The last time in Bangkok before our afternoon flight back to Singapore at 110pm. Not wanting to waste available time, we took a walk to the river side to have a look. With a map on hand, we managed to find our way to the river side, taking the road next to Shangri-La. There weren’t many people around since it was still early and there weren’t shops around too. Didn’t spend much time and returned back to Lebua.
Tall buildings lining the other bank of the river.
Back at the hotel, there was a foot massage shop at the ground floor. Seeing that there was a fish spa, we opted for the fish spa and foot massage. It was really our first time doing this and the overall experience was mostly ticklish punctuated with a few biting feelings that was really amusing. Of course the foot massage after was good, enough pain with relaxed feet at the end of the session.
Surrounded by little fishes. The bigger ones bite harder!Some decoration in the airport.
This ended the very short escape to Bangkok, mostly for a shopping spree and a birthday gateaway for my wife. We didn’t do cultural sightseeing as we usually do and thus this would meant at least a return visit somewhere in the future.
Day 3 began with a return back to Platinum Mall (yes no kidding!) to continue a bit more. We went back to the area around Siam station and on opposite side of the road (as opposed to Paragon), there were many streets of little boutiques. Had lunch at some corner where there was this old school hawker center with various mini stalls selling a foodstuff. Food was ok but more importantly, didn’t give us a tummy ache.
Curry beehoon.Soup based noodles.Hawker place near Siam station.
Went over to Mango Tango for its famed mango sticky rice and there was already a queue waiting to get into the tiny place. It was worth the wait as the mango served was really sweet!
Modern cosy little cafe for a local desert.Mango Sorbet with the mango fruit.Mango sticky rice.Mango Tango shop from the outside.
Walked to Hard Rock to purchase some tees (as we always do) and then to MBK center, which we found it to be huge too, but not as “organised” and didn’t really suit to our preferences. Probably Platinum mall was just too good for us such that everywhere else looked mediocre.
Saw some filming going on.Hard Rock Bangkok.MBK center.Shops within MBK.
After a whole day out in the hot weather, we took a breather going back to the hotel before heading out to dinner. Had read from the internet that Sukhumvit 38 was a street famous for good local food and thus we took the BTS to Thong Lo station before walking there. The streets didn’t turn out to be crowded as we have expected (maybe due to the slight drizzle earlier), since it was supposed to be popular but there were a limited number of stalls that were opened. Went into a restaurant and ordered some Pad Thai from the shop itself and some dumpling noodles from a makeshift stall from across the street, which was ok according to the restaurant owner. Food was pretty decent.
Sukhumvit 38 street view from the bridge above.Sat in one of the local restaurant.Pad Thai.Wanton noodles.Food stall on the street.
After dinner, we proceeded to our last activity of the day, a massage at Urban Retreat Spa. Made a reservation via email before the trip itself for a session at the branch next to Asoke Station. From the reception to the initial feet massage to the couple massage in a private room, everything was pretty good. The masseuses were skilled and gave us a good stretch, easing out all the tiredness that we garnered during the 2 days shopping.
Urban Retreat Spa.
After the spa, it was back to hotel for the night.
Arrived at 10pm at the Suvarnabhumi International airport, took the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai station where we transfer to BTS (their MRT) Sukhumvit line to Siam Central and transfer to Silom line to Saphan Taksin. From there, it was a 8 mins walk to the hotel. Walking there at night was a little difficult as we were certain of the direction to the hotel. However, the behemoth of a hotel with its golden dome provided a guide for us to walk towards it nonetheless – Lebua hotel.
Late check in with a fairly quiet reception counter was ok, though we were mesmerized with the expansive hallway that oozes luxury, we thought (opinions from infrequent 5-star chasers). However, what really impressed was the room. Huge rooms, huge balcony with a view, huge bathroom but at a really affordable price (comparatively).
Separate living roomKitchenette along corridor.Spacious sleeping area.Bath with separate shower.Huge balcony with city view.
It was getting late, bath time and bed time ensued.
Day 2 Shopping
Had buffet breakfast which was pretty good in terms of variety and taste. Before hitting the streets, we explored the hotel a little so see what facilities it had.
Those who caught Hangover II would be familiar with the hotel’s open rooftop bar.Breakfast restaurant was big.Swimming pool near the breakfast place.
First stop was the Platinum Mall. Getting there was pretty straight forward, though a fair bit of walking is expected. Get on the BTS at Saphan Taksin (which is only a single rail that has train coming from 2 directions) and alight at Siam station, and its a 15 mins walk to the mall, with food hawkers along the way for you to grab a bite.
Saphan Taksin BTS with incoming train.Grabbed a cup of street ice coffee.Food hawkers up early selling foodstuff to the passerby.Platinum mall is huge.Within the Platinum mall. Empty as it was still early.
We took the whole day to go through the multiple levels of shops, trying to keep track the ones that we visited or not. It was truly a shopping haven, being cheap and a large variety range. Only issue is that there were no trying but for the price, it was still risk worth taking. Went back to our hotel around evening time for a dinner at the restaurant top of the hotel.
Grilled chicken and fish, ready for the dinner crowd.Finger food.Central World shopping mall. Another big mall, though it was more for the upmarket goods.
Siam Paragon, just like the Paragon in Singapore is filled with luxury brands.View of Lebua hotel from the busy streets below.
Had a dinner reservation at 730pm at the Mezzaluna restaurant. Initially wanted to do the Alfresco dinner at Sirocco, the world’s highest open air bar instead but it was fully booked! The moment we stepped out the elevator, we could felt the ambiance of a high class restaurant oozing, from the service, the deco, the band and the food. Reminded me of the Equinox of Singapore.
I tried to take a video of the band that was producing some classical note when a staff informed that it wasn’t allowed. It was ok for me though as I had taken my snippets for memory sake. Enjoyed thoroughly the 7-course dinner, fine dining style with nicely arranged small quantity of food, but surprisingly filling enough. There was a birthday cake prepared for my wife that came with a birthday song played and sung by the staff of the restaurant! Excellent service from the staff and a memorable night for the birthday girl.
After dinner, we could visit Sirocco which was just on the outside of the restaurant, one level below. All the tables were filled and so is the bar counter, where a paranoma view of the city can be admired from. Since there were many people there as well, it took some time before we could find a nice spot to snap some photos and enjoy the view.
The dome lighted up in the night.
As we were out at the bar, the cake which didn’t had to tummy room left was delivered to our room, so that we could enjoy it later.
Total duration 3D3N Singapore is 1hr ahead of Bangkok, Thailand. Flight time is 2hrs 25mins direct flight on Airasia from Singapore to Bangkok. Thursday evening flight on 12th Jul and arrival in Bangkok in the night.
This escape plan was planned to celebrate wife’s birthday out of Singapore with a shopping trip to boot.
Budget nature: Easy on the wallet
Airplane tickets are cheap with budget airlines especially when booked 3 months before the actual flight date. Everything else if pretty cheap, a real makan and shopping and massage haven.
Complexity: DIY possible for the beginners
This is an easy place to navigate with good transportation structure and English everywhere signs. Touring the city with little planning is possible and should be DIY for maximum costs savings and flexibility.
