Bangkok

“Bangkok is safe. If you see anybody wearing camouflage holding a machete, don’t be scared. They sell coconuts”.

 -Bobby Lee

Finally arrived in Bangkok I’ve a long list of what to see where to shop and importantly where to eat and drink. The entry into Bangkok was a dream no long lines quickly through passport control hmmmm maybe Australia could take a lesson or two. The weather was hot and steamy we are at the end of the wet season waiting for the cooler season to start.

Once at the hotel a quick change and off we set to the Emporium shopping centre to check out the supermarket and all it has to offer. Then we set out to a roof top bar at the Sofitel hotel near Aesok BTS for cocktails then dinner (Pizza) at Palo’s

Saturday breakfast at Chit Lom at Flour Coffee shoppe which is always good value for money. a quick tour of the supermarket. Before a look around the department store which has had a hugh makeover so highend with all those fabulous brands not that Bangkok needs more high-end shops. The plan was to walk along the walk way to Jim Thompson’s house the walk is easy along the walkway going in and out of the shopping malls to cool down. We walk through the national gallery before finally arriving at JimThompson’s house . We were thirsty and hungry so we took lunch at the restaurant the food is modern Thai and so yummy highly recommend it will not disappoint. The tour is basically the same as it has always been but you end at up at a new store extension upstairs which is fabulous how they display it the prices are just the same high mental note go to the outlet store. Another great improvement is an electric buggy to take you to and from the BTS station. We stopped by MBK as it was Saturday it was so crowded but the visit was worth it showing my friend that more shops are still possible,

We ended the at the hotel roof top bar for cockatails and a light snack

Chatuchuk market a must see when in Bangkok we went first to Or Kor Tor food market it’s still has great seafood and such wonderful fruit and vegetables. Wandered across the road to Chatuchuk market I think more people were there since I was there last it was hot but the joy of the visit made it bearable…. so many different stalls. We both made purchases at the mobile phone accessories shops felt like a teenager making purchases. My friend purchases a sparkly camera protectors for her iPhone very fancy we had a great time walking through the stalls some in the sun some in the hot covered laneways finally lunch time at the market food court Prawn Pad Thai, grilled prawns and mango sticky rice all were delicious sitting with the crowed under a fan how Thai can you get and so cheap

A visit to Thailand for the first time must include a visit to the grand palace, Emerald Buddha, reclining Buddha and Wat Arun. So we needed to leave early to beat the crowds and more importantly the heat. Ok we may not have been as ear.y as we wanted but we go to the Chao Praya river boats but before 10 I think was good. They have made some changes to the hopping off point now you go to a new stop maybe 200 metres from the entry gate to the palace. Crowds were lower than excepted as all the Chinese had left Thailand as it was the last day of golden week. The palace is a wonderful place to visit so much history and beauty and always under renovation

Next we walked to the reclining Buddha stopping for lunch on the way I managed to order in Thai the staff were impressed forgot to take a photo it was stir fried chicken with Thai Basel and veg, rice and a fried egg so cheap so yummy. Made a wrong turn to the reclining Buddha and ended wallking further than we needed in the heat. But happy to arrive at last. They now provide you with a shoe bag so you don’t need to leave your shows behind great I improvment .

Next taking the 5 Baht ferry to Wat Arun , they have built a great new ferry terminal journey and ferry the same but easier getting on. There were many Thai women and men dressed in traditional clothes taking photos some of the outfits were so beautiful. Looking at my friends photos comparing to my photos of wat Arun they need to clean the temple mine is on the lef Aug 2017 and hers on the right Oct 2024

Anther great day was going out of Bangkok to the old capital Ayutthaya which is about 77 km north of Bangkok, it was an early start to coach was not full and the traffic was very light I.e. no traffic jams. We arrived and it was as good as I remembered 3 main temples to see well organised and the guide was very good but sometimes forgot to wait for everyone to arrive before she started to speak. The photo of the Buddha head in the tree is where it fell from the Buddha landed in the tree which grew around it very interesting. Parts of the temples particularly have been vandalised many years ago taking many Buddha heads sad but still interesting to visit.

The best part of the day was going back to Bangkok on the Chao Praya river to boat. A buffet lunch was provided and it was surprisingly very good. The river was flowing very fast and high due to floods in the north but a great way to return to the heat of Bangkok.

Bangkok journey was coming to the end we went for cocktails at the roof top bar at Okura prestige hotel this was lovely. Sitting back enjoying the heat as the cool of the evening started to arrive. What a great week saw many sites so many shops , but still so much more we could have done.