Let's Go to Bangkok Day 1 & Day 2

Yes it's year end and a family trip with the boys. This time it's without the bicycles and we were heading to Bangkok for some shopping and food exploration.

Our car was kept at Block A Building, KLIA for 5 days and boarded a Malaysian Airlines flight. It has been a long time since the last time I stepped foot at KLIA and in no time were were at The Land of Smiles. Jo & Shou busy filling up their immigration forms.

 We took the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai Station and hopped onto the Green line to On Nut Station where it was our base on the next five days in Bangkok. At Mind Executive Suites (GPS : 13.702643, 100.603344) is a lovely place to stay which is not too busy with some local food outlets found at the surrounding.

The room was pretty decent and comfortable.

After a good rest at the hotel we went downtown using the Green Line. Bangkok traffic is really famous as we could witnessed it from the sky walk.

It was interesting walking at the sky walk in between shopping malls and stations, the place was really crowded and lively.

After going through the malls such as Gaysorn Village with beautiful decorations for Christmas and New Year celebration we ended up at Platinum Fashion Mall. The mall closes at 8pm and most of the stalls in in the midst of closing by the time we were there. We had a quick meal and left the place.

Day 2

While Shou and Zu Yi were still in the dreamland the three of us went out for breakfast before heading to The Grand Palace.

My favourite Thai Kuay Teow Th'ng in clear soup.

Jo's choice of noodle with braised pork meat and salted veggie.

A common dish of deep fried pork meat and tendons.

While Xiang went for Thai ladna, similar to Cantonese fried kuay teow.

At On Nut Station where Tesco Lotus is sited next to it. We were satisfied with our breakfast at the food court.

The plan was to disembark at Victory Monument Station and take a Grab taxi to The Grand Palace.

The slim structure at the far end is the Victory Monument located at a round about as seen from the station.

Moving around in the city of Bangkok with a Grab taxi is pretty convenient without worrying to haggle on the pricing.

The distance from Victory Monument Station was less than 10km away and the weather continued to be wet with mild drizzle. The Grand Palace is 100% a touristy spot and pack with tourists both local and foreign.

The Grand Palace is located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the Chao Phraya river is one of the must see sites of Thailand. This complex is one of the most famous landmarks of the country and offers spectacular buildings and sacred sites. The entrance fee is 500bahts.

Built in 1782. The complex is surrounded by 1,900 meters long walls and houses among others Royal residences, the throne halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It housed the center of government and the Royal Court and became the center of the Kingdom.

One has to observe proper dressing attuire. This means no short pants, no shirts without sleeves, no bare feet. 

Today the Palace is used for a number of Royal rituals, state banquets and other official functions. Some parts of the Palace like the Inner Court are not open to the public.

The Royal Monastery is surrounded by walls covered with beautiful and very detailed paintings of the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Indian epic Ramayana. Large parts of the Ramakien were written by King Rama I and King Rama II. Many of the paintings tell scenes about the battle between good and evil. They were first created when the Palace was built in the 18th century and since then restored several times.

We were fortunate to be able to see the changing of guards taking place.

Another changing of guard at a sentry.

Surprisingly there are a number of Chinese statues seen in the palace. Just wondering what the story behind. We tried Ama eating outlet, it is a fusion restaurant with delicious Pad Thai noodles.

After failing to get a Grab car we tried our luck with Bangkok Tuk Tuk, just nice for three of us but I saw one with with four Caucasians in it.

We decided to dine at Chinatown, the weather remained wet with mild drizzle. The taxi dropped us at the main street and we started hunting for our food. The atmosphere  in Chinatown is rather bustling and vibrant as we strolled and observed the surrounding.

We reached at a junction between Yaowarat Road and Phadung Rao Road where we could see two restaurants in competition one in green shirts and the other in red. The smell of BBQ food was enticing, we could not resist ourselves from trying the food and we opted for the green team, that is T & K Seafood.

The grilled crabs ready to be served at the front of the grilling counter in front of the shop.

Tomyum mixed seafood

Thai yellow egg curry with squid (Pla Meuk Pad Pongali)

Delicious stir fried bitter gourd leaves.

steamed lemon sea bass

Deep fried shrimp cakes, crispy on the outside and juicy in the inside.

The ingredients from the tomyum soup.

T & K Seafood Restaurant located at Yaowarat (Chinatown), Bangkok. GPS : 13.740056, 100.510543.

Satellite

Taking a walk around the area with so many stalls everywhere, food are aplenty and shops selling dry foodstuffs are many too.

Before we leave Chinatown we attempted for some dessert tasting from the street stall. It was indeed a satisfying evening and a great experience to be at this part of the world. Till then good night.