From Everest Base Camp to Bangkok chaos and a much-needed massage – my short trip was a mix of adventure, food, and ultimate relaxation. 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

June 07, 2025
Batangas, Philippines

Date of Bangkok trip: April 20, 2025
Date of M2M Concert: May 01, 2025

This entry covers my short trip to Bangkok, but to be honest, the main reason I delayed writing it was because I wanted to keep my Himalayan adventure highlighted on the blog for a little longer. It’s held a special place on the front page for some time now, but with a few more trips happening since, I knew it was finally time to put this experience into words—before the little moments start to fade from memory.

April 20, 2025
Bangkok

Nepal Travel Guide here
Stories of Himalayan adventure here

The short trip to Bangkok was a continuation of my Nepal adventure. I decided to spend a day there before heading back home to the Philippines. After the intense Himalayan experience, I was exhausted—and craving two things: Thai milk tea and a proper Thai massage. I also felt that I couldn’t pass up the chance to see Bangkok, even just briefly. By then, I was already starting to feel unwell. The drastic shift in temperature—from freezing Himalayan cold to the sweltering heat of Southeast Asia—was a crazy transition, and my body was definitely feeling it.

Flight Details

🛬 Kathmandu → Bangkok
Cost: PHP 15,176.19
Baggage Allowance (Economy Class):
2 checked bags (up to 23kg each)
1 carry-on (up to 7kg)
Tip: Always double-check baggage policies as they may vary by route or fare class. More info here.

🛬 Bangkok → Manila
Same baggage allowance as above applies
Cost: PHP 14,712.58

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.

Power Socket – Plug A , 220V

Transportation – During this trip, I got around using the MRT and Grab. I really appreciated how well-connected Suvarnabhumi Airport is to the train system—it made getting into the city much easier. Booking a Grab in Bangkok was also convenient, though I’d recommend keeping an eye on traffic, especially during rush hour—it can get pretty intense.

Internet Connection – I purchased a Southeast Asia eSIM (covering 4 countries) via Klook for only PHP 271.90, which gave me 2 days of unlimited data. To activate it, you need to scan a QR code provided via email—so I had to ask someone to take a photo of the QR code so I could scan it with my phone. You can activate the eSIM on the day of purchase as soon as you receive the email.

I always make sure to activate it on the day of my arrival in the country I’m visiting, since the validity starts from the moment you activate it. In Bangkok, the internet connection was fast and reliable—I had no issues at all throughout my stay.

Accommodation – I stayed at Easy Sunday Khaosan Bangkok for PHP 889.68 which I booked in Booking.com. They require a 200 THB deposit at check-in, which is returned upon checkout—but in my case, I wasn’t able to leave a deposit because they didn’t have change. I really enjoyed my stay here. I had my own room, the bathroom was clean, the staff were amazing, and the bed and pillows were very comfortable. The room was also well-lit and spacious, which made the stay even better.

Check-in is at 2:00 PM and check-out is at 10:30 AM. If you need more time after check-out, just speak to the staff—they’re very accommodating—but do note that additional charges may apply. You can also leave your luggage with them if you arrive early or if you’ve checked out and still have plans in the area.

The location was great—close to restaurants and cafes, with a 7-Eleven just a 5–10 minute walk away. I also loved that the Massage in the Garden I went to was nearby, which added to the overall convenience. To get to the hostel, I booked a Grab from Ratchaburi station, since I was carrying a suitcase and a duffle bag—it would’ve been too much to manage on foot or while transferring between transport options.

The only downside was that the hostel didn’t have any signage. It was a bit tricky to find at first, and I had to ask someone for directions. It’s located in a white building, tucked away through a small corner alley.

Day1 April 20, 2025 (Sunday)
Bangkok

Upon arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, I went through immigration, collected my bags, and headed to a currency exchange counter to exchange my leftover Nepalese Rupees—unfortunately, they don’t accept NPR, so I wasn’t able to convert them. I was traveling with John, who was also part of the Himalayan adventure. It was nice to have a familiar face around, even though we had separate plans in Bangkok. I was only staying for 24 hours, while he had his own itinerary.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is modern, spacious, and has a wide variety of restaurants and shops. It’s one of the busiest international airports in Southeast Asia and serves as a major gateway into Thailand. During arrival, you’ll go through immigration where an officer will check and stamp your passport. On departure, however, the process is more streamlined—passport control is automated, and you just need to scan your passport at one of the e-gates. Security checks are still in place, both before and after immigration.

One of the things I love about this airport is its accessibility—the Airport Rail Link connects directly to the city, making it incredibly convenient and affordable to get downtown without needing a taxi or ride-hailing service. For a quick stop in Bangkok, it really simplifies the journey.

Madam Musur
PHP600-1000PHP

After checking into my hostel, I was already feeling hungry, so I headed out to Madam Musur for some much-needed Thai comfort food—Thai milk tea, tom yum, and mango sticky rice. As always, the Thai milk tea and tom yum were incredibly refreshing and flavorful. The only downside was the mango in the sticky rice—it was a bit overripe for my taste.

That said, I really enjoyed the overall dining experience. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, the staff were friendly and attentive, and the service was impressively quick. You can also choose to dine al fresco, which added to the relaxed, enjoyable vibe. All in all, it was a great way to spend the evening in Bangkok.

Massage in Garden
PHP600-2000PHP

I had a truly relaxing night, all thanks to a wonderful massage parlor I visited. I booked a 1.5-hour full-body Thai massage—and honestly, it still didn’t feel long enough! I absolutely love Thai massages. My masseuse was exceptional—she paid special attention to my sore legs, which were still recovering from the Himalayan trek.

She also noticed I wasn’t feeling well and seemed to be coming down with a cold, so she kindly gave me Thai herbal inhalers. They were incredibly soothing and just what I needed. Thailand is well known for its traditional ointments and herbal remedies, and this experience reminded me why.

After the massage, feeling relaxed and cared for, I headed back to my hostel to rest and recharge for the next day.

April 21, 2025 (Monday)
Khaosan Road, Bangkok

My flight wasn’t until 2:30 PM (Bangkok time), but I decided to head to the airport early in case I got stuck in traffic. After waking up and getting ready, I checked out of my hostel around 10 AM and booked a Grab to the nearest train station that connects to the airport. The traffic was intense—as expected during that time of day—so I didn’t arrive at the station until 11:30 AM and got to the airport around 12:30 PM. Fortunately, I still had enough time to check in and grab some lunch.

After clearing immigration, I ate at Thai Thai Eatery inside the airport. The food was okay—typical for airport fare—but of course, it doesn’t compare to the local spots outside. As expected, it was also a bit overpriced. Still, Suvarnabhumi Airport was a pleasant experience overall. I made my way to the Thai Airways terminal, where I was glad to find charging ports while waiting for my boarding number to be called.

Though my time in Bangkok was short, I truly enjoyed it. I wished I could have stayed longer, but I wasn’t feeling well and knew I needed to return home to rest. My Himalayan adventure has officially come to an end, but the memories will stay with me for a lifetime. Even now, I’m still in awe of the experience—and I know I’ll carry that feeling with me forever.