[Travelogue] 2024 Thailand Bangkok 🇹🇭 5-Day Free Independent Travel
Post-pandemic return to Thailand: A 5-day quick trip to Bangkok.
Memories of Bangkok
Back in 2018, my first company trip after starting work—and my first time traveling abroad—was a 5-day trip to Bangkok and Hua Hin, Thailand. The following year, 2019, I joined the company trip to Sabah. Then came the two years lost to the pandemic. After it ended, I started going crazy over solo trips to Japan.
At that time, I was a total newbie with zero social experience. I blindly followed my older brother and sister without knowing what could or couldn’t be brought on the plane. During security check, I foolishly put my passport on top of the tray and almost freaked out when I saw it fall off the conveyor belt (if it had slipped into the gap, I wouldn’t have gotten it back). That trip was a mindless group tour with bus rides, so my impression of Bangkok was vague—just remembering the great rooftop bar, hot weather, cheap stuff, and affordable massages. I had no idea about the geography at all.
So I always wanted to revisit Bangkok to refresh my memories from six years ago; however, not being familiar with Southeast Asia, I was hesitant to travel alone. At the beginning of the year, while chatting with Pinkoi colleagues, we decided to organize this five-day free trip to Bangkok.
The 2018 Bangkok + Huaxin five-day trip, including itinerary details and memories, is included in the appendix at the end of the article.
Preparation!
👉👉👉KKday Recommended Plans:
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Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise Dinner Buffet｜Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise
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Bangkok King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk Observation Deck Ticket
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Thailand Airport BKK Departure Meet and Greet Fast VIP Service
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Thailand SIM Card｜AIS 5G High-Speed Network 8 Days Unlimited Data + Calls eSIM
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Since I started a new job in June, I haven’t been focused on leisure. Mainly, Mark and Sean handled the planning and arrangements, so I didn’t do much research.
⚠️⚠️⚠️Thailand Bangkok Travel Safety and Precautions are placed at the end of the travelogue. You may skip the travelogue but must read about scams, precautions, and important notes if you plan to try cannabis.
Schedule 2024/08/02 ~ 2024/08/06
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Day 1 08/02 : Expected to arrive at Bangkok Airport at 18:45, arrive at the hotel around 20:00, then rest at the hotel or visit the hotel bar
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Day 2 08/03: Explore the Chao Phraya River area attractions: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, ICONSIAM. In the evening, meet with former Digital Tech (now Agoda) expert Chun-Hsiu Liu and have dinner at Lhao Lhao. Then enjoy Rock Pub Live.
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Day 3 08/04: Chatuchak Market, King Power Mahanakhon Building, Jodd Fairs Night Market (Volcano Ribs)
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Day 4 08/05: Shopping at Central World and Terminal 21
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Day 5 08/06: Return trip, 15:20 flight
Internet
This trip was prepared in a hurry. I hadn’t set up my internet the day before and didn’t have time to buy my usual physical SIM card. Fortunately, I tried eSIM for the first time. (I fell in love with it after using it)
Buy directly on KKday Thailand SIM \| AIS 5G High-Speed Network 8 Days Unlimited Data + Calls eSIM. After purchase, you will immediately receive the eSIM activation code and can start using it right away.
Thailand SIM Card｜AIS 5G High-Speed Network 8-Day Unlimited Data + Calls eSIM
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Limited Time Promotion: From now until December 31, 2024, activate during the event period to enjoy a high-speed data boost from 15GB to 30GB. After 30GB, speed will be reduced to 384 Kbps without disconnection.
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AIS unlimited on-net calls and 50 THB call credit. When using the following apps to send text messages, you can use an additional 10GB of data (10Mbps): Tiktok, Wechat, and Instagram.
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Physical number, supports calls and SMS!
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Day calculation method: 24-hour format, starting from eSIM activation, 24 hours count as one day (Thailand time).
Mainly unlimited data, cheaper than physical SIM cards, 8 days for NT $232.
Flight Tickets 🛫
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Outbound: TPE 16:00 -> BKK 18:45
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Return: BKK 15:20 -> TPE 20:10
Airline: Thai VietJet Air (Low-cost carrier)
Price: TWD $9,259 (includes additional round-trip 15 kg checked baggage)
At first, I thought about traveling with my friends. My friend didn’t check in luggage (ticket price was around $6,000). Later, I checked other airlines and felt I missed out; regular airlines charge around $10,000 for similar times. The price difference isn’t big, but the comfort is much better!
Thai VietJet Air allows you to carry two pieces of hand luggage with a total weight not exceeding 7 kg, so checked baggage is not mandatory.
1. Carry-on Luggage Weight:
Each passenger (except infants) may bring 1 piece of personal luggage and 1 small carry-on bag, with a maximum total weight not exceeding 7 kg.
2. Carry-on Luggage Size:
- 1 piece of carry-on luggage with maximum dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
- 1 small carry-on bag (including the following bags)
+ 1 girl's bag, magazine, camera, baby food bag, airport-purchased bag not exceeding 30cm x 20cm x 10cm, etc.
+ 1 coat bag with dimensions not exceeding 114cm x 60cm x 11cm when opened.
+ 1 laptop bag with maximum dimensions of 40cm x 30cm x 10cm
Information as of 2024/08/22, please refer to the latest official announcements.
Basically, just carry a backpack and roll a carry-on suitcase.
8/1 Flight Change Notification
Received a flight change notification after 11 PM on 8/1, rescheduled to depart at 16:35 and arrive at 19:20.
Accommodation
JC KEVIN SATHORN BANGKOK HOTEL Bangkok JC Kevin Sathorn Hotel Five-Star Apartment Hotel
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Room type: Skyline 2-Bedroom Suite with Balcony, with an unboxing video later.
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Transportation: According to the map, the nearest BTS Chong Nonsi station is about 1 km away, approximately a 15-minute walk.
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Price: NT 31,315 / 4 people / 4 nights. (It was expensive because of late booking; earlier bookings can get 40–50% off)
Currency
My travel companion exchanged 3,000 THB in advance, while I exchanged money at SuperRich after arriving.
Transportation
Register for Grab in Taiwan and link your credit card for easy use.
Taiwanese Souvenirs
Preparing Taiwanese-flavored souvenirs for Agoda’s top agent.
- HeySong Sarsaparilla, Malt Milk Tea, Vitasoy P, I-Mei Cream Puffs, Shrimp Crackers, Wei Lih Instant Noodles with Soybean Paste, Pineapple Cake, Potato Chips with Oysters by Bodo, Cola-flavored Snacks, Green Guai Guai Snacks
Party Room / BBQ Venue Platform for Hong Kong People — Common Room Booking Platform
Before starting the travelogue, let me introduce a newly launched booking platform in Hong Kong for daily/hourly hotel rentals, Party Room private rooms, and yacht parties — Common Room.
Whether you want to find a party room for a celebration or rent a hotel/guesthouse for a short stay, you can easily use the Common Room platform to find your ideal venue!
Now you can also book boat parties in Hong Kong.
For friends planning to travel to Hong Kong and want to try different venue experiences, you can check it out here: Common Room Booking Platform .
8/02 Day 1 Departure
Around 12:30 PM, leave home after work
Remember to take the Airport Rail Link Express Line; even if you take the ordinary train early in the morning, it won’t arrive earlier than the express!
Around 13:30 Arrive at Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1
The check-in counter was completely empty. Upon arrival, I checked in and completed the baggage drop-off immediately.
B1R again, the gate at the farthest corner + requires a shuttle bus.
It’s still early before 4 PM, so once again, I came to eat Yi Hang Ding Gua Gua. This time, I found out they now offer Gua Gua buns à la carte, which used to be just fried chicken!
This time I realized that if you walk past Ding Gua Gua, you can go straight to Terminal 2. So if you have plenty of time, you can actually walk to Terminal 2 to eat; or you can come from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 to use the free VIP lounge for a rest XD
After buying Ding Gua Gua, I went to the Terminal 1 free VIP lounge to sit, rest, and eat. This time, I saw someone charging their devices. Last time, all the outlets were stripped, but it seems they have been fixed (?).
Around 15:30 Head to B1R Waiting Lounge
Not sure if it’s because of the low-cost airline, but the information wasn’t updated (it kept showing 16:00, while the actual time changed to 16:35).
With the added flight delay, the actual departure time was 17:13.
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VietJet Air seats are about the same size as Scoot’s, both larger than Peach’s. However, the seats are uncomfortable, made of leatherette which isn’t breathable, causing discomfort after sitting for a long time.
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VietJet should allow you to eat your own food. On the return flight, someone ate mango sticky rice without any issues.
19:30 Arrive at Bangkok BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport
I heard from a colleague that if you arrive at Bangkok airport during peak hours, you can purchase the Thailand Airport BKK Departure Meet and Greet Fast Track VIP Service to use the fast lane XD. However, we arrived at a time when almost only passengers from our flight were there, so the clearance was very quick.
20:00 Pick up luggage and exit the airport
Possibly due to it being a low-cost airline, few people checked in luggage, so baggage claim was very fast.
eSIM Network Setup
As soon as I left the airport, I started figuring out how to set up and activate the eSIM, only to realize…
⚠️ Activating eSIM requires an internet connection ⚠️
⚠️ Activating eSIM requires an internet connection ⚠️
⚠️ Activating eSIM requires an internet connection ⚠️
It’s like buying a pair of scissors but needing another pair to cut it open. Activating the eSIM requires an internet connection first. Fortunately, my friend traveling with me had already activated their eSIM in Taiwan, so I used their network to activate mine. (There is also Wi-Fi available at the airport, so no need to worry too much.)
To activate the eSIM, simply long-press the QR code and select “Add eSIM.”
For some reason, if you save the QR code to Photos or Notes, the quick add feature will no longer work. Another way is to send the QR code to your travel companions or print it out for your phone to scan.
iPhone iOS eSIM manual setup path: Settings -> Cellular -> Add eSIM -> Scan QR Code -> Enter info manually -> Input info from the message -> Use as.. select “Travel” -> Choose “Travel” for cellular data -> Done!
After activation, it works like dual SIM dual standby, but the original SIM card has no internet before purchasing a roaming plan. In emergencies, you can still switch back to the original SIM card!
20:30 Finding Food at the Airport
Since it takes over an hour to reach the city and hotel, and the low-cost airline doesn’t provide meals, everyone was very hungry, so we looked for food at the airport and had dinner there first.
Found a Thai restaurant to eat at. The spicy minced pork was very hot and satisfying, and the vegetable soup helped ease the spiciness.
21:00 Move to the hotel
👉👉👉You can refer to KKday airport transfer services:
After eating around 21:00, we started heading back to the city and the hotel.
Taking public transportation requires transferring three times between the metro and BTS:
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Airport Rail Link
Suvarnabhumi->Phaya Thai -
BTS Sukhumvit Line
Phaya Thai->Siam -
BTS Silom Line
Siam->Chong Nonsi
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Airport Rail Link tickets can only be purchased at the station.
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You can buy and top up the Rabbit Card (BTS transportation card) at the BTS manned ticket counters and use it to tap in and out of stations.
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Please note that the Rabbit Card can only be used on BTS, not on MRT or the Airport Rail Link.
- Arrived at
Chong Nonsi(later realized this is the station for King Power Mahanakhon Building!)
Walk to JC KEVIN SATHORN BANGKOK HOTEL 曼谷JC 凯文沙吞酒店
After exiting the BTS, don’t rush to go down the skywalk; you can walk across the road using the skywalk.
The road felt very dark (not many street lights) and quite far to walk (15 mins / 1 KM), which could be scary if you’re alone at night. Along the way, there is a 7–11 and a small night market. I bought some snacks at 7–11 to take back to the hotel.
Also, if taking a taxi, because of the two-way road and U-turn restrictions, the driver needs to pass the hotel slightly to the next gap to make a U-turn back to the hotel, which can be a bit inconvenient.
10:30 JC KEVIN SATHORN BANGKOK HOTEL Bangkok JC Kevin Sathorn Hotel
Arrived at the hotel around 10:30.
The room is very spacious, a full apartment-style unit with a master bedroom, a secondary bedroom, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a balcony.
2018 Memories
Shot in 2018 / iPhone 6
What a coincidence! During the 2018 group employee trip to Bangkok, everyone took a taxi at night to this rooftop bar, which is actually the bar of this hotel XD
He also offers a Sky Bar dinner package:
2024
2024 / iPhone 15 Pro
Since we were staying here this time, we went upstairs to take a look after putting our luggage in the room.
Since it was already past dinner time, we could only order some bar snacks and skewers.
8/03 Day 2 Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, ICONSIAM, Lhao Lhao, Rock Pub Live
Hotel Breakfast
After having breakfast at the hotel in the morning, I headed out. I thought the breakfast was okay but the selection was limited.
9:30 Departure
Since there were many of us, we took a Grab (THB 135) directly to the Wat Pho.
Photo by Florian Wehde
On the way, I passed by Chinatown but forgot to take photos. It has a strong cyberpunk vibe!
👉👉👉 You can also consider KKday’s: Bangkok Private Day Tour: Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha Temple Thailand.
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Ticket price: THB 300 per person.
The colorful chedi inside Wat Pho has an indescribable grandeur.
Last time in Kyushu, Japan, I visited the Nanzoin Temple to see the Reclining Buddha. This time, I came to see the Reclining Buddha in Thailand.
⚠️Crowded places, beware of pickpockets⚠️
Shoes must be removed before entering; you can walk around the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho to pay respects.
SuperRich Currency Exchange
After leaving Wat Pho, we decided to handle currency exchange first. Only one friend had exchanged some Thai baht in advance; the rest planned to exchange money in Bangkok. So, we headed to the nearby The Old Siam Shopping Plaza and used the SuperRich exchange inside.
⚠️ Please note: The TWD bills you exchange must be clean and free of marks or writings; otherwise, they will be rejected. (I had a 1000 TWD bill withdrawn from a Taiwan ATM with pencil marks that was refused for exchange.)
NTD $5,000 exchanged for THB 5,200
Khanom bueang Thai-style pancakes
After exchanging money and having cash, I refueled at the food court on the first floor; I ate Thai crispy pancakes (ขนมเบื้อง), the sweet kind filled with meringue that tastes very sweet like marshmallow, and also banana pancakes; finally, I bought a cup of iced coffee and continued on.
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Ticket price: THB 500 per person.
👉👉👉KKday offers: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew Guided Tour (English, Thai, Chinese, Japanese) for those who want to learn more about the history.
Walking back to the Grand Palace (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is inside the Grand Palace), there are many government buildings along the way.
The Grand Palace has a dress code that must be followed!
No shorts, sleeveless tops, ripped jeans, capri pants, short skirts, etc.
⚠️Crowded places, beware of pickpockets⚠️
Yaksha Gate Guardian
Yaksha and Monkey
Lodtanee Chedi
“Rama Kien” Murals
Image source: Trueplookpanya
⚠️Photography is prohibited in the Emerald Buddha Temple⚠️
Clothing varies by season; this time, the second style of outfit was seen.
Grand Palace
13:20 Lunch
Around 1 PM, after leaving the Grand Palace, I grabbed lunch at a Western restaurant near the pier.
14:00 Prepare to take the boat to Wat Arun
⚠️Outside the pier, people may approach you asking where you’re going. Be careful, they are private boat operators who charge high fees (THB 500, 1000) and are unsafe; ignore them and find the official pier and counter to tell them your destination.⚠️
The official fare is only THB 30 (
Tha Changto Wat Arun), with new boats that have air conditioning, safety, and comfort.
When the boat arrives, the staff will call out “Wat Arun” (yes, in Chinese). If you’re unsure, you can always ask.
At this time, it’s almost afternoon with thunderstorms approaching. You can see that the water flow is muddy and rapid.
The boat is very new, the air conditioning is cool, it’s fully enclosed and very safe, and there are many trips available, making it very convenient!
The station staff will also announce “Wat Arun.”
14:30 Arrive at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Ticket: THB 200
After getting off the boat, you will arrive at Wat Arun, where you can directly line up to buy tickets for entry.
⚠️Wat Arun also has a dress code️⚠️
No bare shoulders, shorts, exposed midriffs, or short skirts allowed.
You can wear traditional Thai clothing; many people wear it for photos.
You can walk to the middle platform for photos (⚠️ the stairs are steep, so be careful). Many people also change into traditional Thai outfits here for photo souvenirs.
👉👉👉 Recommended KKday Experiences:
- Thai Costume Experience with Photo Tour at Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand
After the visit, return to the pier and first find the ticket booth (PIER 2) to buy a boat ticket to ICONSIAM (THB 40), then proceed to PIER 1 to board.
Also a comfortable and safe new ship!
15:00 ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM is very large and looks luxurious. The food court on the first floor is quite unique.
Buy a cup of ChaTraMue Thai Tea to recharge your energy.
Walked all the way to BTS Charoen Nakhon platform and decided to get a one-hour foot massage first.
Just outside, there is a newer, larger place called (1) THAI GARDEN MASSAGE, but they had no available slots when I asked. Fortunately, I kept walking and found (2) another massage shop as shown in the picture. I found it very comfortable, less crowded, spacious, quieter, and the price was cheap (foot massage/1 hour/THB 270).
After resting, I had the energy to continue shopping and returned to ICONSIAM; walking all the way to the upstairs restaurant, it was very extravagant with a jungle theme, small bridges with flowing water, and waterfalls. Overall, it was great!
Bought the famous Japanese potato sticks TORO FRIES (long queue) to recharge.
Here they also have Japanese % Coffee.
Heading to LHAO LHAO for Dinner Appointment
This line is a branch with only three stations and fewer trips.
Google Maps doesn’t seem to have this BTS line information; it suggests walking to Krung Thon Buri.
From here, take one stop to Krung Thon Buri, which is on the Silom Line.
There is also LAWSON in Bangkok!
At Siam, transfer to the Sukhumvit Line and get off at Ari station. Walk a short distance to reach LHAO LHAO restaurant.
19:00 LHAO LHAO
The owner seems to be Chinese, and the restaurant feels like a fusion of Chinese and Thai cuisine. It’s a well-rated, established place and apparently a favorite of Blackpink’s LISA.
Because I’m going to a pub to listen to live music later, I ate quickly, but I found every dish very delicious!!
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In images 1–3 above, the background with the white brand cooling balm shows a dish that looks like minced pork called หมูสับผัดหนำเลี้ยบ, which seems to be minced pork stir-fried with olive vegetables. It’s very good with rice!
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In the above image 2–1, fried oyster omelette, similar to the bomb oyster omelette from Taiwan’s Shilin Night Market.
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Figure 2-2 above, seasonal limited drink, Longan Tea
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In the above images 2–3, the most special dish is the curry crab (Panang Curry), made with a whole fresh large crab.
The Thai-recommended Goose Brand Cooling Balm, which I later purchased, has a smoother scent than menthol nasal sticks and causes less nasal irritation!
20:00 The Rock Pub
After eating, head to The Rock Pub for drinks and live music.
Activities of the Day:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C91ZVwtxR32/
Rundown:
• 20:00-21:00: A LIKELY LAD
(Kings Of Leon/Blur/Arcade Fire and more)
• 21:15-22:15: COUNTING DUCKS
(Radiohead/The Strokes/The Killers and more)
• 22:30-00:00: THE CHOCOLATE COSMOS
(Arctic Monkeys/Joy Division/The Cure/The Smiths and more)
• 00:15-01:15: LIAM FT. HENSHIN
(Oasis and more)
Price: THB 350 including one drink (alcohol), advance ticket purchase and reservation required.
Learned a fun Thai fact: You cannot take photos of alcohol labels as it may be considered promoting drinking, so as shown in Image 3, the label must be covered.
Four performances, all rock and classic oldies!
Artists I have heard of include: Coldplay, Radiohead, Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Oasis, The Killers….
We left around 11:00 PM because it was getting late, but the whole performance was very high quality! Both the singing skills and live performance were impressive! Truly amazing!
Returned to the hotel to give Chun-Hsiu Liu Taiwanese souvenirs, then dispersed to rest.
8/04 Day 3 Chatuchak Market, King Power Mahanakhon Building, Central Rama 9
9:30 Breakfast: Wang Chun Sheng Beef Hotpot, Beef Offal Hotpot
Cat lover here, there are many cats in Bangkok, and one just came to rub against me.
Early in the morning, took a Grab to Wang Chun Sheng Beef Hotpot for breakfast. The overall flavor is quite Chinese/Taiwanese style, which I liked, but Tainan beef soup is even better.
After eating, head to Chatuchak Market. Chatuchak is quite far, and not wanting to walk or transfer BTS, I took an Uber directly there (THB 374).
👉👉👉 KKday Chatuchak Market \| Bangkok Private Transfer Service
10:45 Arrive at Chatuchak Market
Chatuchak Electronic Map (chatuchak market map) Click Here
Chatuchak covers a large area with dense stalls, but it is generally clean and easy to explore. However, many items are repetitive and mostly made in China, targeting tourists.
In the end, I only bought a Thai brand, Thailand Phutawan indoor diffuser, as a souvenir.
When tired from walking, step into the massage shop inside for foot and some shoulder and neck massage. (1 hour/THB 250)
Restroom
If you need to use the restroom at Chatuchak, there are paid toilets (THB 5 per use) around the market’s perimeter. I used them, and they were very clean with individual stalls, and they were constantly being cleaned. If you prefer not to pay, you can go to the Mixt Chatuchak mall nearby, which has free and equally clean restrooms.
Mixt Chatuchak
Seafood Rice
Lunch was casually had at a restaurant inside the Mixt Chatuchak mall, and the taste was quite good.
After eating, we continued exploring and bought a cup of durian juice. The flavor was rich and authentic, and the price was reasonable (THB 89).
Later I found out that things at Chatuchak are actually cheaper. For example, a pack of 6 peppermint nasal sticks sells for 99 THB here, while Big C sells the same pack for 140 THB… Durian juice is also cheaper, as city night markets sell a cup for over 140 THB.
15:00 Take the BTS to King Power Mahanakhon Building
Chatuchak is closer to the MRT, but the King Power MahaNakhon building we want to visit is at BTS Chong Nonsi station; walking from Chatuchak to the nearest BTS Saphan Khwai station is about 1 KM (15 mins).
King Power Mahanakhon Building (Bangkok Grand Palace Building/King Power Mahanakhon)
Ticket price: THB 1,080 per person
Up close, it’s not as tall as imagined, but the architectural style is unique, with a bit of a cyberpunk vibe.
You need to go through a security check first. After buying the ticket, free luggage storage is provided. Backpacks are not allowed inside (small waist bags are permitted).
Before taking the elevator, you can choose whether to take photos (the ticket includes a set of free digitally edited photos; physical prints cost extra).
Free digitally synthesized photos; after taking the elevator down, staff will guide you to download them
The express elevator features a 360-degree panoramic animation, similar to Taipei 101 and Tokyo Skytree; its height is roughly comparable to Tokyo Tower.
The elevator first takes you to the indoor observation deck on the 74th floor, where there is a café and public seating for a short rest. To reach the outdoor observation deck on the top floor, you need to transfer to another elevator or take the stairs up to the 78th floor.
Right after reaching the 78th floor, there is a small bar where you can order a drink and enjoy the view.
After exiting on the 78th floor, you can continue going up to reach the stairs and rooftop lounge area.
The rooftop offers a panoramic view of the entire Bangkok city, and you can imagine the night scenery must be beautiful as well!
The stairs and rooftop lounge face the famous transparent glass corridor, which allows you to see straight down to the ground. You can take shoe covers from the nearby box to enter, but bringing phones is prohibited. You can ask your companions or staff to help take photos.
The entire glass corridor isn’t very large, roughly the size of a hotel’s rooftop infinity pool. From the side, it doesn’t look very high, but actually walking on it can still be scary and make your legs weak XD
Chao Du Night Market (Formerly Ratchada Train Night Market)
MRT accepts direct credit card tap payment
To get to Central Rama 9, you need to transfer to the MRT subway to Phra Ram 9 station. Rabbit Card is not accepted; you must buy a ticket or you can now use a VISA card to tap in and out directly.
Tested and works with Taishin GoGo Card, not tried with Cathay Cube.
For dinner here, I have to say Bangkok’s night markets and bazaars are far better than Taiwan’s. The overall environment is clean, there are seating areas, it’s not chaotic, and well organized, making it very comfortable to explore.
After walking around, I first tried the dessert on the left (similar to a sponge cake?), and the savory seafood grill on the right. Both had a chewy texture and tasted pretty good.
Next is the highlight, the Volcano Ribs. The flavor is quite unique, with a lemongrass sour and spicy sauce. You put on gloves and eat it with your hands, which is very appetizing!
After eating, I bought coconut ice cream with mango and peanut dessert from another stall, which was also delicious!
After eating, head back to Central Rama 9 for some shopping. This place also features the famous NaRaYa Bangkok bags.
On the way back to the hotel, I happened to see rainy Bangkok paired with colorful digital advertising screens. The contrast of colors was maxed out, giving a strong cyberpunk vibe.
7–11 Grilled Toast Midnight Snack
On the way back to the hotel, I tried Thailand’s convenience store grilled toast and Thai banana milk. The filling was melted cheese and hot dog, and the crust was crispy! The crust was crispy! The crust was crispy! It was delicious and cheap!
8/05 Day 4 Central World, Big C, Terminal 21
Had a sleepless night and a full day of hangover, feeling dazed.
Central World
Went out in the morning to shop at Central World.
On the first floor, there is a SHAKE SHACK burger. For my first time, I ordered the classic SHAKE SHACK burger and the coconut milk shake, which is exclusive to Bangkok. The burger was tasty and not greasy, but I found the shake too sweet.
It’s very large, just like ICONSIAM. If you want to explore thoroughly, you won’t finish… I just glanced around and casually bought a shirt.
Big C
After shopping at Central World, walk across to Big C to buy snacks and souvenirs. (There are many options, but I don’t think it’s cheaper…)
Bottom left: Phutawan indoor diffuser was bought yesterday at Chatuchak, but I guess department stores in the city also have it.
Also, Big C seems to no longer provide plastic bags, so you need to buy reusable bags inside the store.
That big pack of dried durian actually contains only two small packs inside… but it tastes quite good.
Lunch
The outdoor plaza at Central World hosts a food market event. It’s not just simple stalls with tents; it has a main theme. This time, the theme is Titanic. You can enter for free by following their official YouTube channel. The interior is also decorated very elaborately.
For lunch, we went to SHAKE SHACK again, this time trying the chicken burger, which was just as delicious.
Afternoon: Return to the hotel to catch up on sleep due to poor rest and a hangover… really exhausted
Dinner at Terminal 21 Shopping Mall
No translation needed for the image markdown.
Terminal 21 is also endless to explore, with each floor having a different regional theme. For example, the Japan floor mainly sells Japanese products and has restaurants.
Mainly met up with Chun-Hsiu Liu to eat at the upstairs food court. ( Cheap and delicious, highly recommended food spot )
At the food court, just find a seat yourself; many locals also come here to eat.
⚠️ Payment here is not made directly to the vendor. You must first go to the counter to exchange cash for a food card, then pay by scanning the QR code on the food card; after eating, return the card to the counter for a refund. (No deposit or handling fee required)
There are quite a few options. Just queue up, say the number you want, and pay with the food card QR code. Takeout is also available (I remember they charge an extra THB 10 for packaging).
Ordered seafood fried instant noodles (THB 50) + pork chop with fries (THB 59) = THB 109
After eating, I also took away a box of mango sticky rice to have as a midnight snack back at the hotel.
Really delicious and cheap!!! A meal at a restaurant outside costs at least 200–300 THB, but here almost every meal is only THB 50~80.
After eating, we went to the nearby Benjakitti Park for a walk and tried to find the legendary Bangkok Giant Monitor Lizard; maybe because it was evening, we didn’t see any.
⚠️Encountered the legendary foreigner scam on the way back to the hotel:⚠️
Waiting for the BTS on the platform…
Someone who looks Middle Eastern came up to chat
- They ask if you are Thai, if you can speak English, and where you are from.
- I say Taiwan
- He just said, Oh.. Taiwan, I love Taiwan
But from his pronunciation, it’s clear he doesn’t know Taiwan at all…
- Then he said he wanted to exchange money but SuperRich was closed, and asked me how many Thai baht he could get for 100 US dollars
I just felt something was off, so I ignored him and walked away…
Their methods are similar. Sometimes they ask what your country’s currency looks like, curious if you can show it to them. Then, while you take out your wallet, they pickpocket or snatch your money and run away.
Back at the hotel, a friend bought some mangosteen to try. I found the fresh ones delicious, with a mild sweetness and the unique mangosteen flavor—very smooth and pleasant. Later, I tried dried mangosteen, but it wasn’t as good; it tasted dry and sour.
Regarding durians, durians in Bangkok are not cheaper… They generally cost THB 200 – 300 per piece.
8/06 Day 5 Return Trip
Bangkok Giant Monitor Lizard
In the morning, still determined, I went to Lumphini Park to look for the legendary Bangkok monitor lizards. Due to limited time, I only found a medium-sized lizard basking in the sun.
Looking for the big monitor lizard was just a personal boring activity. Locals reportedly dislike these lizards (water monitors) because they eat dirty things, so avoid touching them.
12:00 Return to the hotel to pick up luggage and head to the airport
The flight is at 15:20, so we need to leave around noon. It takes about an hour to get from the city to the airport.
👉👉👉You can refer to KKday airport transfer services:
Grab fare from the hotel: THB 577, highway toll required; the driver will pay the toll first, and the toll will be added to the final Grab card payment. (I remember it was about THB 50)
Checked baggage allowed only 15 kg, strictly adhered to the limit.
BKK Yaksha Gate Guardian.
After exiting around 13:20, the security at Bangkok airport was quite strict. All items had to go through security checks, and almost all carry-on luggage was opened for manual inspection.
After immigration and security check, there was about an hour left to eat; found a Thai restaurant to have the last meal in Thailand (seafood fried rice, mango juice, mango sticky rice).
Mango sticky rice is sold in many stores with takeout boxes after leaving the country, so you can buy some to eat on the plane if you’re still hungry!
(⚠️But remember, strictly prohibited to bring back to Taiwan⚠️)
This bottle of water deserves a close-up because budget airlines don’t provide anything. I planned to buy water at the airport to drink on the plane, but after passing security, bottled water costs between THB 70 and 100, and this one is THB 100.
BKK is huge… full of Trip.com ads. On the return trip, there was no delay, so I took the shuttle bus straight to the plane.
Back to Taiwan
After arriving at TPE Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and picking up your luggage around 20:45, take the 1841 or 1819 Kuokuang Bus directly back to Taipei. It’s very convenient with no transfers needed.
⚠️Travel Safety and Precautions in Bangkok, Thailand⚠️
The most important thing when going out is safety. Here is a summary of safety tips and precautions.
Scam Prevention / Avoiding Pitfalls
Based on the summary from Bangkok Cat’s video, I actually encountered the money exchange/scam this time.
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Miscalculating the bill
It’s not always intentional; you can calculate the total amount when ordering. -
Approaching you first to show your country’s currency or ask about exchanging money,
then stealing, pickpocketing, or snatching when you take out your wallet. -
Outside the Grand Palace or other attractions, scammers falsely claim the site is closed and kindly suggest you take a tuk-tuk to other places (Black Temple/black shops/private boat tours on black boats—encountered this at the pier this time) to trick you into spending money.
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Tuk-tuk, shouting prices everywhere, suddenly raising the fare halfway
If you want to try tuk-tuks but fear being overcharged, you can try the new MUVMI app tuk-tuk booking App
Even if the tuk-tuk looks good, beware of scams 3, such as overly eager drivers offering to take you to attractions or boat rides. -
Fake staff: While waiting in line, fake staff may enthusiastically invite you inside.
They will introduce the dishes in your language, help you order, then ask for payment upfront and run away with the money. -
Motorbike Rental Scams
Never leave your passport as a deposit, never leave your passport as a deposit, never leave your passport as a deposit.
If you encounter malicious claims for damages requiring compensation, leaving your passport will cause trouble.
Choose large chain rental shops and always record a video of the vehicle condition before renting. -
Local Dating App Scams
You might encounter transgender individuals, extortion schemes, or scammers. -
Patpong Ping Pong Show Scam: On the street, enthusiastic touts ask if you want to see a ping pong show, saying you only need to order a 100 THB drink. Then they lead you into a dark alley or a second-floor black shop.
The show is very bad, and when you want to leave, they demand 3,000 THB, claiming the 100 THB drink deal never existed. -
Be cautious of pickpockets in crowded places, even at ticket entry points (e.g., Grand Palace, Wat Pho).
🌿🚬
It will be banned next year, but I can share some experience.
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⚠️⚠️⚠️Edibles (like gummies) are very strong, and the scary part is that when you eat them, they feel just like regular gummies with no effect, but a few hours later, the effects suddenly hit hard⚠️⚠️⚠️
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It’s best to try gradually: eat 1/3 first, wait a few hours—if nothing happens, then eat 2/3, wait a few hours—if you feel something, then try eating one whole piece…
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The choice also depends on your constitution; it’s best to take a gradual approach.
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⚠️⚠️⚠️ Strongly recommend trying this inside the hotel. If you feel lost, just rest there for safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
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Being able to drink does not mean you have a higher tolerance.
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⚠️⚠️⚠️ Heart rate may speed up and cause discomfort ⚠️⚠️⚠️
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There should be someone awake to take care of things for better safety.
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Smoking is only allowed on specific occasions.
Others
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Thailand is not a tipping culture country, so generally, tipping is not required; I only tip THB 20 for massages as a small gesture.
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Alcohol sales are only allowed from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 24:00. Alcohol sales are prohibited all day on Buddhist holidays.
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Smoking may not be allowed on the hotel balcony, so be sure to ask.
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Emergency hotline for foreigners in foreign languages: dial
1155 -
SuperRich has business hours, so if you arrive too early or too late, you won’t be able to exchange money.
Appendix — 2018 Digital Technology Bangkok Huaxin 5-Day Staff Trip
Just some memories and itinerary for your reference; details may not be accurate.
Digital Technology 2018 Staff Trip
⚠️The following are photos and records from 2018, for reference only⚠️
⚠️The following are photos and records from 2018, for reference only⚠️
⚠️The following are photos and records from 2018, for reference only⚠️
Day1
Easter Island Moai Statue Cafe Moai Cafe (Closed)
Colleagues (2024) also mentioned that Bangkok has many trendy, extravagant cafes. Interested friends can look them up. This one had low ratings and has already closed.
Dinner — Chom View Seafood Seaside Restaurant
Stay 2 Nights — SHERATON HUA HIN RESORT & SPA Sheraton Hua Hin
Source: SHERATON HUA HIN RESORT & SPA
I didn’t take many photos of the hotel, just one in the morning when I woke up and found a giant centipede in the blanket—a real scare.
Day 2
Santorini Park Greek-style Town (Closed)
It feels like a small amusement park combined with a department store, featuring Greek-themed decorations.
Hua Hin Artist Village
A quite famous attraction, still open in 2024.
There are many paintings and artworks.
Return to Sheraton Hotel to Enjoy Facilities and the Beach
The hotel features a villa style, with each room being a standalone building. The swimming pool surrounds every room in the hotel, and there is a bar right next to the pool. The beach outside is an undeveloped area, completely barren.
After dinner at the buffet, take a stroll around the nearby night market.
Day 3
Maeklong Railway Market
It’s too early, everyone gave up and decided not to go.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
👉👉👉 These two attractions are difficult to access by public transport; consider KKday tours:
It was quite thrilling and adventurous, even though the water was murky and had an odor.
Heading to Bangkok Stay (2 days) at Marriott Queens Park Bangkok
No translation needed for image markdown.
HEALTH LAND 2-hour Full Body Thai Massage
The tour guide specifically told the shop not to do back stepping. I only remember it was very high-end, but the pressing hurt and made it hard to sleep XD
River City Shopping Complex
Since we were going on the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise with a buffet dinner in the evening, we first visited a department store near the pier to shop.
Chao Phraya Princess Cruise Buffet Dinner
👉👉👉 Advance booking is required. You can refer to KKday’s Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise with Dinner Buffet .
The food was okay, but the main highlight was the beautiful night view, especially the lights of the Bangkok Riverside Night Market Ferris Wheel.
After returning to the hotel, I had a few drinks at the bar upstairs in the Marriott. I only remember the beautiful night view and the cheap drinks.
Day 4 Free Travel
I only remember visiting department stores, Big C, and Central World.
Evening visit to Bangkok Sathorn JC Kevin Hotel Zoom Sky Bar for a drink
This is the hotel I stayed at this time XD
Day 5 Return Trip
These are the memories from the 2018 staff trip. This time, returning to Bangkok on a fully independent trip made me more familiar with the city. Compared to before, I find it more bustling, the food tastier, and prices higher.
— — —
Party Room / BBQ Venue Platform for Hong Kong People — Common Room Booking Platform
Whether you want to find a party room for a celebration or rent a hotel/guesthouse for a short stay, you can easily use the Common Room platform to find your ideal venue!
Now you can also book boat parties in Hong Kong.
For friends planning to travel to Hong Kong and want to try different venue experiences, you can check it out here: Common Room Booking Platform .
— — —
👉👉👉KKday Recommended Plans:
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Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise Dinner Buffet｜Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise
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Bangkok King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk Observation Deck Ticket
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Thailand Airport BKK Departure Meet and Greet Fast VIP Service
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Thailand SIM Card｜AIS 5G High-Speed Network 8 Days Unlimited Data + Calls eSIM
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