Thailand | Bangkok , Ayutthaya and Songkran Experience

Sawadee!! Thailand marked the best solo trip i ever had (since this was only my fourth time going solo internationally) and also, lucky enough to have celebrated the Songkran Festival with an old friend , new friends and some Thai locals . 

Day 1 - Bangkok 

1 Baht = .029 USD = 1.45 Php

I arrived at the airport at around 930 am, waited for my luggage and went straight to the AIS kiosk to buy a local Thai simcard for my internet plan.

Tips:

• Thailand is an extremely hot country, prepare your protection and refreshments! 
• Beware of Tuktuk scams and overcharged River Cruises
• Beware of overly friendly person. You will feel it if they will scam you or not. But better be careful. 
• Always prepare coins for train fare. It's easier to use the ticket vending machine. 

Airport to Bangkok via Train

Source : google images

I booked a hostel near Phaya Thai Station of the Airport Rail Link Line and is also a station in the BTS Line. Travel time is around 45 mins and costs 45 Baht. You can easily find the train station at the airport. Don't be intimidated because their airport is huge and pretty and also have adequate guideway and maps to help you to go where you're headed. For me, it is easier to take the train than the bus. Bangkok has pretty weird bus stops than other Asian countries ( this is my own opinion, lol ).

Hostel in Bangkok 

I stayed in Thailand for 4 days and chose a hostel in Phaya Thai, around 10 meters away from the BTS train station. The name of my hostel is The Posh Luxury Hostel. I am so amazed and satisfied with their service. Upon arriving, i ask them if they could help me with my luggage since i can't open it and ask them to break it. They lend me a temporary luggage until i bought a new one and also gave me a free scarf in celebration of the Songkran. Scarfs are popular in Thailand. My accommodation is a bunk bed in a female dormitory with buffet breakfast. Their breakfast buffet is good and reasonable for the price from 7am to 10am. The cereals , coffee and soda are unlimited for 24hrs. They also have a jacuzzi and pool table on the top floor too but I wasn't able to enjoy those perks since i am always out.

The Wat/s in Bangkok 

Wat Arun

Simply , Wat is the buddhism temple in Thailand , Laos or Cambodia. I met a friend at Saphan Taksin Station and there's a ferry terminal near the station to get to the Wat Arun , Wat Pho , Grand Palace and other nearby attractions within the Chao Pharya river. You can view the fare and timetable of the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat here.

First Stop , Wat Arun. 

Wat Arun , for me , is one of the most beautiful temple in Bangkok. I will let the photos below do all the explanation on why i considered it that way. The architecture is great and the colors , it matches me.

Next stop , What Pho. 

Wat Pho is a must see attraction in Bangkok. Never leave Thailand without seeing this precious reclining buddha. Expect heavy crowd in this temple and never forget to show respect to the buddha and the temple itself even we're not Buddhist. You will be ask to remove your shoes and wear proper clothing before entering the temple.

Next stop , Songkran Festival at Silom Rd. 

I blogged about my Songkran Experience here . My first day was full of fun, craziness and water gun fights along the streets of Silom and Khao San Rd. For those who didn't know what the Songkran Festival is, Songkran Festival is a 3-day celebration of the Thai's New Year and starts every 13th  day of April until the 15th but sometimes they extend the celebration until the 17th. Besides giving praises and offerings to the Buddhist monks, part of the tradition also is to get all the people soaked in water and also includes non-stop watergun fights. Splashing and sprinkling people with water signify the washing away of bad thoughts and actions.

Next stop , Khaosan Rd. 

After joining the water gun fights at Silom , I changed my clothes then went out again to see a friend from cs who is really accommodating, fun and friendly. We rode a tuktuk going to Khao San and he guided me around Khao San. we enjoyed eating Phad Tai. We had a good talk and had a few drinks at a local bar along Khao San and the singer at that bar is so goood!! She attracted so many people to listen and to dance with her music. I don't have many photos that night but i have fun memories to share.

- end of day 1 -

Day 2 - Ayutthaya and Chatuchak Weekend Market 

Day 2 is all about my Ayutthaya trip, a tiring yet fun trip to the ruins. Had a lot of walks from temple-hopping. We opted to walk instead of taking the tuktuk or hiring a bike. I was with my friend that i met through cs again. ( we really bonded that long, haha )

Going to Ayutthaya

Easy bulleted steps :

• Train to Mo Chit Station ( Chatuchak Park )
• Ride Bus # 77 to MoChit 2 ( North Eastern Bus Terminal )  ( Fare : 10 Baht )
• Ride a minivan to Ayutthaya ( Fare : 60 Baht )

In Ayutthaya , Temple entrance at 50 Baht each , tuktuk rental at 200 Baht per person/3 hrs if you're a group of 4. Ayutthaya is full of historical ruins and temples. All have a significant mark to Thai people. 

First stop , Wat Mahathat 

Next stop , Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

Tri Muk Building 

Wat Langkhakhao 

I enjoyed the scenery and the relaxing view of Ayutthaya despite of being humid and hot. I can't escape the fact that Thailand is a really hot country. There are many temples in Ayutthaya and you can't finish half day. Here is a map for your guide.

Chatuchak Weekend Market 

This weekend market closes at 6pm but when we got there , many stores and food stands are still open. The stuff in this market is really cheap. I bought some decent tops for 100 Baht each and an iphone case for 99 Baht. They sell cheap thai food too. So if you're planning to go here , it is better to buy the stuff that you need in Chatuchak. We ate at a local thai food place and we are so so so hungry from all the walking and talking in Ayutthaya. I had Tom Yum for 120 Baht and a mango shake for 60 Baht. :P

Day two is so much fun and i also had a good time with my friend from Indonesia! See you soon.  :P

- end of day 2 -

Day 3 in Bangkok - Pratunam , China Town , Siam and MBK 

My third day in Bangkok is dedicated for shopping. Clothes and not branded shoes are cheap in Pratunam compare here in the Philippines. There's also nothing special in China Town unless you're looking for some chinese stuff and food. They sell it cheaper there.
MBK has so much to offer, from food, gadgets to clothes and luggage. But i find the stuff in MBK a little pricey than Pratunam and Chatuchak. When you want to shop branded stuff , Siam Paragon is your one stop place! Everything is in there and some fancy restaurants too!

- end of day 3 -

Day 4 

Fly back to Manila.

Food and Refreshment in Thailand

Food is one of the many reasons to visit Thailand. Here are some of the not so popular ones since I was not able to take pictures of the other dishes because I'm too busy munching it. Haha! enjoy and drool. My favorite is the 20 Baht Thai Tea ~ Always. 

Feel free to comment and suggest anything in relation to this trip.