hello everyone .... following is my blog on travel to bangkok .... i have tried to put some information experince , shall like to receive your comments and hope this is helpful to plan your trip ..... njoy and plz take care :-)

1. BANGKOK TRIP
MUMBAI – KOLKATTA – BANGKOK – PHUKET – PATTAYA AND BACK
20TH FEB TO 28TH FEB 2010
BANGKOK IS THE MOST HAPPENING TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD AND HENCE WE
THOUGHT OF GIVING A VISIT. WE LANDED IN BANGKOK AT 3 LOCAL TIME BY KINGFISHER FLIGHT ,THEY
ARE 1 ½ HRS AHEAD OF US THAT’S 7’00 GMT . IT TOOK ANOTHER 1 HR OR SO TO CLEAR THE
IMMIGRATION AND WAITING FOR THE BUS TO SUKHUMVIT.
THE BUS STOP IS AT THE 1ST FLOOR GATE 8 SO DIRECTLY HEAD FOR THAT , THEY CHARGE AROUNG 200
THB. THE ROADS ARE REALLY VERY GOOD AND CITY MUCH CLEANER BUT TRAFFIC CONGESTION STILL
EXIST INSPITE OF THE EXTRA WIDE ROADS . ONE THING WHICH IS REALLY APPRECIABLE IS THE HUGE
NETWORK OF FLYOVERS AROUND THE CITIES IMPORTANT LINES.
TRANSPORTATION IS NOT A PROBLEM THERE ARE TAXIS , BUSES , TUK TUK SERVICES METRO TRAIN BUT
MY FAVORITE WAS THE SKY TRAIN BUYING TICKETS AND TRAVELLING IS MUCH EASIER IN A SKY TRAIN.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO BOOK A HOTEL NEXT TO SKY TRAIN STATION AND YOUR JOB IS DONE.
AFTER GETTING REFRESHED WE HEADED STRAIGHT TO MBK MALL . IT’S A HUGE MALL AND ONE CAN
ROAM AROUND FOR HOURS SHOPPING AND EATING. NICE PLACE ***
BEFORE LEAVING THE HOTEL WE BOOKED OUR TICKETS FOR NEXT DAYS SAFARI WORLD AND ALSO BUS
TICKETS FOR PHUKET. DO CHECK IN HOTEL WHICH HAS A SAFETY LOCKER AND ALSO A GOOD TRAVEL
DESK. HAVING A TRAVEL DESK REALLY HELPS TO PLAN TOURS AND THEY EVEN OFFER DISCOUNTS BUT
THERE IS NO SCOPE FOR BARGAINING AS THE PRICES ARE ALREADY SLASHED.
WAITING FOR OUR FLIGHT TO BANGKOK AT KOLKATTA ANANTH BUYING A DISCO T-SHIRT AT
KOLKATTA AIRPORT MBK MALL BANGKOK

2. THERE ARE FEW RESTAURANTS WHICH OFFER INDIAN FOOD ALONG THE SUKHUMVIT BUT PERSONALLY
I DID’NT LIKE THE FOOD , WELL THEY LOOK INDIAN BUT NO WHERE TASTE LIKE ONE.
PHLOEN CHIT ONE OF THE MANY STATIONS ACROSS THE
SKY TRAIN NETWORK ….
THE NEXT MORNING DAY 2 WE HEADED STRAIGHT TO SAFARI WORLD/ MARINE PARK BY CAB . SAFARI
WORLD HAS ALL THE ANIMALS OF THE WORLD INCLUDING THE POLAR BEAR , IT WAS AS IF I WAS
SEEING NAT GEO AND DISCOVERY RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES.
CAMELS ZEBRAS RHINOS … U NAME THE ANIMAL AND U SHALL FIND THEM HERE 
OSTRICH … CURIOS THE ENTRANCE ONE OF THE MUST SEE PLACES

3. BENGAL WHITE TIGER ,ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL ,HAPPILY BATHING TO BEAT THE HEAT
U SHALL ALSO FIND SOME HOMO SAPIENS SHOWING THEIR TEETH …..
ELEPHANTS DOING A ACT AT ELEPANT SHOW .

4. SAMBAR IMPHALA BACK BUCK NEELGAI
LIONS , NEVER SAW A PRIDE FROM SO CLOSE AND THEY SEEMED LIKE THEY ARE WELL FED …
SO MANY TIGERS … WISH I COULD SEE THEM IN SIMILAR STRENGTH IN INDIA ..

5. ORANGUTAN SHOW – BOXING MATCH BIRD SHOW
SEA LIONS AT THEIR BEST
ONE OF THEM BALANCING A SMALL STATUE AT TIP OF ITS NOSE

6. ELEPHANT PAINTING
ANANTHA FEEDING THE GIRAFFE AT FEEDING CENTRE …

7. THERE IS ALSO A TERRACE MADE OF WOOD WHERE ONE CAN FEED GIRAFFE , IT HAS A MASSIVE
TONGUE IT WAS FUN NEVER SAW A REAL GIRAFFE IN MY LIFE FORGET FEEDING ONE.
SAFARI AND MARINE PARK INSIDE ROUTE MAP AND THE TICKET WITH SHOW AND TIMINGS
DOLPHIN SHOW
AFTER RETURNING FROM SAFARI WORLD WE HEADED STRAIGHT TO SOUTHERN BUS TERMINAL WHICH
IS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF BANGKOK AND WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US WE WERE NOT SURE
IF WE COULD MAKE IT BUT THANK HEAVENS WE REACHED JUST FEW MINUTES PRIOR DEPARTURE AND
IN A FEW MINUTES WERE COMFORTABLE ON OUR SEATS .

8. THE VIP BUSES WHICH I STRICLTY RECOMMEND ARE GOOD FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL , THESE ARE
VOLVO MULTI AXLE WITH A 3 SEAT CONFIGURATION NOT THE USUAL 4 SEAT AS WE FIND IN INDIA , THE
SEAT ARE BROADER WITH GOOD LEG ROOM , BLANKET AND REFESHMENTS ALSO PROVIDED .THE BUS
ALSO HAS A MOBILE CHARGING POINT AND A WASHROOM.THE JOURNEY WAS PLEASANT AND IT TOOK
GOOD 2 HRS LESS THEN WHT I WAS INFORMED.
ON A BIKE IN PHUKET … AWESOME PLACE , HERE BIKES ARE READILY AVAILABLE ON HIRE
BOTH AT HOTELS AND ROADSIDE SHOPS – ALL YOU NEED IS TO FILL UP A SMALL FORM AND
OFF U GO.
AFTER REACING THE HOTEL WE HAD SOME FOOD AND GOT FRESH. MEANTIME IT WAS EARLY
AFTERNOON SO WE TOOK A HALF DAY CORAL ISLAND TOUR WHERE WE DID PARA SAILING AND
SNORKELLING , U CAN ALSO HALT AT KAROM BEACH ON THE WAY BACK. WE LOVED DOING PARA
SAILING AND I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD TRY IT ONCE IN LIFETIME.
SNORKELLNG WAS A NEW EXPERINCE TO ME , ONLY THING IT TAKES SOME EFFORTS TO ADJUST SO
THAT THE WATER DOESN’T SEEP IN AND U ENJOY WATCHING CORALS AND FISHES SWIMMING BESIDE
U. IF YOU ARE VISITING CORAL ISLAND’S VIA PHUKET THEN I ADVICE YOU TO DO SNORKELLING A FEW
METRES AWAY TOWARDS YOUR RIGHT FACING THE SEA. THERE ARE BETTER REEFS AND FISHES NOT
THE USUAL PLACE WHERE YOU SHALL FIND MOST PEOPLE DOING.
THE MOST IDEAL WAY TO MOVE AROUND PATONG BEACH , NO IDEA ABOUT PHUKET TOWN IS TO HIRE
A BIKE FROM THE HOTEL , SO DON’T FORGET TO CARRY YOUR INDIAN DRIVING LICENCE WHICH IS
VALID IN THAILAND AND DO ASK FOR HELMET FROM THE OWNER. IT IS FUN TO MOVE AROUND ON A
BIKE , ONE CAN STOP AT ANY PLACE HE OR SHE LIKES AND LOT OF PLACES CAN BE COVERED.

9. AFTER RETURNING FROM CORAL ISLANDSWE HAEADED STRAIGHT TO JUNG CEYLON, AS PER SOME
WEBSITES IT IS BIGGEST SHOPPING MALL BUT I DON’T THINK SO . HOWEVER IT IS ONE OF THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL MALLS I HAVE COME ACROSS , IT HAS EVERYTHING IN IT EVEN A SHOOTING RANGE CALLED
MEGAFORCE.I RECOMMEND YOU TO BUY A PACKAGE WHICH GIVES OPTION OF TRYING VARIOUS FIELDS
AND SWITCHING IN BETWEEN THE GUNS LIKE THE AK’S , M1’S & SNIPERS I LIKED THE M1 WITH A LASER
TRACKER . I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO SHOOT USING A AK-47 MAY BE AS IT DIDN’T HAD A SHOULDER
SUPPORT WE HAD LOT OF FUN AIMING AT SHOOTING RANGE AND SWITCHING GUNS ANANTH WAS
TOO EXCITED BUT IT WAS ME WHO MANAGED TO HIT BULL’S EYE , WELL HE CAN’T DENY THE FACT WE
EVEN GOT A PRINT OUT OF OUR SCORE AS COMPLIMENTARY .

10. HAVING FUN AT MEGA FORCE – JUNG CEYLON – PHUKET , THESE GUNS ARE SIMILAR TO
ORIGINAL ONES EXCEPT THAT THEY FIRE LAZERS INSTEAD OF BULLETS
WE MOVED ACROSS THE MALL , CHECKING VARIOUS STUFFS , SOME SIGHTSEEING , BY LATE EVENING
FINALLY OUR LEGS GAVE UP HMM TIME FOR DINNER. ALONG THE BEACH ROAD A SIGN OF INDIAN
RESTAURANT BROUGHT SMILES ON OUR FACES , THERE’S NOTHING LIKE INDIAN FOOD AND WE WERE
BADLY MISSING IT. WITH OUR STOMACH FULL WE WERE AGAIN CHARGES UP TO MOVE AROUND.
ENJOYING SOME BARBEQUE AT THE BEACH ANANTHA HIGH UP IN THE AIR

11. GO PARA SAILING THAT’S ME ………….
BEWARE PEOPLE CAN TAKE UR SNAPS FROM ANY ANGLE …. HERE IS ONE SHOWING LOT OF
INTEREST 

12. JAMES BOND ISLAND …. A MASTERPIECE
DAY 4 – JAMES BOND ISLAND TOUR THE BEST DAY OF OUR TRIP TO THAILAND, JAMES BOND ISLAND IS
AWESOME WE HAD BOOKED A SPPED BOAT TOUR RATHER THEN A SLOWER CATAMARINE , THE POINT
WAS WE CAN REACH THE ISLANDS FASTER AND SPEND MORE TIME OVER THERE. THE CAB DRIVER
ARRIVED ON TIME AND GRADUALLY PICKING UP OTHER TOURIST ON THE WAY WE REACHED PAO PIA
HARBOUR.
THE AIR SO CLEAN I FEEL I AM FLYING …..

13. FROM THE HARBOUR WE SET ON A SPEED BOAT TO JAMES BOND ISLAND WHERE THE MOVIE MAN
WITH A GOLDEN GUN WAS SHOT. ON THE WAY WE CAME ACROSS MANY ISLANDS , THESE ARE SO
BEAUTIFUL .. WISH I COULD BUILD A HOUSE ON THOSE. THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE ESPECIALLY ONE OF
THE HUGE ROCK WHICH STANDS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA. ANANTH ASUSAL STARTED TAKING
PICTURES FROM ALL ENDS , WE SPEND LOT OF TIME TAKING PICTURES RATHER THEN EXPLORING,
HOWEVER THEY GAVE US 1 ½ HRS OR SO WHICH I THINK WAS STILL VERY LESS.
ANANTHA WANTED THIS IN SOME OTHER PLACE ….
TIME TO TAKE LUNCH …. ANADAMAN HOTEL

14. FROM THE JAMES BOND ISLAND WE WERE TAKEN TO PANJI VILLAGE , AT THE VILLAGE THERE ARE MANY
RESTAURANTS PERKED ON WOODED DESKS ON THE SEA. MAKE SURE YOU INFORM THE TOUR
OPERATOR ABOUT YOUR PREFERENCE FOR VEG FOOD IMPOSSIBLE INDIAN.THEY WILL KEEP THE FOOD
READY BUT IF U ASK FOR IN LAST MINUTE THEY WILL PROBABLY IGNORE AS HAPPENED WITH ONE
INDIAN COUPLE , THE POOR LADY COULD STAND SMELL OF FOOD SERVED. SEEING THEIR PLIGHT WE
JOINED IN AND MADE A FORMAL REQUEST TO GET SOME VEG STUFF COOKED FOR EVERYONE OF US.
SO IF YOU ARE A STRICT VEG I SUPPOSE YOU SHALL HAVE A HARD TIME WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD,
PERSONALLY I DOUBT EVEN A NONVEG FOOD WOULD TASTE GOOD. I WAS MORE CONCERN ABOUT THE
INGRIDIENTS THEY MUST HAVE USED SO WE PREFERRED TO STICK TO BASIC FOODS RATHER THEN
TRYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND EXOTIC.
FROM PANJI VILLAGE WE LEFT FOR HONG ISLAND ANOTHER BEAUTY AT THE SEAS AND WHAT A WAY OF
EXPLORING THEN BY SEA CANOEING. FROM THE HIGH SPEED WE WERE TRASFERRED TO KAYAK’S
WHICH HOLD UPTO 2-3 PEOPLE INCLUDING A RIDER.IT WAS NICE , THERE WAS A PLACE LIKE A CAVE
SURROUNDED ON ALL FOUR SIDES AND OPEN SKY AT TOP.THE CAVE OPENS DURING LOW TIDE AND
CLOSES DURINF HIGH TIDE . WE WERE GIVEN A SHORT BRIEFING AND STRICLTY TOLD TO KEEP OUR
HEADS LOW WHILE MANOEUVERING THROUGH THE NARROW WAYS .
GUIDE BREIFING US ABT DO’S N DON’T’S …. FR EG . THE FIRST ONE SAYS TO MIND YOUR
HEADS WHEN INSIDE THE CAVES AND SECOND ONE NOT TO MAKE NOISE AS IT WOULD
SCARE AWAY THE BIRDS.

15. AFTER SPENDING CONSIDERABLE TIME CANOEING WE STARTED OUR JOURNEY BACK. ON THE WAY
BACK WE WENT ACROSS PANAK ISLAND, THERE ARE HUGE STALAGMITES AND STALAGTITES AND ALSO
OYSTER CAVE AND BAT CAVE. BUT YOU HAVE TO ADD ON THE ABOVE PANAK ISLAND TO YOUR
PACKAGE IF YOU NEED TO VISIT THESE ISLANDS.
ENROUTE WE ALSO CAME ACROSS NAKA ISLAND AND FROM NAKA ISLAND IT WAS JUST A SHORT
JOURNEY BACK TO PAO-PIA HARBOUR
NOTE : ALL THE ABOVE SAID ISLANDS CAN BE COMFORABLY COVERED IN ONE SINGLE DAY AND HENCE
INFORM YOUR TOUR OPERATOR AS PER UR NEEDS AND FIX ITENARY ACOORDINGLY. I WOULD
RECOMMEND YOU TO SKIP PANJI VILLAGE PROVIDED FOOD IS SERVED ON BOARD AND VISIT JAMES
BOND ISLAND , PANAK AND HONG ISLAND TOGETHER. IN THE EVENING WE ROAMED ALONG THE
PATAONG BEACH ROAD EXPLORING AND FAMOUS BANGLA ROAD.
ISLANDS LIKE THESE ARE SCATTERED ALL OVER THE PLACE SOME BIG AND SOME SMALL …
DAY 5 , THIS ENTIRE DAY WAS NOT ON THE PLAN AND THUS RESULTED IN ONE MORE DAY AT THE SEA
WE REACHED MONKEY ISLAND LATE IN THE MORNING AND STARTED SNORKELLING. THIS WAS INDEED
FAR BETTER AS WE WERE NOT TAKEN TO THE BEACH BUT THE CATAMARINE ANCHORDED A FEW
METRES AWAY AND WITH OUR SNORKELLING EQIPMENT AND LIFE JACKET ON WWE JUMPED STRAIGHT
AWAY AND BY THIS TIME I WAS COMFORTABLE DOING IT AND SINCE WE WERE AWAY FROM THE SHORE
MEANS MORE MARINE LIFE AT OUR DISPOSAL. THEN WE WERE TAKEN TO PHI PHI ISLANDS ONE OF THE
MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS OFF PHUKET AND MUST SEE DESTINATION. I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE
WHO VISIT PHUKET STAY ATLEAST A DAY OR TWO AT PHI PHI ISLANDS TO EXPLORE ITS REAL BEAUTY.
THERE ARE LOT OF STAY OPTIONS AND SITE SEEING AND WATER ACTIVITIES TO CHOOSE FROM AS PER
UR LIKING AND INTERESTS.

16. THERE ARE HUGE HOARDINGS AT THE ENTRANCE OF PHI PHI DONG ( ISLANDS ) WHICH GIVES
ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACES TO STAY ASWELL AS THE PACKAGES , SO U CAN
CHOOSE THE ONE AS PER UR NEEDS AND BUDGET.
IN ADDITION TO HOARDINGS THERE ARE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES AS ONE SHOWN
ABOVE WHERE U CAN SELECT , THE STAFF IS FRIENDLY BUT DON’T FORGET TO BARGAIN.

17. DAY 6 – WE BOARDED A BUS FROM BANGKOK TO PATTAYA AT AROUND 8.30 AM . WE SHOULD HAVE
REACHED BANGKOK BY 6.00 FROM PHUKET BUT THE DRIVER WAS BIT SLOW , SOUTHERN BUS
TERMINAL IS QUIET BIG AND DOESN’T GIVE A LOOK AS IT WERE A BUS TERMINAL , IT LOOKS MORE OF A
SHOPPING TERMINAL TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT COUNTERS AT THE FIRST FLOOR AND SINCE HAD ONE
HOUR WE DECIDED TO GET OURSELF FRESH HAVE BREAKFAST TO SAVE TIME.
AFTER GETTING DOWN AT PATTAYA SEARCH FOR A BIG PATTAYA MAP HOARDING/ DISPLAY AND U WILL
FIND IN UNIFORM AT YOUR SERVICE TO GUIDE YOU.HE WORKS FOR A SEMI GOVT TOURIST
ORGANISATIONAND WAS VERY HELPFUL. HE GUIDED US TO ANEARBY TOURISM OFFICE WHICH IS JUST
A COUPLE OF MINUTES DOWN THE LANE. AT THE TOURIST OFFICE YOU CAN PLAN YOUR TOUR WITH
EASE, THEY HAVE ALL THE INFORMATIONAND PLAENTY OF PACKAGES AS PER YOUR
REQUIREMENTS.SINCE WE HAD ALREADY PREPLANNED WHAT TO SEE SO THERE WAS NO ISSUE
HOWEVER SINCE WE HAD SPEND ONE EXTRA DAY IN PHUKET SO WE COULD NOT SEE COUPLE OF
PLACES IN PATTAYA.
ANANTHA ALL SMILING – IN THIS PICTURE U CAN IMAGINE THE SHEAR SIZE OF THE TEMPLE.
WE BROUGHT TICKETS FOR RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT AND SANTUARY OF TRUTH. SANTUARY OF
TRUTH IS ON OUTSKIRTS SO THE PICK UP DROPN WAS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE , WE TOOK A TUK
TUK SERVICE TO THE HOTEL .THE HOTEL WAS OK SORT OF AND AFTER CHECKING IT WE WENT TO
SUBWAY AS IT PROVIDES A GOOD ALTERNATIVE FOR FRESH SAFE FOOD OUTSIDE INDIA  . I THOUGHT
IT MUST BE ANOTHER ANCIENT SIDE LIKE WE FIND IN INDIA.BUT I WAS TOTALLY WRONG .

18. IT IS A ENTIRE TEMPLE CARVED OUT OF WOOD WITH DAZZLING ARTITECTURE AND THE CONSTRUCTION
HAS STARTED SINCE 1983 AND STILL GOING ON.
THE GUIDE TOLD US IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER 15 YEARS OR SO TO COMPLETE IT. FOR US WE
WITNESSED A WOODEN TEMPLE IN THE MIDEST OF ITS CONSTRUCTION PHASE. IT’S A MASSIVE
STRUCTURE THEY ARE BULIDING WITH SCULPTURE OF ELEPHANTS LIONS HORSES ON THE OUTSIDE AND
GODS AND GODDESS FROM THE INSIDE PROMININEAMONG THEM ARE VISHNU, SHIVA BRAHMA
GANESHA. ANANTHA SO EXCITED THAT NO ONE ON EARTH COULD STOP HIM FROM TAKING PICS AND
HE WAS TAKING PHOTOS FROM EVERY ANGLE POSSIBLE. AFTER SPENDING AROUNF 2 HRS OR SO WE
WENT TO SEE DOLPHIN SHOW IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES. IT ALSO HOUSES A FACTORY WHERE
WORKERS CRAVE OUT WOODEN STATUES AND BLOCKS PATIENTLY.THESE ARE MADE IN A ZIGZAW TYPE
EACH BLOCK CAREFULLY CARVED TO FIT INTO NEXT GIVING RISE TO FINAL STRUCTURE.
GIVING MY CONTRIBUTION AT THE SANTUARY OF TRUTH .

19. EVERY TEMPLE HAS BELLS
THERE ARE SCULPCORS OF INDIAN GODS AND GODDESS LIKE THE BRAHMA VISHNU SHIVA
SUN MOON MERCURY MARS JUPITER VENUS AND SATURN ALL OF THEM HAND CARVED TO
PERFECTION . EACH OF THESE MYSTIC PIECE OF ART ARE SURROUNDED BY BY OTHER ART
FORMS BY WHICH ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE GODS THEY DEPICT , FR EG THE BRAHMA
SURROUNDED BY TREES ANIMALS DEPICTING LIFE ,
SANTUARY OF TRUTH – A MUST SEE ….

20. LATE EVENING WE REACHED RIPLEYS’S – IT WAS ON THE PRIORITY LIST AND GOOD THAT IT WAS IN THE
HEART OF PATTAYA. IT HAS EVERYTHING IN IT AND BETTER TO BUY A COMPLETE PACKAGE RATHER
THEN GOING FOR INDIVIDUAL ONES AS IT IS MUCH CHEAPER.THE FIRST ONE WAS SCARY HOUSE , I
NEVER BEEN TO ONE BEFORE AND ANANTH TOOK THE LEAD.THE SECONG ONE WAS GLASS HOUSE
WHICH WAS THE BEST OF ALL SOME ROOMS WERE AWESOME , ONE OF THEM GIVNG FEELING AS IF WE
WERE SUSPENDED IN SPACE.THIS ONE WAS A 4 D SHOW , 4D IN ADDITION TO 3D HAS MOVABLE SEATS
WHISCH GIVES A REAL TIME FEELING BUT ITS ONLY FOR 15 MIN VERY SAD …
THEN THERE WAS ENTIRE MUSEUM OF RIPLEY’S , LOT OF THINGS TO SEE AND ONE CAN SPEND HOURS .
I TOOK PLENTY OF PICS OF VARIOUS THINGS ON DISPLAY & EVEN PLAYED SOME GAMES.BY THE TIME
WE WERE FINISED WITH RIPLEYS IT WAS LATE AND WE HEADED TO WALKING STREET TO GET A GLIMPSE
OF NIGHT LIFE .
4D THEATRE
WHOSE MORE SCARY NOW

21. LOIUS TAUSSAD’S MUSEUM PATTAYA ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO SEE THE MARINE WORLD
NEXT DAY WE GOT UP PREETY LATE AND WITH PATTYAA ALMOST DONE WE LEFT THE HOTEL AND
CAUGHT BUS TO BANGKOK. ASUSAUL ANOTHER 2 HRS AND WE WERE IN BANGOK AND CHECKED INTO
THE SAME HOTEL. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET ANANTH CHARGER BACK WHICH HE HAD LEFT WHILE
LEAVING TO PHUKET. THE HOTEL STAFF APPRIECIABLE FOR KEEPING IT SAFE.WE BOUGHT TICKETS FOR
SIAM PARAGON WHICH IS A HUGE SHOPPING CENTRE AND SIAM OCEAN WORLD. SINCE TICKETS WERE
ALREADY BROUGHT FROM THE HOTEL TIME WAS SAVED AS WE DIDN’T HAVE TO STAND IN QUEUE.
DON’T WORRY ITS BEHIND THE GLASS …. OMG THESE CREATURES R REALLY SCARRY
THERE IS A UNDER WATER WORLD AT PATTAYA ASWELL BUT THE STAFF AT THE TOURIST ADVISED US
THAT THE ONE AT SIAM OCEAN WORLD IS MUCH BIGGER AND SINCE IT IS ALREADY IN UR LIST ONE AT
PATTYA CAN BE SKIPPED .IT REALLY LIVED UPTO OUR EXPECTATIONS , THE FISHES , CRUSTACEONS

22. SHARKS AMAZING NEVER SAW SUCH THINGS SO CLOSE.THERS IS ALSO A SMALL BOAT RIDE WITH GLASS
BOTTOM WHERE YOU CAN SEE GIANT SHARKS AND OTHER FISHES MOVING BENEATH THE BOAT. THE
GUIDES EXPLANATION WAS EXHAUSTIVE HE COVERED EVERY MINUTE DETAILS AS N WHEN POSSIBLE, IT
HAS EVERYTHING RELATED TO MARINE LIFE ONE CAN SPEND HRS STUDYING THE SPECIES AT DISPLAY.
OUT OF A SHARKS’S MOUTH GANESH TEMPLE
AFTER SPENDING TIME AT SIAM PARAGAON WE MOVED FOR SOME AUTHENTIC THAI MASSAGE AND IT
WAS GOOD WITH OUR BONES RUMBLING BUT IT WAS QUIET RELAXING AND IT TOOK AWAY ALL THE
STRESS OF OUR TOUR
IN A TUK TUK ON THE WAY BACK TO HOTEL … CHEAPEST MODE OF TRANSPORT

23. BY LATE NIGHT BEFORE RETURNING TO HOTEL I THOUGHT OF CHECKING THE EMAIL AND SKY ALMOST
CREASHED ON US , THE FLIGHT WAS FULL AND WE WERE ON STANDBY. SHOCKING COZ IT WAS A
SUNDAY AND WITH OTHER AIRLINES OPTIONS BLEAK WE WERE ALMOST STRANDED.WELL WE HAD TO
TAKE CHANCES AND NEXT DAY WE DECIDED TO SKIP PANTIP AND HEAD STRAIGHT FOR AIRPORT.
PANTIP IS A ELECTRONIC SHOPPING MARKET WHERE ONE CAN FIND MANY ITEMS AND IT WAS SAD
THAT WE HAD TO SKIP IT , BUT OUR SCHEDULE WAS SO TIGHT STILL WE HAD MANAGED TO COVER LOT
OF PLACES.IT WAS AN ANXIOUS 2 HRS OF WATING BEFORE WE GOT OUR BOARDING PASSES, WE RAN
TOWARDS IMMIGRATION AND BOARDED OUR FLIGHT BACK.WELL YOU SEE ONE REALLY MISSES
MOTHERLAND IN THESE SITUATIONS. BUT IN OTHER WAYS IT WAS NOCE IT LIKE A TADKA IN A NEATLY
PREPARED CURRRY. HENCE OUR TOUR HAD EVERYTHING IN IT LAUGH , FUN ENJOYMENT ANXIETY …..
AFTER LANDING IN KOLKATTA WE GOT OUR BOARDING PASSES FORST TO MUMBIA AND SINCE THERE
WAS ANOTHER 2 HRS GAP CALLED UP MY FELLOW COLLEGUE AND HAD CUP OF COFFEE. NEXT DAY WAS
DUTY SO STRAIGHT TO HOME FOR A NICE HOT SHOWER , POOR ANANTH HAD TO STAY BACK AT THE
AIRPORT TO CATCH HIS NEXT DAY EARLY MORNING FLIGHT TO CHENNAI.
TRANSPORTATION:
TAXI IS PREFERABLE , GET IDEA FROM HOTEL , SHOP OF APPROX. PRICE AND THEN BARGAIN WITH THE
TAXI DRIVER FOR THAT PRICE RATHER GOING FOR METERED ONE, MOREOVER HE WILL TRY TO GET U
SOONER AT YOUR DESTINATION TO CHECK IN NEXT PAX. SKYTRAIN IS BEST WAY TO MOVE AROUND ,
MOST PLACES LIKE MBK MALL SIAM PARAGON ARE VERY CLOSE TO TRAIN STOPS. TUK TUK IS ONLY FOR
SHORT DISTANCES , FOR VIP BUSES CONTACT ( rrc_bus@hotmail.com ) www.transport.co.th
CALLING CARDS:INTERNATIONAL CALLING CARDS ARE READILY AVAILABLE AND PHONE BOOTHS ARE
ALSO FOUND AT MOST ROAD JUNTIONS , AIRPORT ALSO HAS ONE ON FIRST FLOOR.WHEN YOU TAKE A
LOCAL’S NUMBER DO ASK FOR PROPER CODES AND HOW TO DIAL THE NUMBER. PROPER
INSTRUCTIONS NEED TO BE FOLLOWED WHILE DIALING ISD NUMBERS TO INDIA – IT IS DISPLAYED
CLEARLY AT THE BOOTH.
FOOD : FOR VEGETERIANS THAILAND IS NOT THE PLACE AND I RECOMMEND THEY CARRY OUR INDIAN
PACKED FOOD TO BE ON SAFER SIDE.WE DIDN’T FIND A SINGLE PURE VEG RESTAURANT AND I BET
INDIAN ONES ARE ACTUALLY RUN BY INDIANS. THE FOOD TASTE AVERAGE HOWEVER THERE ARE MANY
AUTHENTIS THAT’S FOOD PLACES PROVIDED YOU LIKE IT.FISH AND MEAT ( ALL TYPES ) IS ALL AROUND
THE PLACE AND SOMETIMES U ALSO GET AN UNCANNY SMELL AROUND A EATERYAND PASSING BY
THOSE IS VERY DISTURBING .HOWEVER THERE ARE MANY SUBWAYS McD’S KFC’S WHERE U CAN FEAST
UPON.
NIGHTLIFE : BANGKOK LIKE ANYOTHER TOURIST PLACES IN THAILAND IS FULL OF PUBS , BARS AND
DISCO’S AND UNLIKE INDIA THEY REMAIN OPEN TILL EARLY MORNING . IN PHUKET ALONG THE
PATAONG BEACH ROAD IS GREAT FOR HANGING AROUND AND FOR HAVING FUN.AT PATTAYA - MIXX
DISCO ON WALKING STREET 3RD FLOOR BALI HAI PLAZA.

24. SAFETY : MY OPINION I THOUGHT CITIES WERE SAFER , BUT IT ALWAYS BETTER TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL .
THE HOTEL YOU CHOOSE SHOULD HAVE A GOOD LOCKER SYSTEM AND DON’T KEEP ANYTHING
SCATTERED PACK EVERYTHING IN BAG AND LEAVE . CHECK OUT THE LOCATION OF INDIAN EMBASSY
AND THEIR CONTACT AT SUKUMVIT ROAD.
CURRENCY : ITS PREFERABLE TO CONVERT THE CURRENCY IN INDIA RATHER THEN IN THAILAND AS YOU
WILL GET BETTER RATE HERE, BANGKOK BANK IN SUKHUMVIT OFFERED RATE 0.61 FOR INDIAN RUPEE
ON FEB22 2010. I HAD GOT BETTER ONE FROM WEISMANN FOREX IN INDIA. SECONDLY IF YOU ARE
CARRYING ANY INDIAN CURRENCY THEN SEE TO IT THAT IT IS NOT TORN, DISCOLORED AND DOESN’T
HAVE ANYTHING WRITTEN ON IT ELSE IT WILL BE REJECTED.THEY ALSO DO NOT ACCEPT 1000RS INDIAN
NOTES.SO PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL.
STAY : THERE ARE MANY AS PER YOUR BUDGET AND CAN BE BOOKED VIA INTERNET , JUST SURF AND U
FIND ONE EASILY , FOR BANGKOK ONE ON SUKHUMVIT ROAD , FOR PATTAYA NEAR WALKING STREET
AND PHUKET ALONG PATAONG BEACH OR TOWN IS BETTER.OUR STAY AT BANGKOK – NANATAI
MANSION END OF SOI SUKHUMVIT 4 ON LEFT SIDE . email : songporn@nanataimansion.com OUR STAY
AT PHUKET -- @HOME GUEST HOUSE email : info@athome-guesthouse.com younghaan@yahoo.com U
CAN ALSO CONTACT THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR TOUR PLANS service@orientalescape.com . AT PATTAYA
U CAN CONTACT reservation@carltonpattayahotel.com .
MASSAGE : THERE ARE MANY SPREAD ALL ALONG THAILAND’S MAJOR CITIES JUST LIKE BARS N PUBS.
HERE IS ONE PETIADA MASSAGE PETCHBORI SOI 35 NEAR BANGKOK PALACE HOTEL WHICH SPECIALISE
IN THAI TYPE.
TIME TO VISIT : BEST TIME TO VISIT IS FROM NOV TO FEB , AND DURING THIS TIME VISA IS ALSO
WAVERED BUT STILL CHECK ON THIS. AFTER FEB IT BECOMES HOT N HUMID , FEB FIRST WEEK
ACORDING TO ME IS BEST COZ BY THIS TIME TOURIST SEASON IS RECEDING AND ITS MUCH EASIER TO
GET THROUGH WITH UR PLANS.
THINGS TO CARRY : A GOOD CAMERA IS MUST , LOT OF BEACH WEAR , HOWEVER PLEANTY IS
AVAILABLE , UR DRIVING LICENCE WARM CLOTHES ARE NOT NEEDED. SOME MEDICINES AS PER YOUR
NEEDS. BAHT THAI CURRENCY NEED TO BE SHOWN TO IMMIGRATION OFFICER ACTUAL FIGURE MAY
VARY SO CHECK AT TIME OF TRAVEL. A EMAIL COPY OF YOUR BOOKING AT THE HOTEL , CONFIRM
BOOKING IS NOT REQUIRED. DON’T MAKE BOOKING ONLINE BY PAYING JUST GET A EMAIL THAT
ROOMS HAVE BEEN BOKED FOR SO N SO DAYS.
THAT’S CONCLUDES MY BLOG ON BANGKOK TRAVEL …. GUYS N GALS UR FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS
ARE VALUABLE TO ME.
HOPE THE ABOVE INFO ASSIST IN YOUR TRIP TO BANGKOK …
REGARDS
TRAVELLERS : JEETENDRA FROM MUMBAI AND ANATHA FROM CHENNAI BOTH WORK FOR KINGFISHER
AIRLINES . ENJOY THE GOOD TIMEs 