Cooking Pleasure - Travel & Food: Thailand Trip Itinerary 2014

Day 12 [12 November 2014] – Arrived at Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bangkok from Chiangmai at around 7.00 am on 12 November 2014. We took SP Express Train 14 that departs at 4.00 pm and arrives at 6.30 am. Fare with sleeping berth [upper and lower] is 1672THB for 2 persons. Journey is comfortable and train on schedule.

Hua Lamphong Railway Station

Note: My hubby made a wrong hotel reservation date. We left Chiangmai on 11 November and will arrived in Bangkok on 12 November 2014 but he booked for 11 November 2014. That means we lost 1 day’s accommodation. Be very careful with the date in such case. Anyway, the hotel management was very considerate and did not forfeit our reservation. They provide us with breakfast and we need only to pay for another day’s stay.

The hotel we stayed is:

SidaRe Bed and breakfast

127-129 Soi Udomsuk 7

Suthisan Road

Huaykwang

Bangkok 10320

Tel. 098-2696151, 02-2772876

Facebook: Sidare BedandBreakfast

E-mail: sidarebnb@gmail.com

This hotel is only about 5 minutes walk from Suthisan MRT Station Exit 3. The MRT fare from Hua Lamphong MRT station is 38THB. The room is small but very clean and comfortable. Breakfast provided is good and there is a choice of western or local Thai breakfast which is served from 7.30 am to 10.00 am.

We were told that this is a new hotel and they are extending their premises. The rate is very reasonable in terms of location and service.

After settling, we went to Phetchaburi Road Soi 19 for the popular Wantan Noodles at:

SabX2 Noodle Shop

Soi 19 Phetchaburi Road

Bangkok

As we were late, they only have noodles left. The braised pig trotter rice was already sold out.

We ordered 3 bowls of Wantan Noodles [soup and dry version]. Each bowl costs 50THB. Portion is very small. The special thing about this noodle is the fried pig lard [bake eu poh] which is very crispy and fragrant. Otherwise, it isn’t that special but business is good.

To get there, take BTS to Ratchathewi Station, turn right to Phetchaburi Road and walk down the road Shibuya 19 on the left. The lane next to it is Soi 19.

This place is near to Pratunam Wholesale Morning Market situated from Soi 11 to Soi 17 Phetchaburi Road. This place is opened from 4.00 am to 9.00 am. After this time, the make shift stalls are all removed and only the shops are opened. Get there early if you wish to shop for cheap clothings and other items. Suggest that you visit the place early and then hop over to Soi 19 to enjoy the Wantan noodles.

After SabX2, we crossed over to The Platinum Fashion Mall. In here, there are numerous stalls selling clothings, accessories, electronic gadgets etc. [wholesale and retail]. Prices are reasonable and there is a wide range to choose.

From here, we walked down [right turning] to Ratchaprasong Road [Rajdamri Road] area is always jam-packed with shopping complexes for wholesale fashions, street stalls and peddlers who sell from foods, fruits, clothings, souvenirs to all the goodies at bargaining prices. It is a place you shouldn't miss if you love to shop.

You will come to Central World Complex/Zen Departmental Store and across the road is the famous tourist spot, the Erawan Shrine [at the corner of Grand Hyatt Erawan]. You can also get to this place by BTS via Skywalk either through Chit Lom or Siam Centre stations.

Erawan Shrine

Erawan Shrine
Open Daily: 8.00am to 7.00pm
Conspicuously located in front of Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, this highly revered shrine was erected in 1956 and housesthe four-faced Brahma God or Tao Mahaprom, who is full of kindness, mercy,sympathy and impartiality.
The place is crowded days and nights with worshippers who pray for good fortune. An offering set includes 16 incense sticks along with 4 each of candles, flower garlands and sheets of gold leaf.

Next to Central World is Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery. These are all within walking distance and worth visiting because it is very convenient. You may need to spend the whole day in this area.
Madame Tussard is at Siam Discovery and Siam Ocean World is at Siam Paragon. Entrance fee is 800THB and 1200THB respectively but they do have promotion rates. Opens from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm.

But not to worry, there is the Siam Paragon Food Court which is very clean and organized with plenty of food choices at reasonable prices.

Central Chit Lom and Central Embassy is along this area between BTS Chit Lom and BTS Ploen Chit Stations.

For dinner, we went to Sukhumvit Soi 38 Street Food. There aren’t many food stalls but there is a choice of rice, noodles and desserts here. Prices are reasonable.

We tried the Pad Sew Eu [50THB], Roast Duck Rice [50THB], Mango Sticky Rice [60THB], Thab Tim Krob [cold][25THB] and Taro Coconut Milk [hot][25THB]. All these costs 210 THB. The portions are big and the desserts are extremely sweet.

Sukhumvit Soi 38 Street Food At Night

To get there, take BTS to Thong Lor Station. Sukhumvit Soi 38 is just beneath the BTS station. You can also go to Thong Lor Area for food but prices here are more costly than the former.

All in all with the MRT [Blue Line], BTS Skytrain [Dark and Light Green Lines] it is very easy to move around Bangkok. Advisable to get a day or 3 days Metro and BTS tickets which is very cheap. MRT ticket for a day is 120THB and 3 days is 230THB [unlimited travel with this ticket].