Transit in Bangkok (Day 3 – Day 4)

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Feb 12

I arrived at Mo Chit bus station near Chatuchak in Bangkok around 7pm. Unlike the journey from Siem Reap to Poipet, the 5 hours bus ride (207 Baht) from Aranyaprathet was very comfortable. The bus was not overcrowded, fully air-conditioned, on time and the road was smooth. Tookie, my Bangkok’s friend was kind enough to pick me up from the station. Because it was too late and I did not bring enough Thai Baht with me, I had to borrow some from her.

We went to Bangkok’s Chinatown and had a nice seafood meal in a Chinese restaurant. After dinner, I went around Chinatown on foot to look for a place to sleep. I managed to get a room in a hotel just beside Hua Lamphong train station which was great because I planned to travel to Chiang Mai the next day by train. After checked into the hotel, I quickly proceeded to the train station to purchase the ticket just before the counter was closed at 11pm. I paid 791 Baht for a one-way overnight sleeper (top bunk) in Special Express train that departs on 6pm (more on next post).

After that, we took a taxi to Memorial Bridge. I could see a lot of Thai teenagers hung around on the bridge chit chatting. There were barely any foreigners. Very near the bridge is a wholesale market for flower known as Pak Khlong Talaat. The market was very colorful with all sorts of flowers. Also very near the bridge is a lively night market selling all kinds of merchandise from rabbits to lingerie. I shopped for awhile before retired to my room.

At the Memorial Bridge

The night market near Memorial Bridge

Wat Prayun Wongsawat as seen from the bridge

Somewhere around the night market

Walking toward the flower market

Flower market

I had my breakfast in Chinatown before met up with Tookie on the next day. The lady that sold me the duck rice was very kind. She took the trouble to recommend her friend’s place to change money which indeed offered the best exchange rate. She even offered to take me there by bike which I politely refused. After changing all my Ringgits to Baht, I returned Tookie the money I borrowed from her.

Later, she brought me around Bangkok for sightseeing. At first, we wanted to visit the Grand Palace, but the entrance fee was too expensive and I felt it wasn’t worth it. On top of that, I did not have enough time for sightseeing in Bangkok and the palace is huge. So we skipped the palace and headed straight to Wat Arun across Chao Phraya river. After spending some time enjoying the scenery on top of Wat Arun, we went to Mahboonkrong shopping mall to buy some stuffs and had my dinner at the food court.

The Grand Palace

Temple in Wat Arun

Wat Arun

View from Wat Arun

Another view from Wat Arun

Weird structure near Mahboonkrong shopping mall

Shopping at Mahboonkrong shopping mall

Fearing traffic jam, we left the shopping mall in haste for the train station. Luckily, the traffic was smooth. Since it was still early, I went to nearby 7-Eleven to buy some snacks and drinking water for the long journey. That was where I met Annie. After a short introduction, I came to know that she was going to Chiang Mai as well, but on a later train. We exchanged phone numbers and said goodbye.

I left Bangkok after saying goodbye to Tookie.