We had a really early start this morning. Our driver picked us up at 6:30 and drove us to the airport. It is an interesting setup departures and check in is further down the airport than arrivals. After you check in you walk down to have your bags scanned (domestic) or customs and immigration for international departures. Bangkok airlines had a nifty little complementary area where you could get drinks, sandwiches etc like a mini outdoor version of their business lounge for all the economy passengers.
The drive from Bangkok airport to the hotel took us just over 2 hours – the driver’s GPS told him it was faster to go through the city than stay on the expressway – I’m not sure that was right. We are staying at the Millennium Hilton which is on the river. We weren’t able to get our room until 3 so we went to the market next door then to the new Iconsiam shopping centre next door to the hotel.
Our room is on the 22nd floor and has a beautiful view of the river.
After we had checked in, had a swim in the surprisingly cold pool, we ventured across the river on the free hotel water taxi to get the skytrain.
We explored around Siam station (where you change skytrain lines). Last time we were here there was one new shopping centre and a couple of older ones across the road from it. Now it is an area that has about 8 new or renovated shopping centres with everything from Hermes/Prada to little vendors with a small market stall selling their wares. The Thai people of Bangkok have definitely become consumers and seem obsessed with everything Japan and Korea. For Peter and Jayenne we havent found the Hello Kitty Cafe yet – but we will.
From here we caught the train up Sukhumvit Rd and then walked the wrong way (I thought we were heading towards where we stayed last time instead we were heading away. I was accosted by a ladyboy working girl who was standing in a really dark section of the street, i made the mistake of being polite and saying hello as we walked past.
I finally worked out that we were going the wrong was and we hopped back on the train and reset ourselves. We found where the street food used to be near the Sheraton Grande, where we stayed at last time. The area has now been gentrified and looks like Eat St, it was even hard to find Thai food there. The food choices seemed to be primarily Korean and Japanese, price wise it was definitely scaled to tourist/middle class Thai families and there seemed to be a good mix of both there.
We were back at the hotel about 9pm which seemed to be just in time to watch Iconsiam’s water/light show and a laser show from our room. The photo below is the view from the rooftop bar. We will try and get here for a drink before we leave.
davstuholidays 