My first Bangkok adventure and nearby escapes were filled with bustling streets, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences. Want to see how I explored the Land of Smiles? Read my blog!

Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated

May 28, 2023
Batangas, Philippines

Date of Trip – May 21-25
My itinerary for Thailand trip included the following locations: Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Nakhom Pathom, Phra Nakhon, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi

You can view my sample itinerary in this google sheet – https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w3Raz0GtjgzBm6MLpnt3zCziI-NTHfCO0Tv5uXI6q9Y/edit#gid=0

I have only been to the southernmost islands of Krabi and Phuket in Thailand; I haven’t yet made it to Bangkok or any of the other major towns in the country. When my sister-in-law asked where we should go on our foreign vacation, I suggested we go to Bangkok. We had planned to visit a tropical island like Koh Samui, but realized that the five-day trip wouldn’t be worthwhile.

The culture and cuisine of Thailand exhibit a remarkable degree of diversity, while the nation itself boasts a rich and extensive historical background. Moreover, it is worth noting that no European nation has ever engaged in the colonization of Thailand. The decision to refrain from colonizing Thailand was primarily influenced by its status as a buffer state during that time. In the present day, the urban region is seeing significant development and progress.

Visiting temples was something I never imagined I would enjoy, but learning about the history of a place and taking in the stunning architecture there changed my mind. Food and clothing were shockingly expensive in Bangkok, as was the city’s extreme heat. My companions and I had a good time anyhow. I, too, hope to return, though just briefly on my way to other destinations in Thailand and the surrounding region.

Visa Requirements

Philippine passport holders could stay up to 30 days “visa free” in Thailand. But before traveling to Thailand, make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months.

Flight Amount: Tickets cost PHP 11,747, which is quite a bit more than they would have been if we had purchased in advance or taken advantage of a seat a sale. Our CebuPacific plane was an Airbus, and its three rows of three seats made it surprisingly roomy for an economy-class journey.

Travel Tax in PHL has to be paid prior flight – PHP1,620

You must present your completed eTravel.ph form to Philippine Immigrations when you leave the country, and the same procedure applies when you return.

Currency

PHP 1.65 = 1 Baht. Thailand’s national currency is the Thai Baht, and it is recommended to use ATMs instead of PHP exchangers at airports. SCB ATMs offer options for withdrawals with or without conversion, and each withdrawal carries a 220baht fee. Airports offer poor exchange rates, but SuperRich exchange booths offer reasonable rates. Avoid airport exchangers and use ATMs for currency conversion in Thailand.

Internet Connection

For 500PHP/303baht for 20 GB, we bought Esim for 7 days. Thailand had easy access to the internet. Despite travelling through both the east and west of Thailand, it was quick and painless, and I experienced no signal issues.

Power Socket

Plug A and B, 230V

Language

Siamese or Thai is a widely used language. English is another language that is spoken, but not everyone can speak it well, thus you need Google translate.

Religion

The vast majority of the Thai population identify as Buddhist although other major religions are practiced.

Government

Thailand is a parliamentary (bi-cameral) democracy with a constitutional monarchy. More of this here.

Weather

When we arrived in Bangkok, the temperature was between 39 and 42 degrees Celsius. In Bangkok, there are only two distinct seasons: the warm season (February to June) and the wet season (July to January).

Budget – PHP40,000 or 25,000 baht inclusive of tour packages, transportation, food and accommodation

Timezone – +7GMT

Transportation

We explored various transportation options in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi Airport’s MRT station, the BTS skytrain, and the MRT subway system. The BTS is expensive, while the MRT is convenient. Bus stops are limited, but Grab and taxis are available for convenience. Using a meter is recommended for taxis. Download Bangkok Metro for quick access to transit.

Flag down rate for taxi – 35baht Rabbit Card (top up card/stored value card) can be purchased at select MRT stations while single journey tickets can be purchased in any stations

Accommodation

We booked a five-night stay at the Thana Wisut hotel on Agoda for PHP 4,635.48, with a security deposit of 500 baht and check-in and check-out timings of 2:00 p.m. and 12:00 pm., respectively. It was a nice room with a queen-sized bed, a shower, and a toilet. It was modern, clean, and conveniently located near Khao San Road and other temples. The neighborhood is quiet, but there aren’t any good dining options. Although I received room service every day, my room wasn’t cleaned on the final day. The hotel was far from many food alternatives and had unpleasant staff, but otherwise was fine. When I come back, I want to test out a few various options for lodging.

Things to Note:
1. Apply sunblock, bring cap or umbrella – it’s way too hot in Bangkok and it’s parts
2. Always bring cash, most establishments prefer cash payment instead of cashless
3. Since you frequently take off your shoes while entering temples, I advise wearing flip-flops when visiting them.

Day 1 May 21 (Sunday)
Bangkok

Unfortunately, despite having booked in for our 7:35am flight from Manila online, Cebu Pacific was unable to issue us our boarding pass. If you still have to wait in line after checking in online, there’s no point. We landed in Bangkok at 10 a.m. local time with no delays. The Philippines is one hour ahead of Thailand.

Blue Cup Coffee
Suvarnabhumi Airport
400baht – 1500baht

Suvarnabhumi Airport was enormous, clean, and well-managed. It is close to the MRT and offers a wide variety of dining alternatives. After leaving Immigrations and using an ATM to exchange money, we made the decision to eat at Blue Cup Coffee. We ate mango sticky rice, pad thai, tom yum, and Thai tea. I adore Thai cuisine and beverages. Eating their food will never get old to me. However, meals in Bangkok is slightly more expensive than in Krabi, particularly if we also dine at the airport. The total cost of the food we consumed was 1,300 baht.

Chatramue
50baht – 70baht
Various stalls in Bangkok

Known for over 75 years as the top-selling tea brand in Thailand. Although it was relatively affordable, the thai tea I bought here was not to my taste. Sincerely, I have to say that this was not my favourite Thai tea in Thailand.

Chatuchak Market
Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm (Whole Market open)

The market features about 15,000 vendors that are dispersed over 35 acres and 26 divisions, including food, art, antiques, and fashion. We arrived quickly and conveniently using trains. However, it was really hot when we arrived, and when we visited the market, it was enormous and the prices were more expensive than in the Philippines. After ten minutes, we departed since it was too hot and the market didn’t have air conditioning.

At 2:30 pm, after having booked into the hotel and showered, we met our buddy Arven.

IconSiam
opens daily from 11 am until 8 pm

The most opulent shopping centre in Bangkok, ICONSIAM, opened its doors in late 2018. The mall, which is situated along the banks of the Chao Phraya river, is home to thousands of stores, eateries, and even an indoor floating market. The garden along the river gives breathtaking views of the Bangkok cityscape. I love IconSiam! It’s so fancy and a lot of stores to choose from, I really enjoyed my time here. I’d definitely go back here once I’m back in Bangkok

Starbucks IconSIAM
50baht-200baht

This is the largest Starbucks store in Thailand. My sister in law wanted to try Starbucks and treated us with different teas.

It provides the first TeavanaTM Bar for consumers looking for a redefined tea experience and is the first location to serve the Muan JaiTM Blend, a robust coffee from Northern Thailand.

It offers panoramic views over the famous Chao Phraya river that flows through Bangkok’s dynamic urban centre.

MBK Shopping Center
Open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
200baht-500baht

Driving from IconSiam to MBK takes 20 minutes. It is an air-conditioned retail mall with many different stores to select from. I did not bring a lot of clothing because I had heard Bangkok was a cheap place to shop, so I went there and bought the items I would need for our tour the following day. Bangkok is not cheap just FYI.

SiamScape
Opens daily from 10:00am – 10:00pm

This is a brand-new commercial building on Siam Square, across from MBK Centre. At first glance, the building is distinctively foreign, imaginative, and appealing. We came here since there are great photo spots for Instagram. haha

Thipsamai
Open Hour: 09:00AM to midnight
Close every Tuesday
300baht – 1500baht

If you ask people in Bangkok where to get the best pad thai, chances are they’ll recommend Thipsamai. We decided to try their flagship restaurant at 313 Mahachai Road, which had previously been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Considering how late it was (about 10:00 p.m.), it’s a good thing there wasn’t a wait when we got there. Thai tea and pad thai are two of my favorite dishes there. It was excellent and tasted really authentic. This is a spot I’ll be happy to suggest.

The oldest Padthai restaurant in Thailand is called “Thipsamai Padthai Pratoopee” and it first gained notoriety before World War II for its outstanding Padthai dishes. They were the first to develop Padthai Sen-Chan, a dish with a distinct flavour and the best ingredients available, using shrimp oil, deep sea prawns, and wrapped eggs.

Pad Thai was invented during World War II, when demand was low. Because rice production was expensive during the war, the prime minister encouraged people to consume noodles by creating domestic demand and utilizing locally produced raw materials. As a result, KUAY TIEW PHAD was founded at the time. People began referring to this dish as “PADTHAI” over time. PADTHAI has grown in popularity and size due to its distinct flavor.

Ride tuktuk for 100baht to the hotel. It was so fast and crazy but definitely good for the experience.

Day 2 May 22 (Monday)
Booked private vehicle for 3,000baht
Nakhom Pathom to Samut Prakan
Tour is from 9am to 6pm

Our driver Sonny picked us up at the hotel around 9:00am and we headed to Nakhom Pathom to feed fishes for only 20baht. It was such a relaxing day.

Bubble in the Forest Cafe Nakhom Pathom
10 AM-8 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
200baht – 2kbaht

We decided to go to a cafe about an hour out from Bangkok. There was a line when we arrived before 10 a.m., and we had to wait another 15 minutes before we could enter the café. We wanted to eat at their villa, but it was fully booked, even on a weekday! It was extremely dreamy when we first arrived! Although I haven’t visited the Maldives, the notion reminded me of their floating bungalows, where visitors may walk over raised bridges across crystal-clear waters to their own houses.

We had a lot of fun trying this cafe, the food was excellent, and we definitely recommend it.

Erawan Museum
Fee – 400baht
Opening hours: Daily 9 am-7 pm

The Erawan Museum’s exterior sculpture is a massive three-headed elephant. It is the first and largest hand-carved sculpture ever built in the world, made of copper.

There are three levels to the Erawan Museum. The notion that heaven and earth are divided into three parts—the underworld, the human earth, and heaven—came from a work by Bhumitha. Suvarnabhumi is the name of the third section of the museum’s lowest level, often known as the subterranean. The second section is the human earth, and the third section, which is inside the elephant’s body, is paradise.

It is better to book Ancient City together with the Erawan Museum as it cost cheaper via Klook.

Ancient City
Open daily 9:00am – 6:00pm
Fee 700baht for walk in booking
Fee 350 for online booking

Ancient City is one of the world’s largest outdoor museums. Tourists can visit a variety of important sites in Thailand, including castles, palaces, temples, and sculptures. Some are copies of originals taken from specific locations, while others are models. The displays of the Ancient City are divided into different areas to allow visitors to enjoy and comprehend the essence of the culture’s many features. The experience gives you the impression that you have traveled the entire country in one day.

The sheer size of the Ancient City astounded me. Online ticket purchases are recommended over in-person purchases because they are 50% cheaper. Due to the high temperatures, we found that using a car at no extra cost was the best option for getting around the area. The heat makes me prefer a car rental over, say, a bicycle or a golf cart. I would not dare to ride a bike in Thailand in this stifling heat.

Around 6:00 p.m., we arrived at the hotel, changed, and prepared for dinner. Arven is leaving Bangkok on this day.

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Free

It was at night that we made our way to Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. Arven spent two exhausting hours squinting to find a good vantage point from which to take this photograph. Fortunately, he merely gave us a tour and took our picture at the most scenic part of the temple.

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen is a temple tucked away in Bangkok’s historical district along Chao Phraya River.

Chom Arun Restaurant
300baht-2000baht
Prices in their menu are not yet inclusive of tax and service charge
Opens daily 11:00am – 9:15pm

The Thai restaurant Chom Arun, located near the Chao-Phraya River, offers a breathtaking panorama of the nearby Wat Arun temple. After finding out that Suppaniga would be closed for the evening due to a private function, we decided to give Chom Arun a shot instead. It has al fresco dining options, and the Thai food was excellent. It’s fantastic because you get a stunning view of Wat Arun, especially as the sun goes down. That is something you should seriously consider doing.

Day 3 May 23 (Tuesday)
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Ayutthaya One Day or Sunset Private Car Charter Tour
Price  ₱ 9,294.0 for 2 pax
Klook Voucher here

At 7:00 am, Tam, our driver and tour guide, picked us up and took us right to our first stop which was the Maeklong Railway.

Maeklong Railway
Samut Songkharam
Open daily 6:00am – 6:00pm

Maeklong railway is 1 hour away from Bangkok and it is a local market in Samut Songkhram Province, commonly called Siang Tai (life-risking) Market. We arrived before the first train arrives at 8:30am.

To shield themselves from the sun, market vendors spread out canvas or parasols. Visitors can walk and buy near the shelters that protrude into the railway. Each time the signal for the approaching train sounds, mayhem ensues as vendors scramble to close their tents and parasols and remove any items that could get in the way of the fast-moving train. When the train has passed, parasols and canvas will be opened once again, and items will be placed back in their usual locations close to the railway. The market is therefore referred to as the “Hoop Rom (umbrella/parasol-closing) Market.” This was just an okay experience for me.

Cafe Amazon
Near Railway
150baht – 300baht

Café Amazon is Thailand’s largest branded coffee chain, a part of PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR). It was founded in 2002 with the intention of bringing “Green Oasis” experience.

The baked goods and coffee were delicious. While it is very expensive in Thailand’s tourist locations, this coffee is both powerful and reasonably priced, making it stand out from the other cafes we’ve visited. They’ve already expanded throughout the Asian continent. The Jewel Changi Airport location is their first flagship store internationally.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Ratchaburi
Opens daily 8:00am – 4:00pm

Historically, the majority of Thailand’s daily trade took place along its rivers and canals, known as khlongs in Thai. Early European visitors referred to Bangkok as the “Venice of the East” because of the city’s busy water network, which also served as the primary route of communication. Damnoen Saduak Klong Damnoen Saduak is Thailand’s longest and straightest canal.

I had a sense of peace as we wandered along the river. We bought some coconut ice cream and a hand-painted elephant at one of the floating markets.

Sokunya Somtum
Ayutthaya City
Opens daily 8am-5pm
150baht – 300baht

Sokunya is a well-known restaurant in Ayutthaya. They also serve vegetarian and vegan options. Their food is reasonably affordable, and the ambience is pleasant. The food was delicious, and the service was quite kind, so we had a terrific day. We also ran upon a Filipino couple while dining. They suggested a few spots to visit in Thailand. They mistook me for an athlete, which I found hilarious. People frequently mistake me for an athlete when I travel. Haha

Roti sai mai
Included in our tour

A South-east Asian dish from Thailand, roti sai mai is also referred to as roti-wrapped candy floss or Ayutthaya’s cotton candy.We only stopped by a shop in Ayutthaya to test this delicacy, but it was unexpectedly tasty and we enjoyed it. A must try when Ayutthaya.

Ayutthaya
Phra Nakhon
Opens daily many of Ayutthaya’s historical sites are only open from 8am – 6pm

Ayutthaya (Siam), formerly the Thai state’s capital, is a city in central Thailand that is situated about 55 miles (89 km) north of Bangkok. Ayutthaya was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1991. The total area of the World Heritage property is 289 hectares. Its advantageous location on the banks of three rivers that led to the sea shielded it from attack by seagoing vessels and allowed trade to flourish. The sheer quantity and magnitude of the extant Buddhist temples are evidence of the city’s riches and status today.

The Burmese army stormed the city in 1767, razed it to the ground, and forced the residents to flee. The city is still recognised as a significant archaeological monument even though it was never reconstructed in the same spot.

We rented a traditional Thai outfit for 200 Baht when we got to our first stop, Wat Chai, and another 50 Baht to have the hair done. When I travel, I enjoy donning traditional attire so that I may fully experience the local culture. I had a great time and will surely recommend everyone about it.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Chaiwattanaram, one of Ayutthaya’s most popular historical sites, is located on the riverbank of the Chao Phraya, to the west of City Island. King Prasat Thong commissioned the construction of the temple in 1630 as a tribute to his mother. Its distinctive feature is a sizable central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) surrounded by smaller prangs, representing Mount Sumeru, the mountain of the gods in Hindu mythology. They say that the temple is made even more exotic and lovely at night by the illumination. It was too hot when we went in the afternoon. It’s a good thing we had an umbrella since we used it to shield ourselves from the intense heat and make the tour more tolerable. We do, however, admire the location’s history and architecture; I like this temple.

Wat Phra Mahathat

Wat Phra served as the second temple we have gone to.The Ayutthaya Kingdom’s royal temple was located in Thailand at Wat Phra Mahathat. Due to the fact that it once held the Buddha’s sacred relic, it is one of the oldest and most important temples in Ayutthaya’s history.There are several noteworthy historical structures still standing in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Mahathat, including pagodas, octogonal pagodas, the royal hall, tiny temples, murals beneath Bodhi trees, and the well-known Buddha head carved out of sandstone in the shape of the city in a tree’s root.

Wat Lokkayasutha

This was not actually part of the tour but Tam was kind enough to stop by so we can take photos. This Wat is also known as “Temple of the Earth”. The 42 metre long Buddha who is lying down and has his head resting on a lotus flower is the main attraction here. An image hall that had already collapsed originally housed the largest reclining Buddha statue in the island city of Ayutthaya. Thai people visit this location to pray and seek blessings. Every year in April, sometimes around the Songkran holiday (water festival), there is a robe-offering ceremony.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

One of the most recognisable temples in Ayutthaya is Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which is distinguished by the three distinctive stupas in its middle. They hold the ashes of King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat and his two sons who also became kings.  This monastery served as the most significant temple in Ayutthaya. It served as the inspiration for Bangkok’s Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

This area once housed the magnificent Royal Palace, which served as the capital during the early days of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Later it was demolished and a new one was erected a few hundred metres to the north.

The royal temple of Ayutthaya, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, became the location of the most significant rituals, and it was situated directly next to the new palace. Contrary to the majority of the city’s other religious institutions, it also served as the royal family’s private chapel. Additionally, it did not contain any monasteries.

*Please be advised that temples provide umbrellas for visitors to use. I prefer to do this around sunset because it was quite hot in Ayutthaya. I believe I used the term “hot” several times while writing this blog. It’s also worth noting that using the restroom costs 10 baht. When visiting the temples, please dress correctly; flip-flops are acceptable, but skirts above the knee and exposed shoulders are not.

We arrived at the hotel around 5:30pm, we changed clothes and headed to our next destination.

Platinum Fashion Mall & McDonald’s

The mall in Bangkok offers affordable shirts at wholesale prices, making it a popular destination. It’s the largest wholesale and retail shopping destination in Bangkok, and it’s air-conditioned. After shopping, we enjoyed a delicious truffle burger at McDonald’s, which was close to IconSiam.

One More Thai Massage & Spa Experience
1650baht-3000baht if you won’t avail of the promo
₱ 1,658.0 or 1,000baht for 2 via Klook
See voucher here.

After supper, it’s time for some self-care. We headed straight to One More Thai Massage for a 60-minute Thai massage and herbal massage. Thai massages are really relaxing and enjoyable for me.Thai massage uses passive and active stretching to alleviate soreness and stress in overworked muscles and the back. The experience was amazing, and the cost was really reasonable.

Park Hyatt
Penthouse + Grill
450baht – 3000baht/drink
Please follow dress code – no flipflops, tank tops, or pajamas
Opens Thur-Sat 9:00pm onwards
Sunday from 8:00pm onwards

We made plans to meet for drinks at 9:30 on the Park Hyatt’s rooftop when our treatment was finished. The bar on the roof was too warm, so we moved down to the lounge. Views of Bangkok’s skyline at night were just breathtaking. The price of the drink was a lot higher than the price of the same drink in the Philippines. But it’s still a bargain compared to the price of alcoholic beverages in Singapore. If you’re looking for a more upscale drinking experience than what you can find at Singapore’s lounge bars, head to Bangkok instead. The 450 baht I spent on an Amaretto Sour at Park Hyatt was well worth it. Like a sour and sweet hard candy, it was a pleasant combination. That cocktail is top-notch, no doubt about it.

We went back home at 12mn like Cinderella. haha I slept early because I was so tired.

Day 4 May 24 (Wednesday)

Pat Cafe Boraan
298 Dinso Road, Wat Bowornnivet, Phranakhon, Bangkok
Open Monday and Wednesday – Sunday : 7.00am to 10.30pm
Closed on Tuesday
150baht to 300baht

We grabbed breakfast at Pat Cafe Boraan. My sister in law had Thai congee for breakfast, which was delicious. This eatery serves Thai traditional breakfast and is within walking distance of our accommodation. They also retained the ancient components of a 100-year-old structure and restored it in a fashion that was harmonious with Bangkok’s old town cityscape, utilizing ‘Contemporary Thai’ style.

The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emeral Buddha
Opens Daily 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
500baht entrance fee
Please wear appropriate clothing

The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, has been the royal residence of Siam’s monarchs since 1782. Today, it hosts events, welcomes foreign dignitaries, and serves as the final resting place for kings and other royals before cremation.

I was taken surprised by how wonderful I found this temple. Exploring the temples was a sight to behold, and because I was with my sister-in-law, an engineer by profession who likes design principles, I was able to appreciate the architecture even more. If it were me, I would absolutely take a short look around.

We had some time to relax and enjoy a Thai tea at the Doi Kham Cafe after touring the Grand Palace. It was energising, and I loved their tea and coffee, which are priced between 150 and 200 Baht each drink.

Brioche from heaven
156 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
200-400baht
Opens daily 9:30am – 7:00pm
Probably the first place that springs to mind when you think about brioche is this Parisian-style bistro in Bangkok. French brioche is a delicious delicacy. This thick, fluffy loaf pairs equally well with sweet and savory fare. Brioche’s silky texture and excellent flavor originate from the dough’s being enriched, which also accounts for the pastry’s airiness and delicacy.

The cafe had fantastic breakfast options, especially the bread. If you find yourself in Bangkok, you must go here. It’s in the heart of Bangkok’s Silom/Sathon business district and is only a short distance from the nearby Mahanakhon skyscraper.

Malen departed for Singapore in the late afternoon. I made the decision to stay an extra day so I could see a Cabaret performance at night.

I had a late lunch near my hotel on Wednesday after attending a number of meetings throughout the day. The pad thai I had, along with a coke, cost me only 90 baht and was delicious. The location is pleasant, but I cannot recall its name.

Calypso Cabaret Show
ASIATIQUE THE RIVERFRONT (warehouse 3)
Opens daily from 9am-930pm
Klook voucher here
₱ 1,494 or 995baht inclusive of 1 drink (1 water or soda)

The CALYPSO performers are Thai transgender persons.The actors lip sync their way through 16 diverse performances suitable for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The show numbers range from exciting and current show numbers to timeless classics. I appreciated the performances, and Bangkok gave me the chance to witness a cabaret show, something I had always wanted to see. You can buy tickets at the club, but you can’t choose your seats; luckily, I arrived early so I could watch the show earlier.I was in the front row, but I’d prefer sit in the center to see the full dance. This was a fantastic performance, and I hope to see more drag shows in the future.

Immediately following the show, I went on a walking tour of the Asiatique complex. There are several different types of restaurants, pubs, and boutique clothing stores. Evening Chao Phraya River cruises are another service they offer to tourists in Bangkok. Also, there’s a Disney pop-up exhibition running till July; it’s no Disney Land in Hong Kong, but it’s still fun.

I love my last night in Bangkok and had a blast with my friends!

Day 5 May 25 (Thursday)

Around 8am, I checked out of the hotel early. The trip to Suvarnabhumi airport took an hour. I adore Bangkok’s airport because it is spacious and well-kept. I sincerely hope that one day the Philippine airport will resemble Bangkok’s.

Pang Cha Cafe
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Daily 10am-10pm
Michelin star dessert place

Malen highly suggested this café. Their Thai tea has a twist because they added toppings, notably three types of tapioca pearls. They also made the drink from a blend of five different teas. These teas were picked for their distinct properties. This combination is freshly produced and blended every day. Because no powdered tea is used, the flavor is rich and robust. Even though it was more pricey than other Thai teas I’ve had, it was flavorful. This is not my favorite Thai tea, but it’s worth a shot.

I also tried pad thai in IMM Rice Noodles, it was cheap, but the pad thai was greasy. This was my least favorite pad thai in Bangkok. It cost me 150baht for the pad thai.

My Cebu Pacific flight to Manila left on time. The boarding process went smoothly, and there was no turbulence during the flight. I arrived in Manila at 5:00 p.m. and waited for my brother until 8:00 p.m. so that we could catch the bus to Batangas. I was about to leave, but I couldn’t find a car, and waiting for a car or a Grab was a headache. Unfortunately, it was pouring, making booking a Grab in the NAIA terminal 3 arrivals area more difficult. I should have reserved a Grab near the exit. I was fortunate to acquire a private vehicle for a PHP850 ride from the airport to the Batangas bus terminal. I’m not going to wait at the airport again because commuting in the Philippines was so horrible.

I had a great trip to Thailand with pals. Thailand was spectacular. I had never intended to visit Bangkok because I prefer outdoor activities to land tours, but Bangkok and its surrounds, both to the east and west, were stunning. I’ll return to look over its additional features. Please keep in mind that the only direct flight from the Philippines is to Bangkok, thus in order to visit other regions such as Koh Samui or Chiang Mai, I had to start my vacation in Bangkok and then go by land or air to the other locations.

Love,
Maria, sometimes, Niskie