Dreaming of Bangkok

In so far as leisure trip is concerned, I haven't crossed the line of traveling by myself until I decided to go to Bangkok.

Taking advantage of the Tiger Airways promotion in May, I booked a return flight to Bangkok for $160 scheduled for 2-4 August. Ned, a former colleague from SCJ Philippines helped me find a budget hotel near his condominium. On his reco, I booked my single room hotel in Jim's Lodge via Asia Rooms website for $44/night. This is already inclusive of a simple buffet breakfast.

My flight was at 610AM on Saturday morning and I arrived in Bangkok International Airport at around 8AM. To my disappointment, the queue for immigration was too chaotic and heavily disorganized. After 1 hour of standing on line, I managed to go out of the airport to look for public transport to the city. Ned recommended that I take a cab from the departure area on the 3rd floor level of the airport. As I didn't see the place where to ride the cab, I took a gamble of going to the ground floor level. Fortunately I saw a bus going to the city which charges 170 Baht one-way. I decided to take the bus as I learned that it can drop me off to Ploenchit MRT. (Incidentally, Jim's Lodge is in Ploenchit Road just 10 minutes by foot from the MRT station.)

After about an hour, I alighted at the MRT station and hailed a public motorbike which swiftly brought me to my hotel for just 10 Baht. I arrived in the hotel at 10AM and was checked-in earlier at 11AM. During my waiting time, I also took the chance of booking my day trips which the hotel provides.

My room is simple, clean, decent and has a private toilet & bath and was worth the penny I spent. There is always a benefit in checking out good bargains in the internet instead of doing a walk-in booking in the hotel. (AsiaRooms.net, Booking.com and such engines really give good deals!) As it has become my habit, I usually consult with www.Tripadvisor.com for reviews before finally deciding where to stay.


I stayed and rested for just an hour and left for the city area shortly after. My first stop brought me to MaBoonKrong (MBK) to look for good bargains. With nothing planned in mind for my first day, I just busied myself strolling along Rama I where an array of big shopping malls are located. By 3PM, I checked if The Dark Knight is still playing at the IMAX Theatre in Siam Paragon. Luckily, it still is so I immediately bought a ticket for 200 Baht. Again, another good find in BKK!

After the movie, I decided to head back to my hotel to rest and get ready for Sunday.

Ayuthaya.... Here I come!