Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok Trip
1/24-29/17

1 USD$= 35.4110 THB (01.19.17)

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Tue, 24JAN17  UA139 DENVER, CO (DEN) 12:25 PM TOKYO, JAPAN(NRT) 4:35PM(25JAN) 787

Wed, 25JAN17 UA7922 TOKYO, JAPAN(NRT) 5:20 PM BANGKOK, THAILAND(BKK) 10:40PM 787 Flight operated by ANA ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS.

Sun, 29JAN17 UA7968 BANGKOK, THAILAND(BKK) 7:10 AM TOKYO, JAPAN(NRT) 3:05 PM
777-200 Flight operated by ANA ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS.Check in at the ANA ALL NIPPON ticket counter.

Sun, 29JAN17 UA138 TOKYO, JAPAN(NRT) 6:15 PM DENVER, CO(DEN) 12:45 PM 787

TOTAL AIR MILES: 17,350

HOTEL: Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit

TRANSPORTATION: Taxi , Skytrain, Metro and River Taxi
Introduction:  I scheduled a December 2016 trip to Saigon to finish off my year of travel, however I rescheduled it to a January Bangkok trip.  Last year was a busy one and I needed some time to regroup and enjoy the Holidays. I had a positive trip to Bangkok in November 2013 and decided to give it another look and visit some additional sites. I booked dates in Bangkok over the 2017 Chinese New Year Holiday, the year of the Rooster.  I am interested to check out Chinatown during my visit and see what New Years looks like on Saturday January 28th. Several new Wats, a return to the Flower & Vegetable Market and the Chatuchuk Weekend Market are on the list.

I have a very short turn around in Tokyo, a scheduled 45 minutes to catch the Bangkok flight. I am hoping for an early arrival into Tokyo.  The flight from NRT to BKK has a relatively “short” flight time of 7hrs.
I booked the flights through the United website. I then called ANA to get aisle seats in the middle section for my Tokyo/Bangkok flights. I booked the hotel through the Marriott website and reserved at the same hotel I stayed at in 2013. I am expecting hot humid weather and some air quality issues.

Tuesday January 24:

Finished packing. Picked up a cold on the trip to Puerto Vallarta last week so hopefully on the last legs of feeling funky. The decision to carry on luggage has changed up some of the decisions on what to bring due to TSA limitations, but only the sunscreen has been left behind as over 3 oz. As much as I try to limit what I take on a trip, it always seems that there is too much.
Foggy at the house as Jo takes me to the airport. The check in person is busy on her phone so I use the machine and head down to TSA where I am “randomly selected” to go through the scanner at the Pre Check line. We have a plane at gate 32. I think the last time I took the Tokyo flight we used a gate on the west end. Some water and battery charging in the lounge and head to the gate for the 11:35 boarding. At this point we are on schedule and hopefully we won’t have to go through a de ice delay.
On board. Seat 2 D. The new Polaris program has upped the amount of stuff at the seat that needs to be stashed. Not sure what some of it is but 2 pillows new blanket new amenities etc. Shed the shoes and got everything stashed. OJ and Rum served with a chocolate. Ordered lunch. Getting ready to roll. Lots of pounding underneath the plane and maintenance guys walking around. Advertising a 11hr 45 min flight time which would be early. Business is full.

Wheels up 1:03PM 11hr 15 min flight time

1:38 568mph 35998′ time of arrival 4:14P
Heading northwest over Wyoming

Lunchtime

2:40
Over Canada
545mph 37999′ distance traveled 1049miles

Wednesday January 25:

6:27pm
Heading out from Alaska
548mph 40000″ distance traveled 3407miles
5hr46min to go

8:47pm off Russia
529mph 39999′ distance traveled 4857miles

10:28pm approaching northern Japan
529mph 40998′ distance traveled 5928miles
1hr46min to go

11:47pm on approach to Narita
438mph 20343′ 106miles to go

Touchdown 12:17am MT 4:17pm Tokyo

Looks like I will have time to get through the transit formalities and get on the flight to Bangkok. Quick roll through international connections security and a check of the flight board for ANA 807 shows gate 44. Gate 44 turns out to be a San Francisco flight gate but Bangkok was around the corner at gate 47. Crowded area. Repacked some stuff and tried to get on the free wifi without success. Boarding delayed, but got on the business line (Star Alliance Gold) so it is a quick onboard once we start rolling. Seat 31D. Back of the plane. The seats have more width and leg space than United’s economy plus. More comfortable as well with more features such as USB charging. Advertising a 6hr43min flight. 2886 miles.

Wheels up at 5:52pm Tokyo Time.

Food drink movies and a long ride to Bangkok.
Between 13 and 14 degrees N latitude
Touchdown: 10:39pm Bangkok Time
86 degrees

Taxi to the hotel 600BHT (Approx. $17 US)  There is a train connection from the airport to a station on the SkyTrain Network that is less expensive.  However the train network closes at Midnight so my arrival time was on the edge for getting to one of the last trains into the city so I went with the cab.

Easy check in – Rm. 3308    I get connected to the internet and get through the mail and updates and get a good face time connection to Colorado. Unpack a little into this Comfortable room and do some planning updates for tomorrow as I surf through the local and international TV stations. +14hrs time change and Airplane food & drink for the past day equals need for sleep which comes on and off with the tossing and turning as the TV glares on.

Thursday January 26:  11.6mile walkabout

Bright morning, city is busy, breakfast in the lounge, ready to get out and about.  I choose to walk around the cities and places I visit as much as possible.  For this trip I researched via Google massage spas and came up with a list of interesting places catering to a variety of clientele requiring various services.  I was looking for a professional spa similar to what we would find at a good hotel in the US and picked the Health Land Spa Asoke.  It was one SkyTrain stop and a short walk from my hotel.  Their menu, pricing and reviews looked good.  I was interested in checking out their Foot Massage to make my feet happy for the day ahead. So I headed to the Spa.

There is a market set up across from the hotel.  Folks are setup selling vegetables, fish, flowers, and there are big vats cooking up ducks for the New Years Celebration.  Many small shops and eateries on the walk to the train. The spa is easy to find.  I did not make a reservation but I am here shortly after opening and there is no problem getting signed up for a 1hr foot massage.  And it was great!

Foot Massage at Healthland Asok – just right
Short walk from Asok/Sukhumvit Stations.
Full service spa with multiple locations. Reasonable rates/good service.

Skytrain to Siphon Taksin – Walk to Sathorn Station – Dock stop for the river taxis and ferry boats.

Blue Flag River Tourist Boat to Flower Market Pak Khlong – 40BHT one way

My intent was to go directly to Chinatown after the river markets via Yaowarat Rd.

Missed Chinatown Yaowarat Rd. – I got caught up in and wandered around a maze of markets, seemingly endless, which were grouped by product: flowers, vegetables, clothing, shoes, gold, electronics, neon signage, chain, rope, trophies etc.

Noodle Dish w Chicken at a small setup on a street in a market area. – I put too much chili powder on it, but still managed to get it down much to the amusement of the folks sitting around me.  40BHT w/ bottled water. Took awhile to get the feeling back in my mouth and for my eyes to stop watering.

Resumed my walk and came upon several Wats and the Giant Swing. Wat Suthatthepwararam and Wat Thepthidaram Worawihan were near a market area where religious statues, some shrink wrapped, were the predominant product.

Ended up at Wat Ratchamabohit and the Golden Mount – fun walk to the mount with large bells and statues lining the walkway. Good view around Bangkok from the top.

Walked back to Chinatown determined to find Yaowarat Road.  I got a bit turned around coming out of the Golden Mount compound, but I was able to get back on track with my bare boned hotel map and the compass app on my phone.

Walked Yaowarat Rd to Wat Traimit, home of the Golden Buddha, which is actually made out of solid gold. Yaowarat is a much larger and busier street than I was expecting and the crowded sidewalks diverted pedestrians out into the on coming traffic along the side of the road.  Thailand drives on the left side of the road, a holdover from the colonial British influences. I end up looking both right and left when crossing streets.

Street Merchants and shops selling new year’s accessories for 2017 the year of the rooster, food, flowers, various tourist shops and much activity.  Some food stands getting setup in spaces where it didn’t seem there was room. Crowded busy street both pedestrians and vehicles. Many side streets that look interesting and less congested. Planning to get back here on New Years Day.

Chinatown Gate signals my exit from Chinatown and I start looking for the Bangkok Train Station and the nearby Hua Lampong metro station.

Trouble finding Metro due to road construction which has been ongoing since my last visit in 2013. I wandered down some wrong streets for awhile, then headed back towards the China Gate. Asked for help at the Wat Tramit and caused an event as they pointed me in the right direction all the while laughing and talking with each other.

Back to hotel – dinner and drinks. Still relatively early so headed out for an evening walk.

Checked out Soi Cowboy, one of city’s Red Light districts. It’s just a busy short narrow street/ alley filled with bars/clubs, neon, music spilling out from the clubs, available young women and checkin’ it out tourists. Not crowded and boisterous, but it’s early, 7PM, and the action probably isn’t up to speed yet. Not as interesting as Amsterdam to walk around, but very small area and once down the street was enough.

Back to hotel

Friday January 27  4.9mile walkabout

Foot Massage at Healthland Asok – very hard

MRT to Silom Station – Short walk to Sala Daeng Skytrain Station, catch train to Siphon Taksin

Walk towards the river to the Sathorn Station for the water taxis.

Orange Flag Phraya River (Chao Phraya) Express Boat from Sathorn to Wat Arun

17BHT one way – Pack ‘em in full boat

Wat Arun under construction – Duck w/ noodles lunch 40BHT at a little setup on the side of the compound. Looked for some prints/temple rubbings in the small market by the river I visited in 2013, but the vendors and products had changed and I didn’t find the prints.  There is a small stand where you can rent costumes from ancient times and dress up for photo opportunities by the Temple.  The construction hampers movement around the Temple and as it gets busier the easy flow is lost, so I head for the Ferry.

Cross River Ferry to Tha Tien – River Stop for Wat Pho for 15BHT

Wat Pho is a short walk from the ferry and also very busy. – hot day – Reclining Buddha is getting some foot maintenance. I extend my visit into the quieter areas of the Temple compound.  Bright blue sunny sky, I grab a seat by a rocked pool with a waterfall and people watch as I relax enjoying the falling water.  On my previous visit I got a foot massage at the on site massage school, but it wasn’t that good (students practicing) but was interesting to visit. There are multiple halls around courtyards with rows of golden Buddhas and in the middle of the courtyards are large tall ornate Stupas.  At a little ceremonial garden across from the bench I was sitting on, an orange robed monk laid out some treats from a plastic shopping bag for the birds. I got so relaxed I started dozing so I got moving and headed to the ferry dock, but the approach was crowded with shoppers at the small market at the dock and the dock area itself was packed with people so I headed off down the road to find an alternate ferry stop.

Walked to the Memorial Bridge Stop and caught the orange flag boat to Sathorn (Central) stop.

Skytrain to Siam Station and transfer to Thong Lo train.

Jet lag not too bad, but once back at the hotel it is hard to get back out.  I checkout the small market next to the hotel, get some dinner and call it a day.

Saturday January 28 – Chinese New Year –  3mile walkabout

Foot Massage at Health Land Asok – too light

Skytrain to Mo Chit Station

Chatuchak Weekend Market was going strong. Too large for me to digest in one day, but good time in the very busy flow.

Chicken Pad Thai and an orange flavored water – 70BHT at a little set up in the market.  I came upon it while wondering through the stalls, don’t know if I would be able to find it again.  Very good.

No steam left after 4hrs of shopping. I had planned to return to Chinatown for some more exploration, but the talk at the lounge was that the new year’s celebration was toned down due to the death of the king.

MRT to Sukhumvit w/ transfer to Skytrain back to Thong Lo.

Starting to pack – Early exit to the airport on Sunday Morning.

Lounge for dinner and drinks. Sai arranged a Cab to the airport for tomorrow 4:30AM

Nu said he would have a snack box waiting for me at checkout.

Excellent support by the Executive Lounge Team: Nu, Bank, Pakboong, & Sai

49th floor photo op – told no tripod after I had some shots “Those are the rules”

 

Sunday January 30

Some sleep

Up at 3am

Finished packing

Head to lobby checkout at 4:30am

Coffee, Breakfast box and Taxi

Very Fast drive to BKK. Not much traffic. 700bht

Check in Gold Alliance line
Security and passport control

Thai Orchid Lounge next to D gates

Wifi and soup w/ rice

 

Gate D3 board with Business, economy seat 23D

6hr flight to Narita

Wheels up at 7:22am Bangkok time

Ground Speed 726mph !!!?!!! at 37,000′

Touchdown at 3:46pm Tokyo time (1:46pm Bangkok time)

Short delay getting through the Transit security check, several planes in at the same time. Headed to the United Lounge.

Internet sign on in the United lounge problematic, works OK once you use the “yahoo.co.jp” to get the login page. Took me a minute to figure it out.

Boarding for Denver at 5:25pm

Supposedly the Internet in the lounge is going down for Maintenance, but never affected by an outage.

Got a beer from the pouring machine.

A lot of good art in the lounge. They have added a number of floral prints.

Boarding went well for the Denver flight.

9hrs44 min advertised flight time per Bill the flight service manager, some more of the favorable tailwinds we had coming out of Bangkok?

Kay the flight attendant on my flight out is also on board.

wheels up 6:17pm Tokyo time

7:47am MT 38999′ 602mph ground speed 2528 miles to go

Arrival 12:04pm MT (yes it’s still Sunday!)

Touchdown 12:02pm MT

Easy re-entry through Global Entry, bags took awhile to arrive and then the regular issue with priority bags coming out mid-stream and last.

Found Jo and headed for home.

 

Summary/Observations:

United has launched a new service level in International Business called Polaris. It encompasses three areas: better service, exclusive lounges and better seating. The implementation of lounges and better seating have begun however full implementation is years out. The on board better service portion has engaged. I didn’t find much difference from previous flights but the amenity package is new as are the bedding items including pajamas! Some of the dinner service timing was a bit rushed, but overall a good end to end flight experience. May be I will get to check out the upgraded single pod seats and the exclusive lounge experience on some future journey. I have noticed that the flights that have all three components going for them today are more expensive.

Traveling in economy for the flights on ANA was not too bad as their seating and services are superior to the United economy plus experience. Big difference between the new 787 and the “old” 777 in terms of seat comfort, legroom and entertainment options. The flight attendant service level on both flights was very good as was the food and beverage offerings.

I picked a busy tourist time for this trip to Bangkok. Chinese New Year. The trains, Sky Train and Metro, were often packed however no where near the density of Beijing or Shanghai. The weather was 90’s during the day and 70’s at night. The humidity was less than my previous visit, but still took some getting used to. The air was polluted, but at a non-critical level. Seemed like normal city air. The transit systems, Metro and Skytrain, are a good way to get around. I did not use the available bus, Tuk-Tuk or scooter options. Train price per ride varies according to the number of stations traveled. It is good to have a pocket full of change for the train ticket machines, however there are few machines per station so most of the time I needed to queue up to get a ticket. There is a multiday pass option that I didn’t get which would most likely speed travel up.

Getting a foot massage every morning was a good way to start the day. The Health Land Spa I went to was very professional, reasonably priced and got me relaxed and renewed for another day of walking about. I don’t know about the quality of the other services offered, they have an extensive menu, but would assume at least the same caliber. They have multiple locations across Bangkok.

The Wat Arun was under construction, a refurbishment program is underway. Wat Pho was busy especially in the temple with the reclining Buddha. The feet of the reclining Buddha were covered up and partitioned off, undergoing some sort of treatment. The Golden Mount was a good find with 360 degree city views. The Chatuchak Weekend Market is great fun if you like big busy markets offering a very wide selection of products, from tourist items to food to clothing to housewares, etc.

Thailand is mourning the death this past October of their King Bhumibol. He ruled for 70 years and was much loved by Thai citizens. His son, Vajiralongkorn, is now King and he would like to rule from Munich, Germany where he has lived for the last few years. The country has been under control of a military junta who seized control in 2014 following pro-democracy protests. There were shrines to the past King seemingly every block or two in the city core. The Chinese New Year celebration was tempered down to meet the mourning expectations. So no loud whirling bright dragons with bursting fireworks type celebration in Bangkok.

There is a lot to see in Bangkok and the surrounding towns and my three days put a small dent in the list of sights. I would like to journey outside of Bangkok on my next visit which would include a visit to Phuket Island to the south and the northern city of Chiang Mai. Street food opportunities didn’t seem as numerous this time, but those that I took advantage of were inexpensive and provided good to very good meals. The Thai people are friendly and smile easily. The Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit is conveniently located a block from the Thong Lo Skytrain Station. The hotel offers good rates for excellent rooms and service.
References:

bangkok.com a site run by hotels.com

heartland.com the site for the SPA chain

marriott.com hotel site

united.com airline site

suvarnabhumiairport.com airport site

Ten Best Bangkok, Eyewitness Travel

The tourist map provided by the hotel