Woke up rather late next day and headed off to my "first" (had somehow never visited this during my various visits to Bangkok) visit to the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (via taxi, 80B/S$3.48). Due to the high admission cost (350B/S$15.22 per foreigner, free for Thais), we did not enter into the grounds eventually and only took photographs from the outside instead. I wondered if I would ever know what we had missed at this sight.
We crossed the large Thanon Ratchadamnoen Klang and walked to Thanon Khao San (or KSR); the very first place where I really felt like I was a backpacker. Very unlike the KSR I knew 6 years ago (apart from the number of 7-elevens stores along the street), it had somehow morphed into a mid-range hang out area for rather well-to-do travellers that were towards their end (or start!) of their travels. Facilities are expensive; gone were the days where I could get an air-conditioned room for 250B/S$10.87. Try imagining surfing internet for 60B/S$2.60 per hour or gorging on a banana pancake for the same (maybe I am pissed because my favourite beef noodle joint had been sacrificed for the development of yet another up-end guesthouse). Perhaps backpackers nowadays are getting richer as well?
The next stop for the day was Chinatown and we (or maybe that was only me) decided to do that on foot (not advisable during hot Bangkok summers). After passing by Wat Suhat & Sao Ching-Cha (or the Great Swing), we "trekked" along Thanon Charoen Krung and finally had a break for dinner at Yaowarat Soi 11. This place probably did not change much as compared to the last time I was here; assuming if the comparison was based on the number of shark's fins/bird nest restaurants along the main road or the standards of the pig innards rice noodle soup (30B/S$1.30 per serving).
After a quick rest in the hotel, we went (via BTS to Sala Daeng station) to the infamous Patpong (Soi 1 & 2). Those bartop dancing girls (in bars where door was deliberately left opened) did not realised they looked so bored like they have not been bar-fined for a long time. It could be quite an uneventful experience here if visitors are not interested in seeking the "other" forms of excitement.
Sally still does not look motivated enough to shop. Wondered if we were there at the right places? |
| |
|
 |
This was one of the doughnuts (10B or S$0.43 each) we had at Mr. Donuts in MBK. |
| |
Sally clearly enjoying herself at the steamboat joint though it was rather hot and stuffy that evening.
Note: This outlet is highly recommended for its food at that competitive price. |
 |
We hung our clothes on the chair so that they could be dried (it was as if they were admiring the aerial view of urban Bangkok).
p.s.: Sally was being really nice by washing the clothes while I fell asleep on bed waiting for her. |
 |
Free for Thais, 350B for foreigners...
After travelling to 25 countries in this world, I still find it hard to agree that foreigners should be charged more at any places of interest.
- impressions of Wat Phra Kaew & The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
|
 |
wyattwang.com doing it at Wat Phra Kaew & The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. |
 |
We saw this at Sanam Luang (parade square north of Wat Phra Kaew) and still could not figure out what the strips of meat were.
A party atmosphere seems to be evident and there were stalls selling photographs (of a certain disposed prime minister) and red polo t-shirts. |
 |
Not sure how the Tuk Tuk was brought up there but do remember strange things happens in Thanon Khao San (more commonly known as Khao San Road). |
 |
One could get almost anything in KSR and this includes a Singapore identity card!
p.s.: It was a very poor imitation. They have to try harder. |
 |
Thanon Ratchadamnoen Klang seems to be a "lucky" place; there were many stalls selling lottery tickets.
p.s.: I wondered if it is lucky for the lottery companies or the punters. |
 |
Other than the Mussel Omelete (40B or S$1.74), there were an amazing amount of food variety to choose from in Chinatown. |
| << Pg
1 |
|
|
