Bangkok - a gift to parents

I knew I would return to Bangkok one day for a shopping spree. The last time I was in Bangkok was with my bestie Jonie during Hari Raya Year 2005. This time, I bought the trip for myself and my parents as a gift, or let's just say...for the heck of it. Tix are cheap to Bangkok with Malindo. Unlike rival AirAsia, Malindo has free 20 kg luggage per person and also tidbits/water are served on board. Prices are lower than AirAsia. In short, Malindo is a budget airline with better on-board perks.

Selfie with parents= groupfie

One day before we depart, the military junta in Thailand took over (coup d'état) the country's "temporary government"  after the fall out of the previous prime minister. There has always been demonstrations or protests here and there in Bangkok and this seemed like a usual daily scene, and to me, this is democracy. In fact, the military take over is actually a 'good' thing (not for democracy per se), but to remove demo from the roads as some demonstrations can turn violent (e.g. scores of deaths recorded in Jan 2013). Also it this military wants to set the record straight between the opposition and the temporary government so that democracy can be installed again (i.e. election) in the kingdom. But all sides won't give in.

Headlines on the day of our arrival

Sounds serious, but this demonstrations and coup d'état over the several decades in Bangkok has never hampered tourists coming into Thailand. In fact, the only impact of the coup is that a curfew between 10pm - 5am was implemented to prevent illegal demonstrations on the roads. Tourists only suffer a shorter nightlife (which is what Bangkok is famed for), but otherwise, nothing much has changed. I see ZERO army on the roads at the area Sukhumvit where our hotel is, and 1-2 army guys at Chatuchak market area. Otherwise, life goes on in the city. To the people of Bangkok (Thailand), tourism is no.1 contributor to its GDP and no local would want to hurt their tourism. Oh well, probably Hatyai is the exception.






Bangkok is tourist-friendly and English, albeit it's Thai sing-song slang, is used widely. We made into various shopping malls, and of course the Chatuchak market where shopping is easy-breezy. The exchange rate Ringgit-Baht is quite alright, but mind you, luxury goods in Thailand is not worth buying. All luxury good in Bangkok is as expensive as in Kuala Lumpur. So are the cuisines and food. Conversion shows that a bowl of beef noodles is RM5.00, which is similar to KL rate. Using the Big Mac as the benchmark, their BigMac set is slightly more expensive than in KL.

Chatuchak market needs no explanation!

Beef ball noodles with raw vege

Can't get this delicious milk in KL. I drank so many bottles in Bangkok. Crazy fats.

Using Viator.com, we booked a tour to the infamous but super commercialized and touristy Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak, 100km off Bangkok. Recently only I realized that Viator has many great deals and very reliable site for tours at any nation around the world. We love the tour guide which was very good in English, which the whole journey enlightened us about the country, tourist traps and the political situation in Thailand.

Our half-day tourguide designated by Viator.com

Selfie

She's cooking my Pad Thai

Authentic but quite pricey pad thai at floating market

Back to the floating market - it was indeed a verry touristy area, but since we started the trip early we arrived early at the location with a lesser crowd. It was a very interesting experience for me, and my mum (who initially wanted to have this tour) had a good time buying and eating at the floating market. Yes, pushy sellers are everywhere but they are actually making an honest living, so what's there to complain? Our tour (consisted of 5 ppl including myself), also made a detour to the coconut processing factory, and also the wood-carving factory. All interesting stuffs!



If there's a thing to complain, it's the sunny and hot weather in Bangkok. My Accuweather warned me of sunburn at the average daily temperatures of 36-37 degCelcius in Bangkok. We sweat like a pig at any hawker/outdoor eateries. I really like Bangkok's shopping malls esp. Siam Paragon. 4 days in Bangkok: I went there 3 days to eat, shop and walk. The curfew only affected us in terms of BTS and shopping malls' early closure. Actually we are not affected at all by the curfew, as my old man always wants to rest early at the hotel as he is....oh well, OLD. Nightlife is totally not his thing.

Kyo Roll En is this Japanese dessert cafe in SiamParagon that has a long queue, we thought we need to try what's the hype all about!

Kyo Roll En is famous for their cream Swiss roll with a Japanese twist- green tea

The food is a fusion of: Swiss roll, green tea gelato and honey, snowball dessert,s and frozen green tea candy. Sooo delicious. No regrets! 

They hold hands and hug whenever they go with no embarassement. My parents as a great example of lovebirds at golden age.

Another round of my fav dish in Thailand - PadThai.

Our hotel also upgraded us to a super large room with large beds due to the low tourists turn-out that week and/or cancelation upon hearing of military coup in Bangkok. Oh, what silliness....no way any demonstration can affect us. If you can imagine, you are protesting in say...Dataran Merdeka, and I am sitting in my house in Puchong, what fear do I get? Exactly...NONE. Plus, the protest/demonstrations are mostly centred at the vicinity of government buildings, which is pretty far off our hotel.



Bangkok, albeit the unbearable heat, is a great place to eat. I dare not recommend luxury shopping for us Malaysians (due to prices almost similar for luxury goods), unless you are looking for some specialty Thai brands like Naraya. The bags at Naraya is so sweet and cheap there, I bought so many 'til I drop.



Farewell Bangkok. Next vacation is with my beloved Hubby. Can't wait to go, post and boast!