“I’ll come back, Thailand!” I told myself a hundred times.
Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world. This is because it is cheap yet fun and great. It offers exquisite foods, diverse cultures, and astonishing destinations.
It was a balmy 1st week of June in the year 2016 when we arrived at the bustling capital city of Thailand, Bangkok City. After hours of ride, we reached the border of Cambodia and Thailand via bus. We hired a ‘tuk-tuk’ from the border to get to Aranyaprathet, the train station and the border town in Eastern Thailand.
We rode an open train to get to Bangkok, Thailand. There are two trains a day from Aranyaprathet going to Bangkok’s Hualamphong Train Station.
We departed at 1:05 PM and were scheduled to arrive at 8:05 PM. It was very exciting, all of us (my sisters) experienced an open train ride for the first time in our lives. Due to too much excitement, we didn’t sleep or even blink an eye for the whole 8-hour train ride, we were all eager and happy.
The train had different compartments, there was this one area (the end of the train) where you could only see monks separated from other passengers.
Although all the trains are 3rd-class, which means no aircon (windows open for a substantial breeze), there are comfort rooms per compartment for the passenger’s convenience. The seats on the train are a mixture of padded and wooden benches.
At every train station, numerous locals will get in. Along the trip, many vendors sell food and drinks. My favorite was the spicy pork-rice meal, it was so spicy that I loved it so much.
We arrived 8 in Bangkok, Thailand. Outside Hualamphong Train Station, there are plenty of taxi drivers asking you where to go. Eventually, we rode a taxi going to our hotel.
We had a hard time looking for our hotel, there are various streets which they call “soi“. Soi is the term used in Thailand for a side street branching off a major street. We searched for our hotel without knowing that we went back and forth to the hotel’s exact location.
Upon our arrival at the hotel, we all fixed our things and freshened up. After that, we went out for dinner. It was very late, but Bangkok was still alive. You can see different shops offering various services. Some of the shops offer Thai massage, some are bars, restaurants, and travel and tour agencies.
With so many choices we had, we ended up eating in a “street-food” style store. It was a store installed during the night only. We tried the best-selling foods they have and it was all great.
After eating, we looked for a travel and tour agency that was still open, we were able to book a trip for tomorrow’s activity.
Day One:
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
This is the famous floating market known all over the world. This popular floating market is about 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok in Ratchaburi province.
The floating market is a very lively place and it is a busy place too, there are countless transactions between traders, vendors, and visitors. It is a colorful and tourist-driven place.
We tried some of the goods that they sell. They were all delicious and appetizing. I would highly recommend the coconut ice cream and the sticky rice with mango.
We looked around the floating market for an hour. The concept of a floating market was something new for us and we enjoyed it so much.
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
We had a short stop at the war cemetery in Kanchanaburi which has almost 7,000 soldiers who died during the construction of the death railway. The cemetery was designed by Colin St Clair Oakes.
The graves are immaculately kept. It is extremely maintained. The visit to this place was very sincere and moving. Admission to the cemetery is free.
JEATH War Museum
This is one of two war museums in Thailand about the Death Railway. It was built from 1942 to 1943. The museum was founded by the chief abbot of Wat Chaichumpol Venerable Phra Theppanyasuthee.
JEATH is an acronym for the countries: Japan, England, Australia/USA, Thailand, and Holland which were all involved in the construction of the railway.
There are many artifacts, correspondence, and artwork from former prisoners of the war that show how hard and harsh the life they had. There are also various personal effects and war relics, including an Allied bomb dropped to destroy the bridge that didn’t explode.
The JEATH War Museum is located on the river near the rail bridge. Admission is 40 Baht (58.10 PHP).
Bridge over the River Kwai
Featured in books and films, the last stop we had on our day tour was the River Kwai Bridge in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. This bridge is part of the infamous Death Railway.
Our visit to the bridge was very interesting. Standing on the bridge while enjoying the view of the river is very nice and relaxing.
There is train travel offered in this attraction or you can take a walk to cross the bridge on foot, too.
We waited for more than 30 minutes so that the crowd of tourists disappeared, it was worth the wait!
This bridge and the Death Railway are now considered as an important symbol of peace, portraying that war is the great illusion that benefits no one.
At night time, we visited night markets and bought some “pasalubongs”. The pasalubongs we bought were surprisingly cheap.
Night markets in Bangkok are the most enjoyable way to spend the vibrant Bangkok at night.
Day Two:
Of course, we shouldn’t miss shopping when we go for a tour. And on our second day in Bangkok, we have visited shopping malls.
Siam Paragon is 3rd largest shopping mall in Thailand and is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia.
Siam Paragon is on Rama I Road in Pathum Wan district and is adjacent to other shopping areas. It is next door to Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center and opposite Siam Square.
Bangkok Art and Culture Center
The Bangkok Art and Culture Center is a midtown facility for the contemporary arts. Bangkok Art and Culture Center offers a variety of art and culture, creativity, imagination, and inspiration for all the guests visiting the place.
The design of the interior has a huge white curving facade and spiral walkways. It was very astounding. The center also includes bookshops, cafes, craft shops, commercial art galleries, and an art library.
There are 9 floors inside the building, each floor is designated to a particular gallery. Every year, the theme of the center changes. Isn’t that cool?
Photos are allowed on the lower floors but are prohibited in the galleries on the higher floors. Admission is free and the center is open from 10:00 AM till 9:00 PM every day except Mondays.
Hello Kitty House Cafe
On our way to the place where we would eat dinner, we came across the Hello Kitty House Cafe. I have seen many travel shows that featured this place, so we grabbed the chance to go and visit it.
The place is so cute. As you enter, you will stand in awe and feel you are in the Sanrio World. This place is very suitable for Hello Kitty fans or families with young children. There are 3 floors- the floor of the cafe, the spa, and Hello Kitty merchandise.
I wished my mom would come with us since Hello Kitty is her favorite cartoon character.
Unfortunately, we didn’t visit the Grand Palace anymore since we went to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s Royal Palace. But the Grand Palace should be included in your itinerary while visiting Thailand.
Our last stop before our flight back home was, of course, FOOD! We met some of my eldest sister’s friends who are currently working in Thailand. We had an eat-all-you-can dinner for only 139 Baht (201.91 PHP)
My Thailand experience was quite short but was very memorable. I’ll come back, THAILAND.