Destination Diary: Bangkok, Thailand

With five other people in our traveling party, you can say that I'm the one constantly brainstorming, organizing and tying up the details for this trip-plus this is where my mandatory leave days went to. The plan was first to enjoy Bangkok. But later on, it expanded to Siem Reap. The new route consisted of Zamboanga-Manila-Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang)-Siem Reap and vice versa. Now that was a mouthful, and not for the faint-hearted. 

But we were able to maximize our time in Bangkok, and if you plan to visit this city anytime soon, allow me to give you a few ideas:

The Standing Buddha

Temple Run: Standing Buddha, Sleeping Buddha, Sitting Buddha, and Walking Buddha 

We were fortunate to be able to book a tour right from the airport for our first day in Bangkok. Of course, our tour included a driver, van, itinerary and English speaking guide, plus free bottled water in our vehicle. Not only that, we had exclusive use of our vehicle. We were a small party of six people, and even were allowed side-trips to anywhere else in the city such as gem shops and the best tailors in Bangkok.

The Sleeping Buddha (Wat Pho) 

So we started with the temple run from our hotel on our first day, with hotel pickup. We headed straight to the Temple of the Standing Buddha. Just a short distance from the gate we already got a sample of the small, crispy pancakes that were being sold inside for a quick snack. Devotees of the temple were already used to foreign visitors visiting and taking photos that they didn’t mind us there.

After that, we went to Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Sleeping Buddha. This one is popular among tourists (with an entrance fee of 40 Thai Baht), and that I’ve observed more tourists here than in the other first and third temples we visited that day. Shoes are not allowed inside so they have bins that have reusable plastic bags for visitors outside, just dump your footwear in them, go around the temple and then wear your shoes outside, leave the plastic bags in the receiving bins once you’re out.

The Sitting Budha

The Walking Buddha

We ended our temple run with the Temple of the Sitting Buddha and Walking Buddha, there are two figures under one roof. 

After our temple run, we asked our guide and driver to drop us off so that we can…

Entrance to Chatuchak Weekend Market

 Shop and Bargain Hard in Chatuchak Weekend Market 

We scheduled our visit to Bangkok on the weekend to take advantage of the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Although it is open on weekdays, it is not in full swing unlike during the weekends where all the stalls are open. During our visit, I don’t think we were able to circle the whole place. A lot can be bought in Chatuchak, from food, clothes, shoes, crafts, even cacti, gardening supplies and decors.

Figurines and houseware for sale in Chatuchak Weekend Market

I think this is one reason why my parents intentionally didn’t bring much clothes (so that they can shop) and brought a large luggage with them (so that they can shop) and exchange a lot of Thai Baht (so that they can shop). I know I’ll get a scolding after this post lol.

Note that Chatuchak is open during weekdays, but only around forty percent of the stalls are open, the market is in full swing during weekends. 

Muai Thai Shorts Stall in Chatuchak Weekend Market

Cacti For Sale in Chatuchak Weekend Market

Visit The Grand Palace Complex

You haven't been to Bangkok if you haven't explored the Grand Palace. Once past the main gates, the feeling of looking at all the buildings inside the complex is enough to be overwhelmed. It’s like a different place on earth altogether.

The Grand Palace Complex, Right: Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Inside, I felt like every angle is layered with gold, that there’s always something new to look at. There’s a beautiful temple inside the palace complex and visitors are expected to remove their footwear before stepping in. Visitors are expected to cover up and dress modestly as well. Entrance fee is at 500 Thai Baht per person.

The Grand Palace

Outside the Grand Palace gates there are shops and vendors showing off their artwork, I bought an elephant gilded painting for a bargain after the man selling it says he admired our Philippine leaders. If you’re hungry or thirsty, there are convenience stores and cafes along the avenue after the stroll in the Grand Palace grounds.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) Along Chao Praya River

Watch Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) Light Up From A Rooftop Bar Along Chao Praya River on Sunset 

Because most attractions are within only walking distance of Chao Praya River, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience the lighting up of Wat Arun or The Temple of Dawn at sunset at a rooftop bar. There are only a handful of rooftop bars facing Wat Arun, and it’s advisable to be able to reserve a table ahead of time in order to enjoy the sunset and the cool breeze from the river. It’s also a tourist magnet, so you will be met with so many other people fighting for those Instagrammable spots against Wat Arun as the backdrop. Sitting by the riverside with a drink in your hand may just be the right way to end the day of exploration.

Taking the Tuk-Tuk to Khaosan Road

Experience A Tuk-Tuk Ride

No visit to Bangkok is complete without a tuk-tuk ride. These transportations are a fast way to get around the city, if you’re one who is into a little excitement at night in the city streets. We only went once though because we always take the cab to and from the hotel because our hotel is far from the city center but near Don Mueang Airport for our Cambodia trip.

A few notes though, negotiate before hopping in, ask the driver to drop you in the designated location (Bangkok Library in Khaosan Road for instance) and hold on to dear life. They go fast and can insert in the narrowest of streets, but it’s absolutely a fun ride.

Scorpions on A Stick at Khaosan Road

Experience Night Life in Khaosan Road (Take A Photo With Exotic Food Such As Scorpions And Crickets While You're There) 

Khaosan Road is like the place to be in Bangkok for the nightlife. There are a lot of things to do, like eat in the many restos, shop from street vendors, and even go for a massage or enjoy karaoke with friends. It’s also the place to find exotic fried food such as scorpions, crickets, and worms. All it takes is some Thai Baht and courage to find your fancy.

Hungry? You can order here 

Experience (And Shop Some More) in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market 

Damnoen Saduak is the first and biggest floating market in Bangkok and is often considered the most famous. There are other floating markets in Bangkok, but this has more shops and is described as a maze of narrow canals, and the best place to visit is in the morning. It’s about an hour and a half ride from our hotel and in the outskirts of Bangkok, already in Ban Yai Paeng district. Thankfully we had an English-speaking guide, a van and driver to take us there.

Your lunch can be bought here

Guests will have to use a longboat called sampans, wear a lifejacket and bring some cash when it comes to shopping from the vendors in boats and wide-brimmed hats selling souvenirs and fresh produce. Hungry or thirsty? Just call out to the vendors selling coconut ice cream or pork satay and fresh juices and they will paddle over, or your boat handler will maneuver your way to that vendor. Neat huh? This has got to be one of the highlights of my family trip in Bangkok.

If you've had enough of shopping, all you have to do is just sit and chat and watch the activities in Damnoen Saduak

I have to confess that I had fun here even if I didn’t buy much for myself. I’m aware of the overpricing of some wares here, but if there’s something to buy in the floating market, it’s the hand-carved décor and paintings of artisans from all over Thailand, and woven skirts for the ladies. My kuripot-self regrets not buying these here. 

Palm Sugar for Sale in the Palm Farm

Visit A Palm Farm and See How Coconut Sugar Is Made

If you’re someone who enjoys visiting cottage industries and see how local products are made and produced, the palm farm is one place to be. Producers show how palm sugar is extracted, and there are goods for sale after the mini-tour. Of course, fresh coconut to drink is also available. What to buy here are organic body care products that are coconut-oil based. Even if it’s far from the city, there are still foreign visitors who come here with a guide and transportation because it’s just cozy to be with nature for a change.  

Coconut-based beauty and wellness products derived from palm from the farm

Visit and Feed The Elephants in the Elephant Park 

Also far from the city is the Elephant Park. It’s popular with tourists with young children, (because it’s a good opportunity, so don’t miss it). There are many other activities to do here such as watching the Monkey Show and crocodiles, but the highlights are the pachyderms. Even if we were asked to go on elephant rides, we outright refused and just opted for feeding them and taking photos and videos of these creatures.

No elephant rides please,  but you can feed them instead

To explain, elephant rides are a form of abuse, because their spines are sensitive and prolonged burdening them will lead to long-term damages. To add, we don’t really know how these beautiful creatures are being handled by the park. Of course, I’ll leave this for another more in-depth post. I’m sure my animal-loving friends will agree. 

Icon Siam, The Mother of Malls

Shop Local and Branded in Icon Siam

And lastly, just a cab ride away, is Icon Siam. It’s a shopping mall that houses so many different brands, and the ground floor is just a beautiful array of local products- the display imitates a floating market with endless choices of food and goods featuring the One Town, One Product concept. Spending three hours is not enough in Icon Siam, also called The Mother of Malls, which is why we decided to go back and make the most of our last day in Bangkok here, before we caught our flight back to Manila via Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Brands and boutiques are upstairs

Food stalls in the ground floor imitating a floating market experience

Ground floor Icon Siam featuring One Town, One Product (OTOP) exhibits

We stayed for less than a week in Bangkok, as we had to fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia but it was always a full schedule every day. Of course, this is another experience for the books because of time spent with people I love, and in our subconscious, we keep thinking about coming back someday. 

Reminders:

• When visiting other nations, we are responsible for our own behavior and should observe proper customs as the locals do, as we are only guests in their country.

•  Be responsible travelers by disposing of trash properly and being courteous to those you meet, especially the elderly and locals. 

Note: All input are based on my personal experiences in Bangkok, Thailand. Our group made arrangements prior to our travel dates. This is in no way, a sponsored post.

*Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy A50.

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