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Showing posts with label bangkok. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bangkok. Show all posts

Saturday 11 April 2015

bANGKOK FREE AND EASY: Mercure hotel National stadium



Mercure Hotel. The room is spacious. No bathtub but there is no need for one when you are at Bangkok because massage and spa are all around.

There are universal plugs so not a need for adapter. 



The view from my room



The Swimming pool

 The view from the swimming pool


The difference between Mercure and Holiday Inn is the room size. Mercure room size is bigger and spacious. It has only a swimming pool at the top floor which is free for people staying at Mercure.
The best thing about Mercure and holiday Inn is that it is just beside the train station and there is an escalator going upwards. It is good for people who intend to take the train and not the taxi.

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Bangkok free and easy : 2 days itinenary 48 hours

Nice skies.
Planned a very short trip to Bangkok with my sister.
We want this to be a more an more interesting trip so we visited some new food places.
We took the train everywhere, firstly because we dislike bangkok traffic jams and there are some bad taxi drivers.


Our plan is slightly affected due to the curfew at 10pm

Day 1: Arrived at Airport around 730pm
1. 8pm-930pm : Bought Sim at Airport
                     Took Airport express and tuktuk to hotel (supposed to take BTS) 
2. 930pm-10pm: Check in.
3. 10 pm - 1130pm : Mookata ( but settled for snacks from 7-11)

DAy 2: 
1.  8am-11am : Train to Chit Lom: walk to Patunam Market 
                                         Breakfast: Any interesting food along the way.
2. 11am to 3pm : Cross the overhead bridge to Platinum mall
                                              Lunch: Fuji Japanese restaurant and sharkfins and birdnest at foodcourt  at                                                  Platinum mall
3. 3pm - 4pm : Massage at Foot master
4. 4pm-5pm : Back to hotel to put down shopping and a short break.
5. 5pm - 7m : Audrey cafe and restaurant
5.7pm-830pm : BTS asoke for Terminal 21 and night market (close early due to curfew). Have to leave at 8                          plus as last BTS at 9pm.
6. 9pm to 930pm: Siam square shopping and we walked back to our hotel

Day 3: 
1. 7am-830am : Bought breakfast at nearby market and enjoy it at the comfort of hotel
2. 830am - 12 noon: Chatuchak market
3. 12 noon to 1 pm : Bath, pack and check out
4. 130pm-230pm: MAssage at bodytunes silom
5. 230pm - 5 pm Silom complex:   High tea at Peony tea house, supermarket shopping and robinsons.
6. 5pm-630pm Siam square shopping
7. 630pm -8pm: Pick up our luggage and set off for the airport
8. 8pm - 9 pm: Have a quick meal and shop at 7-11 before catching the plane back home.

BAck in Singapore at around 12 midnight :D



1. When we reach Bangkok, it was the first day of the military takeover, we just manage to catch the last airport train. However, we did not manage to catch the last bts. Had to take a Tuk tuk to our hotel. 
There was someone who was helping tourist flag taxi and tuk tuk at the station.


 Ibis siam at NAtional Stadium
Take the train to Phaya Thai and change Bts to Siam square and then to national stadium.
It is slightly troublesome, but as it was just two girls. We thought it will be much safer than taking the taxi.
The BTS station is just right beside the hotel. You can see the hotel before exiting the station.
One thing I like about national stadium BTS is that it was never affected by protests and there is an escalator leading to the train station. There is also a nice little market nearby.
The negative thing is that it is not the interchange so we do have to change trains at siam square.
We choose ibis as it is quite value for money.
Around $60 per night.
There are no frills but frills and space are not important as I will be out most of the day. I like new hotels as I 
things look better and are in better working conditions. There is a cupboard and a long table to store my things. 
There is ample space under the bed to store your luggage.
The room is not very big but is quite reasonably sized.
No bath tub but a shower head. 
Our only complain is the water from the shower is a bit weak.
I will stay there again because of the price and how new and clean it is.
Drinking water, coffee and tea are available too.
Walking distance to siam BTS: 5 to 10 minutes


Actually we planned to go for Mookata but due to the curfew. We settled for grilled pork stick and lots of snacks from 7-11.



Breakfast bought while walking to pratunam market.
Thai Milk tea and grilled yam balls.
Was never a fan of yam balls but bought it because it look so cute

I feel in love with the grilled pork while I am there. It is grilled so well. Still tender on the inside. Can pick your own stick so can choose the less fatty ones.

Pratunam market. Go in the morning before it gets hot. There is no air con. Prices are definitely cheaper than platinum mall although some of the designs are not as good.



As we were at Platinum mall and feeling very hungry, settle for a normal resturant. 
Just can say the food is average, not fantastic and not very cheap
Cheap shark fins and birdnest. Not sure about how authentic it is, but we just have it for desserts while taking a break.

WEnt to massage at Foot MAster at Amarin Plaza.
Was so disappointed so the masseur thought I was asleep and tried to slack through the massage. He was just randomly pressing around gently.




Decide to visit this beautiful cafe.
Audrey cafe and Bistro
Something different from our usual itinenary


Drop by Terminal21 as it was near to Thong Li. A few stops down.
There is a big supermarket at Terminal 21 which I bought snacks and sweets for my lovable students.


Terminal 21 was having some desserts fair. Lots of cake, cupcakes and etc.
Was too full to eat anything


Business as Siam Square as usual except it is not as crowded.

Miltiary guarding the train station but everything else was peaceful.
Lots of people were taking photos with the soldiers.

Woke up to a beautiful sunset view from our hotel. Ask them for the room facing Siam Square.
Visit this small market near our hotel. SElling mainly food, fruits, vegetables and seafood.
No live poultry.


What we bought for breakfast. 
Grilled pork stick with sticky rice.
Thai version of You Tiao. ( Small and Cute)
Thai version of Soya BEan ( They add a lot of ingredients inside)


Enjoying our breakfast in the comfort of our hotel room.



Shopping at Chatuchak.

Bought iced coffee and some desserts.
It was not really delicious but is good for the hot weather

Went for another massage at bodytunes silom as my previous massage was so disappointing.




Cross over to peony tea house for high tea





Went shopping at Robinsons and Tops supermarket.
SAw them selling fresh sashimi and bought some to try.
Delicious!!


Shopping at Siam Square. Spotted this and can't resist buying a stick. They really know how to grill their food. Not too dry but crispy on the outside. They will ask you if you want chilli, it taste good with chilli but for people who are not good with chilli. Have some milk by your side, my sister and I were tearing while eating

Taking Airport express back to airport. Good thing about taking the train is good scenery, no traffic jam and no bad taxi drivers and definitely punctual. The bad is have to take bts to transfer, have to carry you own luggage and may have to stand for the ride



fell in love with chiangmai food because of a trip last year to chiangmai.
Chiangmai curry noodles and glutinous rice with mango at S & P airport cafe. Will not say is cheap but reasonable pricing. The good is not bad.
Can try it out if you are the airport.
Sometimes, there is quite a long queue outside the cafe


Saw TWG inside the airport transit area. Could not resist getting some Macaroons to try.
Think it taste normal. 
Pricing should be slightly cheaper than Singapore

The end of 48 hours in Bangkok.




Thursday 17 July 2014

Bangkok free and easy : CAfe hopping Peony TEa house



Was looking for a different cafe to try out instead of the usual after you cafe or the high tea at erwan.
Found this nice little tea shop and is location is good too.
It is accessible. Just take the train to silom bts at silom complex is just beside it. Silom complex is linked to the train station  via the bridge if I am not wrong.
Peony tea house is just opposite after you cafe and on the right when you walk into silom complex through the bridge. It is good if you are a person who like to take the taxi or worries about venturing into weird areas.








Large variety of tea available.
Even frappucinno. 
A good place to chill and relax after a day of walking and shopping.

Brownie and Ice cream set.
Brownie taste yummy and very chocolate


The high tea set costing 180baht. Quite worth it as it is just nice for 2 person.

The sandwiches stands out beceause the bread has been lightly toasted. I am not a fan of white bread.
Everything is delicious.


They also sell macaroons. I forgot the price but is less than 40 baht per piece.

I am quite happy I found this little cafe. 
It is not as popular so there is not a need to queue and the place is not as crowded.
Service is good. 
The food is good and a lot of genuine efforts has been put into it.
Drop by for a visit if you are there.
I will definitely go back to try out the other stuffs.
Free wifi too. Just ask for password



- Peony Tea Room: The Circle Ratchapruk call 02-863-8558
- Peony Teafé and Gallery: Saladaeng call 02-235-5369
- Peony Tea Lounge: Trinity Complex, Silom call 02-667-0136

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Bangkok free and easy : Cafe hopping : Audrey cafe and Bistro



Finally reached after a 10-15 minutes walk from Thong Lo BTS.
We used the GPS from our phone and it works.
Alternatively, you can just cab there but the weather was not bad and we like to stroll.
We walked in around 5 plus, the place was empty.
Maybe one reason is that it was the first day of military rule.
On the other hand, if you visiting it later in the evening as I read about it long queue.
May consider making a reservation




The menu



Very nice interiors with nice looking menu


Scone selection: We did not try it but i looks good.





A beautiful photogenic restaurant.


Thai tea.
Can't remember much. 
Should be average

This is above average.
It is Tom Yam suki, means is like Tom Yam with noodles.
If you like Tom Yam, give it a try


Pizza Tom Yum Kung
Very popular, read about it on blogs.
BEst dish of the day. Taste very good.
Not too much flour and each piece has ample seafoods and the Tom Yam really give it a punch.
Will want go back for just this.



CRab Souffle.
Most expensive and supposedly the best and most special dish of the restaurant.
We are supposed to poke open the souffle and poured in the crab sauce.
At first, it taste real good but it gets a bit sickening at the end.
Recommend if you are sharing with friends or you just love egg whites.








Nice cakes and they have discount for the cakes. Too bad, we were too full.

Tried another of their specialty. Thai Milk Tea crepe cake.
Let just say is slightly above average.



The bill.
The pricing is quite reasonable but the main cost is the crab souffle so if you forego it, this place is quite cheap for a meal with slightly above average food and a nice environment which you can take really nice photos or have a romantic/ relaxing meal
Free wifi too. Just ask for password








136/3 Thonglor Soi 11 | Khlongtoei Nuea , Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand

0-2712-6667-8