Bangkok, a place for Eat, Pray& Shopping. It's a busy city but with people living a simple life.
Summarizing my 3 visits to Bangkok, giving you an idea what to do, where to go, what to eat...
1st post i'm gonna start off with: Upon arrival and Where to stay in Bangkok...
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| Filling up the arrival card |
Upon arriving and alighting the plane, the first thing is to rush to the check point. BECAUSE a minute late, you will see at least 100-200 passengers in front of you (from other airlines).
Arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.
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| The long long passage way to the check point |
The two most convenient way to get to the city will be The Public Taxi or The Airport Rail Link.
The Airport Rail Link
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| Express Line or City Line |
It operates daily from 0600- 2400. Tickets can be easily purchase at the automatic token dispenser at the station. City line's fare start from 15 Baht up to 45 Baht, and Express's fare is at a flat rate of 150 Baht. Airport Rail link will be a more cheaper way for two and if your hotel is near to the respective stations.
After exiting the immigration check point, walk towards the escalator and follow the signs to floor B.
You will then see a ticketing counter outside the airport rail link station. Just informed them the station you will be alighting and they will give you a token ticket.
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| Airport Rail Link Token |
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| In the Airport Rail Link |
It's easy to use... Scan your token against the barrier scanner upon entering. And upon arrival at your station, slot in the token to the barrier like how you would do to a vending machine. It only took me approx 25mins/ 45baht to travel from the airport to the city. Whereas, public taxi would take at least 45mins/ >300baht to get there.
Upon arriving at Phaya Thai station, there's a passage way leading you to the BTS station.
The Public Taxi
For more than 2 of you, i would recommend the Public Taxi. (P.s Always get ready a map of your hotel and address in Thai! you will need it once you are in the cab).
Go to the Taxi Counter located at Level 1, outside entrance 3,4,7 and 8.
Tell the person sitting at the individual counter where you want to go. They will help you to tell the next-on queue Taxi driver. Metered Taxi fare: </= 400 Baht. (Including 50Baht Airport Surcharge & Expressway fee.)
*Do refer to my Bangkok post on Getting around Bangkok!...
Where to Stay?
Depending on your purpose to Bangkok, to decide on which area you will stay.
Khao San Road, Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, Chinatown, Pratunam etc...
Khao San Road- One of the famous streets in Bangkok.
Wide selection of budget guesthouses and hotels.
Sukhumvit- Longest Road in Thailand, famous for Nightlife.
Chinatown- Popular tourist attraction for street side food.
Pratunam- Well known for the street markets, fashion wholesale mall and bazaars.
Siam- The city's most popular centre of shopping malls.
Silom- Bangkok's financial district in the day, a party & naughty side of Silom at night at Patpong.
Of my 3 visits, I would recommend Glow Pratunam Hotel which i stayed on my 3rd visit.
Conveniently located at Pratunam area, just opposite The Platinum Fashion Mall.
My first impression of Glow Pratunam Hotel: Clean, Excellent Service, Convenient, Cosy.
Glow Pratunam Hotel is located on the 7th floor and above of Shibuya 19 Fashion Mall.
Upon arrival on the ground floor of Shibuya Mall, there will be a small counter besides the lift with a friendly staff of Glow helping you with your luggages and leading you the way to the Hotel's lobby.
You will then be warmly greeted by the very welcoming staffs of Glow at the lobby's reception. After giving them the necessities for check-in, they will bring you to the lounge beside the reception for a welcome drink, while they process your check-in.
Not only that, they automatically provides you with the city map, hotel's location card in Thai and the password to our room's free Wifi.
Shortly after, we were being escorted to our room and also explaining to us on the usage of the guest's lift (Accessible only by room card).
I forgot to request for Twin beds when i booked my room online. Hence when i requested for a twin beds room at the reception upon check- in i was told there were no more available. However they promptly offered me a FREE upgrade to a Deluxe Corner room. They said Deluxe corner room is bigger, hence more spacious for us after adding on a extra bed(purchased online for third person).
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| Long long mirror and working desk |
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| Very soft and fluffy extra bed |
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| King sized bed and extra bed for 3rd person |
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| Side couch |
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| Mini bar |
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| Mini Fridge |
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| The big and clean bathroom |
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| Shower |
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| Bathtub |
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| Relaxing... |
The hotel also came with other amenities like swimming pool, gym, sauna, computers with Wifi... etc.
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| Hotel's pool |
Hotel's breakfast
Not a very big area, located just beside the lobby's reception.
We had our 3 mornings' breakfast here. I would not say wide variety, but they did make an effort to change a little of the spread everyday.
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| Egg Station |
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| Scrambled egg or Omelette? What ingredients? |
View from our room
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| Night |
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| Day |
Glow Pratunam Hotel
919 Petchburi Road, Kwang Thanon Phayathai,
Rajdhevi Bangkok 10400
Website: http://www.zinchospitality.com/glowbyzinc/
Hope it has been of little help and ideas in planning your Bangkok Trip.
Coming up next... Bangkok Part 2 Where and What to Eat?
