We planned this almost two years ago, yep you read that right. Two freakin years ago! From 16pax we were trimmed down to 8pax during the actual trip. The purpose of the trip was to attend the free mass release of floating lanterns at Chiang Mai but again we missed it. It turns out the day of the mass release was not on the night of Loy Krathong / Yee Peng which was when we scheduled and booked our trip.
Flight
We booked our flights via 3 different airlines.
Manila to Bangkok - Cebu Pacific (around PHP1500)
Bangkok to Chiang Mai to Bangkok - Air Asia (around PHP5500)
Bangkok to Manila - Philippine Airlines (around PHP5500)
You can also take a train to and from Chiang Mai from Bangkok but you have to make reservations at least 1 month before your trip. Taking the train is cheaper (PHP1000 per way) but travel time takes around 12 hours and we were advised against taking the trains by some friends in Thailand as just weeks before there was a 13 year old girl raped and killed in the train and note that she has companions.
Out of the 3 airlines, PAL was the most expensive but was the most comfortable. Air Asia's seats were cramped. Cebu Pacific was okay. In short, you get what you pay for.
These flights alone already costs us around PHP12500. (>_<)
Itinerary
We have 3 days to spend in Bangkok and 2 days in Chiang Mai. You'd think 5 days was enough but no! We barely slept but there's still things we weren't able to do. Anyway, here's a copy of our itinerary. It's not updated though so I'll try to share as much detail as I can remember here.
Money Exchange
Again BDO has the best rates than any money changers around but since we don't have BDO accounts. We exchanged just enough money at the airport for transportation until we find some money changers in Bangkok.
Do not exchange your money in Thai banks!
Rate Comparison 1 PHP to THB (November 2014)
BDO = ~.73
Sanry's = ~.67
PH Airport = .65
All Thai Banks = .5
Super-rich (main) = .71
Super-rich (others) = .69
As you can see, best rate is at BDO, then at Super-rich main branch. The main branch is just walking distance from Chidlom or Siam BTS station near Big C.
Most money changers open at 9:00 - 9:30 am and closes around 5:00 - 6:00 pm so plan accordingly. The Super-rich branch in Khao San opens past 11:00 am.
They also say withdrawal from ATMs have good rates plus this is the most convenient way to change your money. At least better than exchanging from Thai banks. But each transaction has a processing fee of THB180 so as much as possible withdraw the maximum allowable limit. Also call your bank before leaving the country to make sure your ATM card will work abroad.
Accommodation
Most of us stayed at Wendy House in Bangkok. It is just a few walking distance from National Stadium BTS. It is quite old and has no elevator but for the price was affordable compared to the other hotels or guesthouses around the area. It was clean and nice and serves free yummy breakfast. We booked it via Agoda. It's my first time booking with Agoda and it turned out okay. We had some cancellations and moving of dates here and there and they processed it quite nicely. We paid around PHP3500 per pax for 4 nights stay.
Twin Room
Guesthouse lobby/ Breakfast hall
In Chiang Mai, we stayed at IMM Hotel which was conveniently located in front of Thaphae gate where the lantern parade will start.
I didn't like their service though. We informed them beforehand we were arriving early. We waited almost two hours after regular check-in time before we got our rooms.
Transportation
If you're traveling alone or by pairs, navigating via BTS would be cheaper. But if you're traveling by groups, metered taxi's would be cheaper.
Travel via BTS
There are 2 BTS lines, the Sukhumvit and Silom line. It would be convenient to get a hotel where the two lines meet (at Siam station). You can buy a rabbit card which is like their stored value ticket for THB200. The card itself costs THB50 and contains THB150 credit. You can refund unused credit before leaving. You can also buy single journey tickets at the station.
Travel via Taxi
Most taxis won't agree to use the meter when you ride in groups. But if you're alone or by pairs, they would most likely use the meter.
Comparison
National Stadium BTS to Khao San road with 4 passengers
without meter = THB200 for all / 4 = THB50 each
with meter = THB75 for all / 4 = ~THB20 each
THB50 each doesn't look expensive but you're still better off with taxis using a meter.
If the taxi doesn't want to use a meter, negotiate a fixed price before riding. And specifically tell them where you want to go and use Google maps to check if they're taking you to the right direction.
Travel via TukTuk
We only ride the tuktuk when we got scammed so it doesn't count hehe. I've heard tuktuks are expensive since they are usually used by tourists.
Food
Pad Thai, Curry, Kao Soi chicken, Rotee with Banana and Nutella, Mango with Sticky rice, Coconut Ice Cream.. all yummy!! I love their food all spicy and salty. We didn't try the insects though. Just seeing the scorpions on sticks sold at Khao San Road makes me shiver. Oh wait we tried the dried worms and it was actually okay.. crunchy and salty.
Kao Soi Chicken (must try dish in Chiang Mai)
Mango with sticky rice
Dried Worms
Rotee with Banana and Nutella
Attractions
Day 1 - Bangkok Temples
First day in Bangkok and we already got scammed. But this is a story for another time. I'll be writing a separate blog for this.
When you think about going to temples you would probably think it's boring. But hey every temple has it's history and it helps to be aware of it so that somehow you understand why such a place was built in the first place. Understanding it's history makes you appreciate it's beauty.
Grand Palace
When you search for top tourist attractions in Bangkok, this is probably almost always on top of the list. If you're out of time and can only squeeze a few hours for sight seeing, this is the place to go. Entrance is THB500. It's a big place so you should allot 2-3 hours for this place. Going here will already give you your fair share of temples in Bangkok. This is where you'll find the emerald Buddha and the official residence of the King of Siam.
Wat Pho Phra
This is home to the longest reclining Buddha. It is really overwhelming when you get to see it in person.
Wat Arun
We didn't climb up Wat Arun because it was raining and stairs were steep and slippery (I assume). But it is one of the most popular faces of Bangkok. I would love to take a picture with the setting sun at Wat Arun someday. It is really beautiful day or night.
Khao San Road
Stores starts opening past 11:00 am. But the place really comes alive at night. Don't shop here! You can buy the pants with elephant prints here for THB300 when it only actually costs THB100. It's a nice place to have a few drinks with friends. They say you can find the best Pad Thais here. There are also vendors going around selling edible insects, worms and scorpions on sticks.
Day 2 - Bangkok
Ayutthaya
We rented bicycles to get around the place. Which was really fun and probably the cheapest way (THB40) if not for the scorching heat. So it is very much advisable to bring sun blocks, sun glasses and some more protection from the sun. Most of the artifacts are in ruins or with severed heads from the Burmese invasion. Each temple has an entrance fee of THB50 so we just entered the temples we liked. I would love to visit SukhoThai as well if given the time. Since the ruins are more preserved there than in Ayutthaya. Both are UNESCO sites.
Patpong Night Market
Another night market with tourist prices. But you can find good deals here if you know where to look. This is where you can watch ping pong shows. Someone will approach you offering the show for THB200. I would love to watch the show but I was afraid we'll get scammed again and forced to pay thousands for the show. Maybe I'll watch this with a Thai local as companion to avoid getting scammed. Of all the markets we've been to and if you're not going to Chiang Mai, for me this will be a good place to buy pasalubong. Just be ready with your bargaining skills. Shirts and pants should only cost around THB100 anything higher than that is a no go.
Day 3 - Chiang Mai
Best day ever! This is my favorite day in our trip :) For comparison purposes, Bangkok is like Manila, Chiang Mai is like Baguio and Doi Suthep is like Sagada. Chiang Mai is very reserved and peaceful. Away from the bustling city of Bangkok. If you just want to relax, have a good massage and try some cheap but really good food, this is the place to go.
Doi Suthep
The story behind Doi Suthep is really interesting. A relic was placed at the back of a white elephant and let it take it's course so they'll know where the relic should be placed. So the elephant climbed on top of the hill trumpeted and turned around three times, knelt down and died. Just like the Grand Palace, it is the one temple you shouldn't miss in Chiang Mai.
300+ steps up to Doi Suthep
Night Bazaar
Now this is the place where you should buy pasalubong. Scarfs and Tshirts and pants and bags for THB100 or less when you buy in bulk.
Yi Peng
This is what made our day magical. Missing the mass release of the floating lanterns, we comforted ourselves knowing we can still witness and participate in the Yi Peng night. Where you light a candle and set the krathongs to float in the river. It is such a wonderful sight. But to our surprise, hundreds of tourists also lighted lanterns and set it to float in the sky. If you've watched the movie tangled, that is exactly how it looks like. Magical. According to wiki, the candle venerates the Buddha with light and the floating symbolizes letting go of past transgressions and negative thoughts.
Day 4 - Chiang Mai
Baan Chang Elephant Park
My second favorite activity is bonding with these gentle giants and experience being a mahout ( Elephant Trainer) for a single day. I'll be writing more of my experience here in a separate blog.
Chatuchak Weekend Market (Bangkok)
The famous night market in Bangkok. I have around THB8000 and spent THB5000 for all the tours and food so far. So I have THB3000 left to shop. You can find almost everything here if you know where to look. If you want it, buy it, because it's hard to go back where you've already been. I don't know If we weren't just looking hard enough but I wanted to buy the pants with elephant prints and only found 2 stores selling it for THB150 each when they were selling it for THB100 outside the gates of the Grand Palace. I bought 4 pieces and was able to haggle the price down to THB110 (>_<). We also didn't find stores selling I love Bangkok shirts and scarfs here. So really, if you want to buy those things, try the stores near Grand Palace.
Day 5 - Bangkok
We originally scheduled this day to go to the floating market, but some of us have early flights and won't have enough time. And really, with the floating lanterns and the elephants, I wouldn't care less if I missed the floating market. That's how much we enjoyed it. :)
So with a lot of time to spare, we resorted to.. of course shopping ^_^. We went to Platinum mall this time which was just like an air conditioned Chatuchak.
We bought our pasalubongs outside the mall on the side walks with stalls selling I love Bangkok shirts and scarfs and others. We also went to Big C grocery to buy the famous Nestea Milk Tea which tastes like Thai Milk Tea.
So that's how we spent our week in Thailand. \(^_^ )/ Didn't expect it to be this long. But I just wanted to share my experience with others :)
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