Bangkok ‘11

Well for many Malaysians visiting to Bangkok is an annual thing. However for me it was a luxury. The reason is because since so many people have been there it is rather hard to find a travel companion. Finally I made my first trip to Bangkok last year. It was a short trip from December 21 to 25 with ten friends. The flight ticket cost me a bomb because it was around Christmas.

Bangkok looks very different from what I had in mind. The highway looks a lot like Malaysia’s, or perhaps the other way round. There are many modern and tall buildings in the city center. The Christmas decorations are very beautiful.

Traffic jams in Bangkok is much terrible than KL, vehicles on the road are hardly move an inch. Traffic jams can also happen at night around 9pm, in some alleys! There are many types of transportation and people there drive like crazy! I am glad to say that we had tried many types of transportation. The worst feeling I got was when taking a truck-like vehicle. I felt like I had been kidnapped and the drivers were sending us off to a land far far away.

Tuk tuk

Tips 1: When you are taking a taxi always ask the driver if they are going using meter. This is because during peak hours some metered taxi may choose to go on non meter.

Tips 2: Do not take trips or travel package from tuk tuk or taxi. It’s not value for money and at times may bring you to some shops or factories. Either take a proper day tour package from agencies or go by public transport and explore on your own.

Don’t judge the food by its appearance when you are in Thailand. Some food may looks non spicy but they are actually very spicy. I was suffering a lot during the trip due to my sensitive tummy. Some of the items on my black list include:

- Coffee – Super bad

- Milk Tea – Super sweet

Recommended restaurants:

- Somtam @ Siam Square Soi 5

- Ruen Mallika Royal Thai Cuisine – High end restaurant serving very delicious food.

- Mango Tango – Serving a varieties of mango dessert @ Siam Square Soi 5

Many commented that KFC in Thailand is very nice but I didn’t get a chance to try it.

Recommended places:

- Grand Palace – Truly royalty. The buildings are like masterpieces!

- Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)

- Tiger Temple – 2 hours from Bangkok city. It’s more like a reserve forest than temple. Get to see real tigers!

- Platinum Mall – Thailand’s largest fashion mall. Wholesaler for clothes and accessories. Ladies’ heaven. (Tips 3: Can only get discounts here if buying more than one)

- Chatuchak Weekend Market (also known as JJ Market) – Weekend wholesaler covering a huge geography. Can get all sorts of things from clothes, wedding gifts to handicrafts at a cheap price. Quite stuffy and uncomfortable when the weather is hot. (Tips 4: Can easily get lost and hard to return back to the same area. If there is anything you want to buy better buy it fast.)

Tips 5: Only shops with the sign “VAT Refund” will be entitled for VAT Refund at the airport.

Grand Palace

Tiger Temple

Recommended massage center:

Let’s Relax

Overall it was a great outing with friends. Check my FB for more pics.