Monday morning and I actually has the plan to go to Royal Palace that day. But after taking a cab the driver offered us a tour of the Floating Market and then to the Royal Palace. I think it was a nice idea. I was curious to visit it because I've seen it in Chasing The Dragon movie. It is a Mandarin movie with great actors like Andy Lau and Donnie Yen on it.
Another reason is that I want to compare it with the Floating Market in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The entrance fee is so expensive, 1000 Baht for each person. Although I have to admit it was more organized than in Kalimantan. If you go alone or even in a group you can ride in one boat. No need to share. It is a 30 minutes ride back and forth. But if you decided to buy some things in the market, or jumped off the boat to have lunch in one of the restaurants it could take longer.
Another reason is that I want to compare it with the Floating Market in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The entrance fee is so expensive, 1000 Baht for each person. Although I have to admit it was more organized than in Kalimantan. If you go alone or even in a group you can ride in one boat. No need to share. It is a 30 minutes ride back and forth. But if you decided to buy some things in the market, or jumped off the boat to have lunch in one of the restaurants it could take longer.
 |
| Big Picture of the King In front of Siam Paragon Mall |
In the afternoon I went to Siam Paragon Mall. It is one of the biggest and most famous shopping malls in Bangkok. It is located around 15 minutes walk from Platinum Mall in Pratunam. There's nothing really special about it, it's just like any other shopping mall in Jakarta. It was huge, and glamorous and sold luxurious brands like Louis Vuitton and quite affordable brands like Zara and HnM.
Anyway, a shopping mall is actually my favorite place to go to in Bangkok. It is because I preferred to grab food in the food court rather than in street. After that robbing incident in Chatuchak, I was more aware and chose to eat in the mall. Simply because it tastes good and the price is decent.
DAY #4
 |
| Welcome to Wat Pho Temple |
 |
| Giant Budha Statue |
On my fourth day in Bangkok finally, I went to Royal Palace. It is the ultimate place I want to go to, it's beautiful, unique, and historical. That day the sky looks gloomy and heavy rain falls. So, the taxi driver told me to go to Wat Pho Temple first because it has an indoor section where the Giant Budha Statue lay down. It is located on the Southside of the Royal Palace. When I got there it was cramped with hundreds of tourists, we have to walk slowly to enter the temple and queued to take a picture with Giant Budha.
After the rain stopped I walk to the other side of the temple. This temple is one of the largest wats (temple) in Bangkok with 80.000 square meters. It contains many stupas and has unique Thai architecture. I don't really understand the story behind it because I didn't have any books or guides to explain it. Yet it is a must-visit place in Bangkok, not to mention you can many selfies or photos as much as you can.
It took a 5-minute ride with Tuk Tuk or 15 minutes walk to the Royal Palace. The sun shines so brightly, it was hot and humid. Hundreds of people were there at the entrance lining up to go in. Some guards did a clothes inspection at the gate. Visitors are prohibited to enter the palace if they wear short pants, a tank top, or a shirt with no sleeves and sandals. No worries, because they have a sarong to rent. So it’s better to wear polite clothes when you want to visit the palace.
This regulation it’s so Asian. In Indonesia, people are not allowed to enter the royal palace and house of worship with short skirts/pants and tank tops or sleeveless. It will be considered disrespectful. Even in some areas, people are not allowed to use footwear.
 |
| Ocean of People in The Royal Palace |
Ocean of people, that’s what I called when I entered the palace. There are hundreds of people gathered. Mostly they are a tourist from China on a group tour. The architecture is so typical of gold touch and many color palettes. I just can’t stop to take pictures, unfortunately, since it was packed with people I can’t get a perfectly clear photo.
It is so disappointed when I found out that the real palace or the King's residence is located in the back. So the first building complex I’ve visited is actually the palace temple. I was imagining that the Thai Royal Palace would be like Buckingham or The White House, where people can actually enter the room. Usually, several parts of the palace are allowed for visitors, but not here in Thailand, I guess.
Talking about Royal Families, when I had a conversation with some Thai they weren’t very impressed with the new king. But they have a big respect and pride for their previous king who died in October 2016. In Thailand people are also not allowed to speak freely about the King or they can be processed legally.
It is so disappointed when I found out that the real palace or the King's residence is located in the back. So the first building complex I’ve visited is actually the palace temple. I was imagining that the Thai Royal Palace would be like Buckingham or The White House, where people can actually enter the room. Usually, several parts of the palace are allowed for visitors, but not here in Thailand, I guess.
 |
| Thai Royal Residence |
Talking about Royal Families, when I had a conversation with some Thai they weren’t very impressed with the new king. But they have a big respect and pride for their previous king who died in October 2016. In Thailand people are also not allowed to speak freely about the King or they can be processed legally.
Later that night after having a nap in the hotel, I went to Sukhumvit. It was a vibrant area that is famous for its nightlife. I went to Oskar Bistro and Bar to catch up with my aunt’s friend from England who lives there. Then he took us to a club in the Soi Cowboy area. Soi means street in Thai and on that street there are many nightclubs and gentlemen's clubs. Ladies with sexy short skirts and seductive clothes were standing in front of their club. It’s probably like a Red District in the Netherlands because I’ve never been there.
Then our English friend ask us if we want to go in? And yes, of course, why not? It will be a good experience for me since it was my first time. We entered a club named Crazy House, and just like the name, it is a crazy club. It was quite a small building with two floors. It was dark and very loud. In the middle of the room, there’s a stage, not too big, but full of ladies with bras and some kind of super mini skirt and no underwear. Well, as you can imagine visitors can see pretty much everything. If you know what I mean.😆
Comments
Post a Comment