THAILAND

TRANSPORT

I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT MUST BE OVERCOME TO FIND OUT, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH BUS RUNS ON A GIVEN LINE AND BUY A TICKET FOR IT. IN MANY TOWNS WITH POORLY DEVELOPED TOURISM, IN ADDITION TO THE LANGUAGE BARRIER, WE ENCOUNTER A LACK OF INTEREST IN WHAT A BIT OF FARTHEST NEIGHBORS ARE DOING.. AS A RESULT, SOLVING A SIMPLE TASK CONSUMES A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY.

THERE ARE OF COURSE GUIDES AND THERE IS INTERNET, BUT … EVEN THE BEST GUIDES HAVE A PATINA OF THE TIME ON THEMSELVES. THE INTERNET IS VERY HELPFUL FUNCTIONS WHEN YOU HAVE ACCESS TO IT. HOWEVER A LARGE PART OF MESSAGES OBTAINED THROUGH IT DOESN’T HAVE VALUES, BECAUSE THEY WERE WRITTEN IN A LANGUAGE TOO DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND IT FOR E.G. BY GOOGLE. AS A RESULT, GETTING AT 90% SURE INFORMATION ABOUT, SAY, THE DEPARTURE TIME OF A BUS CAN TAKE HALF A DAY.

AT EVERY BUS STATION THERE IS A MANAGING GUY – THE STATION MANAGER. HE IMMEDIATELY COMES TO YOU, ASKS YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO AND SHOWS THE POSITION FROM WHICH THE BUS LEAVES. IT IS A COMBINATION OF THE TIMETABLE WITH THE STATION MANAGER.

• FLIGHT WITH BANGKOK AIRLINES TO CHIANG MAI – THE LINE IS NOT BIG, BUT IT FEEDS GREAT, EVEN ON SUCH A SHORT ROUTE AS THIS ONE. NO STRESS. RECOMMEND
  

• BTS – BANGKOK SKY TRAIN. WE BUY TICKETS FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP EVEN IF WE HAVE A CHANGE ON THE WAY.
  ATTENTION: THERE ARE TICKET MACHINES AT EVERY STATION, MOST OFTEN ACCEPTING ONLY COINS. IN THIS CASE, YOU HAVE TO GO TO A SPECIAL WINDOW TO CHANGE THE NOTES. USUALLY, THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PROBLEM. BUT SOMETIMES WE ARE IN A HURRY, AND THERE IS A QUEUE AND THEN WE GOT A PROBLEM. JUST IN CASE, HAVE IN YOUR POCKET SMALL CHANGE BEING ENOUGH TO BUY THE TICKET WITHOUT WAITING. ON SEVERAL STATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE ON THE WONGWIAN YAI, THERE ARE ALSO VENDING MACHINES FOR SWAPPING BANKNOTES. ALL TICKET MACHINES HAVE SEVERAL LANGUAGE OPTIONS AND PICTORIAL INTUITIVE EXPLANATIONS. FIRST, CHOOSE THE STATION TO WHICH YOU WANT TO GO, THEN BUY A TICKET FOR THE PRICE INDICATED.

• METRO IS CALLED MRT. THERE ARE TWO LINES OF BTS SKYTRAIN AND TWO MRT SUBWAY LINES. THE RULES OF RUNNING LIKE EVERYWHERE, THAT IS, LINES GOT INDIVIDUAL STOPS AND INTERCHANGES.

• RIVER TRANSPORT – RULES FOR MOVING AROUND.
  THERE ARE VARIOUS WATER LINES ALONG MENAM. A COLOUR DETERMINES THEM: ORANGE, GREEN, YELLOW. BOATS ARE MARKED WITH FLAGS IN THESE COLOURS. SIMILARLY MARINAS. TICKET PRICES DEPEND ON THE USED LINE. TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE TICKET OFFICE AT THE MARINA OR DIRECTLY ON THE BOAT. WORKING HOURS OF WATER TRAMS. THE LAST TRANSPORTS ARE AROUND 19:45.

• FROM THE HOTEL TO THE AIRPORT – TO THE PLANE AT 9 AM. WE HAD THE CHECK-IN DONE, BUT WE HAD TO DROP MAIN LUGGAGE. IN OUR CASE, THE BEST WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT WAS TO TAKE THE BTS TO THE PHAYA THAI STOP, AND CHANGE TO BANGKOK AIRPORT RAIL GOING DIRECTLY TO THE AIRPORT. THE BTS WONG WIAN YAI IS STARTING WORKING AT 5:30. THE OPENING HOUR IS CLOSELY RELATED TO THE PASSAGE OF THE FIRST TRAIN STARTING ITS RUN IN BANG WA. YOU BUY A TICKET HERE FOR THE ENTIRE BTS ROUTE – COST 48 THB. GETTING TO SIAM (SILOM LINE) – TRANSFER POINT TO THE SUKHUMVIT LINE – TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES. TOTAL JOURNEY TO THE PHAYA THAI STATION, CONNECTING BANGKOK CITY CENTER WITH THE AIRPORT BY AIRPORT RAIL LINK LASTS 25 min. THE BANGKOK AIRPORT RAIL LINK TO THE AIRPORT GOES BETWEEN 30 TO 45 min. THE FIRST TRAIN LEAVES AT 6:00. IT COSTS 45 THB. ACCESS FROM THE SUVARNABHUMI STATION TO THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE IS A MATTER OF A MAXIMUM OF 10 MINUTES WALK. WE MANAGED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.

• AIRPORT – WE HAD AN ONLINE CHECK-IN, BUT BEWARE !!!! – WE DID NOT RECEIVE BOARDING PASSES ON OUR E-MAILS, AND WE WERE AFRAID THAT IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME FOR US TO COLLECT THEM. NO WORRIES. WE STOOD AT THE QUEUE SERVING THE SO-CALLED LUGGAGE DROP AND IN A FLASH WE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. THE SECURITY CHECK ALSO WENT QUITE SMOOTHLY. IT WAS WORSE WITH PASSPORT CONTROL. WE STOOD IN THE QUEUE FOR A GOOD 30 MINUTES. IN MY OPINION, DEFINITELY TOO LONG. ONLY TWO WINDOWS WERE OPEN. WE SUGGEST THAT YOU PUT YOURSELF IN THE QUEUE FOR PASSPORT CONTROL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF IT’S POSSIBLE, SEND SOMEONE FASTER TO GET YOU A PLACE IN IT.

• GETTING TO TRAT BY A MULTI-PERSON TAXI

• TAXI FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE LOCAL OLD TOWN COSTS 150 THB. TUK – TUK 120 THB

• GETTING TO THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE – DOI SUTHEP – ABOUT 25 KM FROM THE CITY CENTRE. IT’S BEST TO GO BY THE SO-CALLED RED TAXI. A GROUP RIDE SHOULD COST ABOUT 60 THB PER PERSON. NOTE: THE FEWER PEOPLE GO, THE HIGHER THE PRICE PER PERSON. THE DRIVER MAY REQUEST 300 THB FOR SUCH A COURSE.

• TAXI – HOTEL – BUS STATION

• THE BUS TO SUKHOTHAI DEPARTS AT 8:45. IN NOT VERY BIG CITIES OF ASIA BUS STATIONS GENERALLY LIE ON THEIR OUTSKIRTS. SO IT IS IN CHIANG MAI. ON TERMINAL 2, A BUS TO SUKHOTHAI STOPS A FEW METERS FROM THE TICKET OFFICES ON STAND NUMBER 15. WE ENCOUNTERED THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WHEN BUYING TICKETS. ALL THE SOURCES WE CAME ACROSS WHEN LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON THE PRICE OF BUS TICKETS FROM CHIANG MAI TO SUKHOTHAI, GAVE THE AMOUNT OF 400 THB. MEANWHILE, THE CASHIER GAVE ME TICKETS COSTING 270 THB BY ITEM. I ASKED, SURPRISED, IF IT WAS A MINI-BUS FEE AND IF THE VEHICLE HAS AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. SHE POINTED TO A LARGE, DEFINITELY AIR-CONDITIONED, WELL-LOOKING MACHINE BEHIND ME …

• BUS TO KANCHANABURI

• TUK-TUK FROM BUS STATION TO BLUE STAR GUEST HOUSE. YOU HAVE TO HAGGLE

• TUK-TUK FROM THE HOSTEL TO THE BRIDGE ON THE KWAI RIVER

• TUK-TUK FROM THE DEATH RAILWAY TO THAILAND-BURMA RAILWAY CENTRE VIA CHONG KAI CEMETERY AND WAITING THERE FOR app. 20 min.

• BUS TO KORAT. WE HAD TO REACH SURIN FOR THE ANNUAL ELEPHANT FESTIVAL. WE DID NOT REALLY LIKE GOING THROUGH BANGKOK. THERE WERE TWO OTHER ROUTES INVOLVED: BY AJUTTHAJA OR KORAT. BOTH EITHER BY BUS OR BY BUS AND TRAIN. THE ROUTE THROUGH KORAT SEEMED BETTER. FROM THERE, IT WAS CLOSER TO SURIN. HOWEVER, IT HAD A SERIOUS DRAWBACK. THE BUS TO KORAT FROM KANCHANABURI WAS AT 18:30. THE RIDE WAS TO LAST FOR 6-7 HOURS. ARRIVAL TO KORAT WOULD BE AROUND 1:00 AM. KORAT IS A BIG CITY, IT HAS A RAILWAY STATION. FROM THE TIMETABLE, WHICH I REACHED VIA THE INTERNET, IT RESULTED THAT THERE IS A LOT OF TRAINS TO SURIN FROM THERE. WE WOULD HAVE TO GET TO THE TRAIN STATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. AND THAT WAS THE PAIN. UNLESS WE GET A LOST BUS GOING TO SURIN. AT NIGHT WE WERE AWOKEN BY A DRIVER SHOUTING KORAT, KORAT !!! WE GOT OFF. THE GUY SITTING AT A TABLE AND SELLING TICKETS HEARING PASSWORD SURIN, SHOWED STANDING NEXT TO HIM, READY TO RIDE A BUS …

• MULTI-PERSON FARE FROM FERRY TO LONELY BEACH

• RENTING A SCOOTER – THERE ARE MANY RENTAL COMPANIES. THEY OFFER VEHICLES IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS FROM 200 TO 350 THB / DAY. WE RENTED FOR 150 THB. WE HAD TO LEAVE THE PASSPORT IN THE DEPOSIT. EVERYONE IS RIDING HERE ON SCOOTERS. A FEW USE BICYCLES. LACK OF THE ABILITY TO MANAGE SUCH A ROCKET OR THE BICYCLE, LIMITS THE MOVEMENT TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT. OF COURSE, NOBODY ASKS IF YOU KNOW DRIVING. ATTENTION: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE RENTED VEHICLE IS SUFFICIENTLY STRONG, BECAUSE THE ROADS ON THE ISLAND OFTEN HAVE LARGE ELEVATIONS AND IF YOUR SCOOTER HAS AN ENGINE BELOW 125 cm³, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OVERCOME THE CLIMB WHEN TWO PERSON RIDING ON IT. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS.

• FROM KOH CHANG TO THE CAPITAL OF THAILAND, YOU CAN SHIFT YOURSELF USING ONE OF TWO WAYS: BY MINIBUS OR COACH. TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT AT ANY TOURIST AGENCY. IF YOU DO IT EARLIER, YOU HAVE A CHANCE FOR A SMALL FINANCIAL BONUS. THE COACH GOES ABOUT 90 MINUTES LONGER THAN MINIBUS AND COSTS 550 / PP, INCLUDING ALL FEES: TRANSPORT FROM THE HOTEL TO THE FERRY; FERRY; AND THE MAIN ONE – TRIP TO BANGKOK. TRAVEL BY MINIBUS IS PRICED SLIGHTLY HIGHER – 650 THB. SHORTER RIDE, BUT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE MINI BUSES HAVE WI-FI, BUT YOU CERTAINLY WILL NOT GO COMFORTABLY. THERE IS MUCH MORE SPACE AT REGULAR BUS, AND YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ADDITIONAL FREE SEATS. IN BOTH CASES, THE PRICE OF THE TICKET INCLUDES TRAVEL FROM THE HOTEL TO THE FERRY, FERRY CROSSING AND TRANSPORT TO BANGKOK. IN BANGKOK, YOU CAN GET OFF AT HUA LAMPHONG RAILWAY STATION OR KHAO SAN. BECAUSE OF THE CONVENIENCE WE CHOSE A BIG BUS. ON THE WAY, THE VEHICLE STOPS FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AT THE PLACE WITH A LARGE RESTAURANT AND SEVERAL FOOD STORES.

• BY BUS TO SURIN

• AT THE STATION IN NANG RONG THE NUMBER OF TAXIS IS SMALL, BUT THEY HAVE A MOTOR BIKE RENTAL.
• YOU CAN RENT A MOTORBIKE ALSO AT THE P. CALIFORNIA HOSTEL. THERE ARE VARIOUS TYPES OF SCOOTERS HERE. THE PRICE, HOWEVER, IS THE HIGHEST FROM WE PAID SO FAR – 300 THB / 24 H. ATTENTION: I’M NOT SURE, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS SOME CONNECTION, BETWEEN MOTOR BIKE RENTAL AT THE BUS STATION AND HOSTEL. I SUGGEST YOU CHECK IT BECAUSE THEN THOSE WITH A SMALL LUGGAGE COULD AVOID THE COST OF TRAVEL BY TAXI OR TUK-TUK TO THE HOSTEL.

• THE PHANOM RUNG HISTORICAL PARK IS ABOUT 30 km FROM NANG RONG. THE ROUTE IS SIMPLE AND UNCOMPLICATED. FIRST, YOU GO BY THE VERY WIDE TWO-LANE ROAD. IT IS RATHER A HIGHWAY THAN A HIGH-SPEED ROAD. DRIVING IS OK. IT IS CLEARLY VISIBLE WHEN YOU SHOULD TURN RIGHT. THE FURTHER ROUTE (ABOUT HALF THE WAY) LEADS THROUGH SEVERAL SMALL VILLAGES.

• WE WANT TO GET TO THE ISLAND OF KO CHANG (KOH CHANG). BUS (FROM THE STATION) TO CHANTHABURI ARRIVES FROM BURIAM (BURI RAM) – WITH THE TIME OF THIS BUS DEPARTURE WE HAD A PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. ONE ARE SAYING THAT COACH IS GOING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. OTHER SAY THERE ARE COURSES ABOUT 8 am AND 4 pm. WE OPTED FOR THE NIGHT. EVERYTHING GONE WELL. BUS ARRIVED SLIGHTLY LATER – AT AROUND 1:00 am.

• DRIVING FROM PRASAT HIN PHANOM RUNG TO MUANG TAM TAKES 15 MINUTES.

• HONDA SCOOTER RENTAL

• BY BUS – NEW SUKHOTHAI TO KANCHANABURI WITH TRANSFER IN KAMPHAENG PHET
  THERE IS NO DIRECT BUS FROM SUKHOTHAI. SURFING THE INTERNET LED TO NOT VERY CHEERFUL CONCLUSIONS, I.E. THE TRAVEL WITH NUMEROUS CHANGES. ONE OF THE INFORMATION POINTED TO A RELATIVELY SIMPLE WAY, WITH ONE CHANGE AT KAMPHAENG PHET – DISTANCED FROM NEW SUKHOTHAI ABOUT 60 – 90 MINUTES BY BUS. AT THE STATION IN NEW SUKHOTHAI WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH CONFIRMING THIS INFORMATION, BUT IN THE END WE WERE ABLE TO DO IT THANKS TO A POLITE EMPLOYEE FROM THE INFORMATION OFFICE. IN FACT, IN THE MORNING AT 9 am FROM CHIANG MAI RUNS A BUS TO KANCHANABURI STOPPING AT KAMPHAENG PHET AROUND 12:00 / 12:30 pm. IN ORDER TO BE IN TIME FOR IT WE HAD TO LEAVE NEW SUKHOTHAI ABOUT 9 am.

• THE TRANSPORT FROM OLD SUKHOTHAI IS GOING TO NEW SUKHOTHAI EVERY 30 MINUTES

• THE BUS TO KAMPHAENG PHET CAME AS PLANNED, AS WELL AS THE NEXT ONE. IN FACT, IT IS THE FIRST COUNTRY KNOWN TO ME, IN WHICH A VERY DIVERSE (MANY CARRIERS) BUS TRANSPORT IS SO PUNCTUAL.

• BUS TO NANG RONG – A LOT OF CONNECTIONS. DO NOT EXPECT LUXURY. NEITHER A SQUEEZE…

• FERRY TO THE ISLAND OF KOH CHANG. NOTE: IF FROM KOH CHANG YOU WILL BE GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE BY BUS (EG TO BANGKOK) DO NOT BUY ON THE FERRY RETURN TICKETS. IN THE ABOVE CASE THE FERRY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE BUS

ACCOMMODATION

PRICES FOR DOUBLE ROOMS WITH AIR-CONDITIONING AND BATHROOM (DB + B)

• KLEAN RESIDENCE HOTEL STANDING IN A LITTLE BIT DARK ALLEY WAS VERY NICE. ENTERING THROUGH THE WALLED GARAGE. IT IS A BRAND NEW PLACE WITH VERY NICE SERVICE AND GOOD PRICES. A ROOM WITH A NUMBER OF SHELVES ON THE WALL, A PLACE TO HANG THINGS, HANGERS, A LOCKER, A SAFE, A LARGE BED, BEDSIDE TABLES, A DESK, A FRIDGE, A KETTLE AND A SMALL BALCONY COST 79 ZLOTYS ON OFFER. NEXT TO 7/11 SHOP THERE ARE WASHING MACHINES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND SOME STALLS WITH VARIOUS STREET FOOD. 100 M FURTHER IS THE BTS OVERGROUND RAILWAY STOP.THANKS TO THE GREAT CONNECTION TO THE RIVER-BANK TRAM AND OTHER LINES OF THE OVERHEAD TRAINS, THE CHOICE OF THIS HOTEL TURNED OUT TO BE A BULL’S EYE. ADDITIONAL PLUSES ARE ALSO LOCATED NEARBY – ON THE STREET SOI KRUNG THONBURI 1, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WONGWIAN YAI STATION – LARGER CONVENIENCE STORES. THERE ARE: NEXT, MUCH BETTER 7/11; LYING 50 M AWAY TESCO EXPRESS AND THE STORE OF THE LOCAL TOPS DAILY NETWORK, LOCATED ABOUT A FEW DOZEN METERS AWAY. ALL OF THESE STORES SUPPORT PAYMENT CARDS. THE MOST EXPENSIVE IS 7/11. THE OTHER TWO HAVE VERY SIMILAR PRICES. I RECOMMEND LOCAL SANG SOM RUM WITH COKE FOR ALCOHOL SEEKERS. IT COSTS 302 THB IN 7/11 SHOP, AND IN THE OTHER TWO RETAIL CHAINS SHOPS 279. ON THE MENTIONED ABOVE WIDE ARTERY, OVER WHICH STANDS THE CONCRETE PILLARS OF THE BTS IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT EATERIES (ON THE SIDE WHERE THE HOTEL, GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAN THE CITY CENTRE, I.E. LEFT). QUITE CLOSE TO THE WONGWIAN YAI STOP, NEXT TO ANOTHER 7/11 YOU CAN EAT WELL AT THE PHOONSUPH RESTAURANT. IT EVEN HAS SOME DIPLOMAS CERTIFYING THE HIGH PLACES IN THE LOCAL CULINARY FESTIVALS. YOU EAT HERE WELL AND INEXPENSIVELY. HOWEVER, MUCH MORE INTERESTING FOOD AND MORE CHOICES CAN BE FOUND ON SOMDET PHRA CHAO TAK SIN Rd.
  ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WALK 650 m FROM THE HOTEL, TURN LEFT AND YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY FIND A LARGE EATERY ON THE SIDEWALK, LITERALLY IN FRONT OF THE GAS STATION, BESIEGED BY THE LOCALS. GOING FURTHER YOU WILL NOT MAKE A MISTAKE, TOO. ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENING YOU WILL FIND HERE PLENTY INTERESTING TO EAT STREET FOOD …

• GAP’S HOUSE – REASONABLE PRICES. VERY RECOMMENDED. BOOK EARLY !!!
  

• RENDEZVOUS GUEST HOUSE & CAFÉ – I FINDED CHEAPER ONES ON THIS SAME STREET
  

• AMPAWAN HOUSE – A LARGE ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR. WITH THE BATHROOM AND SOMETHING LIKE A BALCONY BEFORE THE ENTRANCE COMPLETELY SATISFIED US. ADDRESS: 7/1 RACHADAMNOEN RD. SOI 5, AMPHOE MUEANG CHIANG MAI, CHIANG MAI CHANG WATT 50,200TH STREET GOES FROM THE STREET RACHADAMNOEN.
  

• BLUE STAR GUEST HOUSE – A LARGE RANGE OF ROOMS WITH BATHROOMS WITH DIFERENT PRICES. WE CHOSE THE CHEAPEST ONE WITH AIR CONDITIONING FOR JUST ONE NIGHT. DECENT, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE GOOD TO PAINT (REFRESH) IT. PROPERTY LOCATED BY THE RIVER AT FULL OF BARS MAENAMKWAI STREET. THE ROOMS DO NOT HAVE A GREAT DESIGN, BUT MANY OF THEM ARE SURROUNDED BY LUSH, MAGNIFICENT GREENERY. ALSO SO-CALLED THE COMMON ZONE IS BEAUTIFULLY SITUATED. NICE ACCESS TO THE RIVER BY A FOOT BRIDGE BETWEEN HOUSES WITH TINY BALCONIES DROWNING IN GREENERY. IF YOU WANT TO RENT A BUNGALOW, DO IT EARLIER. WE CAME HERE BUT THAT’S WAS SHOT IN THE DARK.

• HOTEL PLOY INN (LONELY BEACH) – HOTEL LOCATED RELATIVELY FAR FROM ANY NOISY PLACES WITH THE OPTION OF ACCOMMODATION IN LARGE, SPACIOUS ROOMS WITH BATHROOMS. WITH AND WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING. FOR 700 AND 500, RESPECTIVELY.

• A SMALL SANDY BEACH WITH A FEW LODGING PLACES ON THE SEAFRONT. A GOOD PLACE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE LARGE RESOURCES, WANT TO SPEND A FEW DAYS IN COMFORT, WITH ALL THE NECESSARY FACILITIES AT HAND.

• P. CALIFORNIA – HIGHLY LISTED HOSTEL LOCATED QUITE FAR FROM THE CENTRE. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO AN AGRITOURISM FARM WITH A NOTE OF HIPPIE ELEMENTS ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY. THE OWNER AND CREW SPEAK GREAT ENGLISH. WE EXAMINED OFFERED ROOMS. THEY ARE DISAPPOINTING IN TERMS OF THE PRICE. FOR THE FIRST BEDROOM SHOWN – OF COURSE WITH BATHROOM AND AIR CONDITIONING – THEY WANTED 600 THB. IT SHOOK ME UP. IN A LITTLE-KNOWN TOURIST HOLE, THE NIGHT IS GOING TO COST THE MOST EXPENSIVE? JOKING ASIDE. I HAVE CLEARLY STATED THAT THE PRICE HAS SCARED ME AND I AM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SIMILAR, BUT NOT IN TERMS OF PRICE. A ROOM FOR 400 WAS OPENED IMMEDIATELY. THE SAME CONDITIONS, ONLY SMALLER SPACE. WE ACCEPTED. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THAILAND, WE HAVE A DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT. 200 THB FOR THE ROOM KEY …
  FROM THE LP’S MESSAGE IT APPEARED THAT YOU CAN RENT A MINIBIKE HERE. IN TRUTH, IT WAS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL INFO PUSHING US FOR LOOKING OF THIS PLACE. INDEED, THEY ARE HERE OF DIFFERENT KIND SCOOTERS. HOWEVER, THE PRICE IS THE HIGHEST FROM THOSE PAID SO FAR – 300 THB / 24 h.

• HOTEL NANGRONG – LOCATED CLOSE TO THE CENTRE. THE OWNER VERY NICE AND OBLIGING, GREAT ENGLISH SPEAKER. THE PLACE LOOKS GOOD, BUT I DID NOT CHECK THE DETAILS. I RECOMMEND IT ANYWAY.

• J-SECURE GH – THE BUILDING STANDS A LITTLE AWAY FROM THE ROAD, WHICH SLIGHTLY REDUCES THE NOISE CAUSED BY THE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES. AND IS LOCATED PERPENDICULAR TO HER, WHICH ALSO REDUCES THEIR NOISE. AT THE RECEPTION COFFEE OR TEA IS AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME. AND DOWNSTAIRS IT IS A SHOP. THE OWNER SHOWED ME 3 ROOMS TO CHOOSE FROM. WE HAD SOME COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS, BUT SOMEHOW I WAS UNDERSTOOD. HAVING CHOSEN ONE CLEAN AND SPACIOUS DB + B WITH AIR CONDITIONING, I ANNOUNCED THAT I AM GOING TO GET MY WOMAN AND LUGGAGE. MADAM – THE OWNER, ASSURING THAT MY PARTNER IS WAITING AT A NEARBY BUS STOP, SHE WENT FOR A CAR AND DROVE ME UP TO WOMBAT.
  OUR LODGING PLACE, APART FROM THE VERY OBLIGING OWNERS, HAS DIFFERENT PLUSES. THE FIRST IS A WELL-STOCKED SHOP WITH ABSOLUTELY DECENT PRICES. YOU CAN FIND ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED FOR AN AVERAGE TOURIST IN IT. STARTING WITH A LARGE SELECTION OF DRINKS AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ENDING ON THE SMALL POWDER CONTAINERS FOR SINGLE WASHING AT AUTOMATIC MACHINES. THERE IS ALSO A RENTAL OF BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS.

• THE PHANT HOTEL – QUITE A BIT FROM THE CENTRE, AT WIDE THREE-LANE ROAD (226). GETTING TO AND FROM THIS PLACE JUST BY TAXI FOR AN AVERAGE OF 100 THB FOR THE COURSE (WITHIN THE CITY). RECEPTION IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY. THEY DO NOT MAKE PROBLEMS AT VERY EARLY CHECK-IN. IN A FLASH WE ARE COMPLETING FORMALITIES AND WE ARE GETTING THE ROOM ALTHOUGH IS JUST 6 AM. OUR ROOM IS SPACIOUS – A HUGE BED, TWO BEDSIDE TABLES, FRIDGE, TV, TABLE, CHAIR. IT HAVE AS WELL VERY LARGE BATHROOM.
  THE PHANT OCCUPIES A HUGE SURFACE AREA. A LONG, ONE-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ARE LOCATED A LONG WAY FROM THE RECEPTION. SOLID, MASONRY. MASSIVE PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF THEM. THE PRICE OF THE ROOM INCLUDES LIGHT BREAKFAST SUBSTITUTES: TEA, INSTANT COFFEE, TOAST AND JAM. THE PLACE ALSO OFFERS SOME TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR A FEE. YOU CAN ALSO DO LAUNDRY @ 30-40 THB IN ONE OF SEVERAL MACHINES. NEXT TO THE HOTEL THERE IS A BAR AND A RESTAURANT SERVING A LOT OF SEAFOOD IN THE FORM OF A BUFFET.
  ATTENTION: GETTING OUT OUT OF THIS PLACE DON’T RISK THE LOSS OF MONEY AND THE TIME. ASK FOR THE TRANSPORT AT THE RECEPTION DESK. IT SHOULD COST AROUND 100 THB REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE GOING WITHIN THE CITY.

WORTH SEEING

• CHATUCHAK MARKET – APPARENTLY THE LARGEST MARKETPLACE IN THE WORLD. OPEN ONLY ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. YOU CAN SPEND THE WHOLE DAY HERE. A FEW HUNDRED METERS FROM THE MO CHIT STATION MUST BE APPROACHED TO THE MARKETPLACE.

• WAT PHO – IMPRESSIVE TEMPLE. WAS BUILT IN XVI CENTURY, HOWEVER THE BUDDHA SANCTUARY IS FROM XIX C. TO SEE THE BUDDHA’S GALLERY, STONE GIANTS, BUILDINGS. IN ONE OF THEM IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL, GIGANTIC STATUE OF BUDDHA PHRA DEVA PATIMAKORN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE READABILITY OF INFORMATION AIMED AT FACILITATING SIGHTSEEING INTRODUCES CHAOS ?. THIS IS EXTENDING VERY MUCH THE TIME OF EXAMINING BUILDINGS SCATTERED ON THE LARGE AREA.

• ROYAL PALACE – CLOSE TO CHANG’S FERRY TERMINAL.
  THE CLOSER TO THE PALACE, THE MORE OFTEN WE ENCOUNTER STANDS SELLING OR RENTING LONG, WIDE, TYPICALLY ASIAN TROUSERS. THEY HAVE A UNISEX CUT. YOU CAN BUY THEM EVERYWHERE. AND HERE, NEAR THE PALACE, IT IS EVEN POSSIBLE TO LEASE THEM. THIS OFFER IS A RESPONSE TO THE DEMAND, BEING THE AFTERMATH OF RESTRICTIONS INPOSED ON THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ENTER THE ROYAL PALACE. THE POLICEMEN STANDING IN THE AISLES BETWEEN THE BARRIERS OF THE FIRST CORDON SECURING THE PALACE, SEND BACK ALL THOSE IMPROPERLY CLAD. THEREFORE, THE CLOSER TO THE PALACE, THE MORE TROUSERS AND OTHER ITEMS OF CLOTHING ARE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE, AND THE MORE NUMEROUS RENTALS ARE OPEN ?.
  VISITING THIS COMPLEX OF AROUND 30 BUILDINGS TAKES A LOT OF TIME, EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THEM ARE NOT AVAILABLE. AT THE ENTRANCE YOU CAN BORROW AN AUDIO GUIDE, BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT TO THE VISITORS LESS FAMILIAR WITH ​​AVAILABLE LANGUAGES. IT IS A WASTE OF MANY MINUTES IN THE QUEUE, AND MONEY. IN ADDITION, THE RENTAL IS LIMITED TO 90 MINUTES. SEEMS A LOT, BUT YOU HAVE TO RETURN THE DEVICE AT A SPECIFIC TIME BY BREAKING THROUGH THE MOB. THE MOST IMPORTANT – WAT PHRA KAEW – THE TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA IS BESIEGED BY CROWDS OF TOURISTS ALL THE TIME. THE REST CAN BE VIEWED A LITTLE FASTER.
  COST 500 THB / PP, IT TAKES A MINIMUM OF 120 MINUTES TO WATCH, AND AT SUCH A PRICE, NOBODY REALLY PLANS A SHORTER ONE. PLEASE NOTE: THEY CLOSE AT 15:30

• ROYAL PALACE DUSIT – UNFORTUNATELY IT IS UNDER RENOVATION UNTIL MID-2018

• LAK MUEANG – SO-CALLED THE TOWN’S PILLAR FROM 1782 IS AN INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF EVERY MAJOR CITY IN THAILAND. THE MOST OFTEN GILDED PALE, IS CONSIDERED THE SEAT OF A DEITY LOOKING AFTER THE CITY. USUALLY, IT STANDS IN A SPECIALLY BUILT SANCTUARY. FREE ADMISSION. THE WHOLE CONSISTS OF SEVERAL INDEPENDENT BUILDINGS.

• WAT ARUN – A TEMPLE BUILT IN KHMER STYLE. SPIRE IN THE FORM OF MAIZE SURROUNDED BY FOUR SMALLER PRANGS REPRESENTS THE IMAGE OF THE MERU MOUNTAIN AND THE FOUR DIRECTIONS OF THE WORLD. IT WAS ESTABLISHED DURING THE KINGDOM OF AYUTTHAYA (1350-1767) AS WAT MAKOK. THE NAME WAS CHANGED WHEN THE STATE CAPITAL WAS MOVED TO THONBURI.

• PHAT PONG IS ASSOCIATED PRIMARILY WITH DEBAUCHERY. PATPONG 1 AND 2 – TWO STREETS THAT WERE ONCE THE CENTRE OF THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT, TODAY OFFER A MUCH WIDER RANGE OF SERVICES. ESPECIALLY THE ONE WITH THE NUMBER 1. ON BOTH SIDES, APART FROM SHOPS, BARS, „MASSAGE ROOMS”, NIGHTCLUBS AND HOSTELS, IN THE EVENING NUMEROUS TRADESMEN ARE SPREADING THEIR STALLS. THE CHOICE OF THE OFFERED GOODS IS CONSIDERABLE, THE PRICES ARE INTERESTING, AND – OF COURSE – READY TO BE REDUCED BY UP TO SEVERAL PERCENT. IT SEEMS THAT THANON PHAT PONG (PATPONG) 2 HAS MOVED AWAY FROM THE FUNCTION IT HAS BEEN DOING FOR YEARS. THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF „GENTLEMEN’S CLUBS” HERE, ALTHOUGH HUNTING FOR FEW, PASSING FROM TIME TO TIME CUSTOMERS IS DIFFICULT. EVERY SINGLE MAN WHO FLITS THROUGH THIS ALLEY, MUST RECKON WITH SOLICITATION BY WEARING ONLY „BRA” AND SKIMPY PANTIES, WOMAN. SOME CHICKS GO OUT TO THE ROAD TO STRENGTHEN THE EFFECT OF PERSUADING CUSTOMERS. ON SUCH A DESERTED STREET IT LOOKS QUITE EMBARRASSING. GUESTS MORE OR LESS DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST THIS FORM OF ROUND-UP, QUICKENING THE PACE OR BYPASSING THE HUNTERS WITH THE WIDEST POSSIBLE ARC.

• WAT TRAIMIT IS FAMOUS FOR ANOTHER STATUE OF THE GOLDEN BUDDHA. THIS TIME IT IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST BUDDHA STATUE FILLED WITH GOLD. IT IS ALMOST 5 m HIGH AND WEIGHS 5.5 TONS. IN THE PAST, CRAFTSMEN HID GOLD FROM INVADERS IN THE BUDDHA’S FIGURES, COVERING THEM WITH STUCCO AND PLASTER. SO IT WAS IN THIS CASE. THEY DISCOVERED THAT IT IS ALL GOLD, WHEN IT WAS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING TRANSFER. THE FALLING GYPSUM SHIELD HAS DISCOVERED A BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN BUDDHA STATUE IN THE SUKHOTHAI STYLE. PIECES OF FALLEN PLASTER ARE STORED AND DEMONSTRATED IN SHOWCASES. THE STATUE WAS PLACED HIGH. FIRST, WE COVER QUITE STEEP STAIRS. BY THE WAY, YOU CAN RELAX ON THE FIRST LEVEL WALKING AROUND THE TEMPLE. BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT – IT IS A WASTE OF TIME. THE GOLDEN BUDDHA STATUE IN WAT TRAIMIT IS DEFINITELY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS SEEN IN BANGKOK. IT DOES NOT OVERWHELM WITH SIZE, IT FILLS WITH CALMNESS. IT’S WORTH TO SHOOT SELFIE WITH THIS GUY.

• JIM THOMPSON HOUSE – A CULT PERSON IN BANGKOK AND PROBABLY ALL OF THAILAND. THIS HOUSE – AN ENCLAVE OF PEACE – STANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY, NEAR THE BTS NATIONAL STADIUM STATION. IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO FIND HIM.
  THE ESTATE IS QUITE LARGE AND CONSISTS OF SEVERAL ORIGINAL THAI WOODEN BUILDINGS, PURCHASED, DISMANTLED, TRANSPORTED AND REASSEMBLED WITH SOME MODIFICATIONS MADE BY THE THOMPSON HIMSELF, ARCHITECT BY EDUCATION. THEY DROWN IN A LUXURIANT RAGING AROUND VEGETATION. SIGHTSEEING REQUIRES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME FLEXIBILITY, BECAUSE GROUPS OF TOURISTS ENTERING INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS CAN NOT BE TOO BIG. THEREFORE, YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ONE OF SEVERAL MULTILINGUAL GUIDES – WATCHING THE GARDEN AND TWO SMALL BUILDINGS, BY YOURSELF. ON THE SPOT, IN ADDITION TO THE PAYABLE PART, THERE IS ALSO A RESTAURANT AND A KIND OF EXHIBITION ROOMS DEVOTED TO THE THAI-STYLE TEXTILES, MAINLY SILK, MADE FAMOUS BY THOMPSON ALL OVER THE WORLD.
  FOR WATCHING YOU HAVE TO RESERVE ABOUT 90 MINUTES, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW LONG YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR SIGHTSEEING – GUIDED TOURS ARE IN SMALL GROUPS. WE WAITED AROUND 25 MINUTES FOR JUST A 45 MINUTES WALK AROUND THE PROPERTY WITH A GUIDE. IN THE MAIN BUILDING YOU CAN NOT TAKE PICTURES AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES.

• MBK SHOPPING CENTER – OVER 2,000 STORES. IN FACT, PRICES IN MBK STORE, COMPARED TO EUROPEAN ONES ARE VERY GOOD. DIFFERENCES REACH UP TO 30%. I SPENT AN HOUR PLAYING WITH THE SONY Α7R II CAMERA AND MOVED TO THE MOBILE PHONES SECTION. HERE IS THE CRAZE. THE NUMBER OF PHONE SHOP STANDS, SELLING TELEPHONES IS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS. I DO NOT THINK THERE WOULD BE LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED OF THEM. WITH THIS COMPETITION, EVERY CUSTOMER CAN FEEL GREAT. BARGAINING IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND GOES WELL. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU BUY, AND IF THE PRICES IS SUSPICIOUSLY LOW, ASK FOR AN EXPLANATION OR GAVE IT A MISS.

• SILOM NIGHT MARKET

• MARKET AT THE NONTHABURI FERRY TERMINAL. ITS CHARACTERISTIC FEATURE IS THE LARGE PHALLUS CLOCK STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE USED TO SERVICE RIVER TRANSPORT. ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET THERE ARE NUMEROUS SHOPS AND STALLS – MAINLY WITH FOOD.

• HEALTH LAND SATHORN – THAI MASSAGE. AT AN AGREED TIME WE SHOWED UP FOR THE ORDERED TREATMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUR RESERVATION AND THEY WANTED TO SEND US BACK EMPTY-HANDED. WE DID NOT WANT TO AGREE WITH. A LONG TIME AGO WE STARTED THINKING ABOUT MASSAGE IN HEALTH LAND – TOP-RANKING ON THE MARKET OF SERVICES MENTIONED ABOVE. OUR DISCUSSION WITH THE RECEPTIONISTS ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF THE LADY, WHO IS LOOKING AFTER THE CUSTOMER SERVICE. SHE CAME OVER, LISTENED TO BOTH SIDES, CHECKED THE BOOKING, ASKED US FOR THE APPROPRIATE PAYMENT AND FOR A MOMENT OF PATIENCE. AFTER A MOMENT WE WERE ASKED TO CHANGE THE SHOES AND TWO THAI WOMEN TOOK US TO A SMALL ROOM. THERE, AFTER DRESSING IN THE APPROPRIATE CLOTHES PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY, WE WERE SUBJECTED TO A TWO-HOUR „TREATMENT”. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WEREN’T SUBJECTED TO SUCH MASSAGES WE PLANNED, … THERE WAS NO FREE LEG SPECIALIST, ON THE WORK OF WHOM WE HOPED FOR THE MOST …
  THE MASSAGE WAS SOLID, ALTHOUGH I PERSONALLY DID NOT FEEL ANY FIRM MUSCLE RELAXATION, PROBABLY BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPECT EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS AFTER ONE TREATMENT. HOWEVER, HAVING IN MIND THE THAI MASSAGE APPLIED TO US YEARS AGO – PROBABLY ON BALI – I WAS PLEASED ON AVERAGE. AT THE END, THE MASSEUSES GET ME CROOK. HAVING RECEIVED A 100 THB OF TIP, THEY BEGAN TO INSISTENTLY DEMAND A LARGER AMOUNT. IN A MOMENT IT COULD TURN OUT THAT THIS MASSAGE WOULD BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE IN THE CITY. DESPITE THIS CRACK, I HAVE TO TELL SINCERELY – MASSAGE IN HEALTH LAND WAS SOLID AND WORTH SPENDING MORE ON IT THAN ANYWHERE ELSE. WE LIKE THE BUILDING IN WHICH THE COMPANY IS LOCATED, ITS INTERIOR, DECOR, CLEANLINESS, CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS AND HIGH-LEVEL SERVICE.
  NOTE: RESERVATION IS REQUIRED. ALL YOU NEED IS A PHONE CALL, BUT CONFIRMED. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT KIND OF MASSAGE YOU, WANT SO THAT IT DOES NOT TURN OUT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FREE SPECIALIST AT THE TIME OF YOUR TREATMENT.

• THE GIANT SWING (SAO CHINGCHA) – A RED CONSTRUCTION IS THE IMAGE OF THE CAPITAL. I DO NOT JUDGE BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER RENOVATION

• CHINA TOWN – A LOT OF WALKING, BUT IT’S WORTH IT ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON. SO AS TO FIND THE MOST INTERESTING CULINARY PLACES OPENED IN THE EVENING.

• WAT MAHATHAT YUWARAT RANGSARIT – A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF A PLACE OF WORSHIP.

• (THANON) KHAO SAN – THE MOST TOURIST STREET OF BANGKOK.

• WAT MAHATHAT YUWARAT RANGSARIT – IT’S BIG. APART FROM A FEW INTERESTING FIGURES OF THE BUDDHA, THE MOST INTERESTING FOR ME WAS WATCHING THE WORK OF RENOVATORS OF ONE OF THE STATUES. FREE ENTRANCE.

• WAT SUTHAT – BIG OBJECT. THERE ARE NOT ONLY BUILDINGS AND THEIR INSIDES FOR WATCHING (AT LEAST TWO), BUT ALSO STONE FIGURES STANDING ALONG THE EASTERN ENCLOSURE. VERY NICE. THE EIGHT-METER STATUE OF THE BUDDHA MAKES A GREAT IMPRESSION. IN FRONT OF THE MAIN TEMPLE OF THE COMPLEX, A LITTLE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK (ALSO TO THE EAST) WILL ATTRACT YOUR EYESIGHT, TWO LARGE-SIZED BUDDHAS OF SHINING GOLD. ONE LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY WHO HAS A DEEP ANOREXIA. INTERESTING. ? ?

• WAT BUPPARAM – BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE. EVENING SIGHTSEEING FREE. A GREAT SPIRITUAL MOOD

• IMPORTANT TEMPLES: WAT CHIANG MAN, WAT PHRA CHAO MANGI, WAT CHANG LAM, WAT PHRA SINGH, WAT CHEDI LUANG, WAT MOH KAM DUANG, WAT DUANG DEE, WAT CHAI PHRA KIAT, WAT HUA KUANG-SAEN MUANG MAPS. IN MY OPINION, THE TWO BELOW MENTIONED COMPLEXES REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION. THE REST, OF COURSE, PLEASES THE EYE, BUT IN GENERAL THEY ARE CONSTANTLY THE SAME VISUAL EFFECTS. FOR ME CHIANG MAI IS LIKE A MUCH BIGGER, AND A BIT MORE BUSY LAO LUANG PRABANG. THE SIMILARITIES CAN BE SEEN AT EVERY STEP.

• WAT PHRA SINGH – SUPER

• WAT CHEDI LUANG – SUPER

• WAT LOK MOLI – SUPER

• WAT SAEN TA HOI – BEAUTIFULLY ILLUMINATED IN THE EVENING

• THE PERFORMANCE OF LADY BOYS – THE LADY BOYS ARE MAKING SHOWS ON THE ANUSARN MARKET. ADMISSION 350 THB. BUT BEWARE, PRICES ARE GOING UP. FOR THIS MONEY YOU ALSO GET A DRINK, BUT NOTE AGAIN: A DRINK MEANS A SMALL BEER OR WATER. STRONGER ALCOHOLS CAN BE PURCHASED IN THE BAR @ 150 PER DRINK. THE PERFORMANCES THEMSELVES IS A GOOD SHOW WITH AN EROTIC SUBTEXT. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN IT, SIT DOWN IN THE FIRST ROW. BEST HALF-NAKED, TATTOOED BOYS ARE SELLING OUT. NO MATTER WITH OR WITHOUT PARTNERS.

• LANNA FOLKLIFE MUSEUM. INTERESTING

• DOI SUTHEP – TEMPLE LOCATED ON A HILL OUTSIDE THE CITY. TO THE TEMPLE YOU HAVE TO CLIMB THE NUMEROUS STAIRS. NOTE: THERE IS AN ELEVATOR. IN THE MIDDLE A HUGE GOLDEN CHEDI WITH THE BUDDHA’S RELIC. IT HAS A LARGE SCENIC VIEW OF THE AREA AND THE CITY. GENERALLY, IT DOES NOT STRIKE. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COST OF THE TRIP, ITS TIME AND TIME NEEDED FOR A CURSORY WATCHING THIS PLACE – MINIMUM 150 MIN AND 150 THB / PP – I SUGGEST YOU THINK ABOUT VISITING THIS TEMPLE.

• CLASSES AT ASIA SCENIC THAI COOKING SCHOOL – ONE OF THE THREE RENOWNED SCHOOLS IN CHANG MAI – BEGAN WITH A WALK TO THE LOCAL MARKET AND TO THE GARDEN. WE HAD A GREAT TIME FOR ALMOST 7 HOURS. IN TOTAL, EACH PARTICIPANT HAS PREPARED 7 DIFFERENT DISHES. WE ALL HAD OUR OWN WORKSTATIONS AT OUR DISPOSAL, AND A TEACHER HAVING 5-YEARS OF PRACTICE, WHO COPED WELL WITH US. WE’VE ALSO ALL SURVIVED, WHICH ONLY PROVES THAT EVERYONE CAN COOK … THE COURSES ARE HALF OR FULL DAY. THEY CAN BE CARRIED OUT ON SITE OR ON A FARM. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT

• BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI – THIS IS A HISTORY NOW TURNED INTO QUITE REAL MONEY. A PLACE THAT DOES NOT HAVE MUCH TO OFFER, TODAY IT IS ALIVE, AND IT’S NOT BAD AT ALL. AT 10:30 IN THE MORNING A SMALL RAILWAY STOP NEXT TO THE BRIDGE IS FULL OF PEOPLE. EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE A PICTURE HERE AND WALK 300 M WITH IRON SPANS. QUITE REMARKABLE IMPRESSION. WALK BACK AND FORTH DOES NOT TAKE MORE THAN 20 MINUTES. EVEN IN THIS CROWD. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER IS AN INTERESTING CHINESE TEMPLE. NOT FAR, WHILE WALKING TOWARDS THE CENTER, THERE IS ALSO A ROOFED SPACE, WHERE IS STANDING ORIGINAL LOCOMOTIVE USED WHEN BUILDING THE DEATH RAILWAY

20 min

• THAILAND-BURMA RAILWAY CENTRE – PRIVATE MUSEUM TELLING THE STORY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY LINE. PRIVATE COLLECTION IS NOT LARGE, BUT WORTH THE PRICE. IN ADDITION TO FOUND SEVERAL DOZEN YEARS AFTER THE WAR THE REMAINS OF THE EQUIPMENT AND THE PERSONAL STUFF OF PEOPLE WORKING ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LINE, THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS DOCUMENTS AND A FILM. THE TIME NEEDED FOR THIS SMALL PLACE DEPENDS ON YOUR OWN PACE OF TOURING. IF YOU DON’T WACH THE MOVIE AND YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED WITH THE DESCRIPTIONS AND DOCUMENTS 30 MINUTES IS ENOUGH.

• KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY

• CHONG KAI – A NECROPOLIS ON WHICH ONLY DUTCH AND BRITISH PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIE. OUTSIDE THE CITY. ACCESS BY TUK-TUK APPROXIMATELY 20 min.

• BAN CHANGTHAI – THEY HAVE SEVERAL ELEPHANTS HERE. YOU CAN WATCH THEM, FEED THEM AND RIDE THEM. EVERYTHING EXCEPT WATCHING, COSTS. THOSE WHO WANT TO FEED, PAY 100 THB FOR A LARGE BASKET FULL OF ELEPHANT FOOD. YOU CAN ALSO TAKE AN HOUR TRIP THROUGH THE FIELDS AND VILLAGE TO A NEARBY RIVER AND SWIM WITH AN ELEPHANT. YOU ARE SWIMMING, HE ELEPHANT IS COOLING IN THE WATER. COST 1200 THB. THE CHEAPER OPTION (FOR 800) IS LIMITED TO RUNNING ON AN ELEPHANT, WITHOUT ABLUTION.

• TOUR BY SCOOTER ACROSS THE ISLAND – ATTENTION: ISN’T POSSIBLE TO GO AROUND THE WHOLE ISLAND

• LONELY BEACH – NICE, SANDY, GENERALLY AVAILABLE

• THE DRIVING FROM PRASAT HIN PHANOM RUNG IS TAKING 15 MINUTES. THE TOUR INCLUDES A RESIDENCE LOCATED AMONG THE TREES – A SMALL COMPLEX OF BUILDINGS SURROUNDED BY THE REMAINS OF A MOAT AND A WALL. I WILL SAY THIS – FOR ME PERSONALLY THIS COMPLEX IS PROBABLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, VERY SIMPLE ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING I HAVE EVER SEEN. WHY? BECAUSE THIS WHOLE CONSTRUCTION COULD BE FUNCTIONING WITHOUT MAJOR ALTERATIONS AS A RESIDENCE IN ALMOST EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. IT’S INTEGRATION INTO ENVIRONMENT ANYWHERE ON THE GLOBE WOULDN’T ALSO BE DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE HER – FOR EVEN AN AVERAGE MAN.

• WAT KHUN KONG – SIZEABLE COMPLEX BY THE MAIN ROAD WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. INTERESTING, UNFORTUNATELY MOSTLY CLOSED TEMPLES DO NOT REQUIRE TOO MUCH ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, IN THE CENTER OF NANG RONG THERE IS NOT MUCH TO WATCH.

• A HISTORICAL PARK ABOUT 30 km FROM NANG RONG. THE ROUTE IS SIMPLE AND UNCOMPLICATED. YOU GO FIRST ON THE EDGE OF A VERY WIDE, TWO-LANE ROAD. IT IS A MOTORWAY RATHER THAN A HIGH-SPEED ROAD. SCOOTER GOES WELL. IT IS CLEARLY VISIBLE WHEN YOU SHOULD TURN RIGHT. THE NEXT ROUTE (ABOUT HALF THE WAY) LEADS THROUGH SEVERAL VILLAGES. YOU WILL PASS BY ONE, MAYBE TWO INTERESTING TO SEE TEMPLES.
  THE BIGGEST ATTRACTION – LYING ON TOP OF AN EXTINCT VOLCANO – IS PRASAT HIN PHANOM RUNG TEMPLE. A LONG, COMFORTABLE, STONE ROAD LEADS TO IT, GRADUALLY RISING THANKS TO THE USE OF STAIRS. TIME TO TIME IT IS QUITE STEEPLY, BUT THEIR INDIVIDUAL FRAGMENTS ARE A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER. IT IS VERY EASY TO OVERCOME THIS SEVERAL HUNDRED METER APPROACH. COPING, LOCATED NATURALLY AT THE VERY TOP, STRIKES WITH A INTERESTING SHAPE AND ARCHITECTURAL GRANDEUR. IT IS DEFINITELY ANGKOR WAT-LIKE WITH CLEARLY VISIBLE KHMER INFLUENCES.
  THE BEST YOU CAN DO IS TO BUY TICKET TO PRASAT HIN PHANOM RUNG TEMPLE AND MUANG TAM LAYING 8 km AWAY FROM THERE (YOU SAVE 50 THB).
  ACCESS IS NOT DIFFICULT, BUT YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME THE DELICATE RISE OF THE TERRAIN AND TWICE STEEP STAIRS OF ABOUT 4 METERS.

• FRIDAY’S PROVINCIAL MARKET. ON THE VAST GRASSY SQUARE, STALLS WITH ALL KINDS OF GOOD ARE STANDING. AROUND THEM PLENTY STANDS WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF NOSH. BEGINNING FROM ROASTED, FRIED OR GRILLED CHICKENS, SMALL OCTOPUSES (PLN 1 FOR A PORTION – THIS IS INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO THINK THAT OCTOPUSES MUST BE EXPENSIVE), SAUSAGES, FISH OR SHRIMP. ENDING ON VEGETABLES, FRUITS, SUSHI, WHOLE DISHES ON A BASE OF RICE, PASTA AND SOUPS. A REAL FEAST OF FLAVOURS AND COLOURS. YOU CAN NOT RESIST. THE EATEN SAUSAGE WAS IMMEDIATELY HAILED A STAR. SMALL, VERY COLOURFUL SUSHI – REMINDING THE FIGURES FROM JAPANESE ANIMATED CARTOONS MANGA – CAUGHT OUR EYE FIRST, AND THEN TO OUR THROATS (5 THB – A LITTLE OVER 1/2 PLN / pc). COLOURED ON YELLOW SQUID LOOKED SUPER, BUT KNOWING THE ASIAN WAY OF IT’S PREPARING, WE DO NOT TRY THEM. PINK CHICKEN EGGS ALSO PAID ATTENTION.

• OLD SUKHOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK – THIS PLACE INSERTED ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST IS HUGE. IT WAS DIVIDED INTO 3, OR ACTUALLY 4 INDEPENDENT HISTORICAL PARKS. THE FOURTH ONE, THE LAST ONE, IS 50+ km AWAY FROM THE OTHER THREE. FROM THIS THREE, THE FIRST ONE – LOCATED IN THE CITY CENTER – IS SUPPOSEDLY THE LARGEST, AND CERTAINLY THE MOST INTERESTING. OPENED ON SATURDAY TO THE 9 pm. ADMISSION TO ALL PARKS COSTS THE SAME: 100 THB / pp (FOREIGN TOURISTS). ENTRY BY BIKE 10, SCOOTERS 20.

• WAT TRAPHANG THONG – TEMPLE IN THE CENTER OF THE TOWN. BEAUTIFULLY LOCATED ON THE ISLAND IS ITS DECORATION. FOR THE FAITHFUL, THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE BUDDHA’S FOOTPRINT. THE STONE BLOCK, ABOUT TWO METERS HIGH, LIES UNDER THE ROOF, ATTRACTING CROWDS …

• SI SATCHANALAI – HISTORICAL PARK WITH INTERESTING TEMPLES. FOR SOME MORE INTERESTING, THAN SUKHOTHAI. DISTANCE FROM OLD SUKHOTHAI 54 KM. THE EASIEST WAY TO GET THERE IS ON A SCOOTER. BEFORE ENTERING THE MAIN MONUMENT, THERE ARE A DOZEN OR SO OTHERS – FREE OF CHARGE – ALTHOUGH EQUALLY INTERESTING BUILDINGS (WAT CHEDI KAO YOD, FOR EXAMPLE). IMMEDIATELY AFTER PASSING THE MOAT AND PASSING THE GATE, A KIND OF CARTS TO TRANSPORT TOURISTS AWAITS. THE COURSE – IF I UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY – COSTS THB 300, AND ON A ONE-OFF BASIS 15 PERSONS CAN BE FITTED IN THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS, HOWEVER, THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REACH EVERYWHERE. YOU HAVE TO CHECK. NOTE – IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED PLACE – IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE THE PARK ON FOOT – YOU NEED TO DECIDE FIRST WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE. DEPENDING OF YOURS PHYSICAL CONDITION AND TIME AVAILABILITY, CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE OPTION: YOU HAVE TO DECIDE THE DIRECTION YOU WILL FIRSTLY GO. DIRECTING STEPS LEFT – TO THE WAT KHAO SUWAN KHIRI TEMPLE, LOCATED 1500 METERS AWAY ON A HILL – YOU WILL POSSIBLY NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SEE EVERYTHING. VISIBLE FROM A DISTANCE OF SEVERAL KILOMETRES PLACE (MENTIONED ABOVE) IS VERY FAR AWAY FROM THE OTHER RUINS. A ROAD LEADING TO IT ALONG THE WALLS IS PASSING TIME TO TIME NEAR NOT VERY INTERESTING GATES. A FEW DOZEN METERS FROM THE PLACE WHERE THE PERPENDICULAR PATH LEADING TO THE SANCTUARY DEPARTS FROM THE ASPHALT ROAD THE GROUND IS STEEPENING, FORCING THE WALKER TO MAKE GREATER EFFORT. THE TEMPLE ITSELF CONSISTS OF A HUGE STUPA, WALLS AND REMAINS OF BUILDINGS. VERY INTERESTING. WATCHING WILL TAKE ABOUT 15, MAYBE 20 MINUTES

• SUKHOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK. ENTERING TROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE YOU IMMEDIATELY COME ACROSS A STAND, WHERE FOR 60 THB / pp, YOU CAN BUY THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE HOP ON – HOP OFF TRAM. AT LEAST THIS IS WHAT ARE TELLING INSCRIPTIONS ON THE SIDES OF VEHICLES PRETENDING TRAMS. THESE ARE LARGE, ELECTRIC PRAMS THAT RUNS EVERY 15 MINUTES AROUND ALL THE MONUMENTS IN THE PARK. THE TICKET INDICATES THAT IT IS VALID ONLY ON THE DAY OF ISSUE, WHICH IS OBVIOUS. WE BOUGHT HOP-HOP TICKETS. IMMEDIATELY, WE GOT INTO ONE OF THEM, AND WE WERE TAKEN TO THE FIRST MONUMENT. WAT MAHATHAT – HUGE, CONSISTING OF MANY TEAMS STONE TEMPLE, AND REMAINS OF THE PALACE. SUPERB. VISITING TAKES 20 – 30 MIN. WAT SI HAWAI – TEMPLE IN THE HINDU STYLE WITH CHINESE INFLUENCES. 15 MINUTES ARE ENOUGH TO WATCH. ANOTHER STOP – VERY INTERESTING REMAINS OF BUILDINGS, NEAR THE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN DRINK (AND MAYBE EAT) SOMETHING. SIGHTSEEING THIS ONE – WITHOUT COFFEE BREAK – WILL TAKE 15 MINUTES MAXIMUM. THERE IS ALSO A TOILET NEARBY. NEXT PLACE – THE ARTIFICIAL ISLAND CONNECTED BY A BRIDGE WITH THE MAINLAND. ANOTHER 15 MINUTES OF WATCHING. FURTHER YOU WILL FIND SOME INTERESTING THINGS THAT MUST BE LOOKED AT, TOO.
  NOTE: AT THE END WE DECIDED TO GET THE WHOLE HOP ON – HOP OFF TRAM ROUND, ONE MORE TIME. WE WERE VERY SURPRISED WHEN WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRAM HOP TOUR HAD COME TO AN END AT THE GATE WE HAD ENTERED. A YOUNG WOMAN FROM THE SERVICE OFFICE TRIED TO CONVINCE US THAT THEIR HOP ON – HOP OFF SYSTEM IS BASED ON A ONE-OFF TRANSPORT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE PARK. AT MY REQUEST THAT I WANT TO SEE THIS INFO ON THE TICKET, I WAS SHOWN AN INSCRIPTION: „USE IN DAY STAMP ONLY”. SO THE TICKET IS VALID ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE. NOT VERY REVEALING. IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE TICKET THAT WE WERE TRANSPORTED ONLY 3 OUT OF 15 TIMES. PARTLY BECAUSE WE WANTED TO TAKE A WALK, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF NOT APPEARING THE TRANSPORT AT THE SPECIFIED TIME. I TRIED TO CONVINCE THE SERVICE STAFF THAT THE SYSTEM IS CALLED HOP ON – HOP OFF IN ORDER TO, E.G. SUCH GRANDPARENTS AS WE – DID NOT COLLAPSED OF FATIGUE WALKING AROUND SUCH A LARGE SPACE. WITHOUT SUCCESS … ONLY WHEN I THREATENED WITH DESCRIBING THIS SITUATION IN THE INTERNET, IT WAS KINDLY AGREED THAT WE WOULD GO AROUND THE WHOLE ROUTE AGAIN.

• YOU CAN GET TICKETS FOR THE FINAL SHOW THE NEXT DAY, IN THE TOWN HALL ON THE SECOND FLOOR, IN ONE OF THE LARGE HALLS FILLED WITH ROWS OF DESKS. THEY ARE PRICE-DIVERSE. TOP PLACE, I.E. A NUMBERED SIT ON A COVERED, PROTECTED FROM SUN TRIBUNE, COSTS 500 THB. FOR THIS SAME KIND OF PLACE, BUT IN THE FULL SUN, YOU HAVE TO SPEND FOUR HUNDRED. THE HISTORICALLY BASED SPECTACLE IS BEGINNING AFTER THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIALS. AS IT USUALLY HAPPENS IN SUCH CASES, EVERYTHING MORE OR LESS IS BASED ON FACTS. THERE ARE REALLY MANY ELEPHANTS. MAYBE NOT 300, BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS, BECAUSE THEY ARE GATHERED BEHIND HUGE DECORATIONS STANDING ON BOTH SIDES OF A SQUARE – THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL PITCH + – IMITATING DEFENSIVE WALLS OF CONQUERED CITIES. THE FLASHBACKS ARE SHORT AND, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, NOT VERY VARIED. IT MAY, HOWEVER, BE LITTLE BIT AN UNFAIR ASSESSMENT, BECAUSE I SAW AT LEAST A HUNDRED STAGINGS IN MY LIFE. AFTER PLAYING SEVERAL HISTORICAL SCENES WITH THE USE OF LARGE ANIMALS, THE AUDIENCE WAS OFFERED GAMES AND PLAYS WITH THE ELEPHANTS IN THE MAIN ROLE. I SUPPOSE THE CHILDREN HOWLED WITH DELIGHT. A FOOTBALL MATCH FINISHING THIS PART OF THE SHOW CAUSED A LOT OF LAUGHTER. THE LAST STAGING WAS DEFINITELY THE MOST COLOURFUL AND LOUD, ALTHOUGH NOT AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE. I UNDERSTAND, HOWEVER, THAT GREATER NOISE COULD LEAD POOR ANIMALS TO A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.

• A GALA DINNER WITH AN ALL INCLUSIVE BUFFET AND FIREWORKS

FOOD

• PHOONSUPH RESTAURANT NEAR WONGWIAN YAI STATION – WON A COMPETITION. THE FOOD WAS GOOD.

• CHATUCHAK MARKET – GOING FROM THE MO CHIT STATION TO THE MARKETPLACE, YOU TURN RIGHT. BEFORE ENTERING THE MARKET ON THE RIGHT, YOU WILL SEE A WHOLE BUNCH OF VARIOUS EATERIES ALONG THE FENCE. YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING INTERESTING FOR BREAKFAST OR LUNCH. IT IS WORTH SPENDING A MOMENT TO CHECK THE PRICES OF THE DISHES WE ARE INTERESTED IN, BECAUSE EACH STAND HAS A DIFFERENT ONE. EATING PLACES ARE STRETCHING OUT ALL THE WAY TO THE NEXT SIDE STREET.
  NOTE: IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIGHT MARKET, THERE ARE COUNTLESS DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESTAURANTS AND FOOD OUTLETS. IN MY OPINION, DEFINITELY MORE INTERESTING AND PROBABLY A BIT CHEAPER – AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE CROWDS OF LOCALS WHIRLING AROUND. THE ONLY DRAWBACK OF THE RESTAURANTS IN THE MARKETPLACE IS THEIR FAIRLY LARGE SCATTERING, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO QUICKLY FIND WHAT SUITS US MOST. WE DEFINITELY RECOMMEND EATING RIGHT HERE, NOT AT FRONT OF ENTERING TO THE MARKET. WE TRIED IN SEVERAL PLACES. EVERYTHING WAS VERY GOOD, AND SOME DISHES – ESPECIALLY SWEET – VERY EXOTIC.

• STREET RESTAURANTS ON THE STREET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BTS – CORNER OF SOI KRUNG THONBURI 1 / MANA WITTHAYA ALLEY. SUPER MACARONI SALAD. WE RECOMMEND.

• CHANG PIER – CHANG’S FERRY TERMINAL. THERE IS A SMALL DINER AND FEW STALLS WITH VARIOUS THINGS NEXT TO IT. CHANG PIER – THOSE, WHO, LIKE US LOVE VERY GOOD STREET FOOD, I ADVISE YOU TO REMEMBER THE NAME OF THIS TERMINAL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DISEMBARKING, ENTER UNDER THE CANOPY AND TURN LEFT. IN FRONT OF EYES OF THE VIEWER, OPENS THE VIEW ON THE CONSIDERABLE SIZED ROOM, IN WHICH THERE ARE SEVERAL STANDS SELLING LOCAL FOOD. RIGHT BY THE ACCESS TO THIS ROOM, THE FIRST AND SECOND STALLS ON THE RIGHT (OPERATED BY WOMEN) SERVE CURRY AND PASTA DISHES. CURRY @ 50 THB – BRILLIANT, @ 60 PASTA ALSO GREAT ? ? ?

• SILOM NIGHT MARKET AND EATERIES LOCATED JUST IN FRONT OF IT (CONVENT ROAD, NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH SILOM Rd), ALMOST IN FRONT OF STARBUCKS). THERE IS NOT MORE THAN 20 DINER PLACES, BUT THE CHOICE IS CONSIDERABLE. AS A SNACK, WE TOOK A PIECE OF CHICKEN, WHICH NORMALLY WE DO NOT EAT. THE STAND A FEW METERS FROM 7/11 (ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET) PREPARES CHICKEN PORTIONS FOR SALE. THEY LOOK SO ATTRACTIVE THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST. THEY TASTE GREAT TOO…

• MOON BAR ON THE ROOF OF THE HOTEL BANYAN TREE – WE SAT RIGHT BY THE LOW, GLASS PANEL ISOLATING US FROM THE EDGE OF A ROOF. THE ENTIRE SPACE OF THE SKY BAR IN THIS WAY IS ISOLATED FROM THE ABYSS OPENING BEHIND GLASS. THE MOON BAR IS OK, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IN BANGKOK ARE OTHERS, DEFINITELY MORE INTERESTING. DRINK PRICES STARTING FROM 550 – 600 THB. ON TOP OF THAT SERVICE TAX IS ADDED. A BOTTLE OF WINE COSTS FROM 2 000 THB UP. LOCATED BELOW THE VERTIGO RESTAURANT, AND VERTIGO TOO LUNCH BAR, PRESENT THEMSELVES VERY WELL. IF YOU WANT TO COME HERE, MAKE A BOOKING

• THE MBK SHOPPING CENTER – PLACES SET FOR RAVENOUS PEOPLE IS A FEW IN MBK. ACTUALLY, EACH FLOOR HAS ITS OWN. THE AMOUNT AND VARIETY OF AVAILABLE CHOW IS ENORMOUS. ONE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SEMI-SELF-SERVICE, MOST OFTEN SERVED BY 2 PEOPLE FOOD STATIONS AND EAT IN A COMMON HALL (CANTEEN-TYPE), OR – ENTER ONE OF THE MANY SMALL RESTAURANTS. THEN, OF COURSE, WE WILL CONSUME A LITTLE MORE PRIVATELY AND MORE EXPENSIVELY. THE ONLY THING THAT ANNOYS ME IS THE LOCAL WAY OF PAYING FOR A FOOD. TO BUY ANYTHING IN ONE OF THE MANY BEANERIES SERVING TYPICAL STREET FOOD, ONE FIRST HAVE TO PURCHASE IN THE STANDING OFF THE SIDELINES CHECKOUT COUNTER A SPECIAL PLASTIC CARD. IT CAN NOT BE DONE USING A VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX BANKING CARD, etc. – UNLESS ONE HAS THE THAI ONE. NOT NECESSARILY A BANKING CARD. IT CAN BE A RABBIT CARD (E-MONEY) – ISSUED BY BTS (IT LOOKS LIKE THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR PEOPLE STAYING LONGER IN BANGKOK). WE TOOK A LOT OF TIME TO CHOOSE A MEAL. BEFORE WE WATCHED EVERYTHING, MADE A DECISION, EXCHANGED CASH FOR PLASTIC, MADE A PURCHASE AND ATE, HAS PASSED MORE THAN 60 min. BUT THAT’S HOW THIS FIRST TIME IS …

• GREENHOUSE RESTAURANT – (INTERNATIONAL FOOD COURT) ON IV LEVEL OF MBK CENTER. SUPER NOSH, UNFORTUNATELY MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE ONE SERVED IN THE FOOD COURT. THE FOOD – PRACTICALLY SEAFOOD – WAS REALLY VERY GOOD. WE FED OURSELVES FULL OF SEAFOOD. NOTE: ONE CAN PAY BY CARD

• RESTAURANT RIGHT ON CHANG PIER. IN THE SIDE – RATHER SMALL STREET – ON THE LEFT FROM THE EXIT (LOOKING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE PALACE. SEE OUR MAP). THE CHOICE IN THE GREASY SPOON THAT HAS CAUGHT OUR EYE, IMPRESSES WITH ITS APPEARANCE AND SMELL. GREAT FISH DISHES. 3 DISHES, BECAUSE I TOOK A CURRY YET – YUMMY. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.? ? ?

• NAHM RESTAURANT BY LONELY PLANET IT IS ACCORDING TO CRITICS, THE BEST THAI RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD, RUN BY THE AUSTRALIAN DAVID THOMPSON. IT IS LOCATED NEAR THE LUMPHINI PARK, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY AT THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL (27^th SATHON TAI. SOUTH). SERVES MODERN THAI DISHES BASED ON OLD TRADITIONAL RECIPES AND LOCAL PRODUCTS. FOOD SERVED IN THAI STYLE – IN OTHER WORDS, SO THE WAY, THAT EVERY PARTICIPANT WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO ALL DISHES. EVERYTHING VERY GOOD. PRICES … WELL, FROM THE CUSTOMER’S POINT OF VIEW, I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY WERE LOWER. IN GENERAL, WE WERE HIGHLY SATISFIED. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND. ? ? ?

• FOODLAND CHAIN SUPERMARKET – FOR EXAMPLE ON THANON PHAT PONG (PATPONG) 2 – I HAVE NOT MET MORE SUCH SUPERMARKETS THROUGHOUT THAILAND, BUT IT IS A LARGE NETWORK. THE STORE HAS A WIDE RANGE OF VERY GOOD QUALITY GROCERY GOODS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND IS OPEN 24 HOURS (JUST LIKE THE REST OF SHOPS OF THIS CHAIN). THEY ARE, OF COURSE, A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THOSE ENCOUNTERED AT EVERY STEP IN THE 7/11 AND TESCO, BUT NOT EXCESSIVELY. I ESPECIALLY RECOMMEND THOSE WHO FOR SOME REASON AVOID THAI FOOD (I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU), OR WANT A RARITY FROM ANOTHER PART OF THE WORLD. FOR EXAMPLE, WINE FROM AUSTRALIA OR NZ. THEY ALSO HAVE A FAIRLY WELL-RATED RESTAURANT TOOK LAE DEE.

• SOI RAM BUTRI. THE WHOLE STREET IS FULL OF HOSTELS, RESTAURANTS, EATERIES, BARS, SMALL SHOPS, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES. IT IS A LOT OF PLACES TO CHOOSE FROM. AT ONE OF ITS ENDS, AT THE INTERSECTION WITH THANON TANI STREET AND NEAR THE SWENSEN’S ICE-CREAM SHOP, WE ATE A DELICIOUS DINNER. WE BOUGHT FOOD IN A LARGE STREET DINER WITH THE WORD „THAI FOOD”, WHOSE TABLES STAND AGAINST THE WALL OF THE CORNER BUILDING (ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE ICE CREAM SHOP, BUT ON THE OPPOSITE CORNER).

• NAI MONG HOI THOD RESTAURANT – WE DID NOT FIND. IT SEEMS TO BE CLOSED. STRANGE … A PITY BECAUSE IT WAS WORTH …

• JEK PUI RESTAURANT – ONE CAN PROBABLY EAT HERE THE BEST CURRY IN THE CITY … WE ARE WALKING DOWN THE MAIN STREET – CHAROEN KRUNG ROAD – WE ARE LOOKING FOR IMPRECISELY INDICATED BY LP PLACE FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. FINALLY, WE GET TO IT, BUT … ONE CAN NOT SEE THE EXPECTED CART ANYWHERE. IT IS TOO LATE. ONE HAS TO BE HERE AROUND NOON. THE PLACE STARTS SERVING ITS GREAT PRODUCT DURING LUNCH TIME. THEY FINISHING, WHEN CURRY IS SOLD OUT

• ร้าน ข้าวต้มเจ๊สวย เยาวราช (BOILED RICE RESTAURANT?) ON THE ROADWAY, WIDE IN THIS PLACE THERE ARE SEVERAL TABLES. WAITERS IMMEDIATELY GIVE THE MENU. JUDGING BY THE ATTENDANCE, THE RESTAURANT MUST HAVE A GOOD OPINION OF THE LOCALS. NEW CUSTOMERS CONSTANTLY APPEAR, WHICH LEADS TO AN UNCONTROLLED (FROM MY POINT OF VIEW) THE GROWTH OF THE RESTAURANT. BUT THAT’S NOT A PROBLEM. THE STAFF PULLS OUT TABLES AND CHAIRS FROM THE STANDING NEXT PICKUP TRUCK, AND SPREADS THEM AROUND, TAKING ANOTHER PIECE OF THE WIDE STREET THERE. A SMALL MENU LOOKS COOL. WE ORDER A SPICY SEAFOOD SALAD, FRIED LOCAL FISH AND SOME MUSHROOM SPECIALITY, ON WHICH MY PARTNER HAS A GREAT WILLINGNESS. EVERYTHING IS GREAT. ? ? ? ?
  WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE (ADDRESS: 557-561 PHLAP PHLA CHAI Rd), ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT KNOW ITS PROPER NAME. THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS ON THE NET – INCLUDING ONE TO FB, BUT ALL ARE IN THAI. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK WHICH OF THE NAMES IS CORRECT.

• THE FOOD COURT AT THE NIGHT BAZAAR AT CHANG CHLAN Str. IMPRESSES NOT ONLY WITH PRICES. IT IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ITS GOOD NOSH. NOT ALL DISHES ARE OF THE SAME HIGH LEVEL.

• WOMAN COWBOY – EVENING-NIGHT FOOD MARKET TALAT PRATU – THERE IS NO DIFFICULTY IN LOCATING THE STAND OF THE FAMOUS WIZARD OF CHIANG-MAI KNUCKLES. ONE WILL RECOGNIZE HER BY A COWBOY HAT, BY THE QUEUE AND BY THE CROWD OF SMARTPHONE’ PAPARAZZI SURROUNDING THE GIRL. YOU WILL SEE A TALL, NEATLY MAKE-UP ASIAN GIRL, WORKING ON A RAISED PLATFORM WITH SHINE TRINKETS IN HER EARS AND A LARGE, BRIGHT COWBOY HAT. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH HER. APPARENTLY HER HELPERS. THE HOSTESS HERSELF PERSONALLY LOOKS INTO THE BOILING WATER AND SEPARATES THOSE THAT WERE CONSIDERED READY FROM THE BONES. THE REST DEAL WITH THE PREPARATION OF RICE AND VEGETABLES, AND SERVING THE ORDERED DISHES.THIS STREET RESTAURANT IS LARGE. HAS AT LEAST 60 SEATS. IN THE MENU IS PROBABLY 8 DISHES. THE CHEAPEST 50, THE MOST EXPENSIVE AT MOST 120 THB (10 THB IS A ABOUT ¢ 20).WE ORDERED PORK KNUCKLE AND SUPERBLY LOOKING PIG’S INTESTINES. INSTANT SERVICE. AND KNUCKLE AND OFFAL WERE EXCELLENT. THE MORE SO BECAUSE WE PREPARED OURSELVES FOR THIS MEAL, BY BUYING EARLIER A BEER IN THE MINI-MARKET. WE PAID 100 THB

• CONTINUING EATING AT ABOVE MENTIONED MARKET, WE TRIED THE LOCAL LANGOUSTINES AND FRESHWATER GRILLED SNAILS. MISTAKE. IT IS EVERYWHERE EXPENSIVE FOOD. IN ADDITION, OUR SNAILS WERE NOT EASY TO REMOVE FROM THE SHELLS. THE PART GET DISINTEGRATED AND IT WAS BEYOND THE REACH OF TOOLS TO SCOOP IT OUT. THE SEASONING OF THE ADDED TOMATO SALAD WAS POOR, AND THE PORTION SMALL. THIS FOOD MISFIRE COST US 4 HUNDRED.

• KHAO SOY FUENG FAH – A MUSLIM-LED PLACE NAMED IN THE MUSLIM ENCLAVE OF THE CITY. FAMOUS FOR KHO SOY – CURRY SOUP WITH FRIED AND BOILED NOODLES, WITH TURMERIC, CHILLI, CHICKEN OR BEEF. COOL. SPICY BUFFALO TAIL SOUP COULD HAVE MORE DEPTH.

• TALAT SOMPHET – A MARKETPLACE WITH AVERAGE FOOD. WE ATE A PIECE OF CHICKEN AND GRILLED FISH. THE MEAT TOO DRY, THE CHICKEN TASTELESS.

• THE TALAT WATOROT MARKET – FOOD – MAINLY GRILLED – IS SOLD FOR TAKEAWAY. THE FEW EATERIES LOCATED ON THE SIDEWALK ALONG THE HOUSES SERVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOUP. TO THE BOWL OF NOODLES, THEY ADD SOME BALLS – MEAT, FISH? – FROM GIGANTIC LARGE POTS. THE CULINARY OBLIGATION MADE US TRY, BUT WE DID NOT LIKE ITS TASTE TOO MUCH.

• AROON RAI – RESTAURANT – RECOMMENDED BY ONE OF THE AMERICAN CUISINE GURUS – ANTHONY BOURDAIN. 100 M SOUTH OF THE FAMOUS THA PHAE GATE, WALKING DOWN THE STREET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WALL. THE SIGNBOARD, EVEN THE BIG ONE, IS NOT NOTICEABLE. WE DID NOT EAT. THEY HAD A HOLIDAY BREAK.

• HUEN PHEN RESTAURANT – THE NEXT PLACE WORTH THE SIN ON THE CULINARY MAP OF CHIANG MAI. A RENOWNED RESTAURANT WITH DISHES OF THE NORTHEN-THAI CUISINE. STYLISH, ANTIQUE DÉCOR. DISHES HAVE A CERTAIN STRENGTH OF PARALYSING BY HOTNESS. DECENT PRICES. IT’S SO POPULAR THAT ONE HAS TO WAIT FOR A TABLE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID NOT MAKE A RESERVATION. IT IS A CONSIDERABLE MISTAKE. FORTUNATELY, THE WONDERFULLY ORGANIZED SERVICE DID NOT LET US WAIT MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
  WE ATE VERY SPICY-HOTLY. TWO DISHES OF THE THREE ORDERED WERE TYPICAL OF THE NORTH KITCHEN. SALAD FROM SAUSAGE OF CHANG MAI AND OF NAM PRIK NUM, MEANING A DIP FROM GREEN PEPPERS. SAUSAGE HAS DIFFERENT DEGREES OF SHARPNESS. ONE CAN FIND HERE THE FLAVOURS OF GINGER, LEMONGRASS, BASIL, CORIANDER. IT’S DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE KNOW AND EAT … DELICIOUS. HAVE TO BE VISITED. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

• P.P. BUFFET – A LARGE DINER WITH THE BUFFET MEAL. LOOKS INTERESTING …

• ONE OF GREASY SPOONS AT THE BUS STATION. MINCED MEAT WITH VEGETABLES AND SOMETHING MEATY IN THE SAUCE. SWEEEET!

• WE CAREFULLY LOOK AT ALL TROLLEYS-DINERS ON THE STREET-PEDESTRIAN AREA NEXT TO THE HOTEL. FINALLY, WE COME TO ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE SERVING INTERESTING THINGS. THE SERVICING GIRL IS DOZING OFF. WE ASK HER TO MAKE SALADS OF FRESH VEGETABLES WITH THE ADDITION OF SOME MOLLUSCS. I LOOK AT HOW THE VEGETABLES ARE PREPARED, THEN CUT. THE COOK ALL THE TIME IS CHECKING THE OBTAINED FLAVOURS. A PRO. IT SHOWS. NOW SHE IS TAKING SOME SNAILS-SHELLS. PROCESSES THEM THERMALLY. STARTS PREPARING THE SAUCE. ASKS HOW TO SEASONING. IN THE END, WE GET GREAT LOOKING AND SCREAMING ALREADY FROM THE PLATE – LOOK HOW DELICIOUS I AM!!! – DISH. FOR ONLY 140 THB WE HAVE DISHES THAT IN SOME PLACES CAN COST US $ 30. WE THANK THE GIRL FOR HER BRILLIANT WORK.

• WE’RE LOOKING AT ALL THE DINER CARTS AROUND THE BUS STATION. MOST OF THE RESTAURANTS – STALLS ARE CLOSED. IT’S TOO EARLY FOR DINNER. WE BUY SOME FRUIT AND TRY SOME LOCAL QUICK SNACKS. NOTHING SPECIAL. THE BIGGER CHOICE WILL BE AFTER 7 pm.

• CHOWLAY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT. THE FOOD LOOKED GREAT. PRICES A LITTLE LESS.

• “DANG SEEFOOD” RESTAURANT – THE VARIETIES OF THAI CUISINE ARE LOOKING VERY INVITING. I’VE EATEN HERE THE BEST CURRIES IN THAILAND. OTHER DISHES ALSO VERY GOOD. EXPENSIVE SPARKLING WATER

• CAFFÈ AT SIAM HUT HOSTEL LOCATED ON A SANDY BEACH – GREAT COCKTAILS. THE FOOD LOOKS VERY GOOD

• MONKEY RESTAURANT ON THE SEASHORE. ONE OF THOSE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SANDY BEACH. IN THE MENU SEAFOOD AND FISH. EVERYTHING FRESHLY CAUGHT AND PREPARED. TASTES DELICIOUS. ? WE REPLACED WITH BEER INDICATED IN SUCH CASES THE WHITE WINE. GREAT SERVICE, DECENT PRICES. THERE IS EVEN FREE WI-FI !!!

• A CORNER DINER NEXT TO OUR HOTEL – GREAT PASTA DISHES

• BAANMAI RESTAURANT – PLENTY OF TOURISTS SINCE MORNING. NORMALLY WE ARE AVOIDING PREMISES OF THIS TYPE, BUT WOMBACIK HAD A GREAT WILLINGNESS TO THE MEAL WITH THE EUROPEAN CHIC. THAT’S WHY LANDED RIGHT HERE. THE FOOD IS SLIGHTLY ALTERED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DIGEST FOR WHITES. NOT, THAT SOME DRASTIC CHANGES WERE MADE. THEY ARE SIMPLY APPLYING BREAD OF THE TYPE BAGUETTE AND MORE GENTLY ARE SEASONING THEIR DISHES. WE PERSONALLY LIKED IT. HOWEVER, THE PRICE IS 15-20% MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IN THE LOCAL EATERY.

• PHOB SUK RESTAURANT – SUPPOSEDLY THE BEST IN THE CITY – IN LONELY PLANET ITS LOCATION IS DESCRIBED IN A NONSENSICAL WAY. PRACTICALLY CERTAIN IS ONLY THAT IT IS NEAR THE BUS STATION. WE KNOW FOR WHAT TO LOOK FOR, ON THE MAIN ROAD CUTTING THE CITY, AND ON WHICH SIDE. WE MOVE PENDULUMRY. FINALLY, IT TURNS OUT, WE ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT. HOWEVER, ABOVE OUR HEAD THE INSCRIPTION TELLS: MASSAGE … ONE OF THE COMING OUT GIRLS SAYS, THE RESTAURANT HAS BEEN CLOSED, BUT NO WORRIES – STRAIGHT AHEAD, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE THREE-LINE ROAD, IS THE RESTAURANT WIELDING THE PRIMACY OF THE SECOND BEST AT THE CITY.

• LAKSANA RESTAURANT ACTUALLY TURNED OUT TO BE GREAT, WITH VERY GOOD PRICES. THE MENU WAS LONG, WHICH ALARMED US, ALTHOUGH SOME POSITIONS SEEMED VERY INTERESTING. HOWEVER THE FOOD WAS OUTSTANDING. INTERESTINGLY COMPOSED, WELL SEASONED. THE ORDERED DISHES LOOKED AND TASTED FANTASTIC. THE CREW HAD SOME PROBLEMOS WITH ENGLISH, BUT IT’S A PIECE OF CAKE. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND … 🙂 🙂 🙂

• FANTASTIC DINER. DELICIOUS SOUPS

• FRIDAY SMALL TOWN MARKET. STALLS WITH ALL GOODS ARE STANDING ON THE HUGE GRASSY SQUARE. AROUND THEM STALLS, WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF NOSH. STARTING WITH ROASTED, FRIED OR GRILLED CHICKEN, OCTOPUS (PLN 1 FOR A PORTION – THIS IS INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO THINK THAT OCTOPUSES MUST BE EXPENSIVE), SAUSAGES, FISH OR SHRIMPS, AND ENDING WITH VEGETABLES, FRUITS, SUSHI, WHOLE DISHES ON A BASE OF RICE, PASTA AND SOUPS. A REAL FEAST OF FLAVOURS AND COLOURS.

• A DAILY MARKET IN THE VERY CENTER OF THE TOWN. ONE CAN BUY HERE EVERYTHING YOU WANT BY PAYING WISELY

• SURRERAT RESTAURANT – INTERESTING MENU. GREAT PASTA WITH SHRIMP AND GREEN CURRY. PORTIONS TINY.

• CHICKEN PAWS ON A STREET TROLLEY
  

• KACHA CAFFE – AVERAGE FOOD. WOMBAT THINKS THAT SHE ATE HERE THE WORST PASTA IN HER LIFE. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND

• SEVERAL DOZEN METERS BEFORE ENTERING OUR HOTEL THERE IS A KIND OF INN. IN THE EVENING, THEY SERVE BUFFET-STYLE MEALS, SOMETIMES CALLED THE SWEDISH TABLE. GUESTS SIT DOWN AT A TABLE ARMED WITH A TYPE OF BARBECUE CONNECTED TO THE WOK. THE WAITER LIGHTS THE BURNERS, AND CUSTOMERS ROLE IS LIMITED TO PUT ON IT THE SELECTED ARTICLES CHOSEN OFF COLD SHELVES. THERE ARE, AMONG OTHERS: PIECES OF FILLETED FISH, SQUIDS, CRABS, MUSSELS; PORK MEAT IN VARIOUS FORMS INCLUDING OFFAL; SOME PARTS OF CHICKEN; TOFU. VEGETABLES ARE DOMINATED BY CABBAGE, WHITE MUSHROOMS ON THIN LEGS, CHIVES, AND SOY SPROUTS. OF COURSE, ONE HAS TO PAY FOR DRINKS SEPARATELY. MARKUP IS DECENT. THE ONLY THING THAT SURPRISED ME SLIGHTLY, WAS THE ICE FEE.THE LOCAL BARBECUE SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE USED IN EUROPE. ITS CONSTRUCTION RESEMBLES A BIT SAILOR’S CAP. IMAGINE A MOUNTAIN IN THE SHAPE OF A BUXOM FEMALE BREAST GROWING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PELVIS.THIS IS WHAT THIS GRILL LOOKS LIKE. ONLY THAT ITS CENTRAL HEMISPHERICAL PART IS CUT TRANSVERSELY THROUGH. THANKS TO THIS, THE HEAT STRIKING FROM THE BOTTOM HAS AN OUTLET PATH. IT ALSO WORKS DIFFERENTLY. WATER IS POURED INTO THE GROOVE FORMED AROUND THE MOUND. WHEN IT STARTS TO BOIL, ONE CAN THROW IN SOME THINGS TO BE PARBOILED, OR SLIP OFF ITEMS BROILED ON THE HILL. THIS ACTION CREATES A SUPER-ESSENTIAL DECOCTION, GOOD AS A SAUCE OR SOUP. AN IMPORTANT ROLE IS THE LUBRICATION OF THE GRILL BEFORE STARTING BAKING, USING SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THIS PURPOSE, BACON. THIS PREVENTS STICKING OF FRIED PRODUCTS TO THE SUBSTRATE, PROTECTING THEM FROM BURNING.GOOD FOOD, THOUGH WITHOUT OOHING AND AHHING. I THINK THAT FLOCKS OF HOTEL GUESTS ARE STORMING THIS RESTAURANT. THEY HAVE A SUPER CLOSE TO THE BEDROOM AND TO THE BAR LOCATED BETWEEN THESE PLACES … I RECOMMEND IT, BUT ONLY TO THE PHANT GUESTS.

• ALL GOOD (FORMERLY SYDNEY CANALE) – A NEW SEAT AND A NEW NAME FOR A VERY WELL-KNOWN AND HIGHLY RATED RESTAURANT. NOTE: THE CURRENT LOCATION IS EASY TO FIND. WHILE ON LUCK MUANG ROAD, APPROACH THE ATM AT THE INTERSECTION WITH SIRIN THON. HAVING A SCHOOL AND THE BANK-TELLER BEHIND, ONE WILL SEE THE SOUGHT PLACE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. THE CREW, UNLIKE HER BOSS TRAINED IN AUSTRALIA, DO NOT HANDLE ENGLISH VERY WELL. UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE UNABLE TO TRY THEIR DISHES. THE REOPENING TOOK PLACE THE DAY AFTER OUR DEPARTURE.

TIPS

• GOING ALONG THE CHAKRABONGSE RD. WE CAME ACROSS THE AGENCY TRADING ALMOST EVERYTHING – INCLUDING ZLOTYS. NOT GREAT RATES, BUT IT IS SOME OPTION FOR THE ONES WHICH RAN OUT OF OTHER CURRENCIES.

• ALCOHOL AND MINERAL SPARKLING WATER ARE DIFFICULT TO GET AT A REASONABLE PRICE. WE DID NOT FIND THE MINERAL. THE CHEAPEST SODA WATER COSTS 42 THB @ SIX PACK, OR 7 THB BOTTLE 325 mil. WE SAW THE BEST PRICE FOR ALCOHOL IN THE 7/11 STORE CHAIN. YOU CAN GET A LOCAL RUM @ 280 THB / l HERE.
  

• MONEY EXCHANGE – IMPORTANT: THE BEST PRICES REACHING 50 AND 100 DOLLAR NOTES. THE WORST, EVERYTHING FROM US$ 5 DOWN. IN THIS CITY I FOUND ALSO, THE BEST US$ RATES FOR TRAVELLERS. IT IS WORTH CHECKING OUT A FEW MONEY CHANGERS, BECAUSE DIFFERENCES OF EXCHANGE RATES CAN BE QUITE BIG
  

• LONELY BEACH – ALL PUBS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, PUBS – SIMILARLY TO NIGHT SHELTERS – HAVE WI-FI. AS A RULE AVAILABLE EASILY PASSWORD, ALLOWS YOU TO QUICKLY BUILD YOUR OWN INTERNET NETWORK THROUGH THIS TYPE OF SERVICE PLACES. IT MAKES EXTREMELY EASY COMMUNICATION, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE ON LOW BUDGET.

• WE RAN OUT OF MONEY ON SUNDAY. FINDING A MONEY EXCHANGE OFFICE IN THIS PLACE BORDERS ON A MIRACLE. OF COURSE, WE CAN GO THE NEAREST ATM AND TAKE OUT CASH FROM THE WALL, BUT THEN FOR SUCH AN OPERATION WE WILL PAY 2 TIMES MORE THAN FOR THE DINNER FOR TWO (220 THB). WE COME UP WITH THE IDEA TO DO SHOPPING IN ONE OF THE 7/11 CHAIN STORES. THERE ARE GOOD PRICES THERE, AND THEY CERTAINLY ACCEPT CARDS. IN ONE OF THEM WE DO SHOPPING AND … – WE CAN NOT PAY BY CARD. YOU CAN SEE AT FIRST GLANCE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH ENGLISH, BUT ALSO WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES. IN THE NEXT 7/11, IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING WE SET THEIR RULES OF PAYMENTS WITH CREDIT CARDS. THIS TIME THE STORE’S CREW HAD SOME IDEA OF ​​NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS. WE LEARNED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL LIMIT THAT MUST BE EXCEEDED TO USE THE CARD (300 THB).
  AFTER CAREFULLY CHECKING THE FOOD OFFER, WE DECIDED TO LOOK YET AT THE TESCO EXPRESS. BINGO !!! IT’S THE BEST DECISION OF THE EVENING. IN TESCO EVERYTHING WAS CHEAPER, NOT TO MENTION THE LACK OF ANY FINANCIAL LIMITS. NOTE: 7/11 CHAIN STORES ARE EVERYWHERE IN THAILAND, HOWEVER, YOU CAN GET A LOT CHEAPER DRINKS, INCLUDING HIGH-PERCENTAGE ONES, IN TESCO EXPRESS (PAYING WITH A CARD NO PROBLEM) OR OTHER LOCAL STORES OF THIS SAME TYPE.

• EXCHANGE OF DOLLARS IN THE BANK. BE PATIENT. PREPARE: PASSPORT, ADDRESS OF THE HOTEL WHERE YOU LIVE AND ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER. MY EXCHANGE LASTED 30 MINUTES. I WISH YOU LUCK.

• ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE FESTIVAL, WE FOUND ONLY ONE EXCHANGE MONEY POINT. IS A KRUNG THAI BANK COOPERATING WITH WESTERN UNION. IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL (LUCK MUANG Rd.). RATES MUCH LOWER THAN THOSE FROM THE WEST OF THAILAND, BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN A BETTER ONE.

• IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO EXPLORE THE AREA, STAY IN SURIN CAN BE LIMITED TO ONE NIGHT. IT’S WORTH TO SEE THE FEEDING OF ELEPHANTS. IT IS A FANTASTIC SPECTACLE. SUNDAY PARADE IS A HISTORICAL-CIRCUS SHOW, AFTER WHICH YOU CAN CONTINUE FURTHER TRAVELING. BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THAT …

EXEMPLARY PRICES