Khao San Road, The Backpacker's Paradise

Date Visited: 19th & 20th October 2012

14th February 2013

One of the main reason I went Khao San Road was mainly to book the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market tour and also this was the drop-off spot after back from the eye-opening and exciting tour. Here in Khao San Road, there are many relatively inexpensive travel agents which not only offer tour around Bangkok city, but they also arrange visas as well as transportation to the neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia.

#1: Mama Tours & Travel, one of the local travel agent I would recommend. Click here for more info

For backpackers and budget travellers, Khao San Road is known as "the backpacker's paradise" in their dictionary as there are countless of budget guesthouses to reasonably priced of mid-range hotels. This is the place that draw backpackers from every corner of the world, as it has by far the cheapest place to search for accommodation in all of Bangkok. But bear in mind, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Although most of the accommodations here are dirt cheap, but literately they are dark, unclean and poorly lit, and if you are unlucky, you might spend your night with bedbugs.

#2: Khao San Road - Backpacker's Paradise Spot

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Summary of My 5D4N Bangkok, Thailand Travelogue (2012) Version 1.0

Here is the compilation for all the post relating to my trip to Bangkok, Thailand for 5 days and 4 nights.

Day 1: 17th October 2012

First Day in Bangkok

Tip For Taking Taxi from Don Mueang International Airport to Bangkok Downtown:

And talking about taxi, I would highly recommend to take the one outside the arrival area instead of booking from the taxi service booths in the main hall cause the latter one is freaking expensive. Double the fare cause that's what my friend and I paid initially but somehow, they refunded to us and asked us to wait for other taxi. A trip with the taxi outside the arrival area cost roughly 250-350 baht, depending on the traffic. 

Stay: The Period Pratunam of Bangkok


Day 2: 18th October 2012
Around The World in Terminal 21

How To Get To Terminal 21:

BTS Station: Asoke (Exit 1) or;

MRT Station: Sukhumvit (Exit 3)

Day 3: 19th October 2012
Chao Phraya River Cruise & Grand Palace

The entrance fee we paid on that particular date was 400 baht, which besides the Grand Palace, it also inclusive access to The Temple of Emerald Buddha, The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile, which are located within the Grand Palace compound, and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.

Day 4: 20th October 2012
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

The cost for this tour was 400 baht (approx. to RM41) which included pick-up service from hotel, transport and boat ride. Booked from Mama Travel & Tour, local tour operator.   

Chatuchak Weekend Market

How To Get To Chatuchak Weekend Market:
BTS Station: Mo Chit (Exit 1) and follow the crowd until see rows of canvas stalls selling clothes and accessories or; 
MRT Station: Chatuchak Park (Exit 1) and follow the crowd as well.
Open on every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm

Day 5: 21st October 2012
Goodbye Bangkok


Extra Posts

• Maiden Trip To Bangkok (Sneak Peek)
• The Shopping Malls I Visited in Bangkok
• My Travel Loots & Expenses Version 1.0

Conclusion, I spend 5 solid days in Bangkok itself and didn't go further areas such as Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ayutthaya and etc but I believe, Bangkok, I will be back and see you again someday. Bangkok is one of the cities that I don't mind to go back every year (if only time is permitted and grab another best deal from AirAsia). Oh boy, I guess Bangkok has put spell on me!

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My Bangkok Travel Loots & Expenses (2012) Version 1.0

I warn you that I indeed shopped a lot when I went Bangkok for the very first time. Plus, most of the clothes sold at that particular period were in chiffon type, which was my favourite type of clothes. And now let me reveal what I bought from Bangkok, Thailand: 

#1: Overall of my shopping loots from Bangkok, Thailand Version 1.0

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Bangkok, Thailand (2012) Day 5: Goodbye Bangkok

Date of Travel: 21st October 2012

Everytime when comes to travelling, I felt the time passed freaking fast. Don't you think so? From the day we arrived, now it's the time to pack our bag and leave. And the thing was we haven't got enough of shopping. Luckily our flight was around 4pm, hence we still have more spare time to satisfy our shopping craze before leaving this shopping haven.

#1: Last day of having breakfast in the hotel we stayed, The Period Pratunam Hotel

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The Shopping Malls I Visited in Bangkok

Bangkok has numbers of shopping malls to cater all type of lifestyle and budgets shopaholic. Whether you are looking for global brands, finest fashion stores, speciality stores, accessories stands, bookstores and all kinds of luxury designer goods, Bangkok is definitely offers the best shopping experiences and exposure. From the legendary MBK Center, to trendy Siam Discovery and Central World Plaza, or unashamedly upscale Siam Paragon and even innovative Terminal 21, Bangkok's accommodate every taste, pocket and style. Not just that you will be spoiled by thousand of choices, most of these shopping malls are easily accessible via the efficient and convenient Skytrain (BTS) system. So put on your comfortable shoes and shop till you drop!

I did research beforehand and went most of the shopping malls listed under Top 10 Bangkok Shopping Malls and the list below are from the least favourite to most favourite one:

MBK Center

Nearest BTS: National Stadium

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Chatuchak Weekend Market of Bangkok, Thailand

Date Visited: 20th October 2012

16th February 2013 

Besides few numbers of shopping malls around Bangkok which I went couple of times throughout my two visits, eventually there are three famous spots which I visited twice - Terminal 21 (a shopping mall with 9 different interesting travel concepts and themes), Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (largest floating market) and last but not least, the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which I don't mind of going back again and again in case I wanna visit Bangkok again in future.

#1: Chatuchak Weekend Market is grouped into 27 sections and roughly divided into 11 categories which selling all kind of items.

As the largest market in Thailand, Chatuchak Weekend Market or the right way to pronounce will be "Jatujak" is only open on every Saturday and Sunday and most stalls here operate from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. If possible, plan your trip wisely and try to squeeze at least half of your day to visit this weekend market and trust me, you won't be disappointed and who knows, you might wanna go back again just like me. 

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Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Date Visited: 20th October 2012

14th February 2013

For sightseeing purpose, besides temples which commonly known as "Wat" by the local, there are numerous floating markets throughout the country, with many of them are situated just few couple of hours from the capital city. One of the most well-known and largest floating markets among the tourists is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Located in Ratchaburi Province, 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok (which took more than 2 hours car ride), Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a very fascinating spot for the foreign tourists especially to see and experience the traditional way of selling and buying goods from countless of sellers paddled along the congested canals while enjoying the ride inside a paddle or longtail boat.

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Bangkok, Thailand (2012) Day 3: Grand Palace

Date Visited: 19th October 2012

Besides purely for shopping, at least both my friend and I did spare few of our days for sightseeing around Bangkok. On the third day during my maiden visit to this City of Angels, we decided to visit the spectacular Grand Palace, undeniable one of the city's most visited famous landmark and symbol. Once we done with the breakfast, we walked roughly around 10 minutes from our hotel, The Period Pratunam Hotel of Bangkok to the nearest BTS Skytrain Station, Ratchathewi Station and from there, we travelled to BTS Saphan Taksin Station.

#1: Explore the city of Bangkok with BTS Skytrain and MRT is pretty convenient and inexpensive.

Of course, there are few options in order to get to Grand Palace; either you could directly take taxi, tuk-tuk or even the public bus but then, we opted for the most enjoyable and fascinating route which was to take BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin and from there, take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat to Maharaj Pier.

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Around The World in Terminal 21

Date Visited: 18th October 2012

13th February 2013

As it was my maiden trip to Bangkok back in year 2012, I always did a research beforehand to see which attractions and tourist spots should I go and visit. This is where I came across Terminal 21 from one of my favourite food and travel bloggers, Kampung Boy City Gal's blog.

Terminal 21 is a mixed-use complex which consists of two parts - shopping mall and hotel & residence. But what attract most travellers and tourists to visit Terminal 21 was for its uniqueness and mesmerising interior design, even for the restrooms as well. So, when I visited for the very first time, I instantly fall in love with this place and went back again for the second time with my family a year later.

#1

#2

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Hotel Review: The Period Pratunam Hotel of Bangkok, Thailand

When talking about Bangkok's accommodation, you can easily find abundant range of accommodation, from the cheapest one to the most splurge type, and yet it doesn't burn a huge hole for one's wallet. It's just the matter of location that most tourists would be concerned of. For backpackers, most of they prefer to stay in Khao San Road whereas for those whose main intention to Bangkok solely for shopping just like me, the recommendation would be in Siam Square, Silom or even Pratunam area. My friend and I decided to stay in Pratunam area as it is consists of large garment market with hundreds of fashion stores selling both retail and wholesale and we chosen The Period Pratunam Hotel.

#1: Overview of The Period Pratunam Hotel

The Period Pratunam is situated right at the center of Pratunam district amidst the shopping centers, food outlets and many other tourist spots within walking distance. Besides that, there are few massage parlours nearby with a surprisingly dirt cheap massage rate. Basically, it is a relatively small boutique hotel namely for those who are looking for a nice and clean bed and nothing else.

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Our Main Mission To Bangkok Is Purely For Shopping!

That's it. My title post said it all! So if you are looking for some kind of wild adventure posts around Bangkok here, I'm sorry to inform you that my Bangkok travelogue is not what are you looking for. 

I can't deny that I love to do shopping but then, who doesn't anyway? Some said the best places to shop in the world would be Paris, Milan, London, Hong Kong (these are specially for those who are looking for famous designer brands and high end articles) and for budget shopaholics, most likely they prefer to shop in countries such as Indonesia (Jakarta & Bandung), China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Bangkok. So far from all the visits to various cities, I must admit that Bangkok is indeed undeniable the best shopping paradise in the world. And within less than half a year from this visit, I returned back to Bangkok again with my family for last year Chinese New Year holiday. That's shows how I love Bangkok so much and I don't mind of going back Bangkok every year. #daydreaming  

Date Visited: 17th October 2012

#1: Starting from 1st October 2012, AirAsia is no longer operating in Suvarnabhumi International Airport but moved to Don Mueang International Airport, one of Thailand's oldest airport.

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Bangkok, Thailand 2012 (Sneak Peek)

Sawatdee Kaa สวัสดี one more time again! (Just love to take photo with Ronald everytime visit Thailand)

Early of this year, I went Phuket with my girlfriends for an island getaway and this time around, I went Bangkok with one of my closest friend which I met during my study time in United Kingdom just solely for a shopping trip only. Just back from Melbourne, Australia for less than 10 days, I was flying off to "Land of Smiles" with the return airfare that I bought for just 20 cents (but after added up all the admission fee, fuel and airport tax, total return ticket cost RM147.20).

I did a bit of sightseeing besides wholly focus on shopping such as:

Went across the famous Chao Phraya River and visited one of the notable Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

And also Grand Palace which was once official residence of the Kings of Siam.

Experienced the floating market, which one of the things you should do when in Bangkok.

Throughout my 5 days in Bangkok, my friend and I went almost all the popular and recommended shopping mall/center such as:

Clockwise from left: Platinum Fashion Mall; Central World; MBK Center and Siam Paragon.

And also Chatuchak Market - one of the world's largest weekend markets. 

If you dislike shopping but love phototaking, then you should visit Terminal 21 which is a shopping complex but has different world-famous cities concept at different floor such as London, Tokyo, Istanbul, San Fransisco and more. This place is highly recommended if you love phototaking.

Last but not least, both of us totally couldn't resist ourself from keep shopping, shopping and shopping. We're definitely shopped everything from head to toe cause it is more cheaper and fashionable to shop in Bangkok than in China and also Bandung, Indonesia.

Bangkok is definitely one of the city that I love to go back again.

So, Bangkok concluded as my final trip for this year with my friends (after Phuket, Brunei, Philippines, Vietnam, Bali, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia). Currently, I'm feeling a lil bit exhausted due to extensive travel since 17 September till 21/22 October 2012 by taking 10 flights and visited 4 different cities/countries within that period. Therefore from now onwards, I'm gonna hibernate from travelling for almost half a year before continue for my next travel adventures. Till then, do check out all my previous outdated travelogue. 

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