J SAWATDEEKA! J
P.S. This is not the best or the most authentic guide to have when travelling to Bangkok, but this is a detailed plan of what I usually stick to when I'm over at +66. Don't change what's good, they say.
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After procrastinating for like ever, I'm finally done with this humble little guide! Countless and countless of BKK trips later, here we go with the ‘what-xue-er-always-do-in-BKK-without-fail’ list! Ready? Let’s go!
P.S. This is not the best or the most authentic guide to have when travelling to Bangkok, but this is a detailed plan of what I usually stick to when I'm over at +66. Don't change what's good, they say.
- - - - - - - - - - -
After procrastinating for like ever, I'm finally done with this humble little guide! Countless and countless of BKK trips later, here we go with the ‘what-xue-er-always-do-in-BKK-without-fail’ list! Ready? Let’s go!
When you reach the Suvarnabhumi Airport, also don't bother with the King Power Duty
Free Shops because you can have all the time in the world to shop upon
departure and they actually have the stores in Siam. Rush to the customs to get
your passports chopped. The longest I've waited at this juncture was a freaking
1hr and 30minutes. Arrived at 8.45am but only got to the hotel at close to
12nn! Quite insane.
Remember to buy the InterSim card if you want to keep in contact with your mates throughout the trip, go for the 300Baht one (with wifi) so you can enjoy 3G connection on the go as well! Perfect for insta-addicts like me, and the 300bht credit should be sufficient to last you for a 4 to 5 days trip including whatsapp, twitter, messages and phone calls back to Singapore. The telco provider is TrueMove if I'm not wrong and it's about 100m after you exit the customs, where a lot of those people holding signboards with names are. There are also other providers like dTac and such, they all work in the same way. That level where you take the cabs are one level down. Do take note!
Proceed to take a taxi and let the counter staff know your exact hotel location, if not, google up on the closest available landmark hotel and let them know! Good to bring along a screenshot of the map if you are not too sure if you can direct the driver to the exact hotel when they reach the one they're told to go to. Eg, we always stay at Citin Pratunam Hotel but not a lot of taxi drivers know that place (yet), so we direct them to Baiyoke Sky and then tell them where to turn and stuff.
Remember to buy the InterSim card if you want to keep in contact with your mates throughout the trip, go for the 300Baht one (with wifi) so you can enjoy 3G connection on the go as well! Perfect for insta-addicts like me, and the 300bht credit should be sufficient to last you for a 4 to 5 days trip including whatsapp, twitter, messages and phone calls back to Singapore. The telco provider is TrueMove if I'm not wrong and it's about 100m after you exit the customs, where a lot of those people holding signboards with names are. There are also other providers like dTac and such, they all work in the same way. That level where you take the cabs are one level down. Do take note!
Proceed to take a taxi and let the counter staff know your exact hotel location, if not, google up on the closest available landmark hotel and let them know! Good to bring along a screenshot of the map if you are not too sure if you can direct the driver to the exact hotel when they reach the one they're told to go to. Eg, we always stay at Citin Pratunam Hotel but not a lot of taxi drivers know that place (yet), so we direct them to Baiyoke Sky and then tell them where to turn and stuff.
You should receive a slip like that, in case the
driver tries to con you or something. Plus you're supposed to pay the highway
tax of 70bht! It should cost no more than 400bht if you're headed for Pratunam,
depending on where your hotel is. Anything beyond that and it's safe to
say that you're conned.
Other than Taxis, many of my friends opt for the Airport Rail route to Siam and change to another train at the station. It is only about 100BHT but the journey takes about 45 minutes... If you have cash to spare I suggest you take the taxi instead because it makes life easier. If not, check out your escape route here >> http://airportraillink.railway.co.th/en/02_routing_services/02_sa_cityline_a.html :) If I'm not wrong, you gotta drop at Ratchaprarop Station and cab from there (LOL CAB LIFE) or switch to another city train.
After checking in at the hotel… LET THE SHOPPING MANIA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Usually, we would start the first day at Platinum Shopping Mall. They have everything a girl needs, from clothes (building 1) to bags, shoes, undergarments, travel stuff and even bike helmets (building 2). They've been through some kind of reconstruction so the girls' stuffs are all relocated to level 3, 2, 1 and B1. The guys' stuff is on level 4.
Other than Taxis, many of my friends opt for the Airport Rail route to Siam and change to another train at the station. It is only about 100BHT but the journey takes about 45 minutes... If you have cash to spare I suggest you take the taxi instead because it makes life easier. If not, check out your escape route here >> http://airportraillink.railway.co.th/en/02_routing_services/02_sa_cityline_a.html :) If I'm not wrong, you gotta drop at Ratchaprarop Station and cab from there (LOL CAB LIFE) or switch to another city train.
After checking in at the hotel… LET THE SHOPPING MANIA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Usually, we would start the first day at Platinum Shopping Mall. They have everything a girl needs, from clothes (building 1) to bags, shoes, undergarments, travel stuff and even bike helmets (building 2). They've been through some kind of reconstruction so the girls' stuffs are all relocated to level 3, 2, 1 and B1. The guys' stuff is on level 4.
Personally, I prefer shopping on level 2 and 1
because they have the best finds and the most pocket-friendly pricing! Remember
to ask for wholesale prices (2~3
piece and above, should be able to mix) because the 'retail' price and
'wholesale' price can differ by quite a bit, like 490B and 250B! BUT please do
not waste unnecessary money by purchasing 3 pieces in order to get the
wholesale price for 1 piece of clothing that you want, because you end up spending
750B instead of 490B. Make sense, right?
If you decide to want to buy more from the same
shop, go back the next day and tell them you bought XXX amount from them
yesterday, they should be nice enough to give you a wholesale price even if you
get only 1 piece from them! Teehee.
My favourite shop in Platinum Mall would be the "9 to 5" store (check directory) that sells work-friendly dresses that can take you to parties at night or meetings in the day. Best part is that if you buy 4 pieces and above it would average out to only 160-180B per piece. I usually whack about 10 pieces there for friends and family because you can't resist basics that you can wear for like ever... The shop owner is a lady that looks like Teresa Deng (LOL) in her early 30s I think, accompanied by a really petite ladyboy. Look out for them!
Best store for basic guy's shirts in Platinum
Mall would be KRUFF (check directory) where each shirt goes for
about 250B if you get 3 pieces and above.
You may want to drop off your buys at the hotel before heading for round 2, or simply head to level 6 for a nice meal to freshen up!
You may want to drop off your buys at the hotel before heading for round 2, or simply head to level 6 for a nice meal to freshen up!
The food court upstairs serves really good beef kuay teow (forgot which stall) for
40B, I eat it every time I'm in BKK! :)
Get a free top-up card from the service counter
at level 6 and load money in the card to pay for your food! You can cash out
the balance so even if you still have credit in it on the last day, you won't
have to spend it on unnecessary things! As a guide, 60B should be enough for a
dish + drink. I always load 100B though, because I FALL PREY TO THE SNACKS
HAHAHAHAHA.
The shops here at Platinum mall close at 6pm~ish
so grab every minute you've got to shop till you drop! We usually start early,
about 11am and head back to the hotel at 2pm to drop off our buys as well as to
eat, then go again at about 3.30~4pm! After that, we'd either go back to the
hotel again to change into something more suitable for Siam (shopping centres
district for dinner) or just go straight with our barangzzz if we're lazy/it's
not too heavy.
This building opposite Platinum – Krung Thong Plaza is not too bad! Go down to level one and exit the mall and if you're at the right exit, you should be able to locate a "Red Market" just opposite the exit. This market is actually linked back to Baiyoke so you can slowly walk your way through the little stores and back to the hotel. The downside of this market is that they usually require you to get items of the same design/color to get the wholesale price so unless you're really a fan of them, I suggest you just pay the usual for one piece or mix, then negotiate for a discount. The prices range from 100B – 150B for a top to about 120B – 170B for a dress so it's not that expensive anyway!
Other than the Red Market, you should also see a rather rundown mall with white exterior but there is no signboard so I am unable to advise you on that. They sell really cheap work wear (tailored-style work wear) like skirts, pants, blazers and shirts at really value for money prices. I got my A-line skirts for just 150B each and the fit is fantastic! So many choices of fabrics and cuts, it's like you're in a work wear wonderland. Blazers go for about 220B.
Japanese food is super affordable in Thailand so if you're a fan of tempura, teppanyaki and karaage, you're in luck! Fuji Boat (it’s EVERYWHERE) serves pretty good Japanese food and a standard meal only costs about 250B~400B depending on what you order. It's pretty steep compared to roadside food but after conversion, it's only SGD10~18, what's there to complain about? :) If you're starving after one whole day of non-stop shopping action, go for the steamboat buffets, they won't disappoint. Try Nobu Shabu (300-350B) at CentralWorld or Coca Steamboat (250B-300B) at Siam Discovery Centre!
Nobu Shabu at Central World (level 7, section Beacon/B).
This building opposite Platinum – Krung Thong Plaza is not too bad! Go down to level one and exit the mall and if you're at the right exit, you should be able to locate a "Red Market" just opposite the exit. This market is actually linked back to Baiyoke so you can slowly walk your way through the little stores and back to the hotel. The downside of this market is that they usually require you to get items of the same design/color to get the wholesale price so unless you're really a fan of them, I suggest you just pay the usual for one piece or mix, then negotiate for a discount. The prices range from 100B – 150B for a top to about 120B – 170B for a dress so it's not that expensive anyway!
Other than the Red Market, you should also see a rather rundown mall with white exterior but there is no signboard so I am unable to advise you on that. They sell really cheap work wear (tailored-style work wear) like skirts, pants, blazers and shirts at really value for money prices. I got my A-line skirts for just 150B each and the fit is fantastic! So many choices of fabrics and cuts, it's like you're in a work wear wonderland. Blazers go for about 220B.
Japanese food is super affordable in Thailand so if you're a fan of tempura, teppanyaki and karaage, you're in luck! Fuji Boat (it’s EVERYWHERE) serves pretty good Japanese food and a standard meal only costs about 250B~400B depending on what you order. It's pretty steep compared to roadside food but after conversion, it's only SGD10~18, what's there to complain about? :) If you're starving after one whole day of non-stop shopping action, go for the steamboat buffets, they won't disappoint. Try Nobu Shabu (300-350B) at CentralWorld or Coca Steamboat (250B-300B) at Siam Discovery Centre!
Nobu Shabu at Central World (level 7, section Beacon/B).
They serve up damn good salmon beef and chicken,
thinly sliced to perfection. Yummers!
Remember to try the garlic rice as well, it's superb.
Coca steamboat at Siam Discovery is your standard average buffet restaurants but it's not bad considering the price you pay! 90 minutes of conveyor belt steamboat fare and 250B~ if you're going for the a la carte solo pot. Oh, they have sushi as well! Try the fruit-blended smoothies when you're there too, it’s only about 60B and it's a nice, refreshing drink to wash all that grime down your throat!
After a hearty dinner, you may want to walk it off or just go back to the hotel and nua the night away. My mother chose the latter. You should end dinner around 8ish, take your time to walk around in the mall, enjoy the air-con for a bit before squeezing with everyone else at the night market around Siam Square!
It's insanely packed and can be a feat to navigate through the crowd with ease, but it's all about the experience right? The stuff they sell there may not be the cheapest, but it's pretty unique. If you're lucky, you may even find the stalls that sell cheap rings and earrings – 3 for 50B! Those are my weaknesses; I usually spend like 300B at one go, buying earrings and rings I may never wear in my entire life but for the sake of it. Oh and if you can still manage a snack or two, go for the 'Shrimp Pop' thing or bacon sausage, 20~30B each I think.
Remember to try the garlic rice as well, it's superb.
Coca steamboat at Siam Discovery is your standard average buffet restaurants but it's not bad considering the price you pay! 90 minutes of conveyor belt steamboat fare and 250B~ if you're going for the a la carte solo pot. Oh, they have sushi as well! Try the fruit-blended smoothies when you're there too, it’s only about 60B and it's a nice, refreshing drink to wash all that grime down your throat!
After a hearty dinner, you may want to walk it off or just go back to the hotel and nua the night away. My mother chose the latter. You should end dinner around 8ish, take your time to walk around in the mall, enjoy the air-con for a bit before squeezing with everyone else at the night market around Siam Square!
It's insanely packed and can be a feat to navigate through the crowd with ease, but it's all about the experience right? The stuff they sell there may not be the cheapest, but it's pretty unique. If you're lucky, you may even find the stalls that sell cheap rings and earrings – 3 for 50B! Those are my weaknesses; I usually spend like 300B at one go, buying earrings and rings I may never wear in my entire life but for the sake of it. Oh and if you can still manage a snack or two, go for the 'Shrimp Pop' thing or bacon sausage, 20~30B each I think.
Siam Square is much alike Haji Lane and/or Ann Siang hill. It's where all the Bangkok local designer stuffs are located and where you can seek out indie boys and their group of pretty boys! Quite similar to Xi Men Ding too!
There is a connecting bridge to MBK at one of
the entrances/exits (near Dakasi Milk Tea) that leads you to this mall full of
beauty goods – go up to level 3, follow the directions and you should be able
to locate this connector mall.
The famous manicure place is just at the entrance
– you should be able to spot it very easily! Their skills are really up there,
did my gel extensions there for about 1000B~1200B with French tips.
The shop next to it sells contact lenses and
stuff for just 150B, the lady has long hair and braces on. She’s super nice and
the type of lenses there are really cute. J
Must try this Dakasi milk tea in Siam Square. It's like Koi, but cheaper and better! :D
Remember to rest early for the next day of madness at Chatuchak if you're going to be there over the weekends! One thing we all need to do: SLAP ON SUNSCREEN (compulsory for Chatuchak, really) and wear as light as you can, don't wanna sweat yourself a river there, eh?
Must try this Dakasi milk tea in Siam Square. It's like Koi, but cheaper and better! :D
Remember to rest early for the next day of madness at Chatuchak if you're going to be there over the weekends! One thing we all need to do: SLAP ON SUNSCREEN (compulsory for Chatuchak, really) and wear as light as you can, don't wanna sweat yourself a river there, eh?
Guess I don't need to say much about Chatuchak
since everyone knows about it… But there’s one stall I make it a point to visit
every time I’m over at Chatuchak!
It’s at the lane where you enter from the
fashion side… I don’t know how to describe it but it’s near Soi 5?? If I’m not
wrong.
See how shiok. Seafood salad, fried chicken wings
(MUST ORDER) and the mushroom tomyum soup.
End the night off with some partying, shall we? If you're in the Pratunam or Siam district, think no more and head straight to Royal City Avenue (RCA for short) for a good night out! I've only been to Route 66 and 808 but my friend swears by Club Slim. Still a little disappointed that I actually missed it by like, 20 steps! :( Anyway, night life starts at about 10 and ends by 2am, so make the best out of your time there! Bring along your NRIC or passport for verification. I’ve heard so much about Thonglor as a party district too but have yet to try it out so if you’re adventurous enough, go give it a try and let me know how it is? J
End the night off with some partying, shall we? If you're in the Pratunam or Siam district, think no more and head straight to Royal City Avenue (RCA for short) for a good night out! I've only been to Route 66 and 808 but my friend swears by Club Slim. Still a little disappointed that I actually missed it by like, 20 steps! :( Anyway, night life starts at about 10 and ends by 2am, so make the best out of your time there! Bring along your NRIC or passport for verification. I’ve heard so much about Thonglor as a party district too but have yet to try it out so if you’re adventurous enough, go give it a try and let me know how it is? J
Anyway, it's 200B for entry but it's fully
redeemable for drinks and it’s about 120B for a standard cocktail. Try Sex and Route 66 if you're in for a
sweet treat or Long Island Iced Tea
for an extra kick! They're pretty generous on their alcohol so go easy! If
you're heading there in a group of 4 or above, just save yourself some trouble
and open a bottle. It's only about 900~1200B there so go ahead, pop 'em bottles
and cross your fingers if you wanna get ~lucky~ that night! Also please take
note: the dance floor in Route 66 ‘The Level’ is insanely packed, so get
yourselves comfortably high before going in! You might not want to go back in
again after making your way out.
So I suppose after a night like that, you're gonna get yourself knocked out till noon the following day so… Let's do something light! Go to MBK to buy some local foodstuff like the 'Gao Si' (rolled pork floss in the shape of dog poopoo), durian toffee, or my favourite - the fried fish skin and pigskin at only 80/100B per A4 sized bag! Sounds disgusto yes, but once you put it into your mouth… Oh my god. No turning back. Forgot to snap pictures of it before shoving it down my throat so please please, lookout for it if you're at MBK! Level 5 (where the food court is) if I'm not wrong! Oh and if you're an iPhone/BB user, set yourself free with the truckloads of iPhone/BB cover stores there! If you're intending to stock up on groceries like instant noodles, porridge or even Tao Kae Noi, go to Tops at Krung Thong Plaza B1, MBK level 1 or Tesco Lotus if you want to get things in bulk - it's BKK's version of Giant! Apparently the auntie in me went wild when I was there… This was how the 46kg luggage came about. A new find I went on the most recent trip (July 2012) is the Big C Supermarket opposite Central World! It is like Giant (once again) and you can grab everything you need, from inner wear to food to whatever!
So I suppose after a night like that, you're gonna get yourself knocked out till noon the following day so… Let's do something light! Go to MBK to buy some local foodstuff like the 'Gao Si' (rolled pork floss in the shape of dog poopoo), durian toffee, or my favourite - the fried fish skin and pigskin at only 80/100B per A4 sized bag! Sounds disgusto yes, but once you put it into your mouth… Oh my god. No turning back. Forgot to snap pictures of it before shoving it down my throat so please please, lookout for it if you're at MBK! Level 5 (where the food court is) if I'm not wrong! Oh and if you're an iPhone/BB user, set yourself free with the truckloads of iPhone/BB cover stores there! If you're intending to stock up on groceries like instant noodles, porridge or even Tao Kae Noi, go to Tops at Krung Thong Plaza B1, MBK level 1 or Tesco Lotus if you want to get things in bulk - it's BKK's version of Giant! Apparently the auntie in me went wild when I was there… This was how the 46kg luggage came about. A new find I went on the most recent trip (July 2012) is the Big C Supermarket opposite Central World! It is like Giant (once again) and you can grab everything you need, from inner wear to food to whatever!
Also I found out about Terminal 21 mall in the July 2012 trip and to sum it up, it is mostly like a specialty mall that houses mostly local designers that you can find in Chatuchak.
Most of the stores there have unique (like ant
print/embossed dresses) at pretty decent prices (250B for a quality cotton tee,
300B for a good shirt, 590B for a tailored dress...) so if you've cash to
spare, this is where you should go. They also have the international favourites
such as Mango, Forever 21, Topshop...
Guys should come here to shop because the
selection of menswear is pretty fantastic. Price range is about 400B onwards
for shirts and 290B onwards for tees but it’s unique and I guess that evens
everything out.
Found Coco-Ichibanya
in Terminal 21 and the prices are just about half of what you pay in Singapore.
We did what we do best… WHACK!
NEW! H&M at Siam Paragon has just opened its door to the Thais earlier in September 2012 so I didn't manage to check it out... Take a look and let me know how the prices match up to what we have in Singapore, pretty please? J
NEW! H&M at Siam Paragon has just opened its door to the Thais earlier in September 2012 so I didn't manage to check it out... Take a look and let me know how the prices match up to what we have in Singapore, pretty please? J
Found a new pastime in BKK… That is to watch
movies in 4D! The 4D theatre is located in Siam
Paragon and they have this super awesome cheese flavoured popcorn. I can
finish the entire tub on my own so… Try at your own risk. Haha!
Tickets are about 500B each, pick action films
so you get to feel the shake and all. Oh and you gotta stand up before the
movie when they play a tribute to the King… A first for me as well.
Also tried out the famous Som Boon seafood when
I was near Terminal 21… Beware, for many cab drivers will bring you to Somboon D seafood, a counterfeit of the
real deal. It is easier to actually walk there from the National Stadium
station, do check the map below for the outlet that I went to! Fantastic
seafood for a fraction of what you pay in SG. TRY IT!
HIGHLIGHT OF THE
NIGHT!!!!!!!! Fresh succelent prawns.
Okay! Should be time to come home now, right? I used to use those china bags for all my trips, but now I learnt a new way to pack stuff! That is… using cardboard boxes! Compact, saves space and weighs so little. Compared to those luggage, anyway.
Lastly… Some random stuff and things to take note of.
- Travel light! Just bring 1 set of sleep
wear + 1 set of day wear + 4 sets of undergarments (for 3~4 days) will do.
You can re-wear your shorts, just buy and wear the clothes on the go!
Don't waste luggage space bringing things you probably won't wear!
- Do your money exchange in BKK, not at the airports!
Rates suck. Go to 'BEST EXCHANGE'
near Baiyoke Sky Hotel if you're around the vicinity, the rates are as
good as Singapore’s or slightly higher! (early july'12)
- Don't board cabs/tuktuks that are insanely cheap (20B)
in exchange for a 'meal coupon' for the driver. They'll con you, bring you
to some place that sells jewelry and uh… make you buy stuff. If they don't
go by the meter, close the door. Otherwise if you're desperate, pay a
maximum of 100B because if they go by the meter, 100B can bring you from
pratunam to chatuchak (quite a distance) and surely your 3 minute ride
won't cost that much!
- Thank the locals in Thai, they'll be very happy. Idk
why! Hahahaha it’s ko-phun-ka for girls and ko-phun-kap for guys! Remember
don't get your genders wrong!
OH YEAH! Time for the street food along the stretch of road outside Baiyoke Sky and Citin Pratunam.
Must try the fried rice
with basil chicken. SUPER GOOOOOOOD! (outside 7-11)
Kuay teow and pad thai from the stall downstairs…
Super nomz grilled chicken on a stick for 5B each, must try the chicken wings also. Plus the huge prawns, 3 on a stick for like 20B? FRESH LIKE FRESHWATER LEH.
Chives pancakes opposite Platinum!
Thai iced tea and iced coffee from the stalls
along the street. SUPER GOOD!
McD and
A&W!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/EDIT: Can't believe this took me 4 freaking hours! Check out Melody's BKK guide at http://www.missingavenue.com/2011/07/bangkok-guide.html as well, it's better and more in depth too!
/EDIT: Can't believe this took me 4 freaking hours! Check out Melody's BKK guide at http://www.missingavenue.com/2011/07/bangkok-guide.html as well, it's better and more in depth too!
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J
HAVE AN AWESOME TRIP! J
