Shopping and Partying at Khaosan Road
Khao San Road is a small road located in Bangkok’s city center. This area never sleeps so you will find people walking the streets, partying, eating any time of the day. The entire area is a good place to pick up souvenirs and follow it up with cheap eating and drinking.
Things to do in Bangkok
- Eat Exotic Food
Ever care to challenge your self eating fried, caramelized, and even sweet crunchy cockroach, grasshopper, spider, and scorpion? (Some are crunchy and some are gooey on the inside.) - Get An Authentic Thai Massage
I and my friend Julie had this so-called “Indo-china Massage Experience”. We tried Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese massage and we must say, Thai Massage is the best. During the session, you will be pulled, stretched, and rocked at the hands of your Thai massage therapist. They will use every part of their body in order to do this, including their thumbs, elbows, and knees. Some therapists might even walk on you. This is perfect to get rid of your tired self after a long day walk. - Get A Tattoo
This one I didn’t do, but many tourist get a tattoo while in Bangkok. Make sure to thoroughly check and as much as possible, get the most information you can before making a decision on who will tattoo you. Thailand doesn’t require special licenses or inspections on tattoo shops so the level of safety and cleanliness is entirely up to the artist. Not into permanent ink? Get a henna tattoo. - Shop and Bargain
There are many street markets in Bangkok and stores selling everything from t-shirts, bohemian clothes, souvenirs, formal suits, tours. Bangkok is the perfect place to go shopping. - Pray and Eat
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Video Blog : INDOCHINA DIY TRAVEL THAILAND DAY 1
Credits to : Maidee Salvan, subscribe and follow her at MaideeXplorer on youtube.
DAY 2 : AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND
BANGKOK , THAILAND
TOTAL BUDGET : 2,350.00
Kingdom of Thailand (ราชอาณาจักรไทย) is a country in Southeast Asia bordering Myanmar (Burma) to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the southeast and Malaysia to the south. Know more about Thailand
Tips: Book in advance if you already have your dates set. Cheap and high reviewed rooms tend to fully book fast especially during weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons. It is also advisable to use booking apps like Agora, Booking.com, klook in booking your lodging as rates posted in booking apps are normally cheaper than direct booking.
| Thailand Internet SIM card / WIFI hotspot | What to wear |
| Some used to avail mobile data plans or WIFI hotspots that can be used in multiple countries. You can Pre-order online and choose pick-up at Bangkok Airport. But for multi-city itinerary where your entry is different from your exit (i.e. Entry in Bangkok and exit at Ho Chi Minh), It is highly recommended that you get SIM cards in every country so you don’t have to worry on returning the WIFI hotspot device. | Thailand is hot, sunny, and humid so you’ll surely sweat no matter what you wear. Short skirts and shorts are ok to wear and make sure to wear comfortable flat footwear. For temple tours, wear shirts that cover your shoulders. |
PLACES TO VISIT IN BANGKOK
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782.
Entrance Fee : 500 baht / Operating hours : 8:00AM -3:30PM
How to get there : From Suvarnabhumi Airport ride an Airport link train to Phaya Thai. Ride bus going to Soi Kolit bus stop and ride bus #59 going to Sanam Luang 1 bus stop then walk to Grnad Palace.
Wat Arum Temple
The Temple of Dawn. A Buddhist temple in Yai district of Bangkok. Name derived from the Hindu god Aruna (God of Sun) as the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly shimmering.
Entrance Fee : 50 baht / Operating hours : 8:00AM -5:30PM
How to get there : From Suvarnabhumi Airport ride an Airport link train to Phaya Thai. Transfer to BTS and head to Saphan Taksin station. Take 10mins walk going to Chao Phrya Express boat -Sathorn Pier (central pier) and get off to Wat Arun Pier
Chao Phrya Express Boat opens at 6:00am and closes at 7:30pm
Wat Pho Temple
Temple of the Reclining Gold Buddha
Entrance Fee : 200 baht / Operating hours : :00AM -5:00PM
How to get there : From Suvarnabhumi Airport ride an Airport link train to Phaya Thai. Transfer to BTS and head to Saphan Taksin station. Take 10mins walk going to Chao Phrya Express boat -Sathorn Pier (central pier) and get off to Tha Tien Pier (N8).
DAY 0 : PHILIPPINES TO BANGKOK
We booked a multi-city plane ticket from Manila to Bangkok and Ho chi min to Manila a year before our actual travel for only 4,978.00 via Cebu Pacific Air. It is always advisable and affordable to get tickets early as flights are cheaper when booked in advance. Tips on how to book cheap flights
I arrived at Ninoy Aquino Terminal 3 5hrs earlier than my departure schedule to have ample time to do the required airport procedures like check-in baggage, paying travel tax and immigration interview. Our original departure time is 7:30AM and expected to land at 9:30AM in Bangkok, but due to aircraft maintenance, departure was moved to 9:30AM. We arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) at around 12:30am ( 11:30am Philippine time).
On drafting your Itinerary, I strongly recommended that you put an allowance on your time table as flight delays always happen.
Airport Guide for First-Time Travelers – NAIA
We made a mistake in our itinerary on putting too minimal time intervals from places to places and not putting time allowance for other unavoidable delays. As a result, we had no choice but to cut our itinerary and picked on which places we should just go.
At Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), go to Immigration for entry stamp. Best to choose the ASEAN LANE for faster transaction.
Philippine passport holder doesn’t need to secure visa.
There are two airports serve Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) (read as suwannaphum) — Bangkok’s largest and newest international airport. It handles most long haul international flights to and from Thailand, as well as a selection of short-haul domestic and international flights. This is the arrival airport of most foreign carriers including Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.
Don Muang International Airport (DMK) — Base of low-cost airlines that serve Thailand and the closest airport to the city centre.
How to get to Bangkok from Suvarnabhumi Airport by public transport
Going to Bangkok city center from the airport is too easy. You can book a private transfer online for a stress-free journey, or use your Grab app or avoid getting stuck in traffic by taking a train to the nearest train station and walk to your hotel.
Tips : Grab fare in Bangkok is surprisingly more affordable than in PH.
Set your google maps to public transport display setting and follow the directions.
Bangkok Airport Transfer
Delight in an easy transfer service from the airport to your hotel (or vice-versa). Travel time by car normally takes around 40 minutes.
Get transfer, Thai tourism guide, Bangkok shuttle, Klook
Bangkok city center from Suvarnabhumi Airport by train/public transport
The advantage of BKK airport is its accessibility to public transports. Airport Rail Link system takes about 40 minutes journey to central Bangkok, connecting Bangkok Mass Transit and Metropolitan Rapid Transit systems.
Click links to check train schedules and fares or downloand here.
To Khao San Road from Suvarnabhumi Airport by train/public transport
Ride the ARL train and drop off at the last station – Paya Thai station. Travel time is 26 minutes. From Paya Thai station, walk going to Soi Kolit bus stop and ride bus #59 going to Sanam Luang 1 bus stop and drop off at lottery division bus stop, then walk 30 meters down to Khaosan Road.
To Siam: Ride the ARL train to Paya Thai station. Transfer to BTS line and drop of at Siam station then walks to Siam Area.
To Hua Lamphong: Ride the ARL train and drop off to Makkasan station, transfer to MRT line Phetchaburi station. Ride the train bound to Hua Lamphong station. Last station of blue line MRT.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Khao San Road is considered as the haven of budget travelers. Aside from hostels there are affordable, Khao San is also the best base to explore Bangkok because many hostels, markets, bars, travel agencies, transport options can be found there. Considering it is located in Central Bangkok, many tourist destinations are near this area.
If you after scenic views & comfort, try the mid-range & luxury hotels on the Chao Phraya Riverside. Being the major river in Thailand, The Chao Phraya River is the heart of Bangkok and offers convenient boat transportation. You can actually explore the city from the water or watch the world go by on the Chao Prhyara River cruise. Most of the major city attractions (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun) are along the river.
If you are the “shopping is lifer” type of person, Siam, Silom, Sukhumvit, or Hua Lamphong BTS station is your place to be. A big advantage of staying in these areas is it’s accessibility to Suvarnabhumi Airport (via the airport express), and major transport hubs like Morchit (Mochit)-Northern Thailand Bus Station & Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Tips: Book in advance if you already have your dates set. Cheap and high reviewed rooms tend to fully book fast especially during weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons. It is also advisable to use booking apps like Agora, Booking.com, klook in booking your lodging as rates posted in booking apps are normally cheaper than direct booking.
| Thailand Internet SIM card / WIFI hotspot | What to wear |
| Some used to avail mobile data plans or WIFI hotspots that can be used in multiple countries. You can Pre-order online and choose pick-up at Bangkok Airport. But for multi-city itinerary where your entry is different from your exit (i.e. Entry in Bangkok and exit at Ho Chi Minh), It is highly recommended that you get SIM cards in every country so you don’t have to worry on returning the WIFI hotspot device. | Thailand is hot, sunny, and humid so you’ll surely sweat no matter what you wear. Short skirts and shorts are ok to wear and make sure to wear comfortable flat footwear. For temple tours, wear shirts that cover your shoulders. |
PLACES TO VISIT IN BANGKOK
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782.
Entrance Fee : 500 baht / Operating hours : 8:00AM -3:30PM
How to get there : From Suvarnabhumi Airport ride an Airport link train to Phaya Thai. Ride bus going to Soi Kolit bus stop and ride bus #59 going to Sanam Luang 1 bus stop then walk to Grnad Palace.
Wat Arum Temple
The Temple of Dawn. A Buddhist temple in Yai district of Bangkok. Name derived from the Hindu god Aruna (God of Sun) as the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly shimmering.
Entrance Fee : 50 baht / Operating hours : 8:00AM -5:30PM
How to get there : From Suvarnabhumi Airport ride an Airport link train to Phaya Thai. Transfer to BTS and head to Saphan Taksin station. Take 10mins walk going to Chao Phrya Express boat -Sathorn Pier (central pier) and get off to Wat Arun Pier
Chao Phrya Express Boat opens at 6:00am and closes at 7:30pm
Wat Pho Temple
Temple of the Reclining Gold Buddha
Entrance Fee : 200 baht / Operating hours : :00AM -5:00PM
How to get there : From Suvarnabhumi Airport ride an Airport link train to Phaya Thai. Transfer to BTS and head to Saphan Taksin station. Take 10mins walk going to Chao Phrya Express boat -Sathorn Pier (central pier) and get off to Tha Tien Pier (N8).
The Wander Woman 