Bangkok, Thailand: My First Impression

Sawadee Krup! I spent 16 days in Thailand-Cambodia and had the chance to explore Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Siem Reap. I experienced traveling in solo, duo and group. Let me narrate to you my first impression on Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

Bangkok-SEAIR
Weeee Thailand!!!

THE AIRPORT

After hours of traveling via bus and airplane (Manila-Clark-Bangkok), we finally reached the Suvarnabhumi International Airport! I had high expectations prior to the flight, and I’m glad that it didn’t disappoint. It reminded me of the Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 because of the various tourists from different countries that were roaming around. There were flights from different airlines that arrived at the same time we did thus the long lines at the Immigration area. We lined up and waited for more than an hour just to have our passports stamped.

Bangkok-Immigration-Airport
Foreign Tourists at the Immigration Area

Am I still in Southeast Asia or am I in Europe? You can hear white people speaking in English, German, French and many more. You can see that they’re excited to explore the Amazing Thailand. How I wish my own country will attract as many tourists as Thailand does.

THE TRAIN

Right after having our passports stamped and claiming our backpacks from the Baggage Area, we went to the nearest 7-11 to meet up with Den, a close friend of Doi and Edcel. I appreciate the fact that she patiently waited for us and even gave us some tips on how we can reach Khao San Road the cheapest and safest way possible. I heard that taking a cab from the airport to Khao San Road is expensive.

Cityline
We payed 40 Baht for our fare and instead of the usual ticket given in train stations, we were given a red chip. Astig!

The train ride from the airport to the city proper is not as toxic as I expected it to be. It reminded me of the London Midlands train for some reason.

A LOCAL THAT CAN SPEAK AND UNDERSTAND TAGALOG

Mr. Sutee (Photo by trippingsbydrew.com)
Mr. Sutee (Photo by trippingsbydrew.com)

“Filipino?” a local in his fifties called our attention.

“Yes”

“Ah Filipino! Tagalog ang salita niyo, diba?” he then asked

“Opo! Half Filipino ba kayo?” I asked

“Hindi. Dito talaga ako lumaki” He replied.

“Filipina ang asawa niyo?” Drew asked.

“Hindi rin. Natuto lang ako dahil naririnig ko at nagbabasa ako” He replied.

Blown away with his Tagalog, he suddenly asked us if any of us speaks in Ilocano. I told him that I know a little. He then asked me if I have relatives in Zambales.

Aside from giving us tips on commuting and Thailand in general, he also gave us some unsolicited advice about life and relationships.

This is a good sign that we will have a great time in Thailand! Thank you Mr. Sutee for the warm welcome! =)

TUKTUK RIDE

It’s 4:30 in the afternoon – rush hour time! We tried to ride a cab, but the drivers were asking us to pay 400 Baht. No Way! Hmp!

Along with other tourists who are also as tired and frustrated as we were, we waited and tried to negotiate for the fare. A tuktuk stopped and he said that he can take us to Khao San Road for 200 Baht. Since we really want to rest, we gave it a go. We were not sure if we were ripped off by the tuktuk driver, but we didn’t care anymore. We do appreciate that he would stop in some landmarks so we can take some decent photos.

KHAO SAN ROAD and SOI RAMBUTTRI

Khao San Road is dubbed as the backpacker’s mecca of the world. When the tuktuk driver pointed the famous street to us, we were a bit shocked with the number of people in the area. It is a crowded place, but I feel safe. We tried to explore a bit and saw some Pad Thai and other local food within the street. We then realized that we need to look for our hostel, which is located in Phra Ahtit Road. We still need to pass by Soi Rambuttri, which is located just a few minutes walk from Khao San Road. It is the tamer version and I prefer this part to be honest.

Sleepy Traveler
Sleepy Traveler

ACCOMMODATION

We stayed in Thara House for two nights as recommended by Flipnomad. He mentioned that the place is one of the cheapest and the internet connection is fast. It is also located in the not-so noisy and crowded street which means we’ll be able to get a good night sleep


Pad Thai
Pad Thai for dinner! Yummeh!

PAD THAI

For our first dinner in Bangkok, we tried the Pad Thai in Soi Rambuttri. For 40 Baht, we got a Pad Thai with Egg, Vegetables, Seafood and Pork. Drew got really excited upon watching the Pad Thai vendor cook the dish in front of us. Hey, this Pad Thai is delicious and the serving is just right for hungry travelers like us! Lamon na!

KHAO SAN ROAD NIGHTLIFE

Khao San Road
One part of Khao San Road at Night

Our curiosity on how Khao San Road is at night pushed us to spend the whole night there. Right after eating Pad Thai in Soi Rambuttri, we went straight to Khao San Road and did a little food trip over there. The popular street is lively at night. Shoppers will surely love it here because there are numerous items for sale. Those with hungry stomachs can purchase some cheap but delicious food on the sidewalk and there are also some establishments for drinking and partying! No wonder that aside from Siam, Silom and Patpong, tourists would go to this part of Bangkok.

First time in Bangkok and we’re lovin’ it! 😀

20 Comments

  1. dani said:

    waaaaah!!!

    February 28, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      I missed you… AGAIN. Sorry Dani huhu next time! 😀

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  2. Drew said:

    Pag-gising ko kaninang lunch time, naghanap ako ng Pad Thai hehe! Tanghalian ko yun ng isang linggo hehe!

    February 29, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Pad Thai everyday?! hehe hanap tayo ng Thai Restaurant na may Pad Thai with the hope na it is as good as the one found in BKK streets 😛

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  3. Pad Thai!!! Must. Eat. This year. Preferably on the streets of Thailand. San yung kwento na umeksena ka Mica sa Khao San? LOL.

    February 29, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Hahaha it happened nung second night, teh :)) I am not sure if i-upload ko yung video. Medyo nahihiya ako sa sarili ko nung pinanood ko ulit LOL

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  4. Great beginnings of a trip report to a wonderful city. I haven’t been to Bangkok yet but I’m looking forward to vicariously travel with you through your posts. Love Pad Thai so that looks so yummy!

    February 29, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Mary, you must go especially after your trip back to the Philippines since it is just a few hours away 😀

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  5. dong ho said:

    kakamangha nga makita ang ganyan kadami na tourists sa thailand. pero nakakatuwa naman yung nameet niyo na marunong magtagalog kahit diyan na talaga siya. best tips most of the times comes from the locals kaya sigurado nakatulong sa inyo si mr supee.

    February 29, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Nakakatuwa nga lalo na fluent siya magsalita ng tagalog. Tama rin yung ‘mag’ at ‘nag’ niya 😀

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  6. chyng said:

    til now, i cant find the next best thing to BKK’s pad thai cooked in the street!

    so why did the thai asked kung meron taga ilocos o zambales? ang galing nya ha, impressive =)

    February 29, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      He can speak a few Ilocano words din 😀 Galing nga eh sabi ko bisita siya sa Pilipinas soon at i-tour namin siya 😀

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  7. Ang astig nug local na nakilala nyo. Matatas mag-tagalog! Great beginning! sana ganyan din kaganda ang first day ko pag tuntong ko ng Thailand this year.

    February 29, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Sana nga Joan 😀 mababait naman ang mga Thai, although nakaka-frustrate lang minsan yung language barrier. Just smile lang and talk politely 😀

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  8. Andrew said:

    I can survive on Pad Thai and Thai milk tea. I wanna go back to Thailand!

    February 29, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Kahit yan na lang din meal ko dun araw-araw ok lang! 😛

      February 29, 2012
      Reply
  9. edmaration said:

    wahh. Universal language na paka ang Tagalog. haha.

    Naiiggit ako sa mga impressions mo s Thailand. Sana mabasa ito ng gobyerno natin para makita kung anu na ang narating ng Thailand in terms of tourism.

    This is a wake up call talaga 4 our government. Kung foreigners siguro ang magbigay ng first
    impresion s Pinas tiyak airport palang negative na and hm sam because its true.

    March 2, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Ok talaga ang airport ng Bangkok. Ako I am not losing hope sa sarili nating airport. Di naman kasi pwedeng madaliin lahat hehe work in progress, ika nga 😀

      March 4, 2012
      Reply
  10. Amer said:

    looks like you’re having a great time there! I’m fairly embarrassed to say that I’ve yet to travel to Thailand!

    March 8, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Never too late to go, Amer! 😀

      March 16, 2012
      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.