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Thailand (Indochina Tour – Part 1)

August 5, 2024

Date of Travel: October 6-12, 2019

Airline: Arrival – Cebu Pacific, Departure – Air Asia

Total Amount: Php 4,967.58 (seat sale)

Arrival Location: Suvarnabhumi International Airport – Bangkok, Thailand

Recommended sites: Agoda for Accommodation, Klook for tours

Suggestion: It’s better to exchange PHP into USD at the airport before traveling because you’ll mostly encounter currency exchanges dealing in USD in other countries.

Estimated Total Amount of Bus Transfer Fare incurred: Php 3,500-4,000.00

Estimated Total Travel Expense for 6-7days: Php 26,500-35,000.00 (budget friendly)

*Note: A summary of highlights and updated possible expenses per country is provided at the end of each blog.

I’m nervous but excited at the same time because it’s my first international flight. I’m not going alone; I’m with a female coworker. It’s a bit scary because we’re both women traveling to a foreign country where we don’t know anyone, but we’re bringing a lot of courage. I’ve studied a few common phrases for the places we’ll be visiting, and other useful expressions for our stay. I also prepared my things early.

Before our travel date, my companion and I had meetings about our itinerary, the hotels we would stay at, and we also booked tours on Klook to have everything settled when we arrive there.

So, our first destination is Bangkok, Thailand. We arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on the evening of October 5 because our flight was at 1:30 AM. Passing through immigration went smoothly. We’re not sure if being government employees was an advantage, but we had travel authorization and it was certain that we’d return. Common questions at immigration included how many days we would stay, when we’d return, where we’d stay, and so on.

We arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport past 4 AM after almost 3 hours of plane travel. Thailand is 1 hour behind Philippine time. We bought a traveler SIM at the airport so we would have data for our phones. Our accommodation is located on Khao San Road, which is about an hour from the airport. We went to the Airport Rail Link (ARL) located at the basement level and bought tickets to Phaya Thai Station. At Phaya Thai Station, we took a ride and got off near the Democracy Monument. From there, it’s a 4-minute walk to our hotel on Khao San Road.

When we arrived at the hotel, D&D Inn, we had some difficulty communicating with the receptionist because they struggled with English. Check-in time was at 2 PM, but we asked if we could check in early. It was possible, but there was an additional cost. To avoid any hassle, we decided to pay the extra fee. The room was nice and cozy but located near the window. Khao San Road is known for its lively and energetic atmosphere, particularly at night. The street is filled with tourists and locals enjoying the vibrant nightlife, so it was expected to be very noisy. We tried to request a room change, but communication was too difficult, so we decided not to pursue it.

We rested for a while because we hadn’t slept yet. We went out around 8 AM and decided to walk around first. We searched for the way to the Grand Palace, which was a 15-minute walk or 1.2 km by Grab. The weather in Thailand was hot.

We arrived at the Grand Palace and were amazed by the intricate and opulent architecture. It features a mix of traditional Thai and European styles, with ornate details, golden spires, and richly decorated halls. There were people handing out brochures and maps inside. I recommend wearing sunglasses because it was really hot. There were also a lot of people when we went.

We also visited Wat Pho, which is famous for its massive Reclining Buddha statue, 46 meters long and covered in gold leaf, and Wat Arun, renowned for its central prang, or tower, which stands 70 meters tall and is adorned with colorful porcelain tiles and seashells. After about 3 hours of exploring, we were really exhausted from all the walking and the intense heat. We were also getting hungry, so we took a tuk-tuk, a famous vehicle in Thailand, and had it take us to a mall where we could eat and cool off.

Our final activity was the Chao Phraya River cruise. We almost decided not to go because we were so exhausted, but I’m glad we went because it was definitely worth it for me. It turned out to be my favorite part of the visit to Thailand. We booked this activity via Klook. We went to River City Pier because the meet-up time was 6:45 PM. The tour included a Thai classic dance, Thai and international buffet, live music on board, and insurance.

We boarded the cruise around 7 PM and were seated on the second floor, which was great because the view was better. Once the cruise started, I was so happy; the ambiance was relaxing, there was live music, and the food was delicious. I really enjoyed it. The cruise provided picturesque views of Bangkok’s riverside landmarks, including historic temples, vibrant markets, and modern skyscrapers. Key sights often include Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), and the Grand Palace.

After the Chao Phraya cruise, we went back to the hotel. We decided to explore the nightlife the next day because we were really exhausted. I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep because of the noise outside, since I’m sensitive to sleeping conditions, but I must have been so tired and sleep-deprived that I didn’t even notice falling asleep as soon as I lay down.

We woke up early the next day and had regained our energy. The sunrise was beautiful. We had breakfast along the way. The food had a lot of spices, but it was delicious and quite spicy. Our activity for the day was the Ayutthaya day tour, which we had also booked on Klook, so we went to the meet-up location.

It’s a good thing we used Klook because their tour services are punctual. They are strict with schedules, so the target itinerary for the day is really followed. Also, the guide was very experienced and shared valuable information throughout the tour.

We started the Ayutthaya tour around 9 AM. It involved a lot of walking, and the weather was very hot. I took many photos because it was so beautiful. The tour included visits to several ancient temples and ruins, showcasing the grandeur of Ayutthaya’s past. The architectural styles reflect a blend of Thai, Khmer, and Sri Lankan influences, with ornate decorations and impressive stonework.

After the tour, we visited some night markets to buy souvenirs. The prices were almost the same as in the Philippines, and it was fun because you could also haggle. We tried the famous mango sticky rice; it was delicious, and I liked how the coconut rice complemented the ripe mango. After the night market, we went back to the hotel and then went out again to experience the nightlife. The area is dotted with numerous bars and pubs offering a range of drinks, from cocktails to local beers. It is famous for its wide array of street food vendors and casual eateries, where you can sample delicious Thai street food, including pad Thai, spring rolls, and grilled meats, often with vibrant flavors and spicy dishes. The street is also lined with shops and stalls selling everything from souvenirs and clothing to accessories and crafts. The area is perfect for people-watching, with a diverse mix of travelers, backpackers, and locals. The colorful and bustling environment makes for an interesting and engaging experience.