Kade enjoying a boat ride in Thailand. On the way to Monkey Island!

Monday, February 26, 2024

Baht


That's not even $200 US!  

Being that we take regular trips to Thailand, we usually try to always keep some Thai Baht on us.  4000 - 6000 baht is good.  That way, when we arrive in Bangkok, we can get going without exchanging money or using an ATM at the airport - not that there's anything really wrong with that.  We just like to get into the city as quickly as possible.  And there are plenty of banks and ATMs to conduct business after we're rested.

Sunday, February 18, 2024

House No. 1



A walk down Captain Bush Lane takes you by House No. 1.  Click here to learn about that walk.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Nai Lert

Lert Sreshthaputra
aka Nai Lert (Mr. Lert)
1915

Nai Lert & his wife, Khunying Sin

He constructed the tallest commercial building in Bangkok of his day.

There it is!

Bangkok was once nicknamed "Venice of the East."  See Nai Lert's high-rise?  It's still standing today, in 2024.  Not sure what it's used for.  On a walk I intend this year, I will have an opportunity to see it.

I believe he owned that entire building complex.  On the right side and around back was his ice factory, the first in Bangkok.

It was in operation in 1905.

You can tour his home in Bangkok.  I will do so this summer.  This was actually Nai Lert's second home in the city.  His first home was on Charoenkrung Rd, near his businesses.  He later purchased property in what is today the Sukhumvit area.  That's where he built his new home.

This is his great-granddaughter, Naphaporn Bodiratnangkura.  She's the CEO of Nai Lert Park Development Co..








Click here for a video that got me interested in learning about Nai Lert.  It should start at 9:01.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Old Customs House

My plan in late June is to walk a route through a historic area on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.  The Old Customs House is a landmark I will walk by.  It's being repurposed as a luxury riverside hotel.  Scheduled completion is in 2024.






Click here and here for some history of the Customs House.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Coming This Summer

Over the years, I've experienced 31 rooftop bars in Bangkok.  These are the ones that have peaked my interest for this summer's trip.  I would like to do at least 9 of these, but I'm really striving for 14.  The main wild card is the weather.  We'll be there at the start of the rainy season.
 

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Just Say No

You can find durian in Asian markets in the US.  It's flash-frozen and usually not the best variety.  I wouldn't recommend it.  Instead, plan a trip to Southeast Asian June - Sept.  In particular, select Thailand and Malaysia.  Indonesia is also a fabulous place for it, but it's not the easist country to get around.





Saturday, February 3, 2024

Knocked Out These

These are the Bangkok rooftop bars I tried in December.  Two of them - Char and Moon Bar - I had done before.  The rest (14) were new experiences.  Of the new ones, my favorites were Bar.Yard, Tichuca, Abar, Anju Korean and Trans Blue.

Up & Above (Okura Prestige)
Sky on 20 (Novotel)
Spectrum (Hyatt Regency)
Abar (Marriott Marquis)
Char (Indigo)
Mojjo (Skyview)
Tichuca (T-ONE)
Aire (Hyatt Place)
Flashback (Tastoria)
Brewski (Radisson Blu)
UFO (Soi 11)
ANJU Korean (Sindhorn Midtown)
The Speakeasy Bar (Hotel Muse)
Bar.Yard (Kimpton Maa-lai)
Moon Bar (Banyan Tree)
Trans Blue (Solaria)

I also got up to these for a look-around.  Didn't drink anything.  They may be on my radar in the future.

The St. Regis Rooftop Bar (St. Regis)
Escape (Emquartier)
AkaAza (Amara)
Throwback (Silom Edge)
1826 Mixology (Rembrandt)

I created this Google map showing the 31 Bangkok rooftop bars I've gone to over the years.  This year I hope to get this number to 40, even 45.  Since it will be the start of the rainy season, it's almost too hopeful to think I can get to 45.  May the rooftop bar gods be with me!

Friday, January 26, 2024

Arrival

Asheville - Atlanta - Seoul - Bangkok







Arrived in Bangkok.  Didn't take very long to get through passport control and to get my luggage.  Surprised me how fast it was, especially considering how many people there were.










I had Thai baht from my previous trip, so there was no need to get any money exchanged at the airport.  However, if you do need to covert currency, after getting your bag, walking by customs and exiting into the Arrivals area (where people are there to welcome passengers), go to the very bottom level of the airport to the money exchange called SuperRich.  The rates are the best.

To get into the city, you have options:  prearranged and prepaid personal driver, electric taxi, regular taxi, luxury-level taxis, buses and train (SRT).  I usually choose SRT.  If you have big luggage and just don't want the hassle, you can go by taxi.  Regular taxis should be around 500 baht.  Make sure they turn on the meter and ask them to use the toll road.  You have to pay the toll fare, so it could take your trip to 600 baht or so.  SRT can get you into the city in 45 minutes.  My taxi this time took 2 hours! Consider all your options.  Bangkok traffic is notorious.  If you are getting a prearranged driver, the rate should be around 1000 baht.  Higher-end cars could cost 2000 - 2500 baht.  Buses can get backpackers close to Khao San Road for almost nothing.  Do what suits you.  I do think giving your transportation some good planning way in advance could save you a big headache.  I'm experienced, and still got a headache.  I went against my instincts and used a taxi rather than the train.  I wasted a lot time being stuck in traffic.  Not a good feeling!