Thailand Experience 2008

My friend’s husband has just been assigned to Bangkok for 2 years. Since my wife has not been to Thailand before; I thought of bringing her to see that country. So, I’ve booked Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok – Phuket – Kuala Lumpur flight.

Our KUL-BKK flight delayed for an hour. We arrived Bangkok slightly past mid night. Then, we took a fairly stable cab to our friend’s Service Apartment @ Sathorn; cost about THB 470 (incl. toll). Once arrived to my friend’s apartment, they were all asleep and we just go into our room.

Next day (Friday), we woke up and started our 1st day trip in Bangkok. My friend recommended us to take a cab to the boat pier and board on the shuttle boat along the Chao Phraya river. It cost THB 125 for a day pass.

Our first stop is at the Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha Temple). However, it was still not open yet until 1pm. We met a government tour guide and he recommended us to take a government owned tuk tuk to some other temples first. There are 2 types of tuk tusk in Bangkok. The government one cost cheaper and they can bring you in few places and wait for you. It costs about THB40-50 (for 2 persons). If it’s a private tuk tuk, it may cost you min. THB 100. How to know if it’s a government or private tuk tuk? Well, if there is a “Taxi” sign on top of the tuk tuk, that is the government owned. Like this …

Our 1st stop : Black Buddha Temple


Initially, this Buddha statue is in black color. The residents are praying to this Buddha when they have any problem with their body. Eg. : If the devotee has headache, he/she will use a gold paste to stick it on the Buddha’s head. So, as time pass, the Buddha changed its original black color to gold.

After the 1st stop; the tuk tuk driver asked if we can visit 2 shopping place in order to help him to get free petrol coupon of THB 100. Since we have some time, we don’t mind. He told us that we do not need to buy anything but to spend at least 15 min. there. The 1st shopping place was fine. But the 2nd shopping place keep on asking us to buy something (even THB 100 souvenir) so that the driver can get the coupon. We really could not find any interesting items to buy, so we just walk off after 15 min. The driver’s attitude changed totally and ask if we can go back to Wat Po (where we initially board the tuk tuk). We said no, as we still have the last temple to visit before going back. Then, he started to say that the place is not interesting and not worth to visit. But we insist. So, he brought us there and limit us to only 20 min. If we don’t come back in 20 min. time, he will leave us. Frankly, I’m not afraid of his threat at all since we did not pay anything to him yet.

Our 4th stop : Golden Mount and Wat Saket

You need to walk up the stairs to the top to see the Bangkok view and the pagoda. I would say that the pagoda top is nice; and definitely not as bad as the driver mentioned before.

We spent about 30 min. and when we are back to the parking space, he really left us. Other tuk tuk around the temple will charge at least THB 100 to the Grand Palace (which is only like 10-15 min. drive). We met a Canadian couple and shared on a taxi to Grand Palace together. It only cost THB 75 with air-condition some more. So, I don’t really understand why those tuk tuk drivers make their own life difficult. After all, I’ve nothing to lose to the tuk tuk driver.

We arrived at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Temple). You’ll need to wear something that can cover your shoulder and long pants (at least to cover up to your knee). If you do not have that, you will need to borrow shirt from the counter (deposit : THB 100 – refundable upon return). Then, the entrance fee is THB 200.

Leaving the Grand Palace, we headed to Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha). Entrance fee : THB 20.

The Reclining Buddha is really big and beautiful. Looks relax too. He he he……..

In the temple area, there are quite a number of pagodas and temples to see as well.

After that, we headed back to the pier and board a ferry (THB 7.5) across the river to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Entrance fee : THB 30. It started to rain when we arrived to the temple. Luckily, it stops in a short while and we started to explore this magnificent temple. The decorative and workmanship is so precise and beautiful.

The stairs up to each level is very steep and kind of big steps too. So, it’s not that convenient for those who are wearing skirt or dress.

View from the top is not too bad either.

Later, we took the boat to Kao San Road in order to search for our day tour package to the Floating Market. Prices are very much cheaper and it’s the same tour if you book from the hotel too (THB 625/pax; incl. pick-up from our hotel and lunch). As we are staying in Sathorn, normally, they do not provide free pick up. By taxi, it cost about THB 125/way. So, why do you need to pay extra 40-50% to the hotel? We booked a day tour to Floating market & Samphran Elephant Ground for Sunday departure as we would prefer to have a relaxing day after a tiring day of excursion in Bangkok. What a day …….


2nd day, woke up late, went shopping, and later I tried out the sauna in my friend’s apartment. Good try.


3rd day, we have to wake up by 5.30am as our pick-up is @ 6.15am. The driver was on time and we off to another hotel for pick-up. The driver got lost and spent more than half an hr to locate the passengers. Then, one more pick-up before we started our journey to the Dumnoen Saduak Floating Market (the most famous one in Bangkok). Don’t go to somewhere else; regardless what reason the travel agent may tell you.


We arrived to a small village house; where we board our sampan on a secluded river.

Then, suddenly after 10 min. of rowing through the quiet river, when she started to turn right; it was a great floating market scene. Things are so lively and vibrant in the market. You can merely find anything that you wanted to buy there. Vendors are either at the side of the river or on the boat.

We gone through the market and round back to the quiet river before the boat parked on a designated area; where we left the boat and start walking around the market on foot.

We tried out this noddle shop......

Voila... This is our noddle!!! Not very good though.......

Well, overall, the floating market is really a highly recommended tour in Bangkok.


Left the floating market, we were sent for lunch (a simple 4 dishes Thai meal; shared among 6 people). After that, we were sent to the Samphran Elephant Ground. The entrance fee itself is THB 500 if you go on your own (so, our whole tour cost of THB 625) is really worth it. Once arrived there, we were on time to start to watch the Magic & Elephant show.

Very interesting ……

An action-pack Elephant War clip........

Right after the elephant show, we went on to watch the Crocodile Show. Interesting but scary (pity the boys who did the show) ……… So, upon finishing the show; most people will give them some money as tips.

While waiting for our van shuttle to take us back to Bangkok; we walked around the area; with vendors selling souvenirs and t-shirts. So much regret that we did not bought any t-shirts there as it is quite nice design and price is cheap (THB 80/pc). We thought we could get cheaper in Kao San Road or Phuket later, but it’s not really the case. Anyway, the wind has gone ……

In the van shuttle, suddenly we realized an interesting sign. Can you guess what sign is this?

Difficult to obey this sign at times, right. Ha ha ha........

We indeed had a tiring day but it’s really worth it from the things that we experienced. Reaching home, we went out dinner with my friend’s family.

Yuen Loong, Lai Cheng, and E Shane (cute boy). Thanks for their great hospitality

Next day, we’ve got to wake up by 5am in order to catch a taxi at 6am as our Air Asia flight to Phuket is at 7.50am. As the road was quite empty and the driver drove pretty fast; we reach the airport in 30 min. time. It only cost us THB 320 (incl. toll); cheaper than the time we came.

Check-in was quite smooth and the boarding time was on-time. The first batch of passengers boarding their bus to the aircraft and we were on the second batch. We boarded the bus and it never move for about 10-15 min.. We were just stuck in the bus. Then later, they request us to go off the bus and return to the waiting area. Then, they announced, flight will be delayed for 2.5 hrs due to technical problem in the aircraft. Later, we saw the 1st batch customer also come back though they have boarded the plane before.

I remember that Air Asia just announced they will change the On-Time Guarantee from 3 hrs to 2 hrs. So, I thought we will be able to get some compensation. Unfortunately, the change only start from 1 Nov.. Somehow, they tried to compensate something to the passengers by giving out a THB 100 food voucher per passenger. It looks good but the food in the airport is very expensive. A bottle of mineral water is already THB 70. Sigh ……

After a 2.5 hrs flight delay; we finally arrived to Phuket with excitement. From the airport, we took a hotel shuttle bus (cost THB 180/pax). It took us 1.5 hrs to our hotel (Diamond Cottage & Spa) in Karon Beach. We were the 2nd last passenger to send to our hotel; reaching the hotel at almost 3pm. We really had a tiring day on arrival to Phuket. But the hotel really looks good and intimidating. So, somehow it freshen-up us a bit.

We rest for a while; then we started a 5 min. walk to Kata Beach. The beach is clean and beautiful. Out of our surprise, we witness a very beautiful and romantic sunset.

Kata Beach

Later, we had our seafood dinner on the way back to our hotel. Total cost about THB 400+. The crab is not that good as its sea crab (which normally we don’t eat in Malaysia). The other food was fine.

After the dinner, we stroll along Karon area, before head back to our hotel. We booked a day tour to Phi Phi Island the next day (THB 1,350/pax). In high season; it’ll cost THB 2,100 (they said).

Before heading back to hotel, we went into the Dino Park to see some dinosaurs. Though it’s fake, somehow it’s interesting too. You can play mini golf in there too.

Next day, it was a rainy morning. The tour driver picked us up; then few more passengers from other hotels before we were sent to the pier. The tour agency was quite good as they give some reasonable advises and sea sick pills before we board the speed boat. My wife took a pill as she was afraid of getting seas sick. By then, the weather turns good and everyone is happy.

Our 1st stop : Maya Bay (drop-dead gorgeous).
This was the site “The Beach” was shot.


Does this looks like tsunami? Thank god, it's not.......

2nd stop : Viking Caves (Bird Nest ground)

3rd stop : Loh Dalam

4th stop : Monkey Island.

5th stop : PP Beach Resort for buffet lunch (not too bad and quite a variety).

Final stop : Koh Khai (Chicken Island)

This is a beautiful and relaxing island. We rent a pair of beach chair with an umbrella (THB 150). Basically, you have no choice as it’s really hot that day. We stroll along the beach side and had some fun with the fishes.

From Koh Khai, the speed boat took about an hr. to reach Phuket pier. Later at night, we had our massage opposite our hotel (Geckho Massage). It was really good and reasonably priced (1 hr aromatherapy and ½ hr foot massage : THB 500/pax). Then, we had a good night sleep.

Next day is our last day in Thailand. Our Air Asia flight back to KL is at 1.30pm. So, we left our hotel by 11am. This time, we took a taxi (THB 600) to the airport; about 50 min. Thank god, we arrived safely to the airport as the driver was dangerously driving the car. He was talking on the phone and sometimes both hand handles different phones. Means, the car is on its own. Can you imagine that?

Overall, our Thailand trip was good. Bangkok is great and reasonably priced. Phuket was rather expensive vs Bangkok but the sunset at Kata Beach and the beauty of Phi Phi Island and Chicken Island really worth the visit.

If you wanna see more of my photos; you may email me for the links. Thanks.