![Traveling](/images/icons/icon_traveling.gif)
![Loving Bangkok All Over Again](/2016/feb/bangkok/thumbnails/bangkok.jpg)
Loving Bangkok All Over Again
Location: Adventure Hostel, Bangkok, Thailand
Point of Entry
My purpose in coming to Thailand was to teach English in Pak Chong, about 3.5 hours by van northeast of Bangkok. With Bangkok being my landing point, I thought it best to stay for 4 days and explore the city all over again.
Adventure Hostel
Normally, I arrive at a place with no booking and see if I can make barter deals with a hotel owner - free stay in exchange for internet work. But to lessen my mental baggage, I opted to pre-book through Agoda. Luckily, I chanced on Adventure Hostel. Being right smack on the N7 BTS Train line, I could travel by train with considerable ease around the city. The hostel is new, clean, safe and reasonably priced beginning at B350 for a dorm bed in an aircon room. Breakfast is included, free wifi all over, open roof deck, keycard convenience, CCTV security, etc. - the essential amenities were there. The staff were friendly and resourceful - if they didn't know the answer, they look it up and get back to you. Perhaps the best of all, I met the amiable hands-on owner who liked my business proposal. We shook hands on a deal, effectively making the rest of my stay for free. This omen is a sign of good things to come. I like having this account because they do a great job. I would recommend this place even without that deal.
![Loving Bangkok All Over Again](/2016/feb/bangkok/images/bangkok.jpg)
Roaming Around
Last time in Bangkok, I stayed at the popular backpacker section, Khao San Road. Now at Adventure Hostel, located in a different part of town, the neighborhood scene is entirely new - it's like being in a new destination altogether! I would walk around the inner streets until they become narrower and narrower, until the local people begin to stare at me, knowing I'm not from the neighborhood. But they were just curious. Sometimes, I just find myself on a river bank where I end up taking a ferry not knowing where it will take me. All good. I actually look forward to being lost!
Food Experience
Perhaps the single most attraction for me about Bangkok is the food. There is a reason Thai food is world famous. Given my budget, I limit my meals to street food and 'carinderia' style eating places - but that alone is inexhaustible. Bangkok has these sumptuous hawker-style eatery on every street corner. The food is cheap, delicious, accessible and safe (I never had any tummy issues!). For the most part, I would simply walk around the city and eat whatever I see interesting along the way. A decent meal will only run you Baht 40. That sums up Bangkok for me.
Peoplescape
Given the short 4 days and the logistical preparation for Pak Chong, I didn't have ample time to really interact at length with people around me. But I met a few interesting people at the hostel. Moreover, I got to hook up with Ksenia, my Vipassana sis whom I've met at the center in Cambodia last year. I likewise met her affable husband, Sergei. My local Thai friend, Kansuda, was able to squeeze time to meet me at the sprawling Mega Bangna Mall. I would have loved to call up my cousin, a few locals I met last year, etc. - but squeezed-out of time.
Ending Thoughts
Bangkok is one place you keep going back to. No wonder it's the default hub of travelers doing the Southeast Asian route. The hustle and bustle, the high energy, the constant infrastructure expansion, the diversity, all overwhelms the senses. Bangkok food is to die for, the ever-growing malls rival the density of Singapore, ease of transport is there by tuk-tuk, bus, river boat or train, and the culture lends itself to foreign presence. Bangkok is perfect! Well, if only they speak English :)
--- TheLoneRider
![arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok](thumbnails/01bangkok.jpg)
![taking the BTS train to my hotel, Adventure Hostel](thumbnails/02bangkok.jpg)
![having checked-in at my hotel, I started exploring Bangkok on foot](thumbnails/03bangkok.jpg)
![almost like a sweet crispy mini crepe, 10 Baht/5 pieces](thumbnails/04bangkok.jpg)
![roadsides are lined up with eating places](thumbnails/05bangkok.jpg)
![this is the less glamorized part of backpacking...the laundry](thumbnails/06bangkok.jpg)
![it's a different food scene at night](thumbnails/07bangkok.jpg)
![street pad thai, 40 Baht](thumbnails/08bangkok.jpg)
![street coffee, 10 Baht](thumbnails/09bangkok.jpg)
![fried fish and kai-yang chicken](thumbnails/10bangkok.jpg)
![fruit vendor](thumbnails/11bangkok.jpg)
![grilled fish, pork and chicken](thumbnails/12bangkok.jpg)
![balled sweets](thumbnails/13bangkok.jpg)
![motorcycle guy chooses his wild](thumbnails/14bangkok.jpg)
![Bangkok's infrastructure keeps pace with its population growth](thumbnails/15bangkok.jpg)
![I don't even know what fruit this is](thumbnails/16bangkok.jpg)
![fresh made hopia](thumbnails/17bangkok.jpg)
![fish skin crispy rind (chicharon)](thumbnails/18bangkok.jpg)
![inside Or Tor Kor Market](thumbnails/19bangkok.jpg)
![giant prawns](thumbnails/20bangkok.jpg)
![fish market...look how clean it is](thumbnails/21bangkok.jpg)
![plant market](thumbnails/22bangkok.jpg)
![inside my room at Adventure Hostel...free wife, air-con, work table!](thumbnails/23bangkok.jpg)
![Baht 0.15 to cross the river...monks do it standing up](thumbnails/24bangkok.jpg)
![morning breakfast on a side street](thumbnails/25bangkok.jpg)
![hawker-style eating at Siam Station](thumbnails/26bangkok.jpg)
![the ubiquitous tuk-tuk](thumbnails/27bangkok.jpg)
![turn into a corner and you might see an outdoor bazaar](thumbnails/28bangkok.jpg)
![checking out what's cooking](thumbnails/29bangkok.jpg)
![pausing for coffee](thumbnails/30bangkok.jpg)
![at the snack shop](thumbnails/31bangkok.jpg)
![at Chatuchak Park](thumbnails/32bangkok.jpg)
![at Jatujak Center](thumbnails/33bangkok.jpg)
![San Miguel Beer takes center stage](thumbnails/34bangkok.jpg)
![street bazaar](thumbnails/35bangkok.jpg)
![they'll cook your dish in front of you](thumbnails/36bangkok.jpg)
![a Lamborghini inside Siam Paragon Mall](thumbnails/37bangkok.jpg)
![fountain and play of lights at Siam Paragon Mall](thumbnails/38bangkok.jpg)
![street dinner](thumbnails/39bangkok.jpg)
![at Mo Chit train station](thumbnails/40bangkok.jpg)
![Chatuchak Park offers free weights equipment](thumbnails/41bangkok.jpg)
![an unusual military press equipment](thumbnails/42bangkok.jpg)
![trippy motorcycle with side car](thumbnails/43bangkok.jpg)
![promotional stint for the opening of Gods of Egypt movie](thumbnails/44bangkok.jpg)
![chilling out on a park](thumbnails/45bangkok.jpg)
![Thai mango salad, street style! Baht 40](thumbnails/46bangkok.jpg)
![if I see a ferry crossing, I cross, not knowing what's on the other side](thumbnails/47bangkok.jpg)
![I explore into different neighborhoods, going deep into the narrow alleys](thumbnails/48bangkok.jpg)
![Monthong Durian at Baht 100/100 grams or Baht 1000/kilo!](thumbnails/49bangkok.jpg)
![stuffed squid, rice and sauteed vegetable, Baht 45 - not bad](thumbnails/50bangkok.jpg)
![I love this part - the bag inspector at the train station, salutes the passenger after making the inspection. This gesture says a lot about Thai culture](thumbnails/51bangkok.jpg)
![coconut vendor](thumbnails/52bangkok.jpg)
![open kitchen by the street](thumbnails/53bangkok.jpg)
![reunited with my Thai friend, Kansuda, at Mega Bangna Mall](thumbnails/54bangkok.jpg)
![lunch with Mary, a fellow guest from Adventure Hostel](thumbnails/55bangkok.jpg)
![morning coffee on the roof deck of Adventure Hostel](thumbnails/56bangkok.jpg)
![roaming around](thumbnails/57bangkok.jpg)
![another street delight. I don't know the names, but if it looks good, I order it](thumbnails/58bangkok.jpg)
![another street delight](thumbnails/59bangkok.jpg)
![at the train station for Pak Chong....goodbye Bangkok](thumbnails/60bangkok.jpg)
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![Facebook Users](/images/fb_users.gif)
Reader Comments:
![Chainiwat Beau](/images/thumb/chainiwat_beau.jpg)
(Mar 2, 2016) Million thanks for your great review of Adventure Hostel. It's our pleasure to welcome you as our guest at the beginning. Then, you became our friend lastly. Hope to see you again next time.
Next stop: Plum Village Monastery: Day 1
Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider
- Bangkok in Pictures Mar 17-21, 2021
- Bangkok for Passport Renewal Mar 17-21, 2021
- Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
- 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
- Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
- Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
- Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
- Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
- Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
- Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
- Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
- Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
- Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
- Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
- Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
- Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
- Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
- A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
- 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
- Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
- Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
- Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
- Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
- Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
- Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
- Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
- Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
- Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
- Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
- Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
- Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
- Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
- Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train Sep 9, 2018
- Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
- Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club Sep 8, 2018
- Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 7, 2018
- Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 Sep 6, 2018
- Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness Sep 5, 2018
- Gentle Flow Yoga with Nuch at Now's Fitness, Bangkok Sep 4, 2018
- A Yogi Lost in a Modern Gym - Now's Fitness Sep 3, 2018
- Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018
- Outside Looking In Aug 29, 2018
- Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018
- 15 Days in Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
- Peoplescape: Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
- Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018
- Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok July 23, 2018
- Rope Skipping, 4mins Full-on July 22, 2018
- Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market July 17, 2018
- Fork on the Road: Abundance or Poverty by Choice? July 16, 2018
- Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
- Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok July 11, 2018
- Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct 20, 2014
- Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
- Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
- Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
- A First Timer in Bangkok December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006
Bangkok Map
![Google Map](/images/google_tab.gif)
Bangkok, Thailand
![hotels in Bangkok](/images/icon/hotel.gif)
![](/images/icon/hotel10.gif)
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai
![restaurant in Bangkok](/images/icon/restaurant.gif)
![Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant](/images/icon/restaurant07.gif)
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai
![spa and wellness in Bangkok](/images/icon/spa.gif)
![Bangkok Float Center](/images/icon/massage03.gif)
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)
![gyms on On Nut, Bangkok](/images/icon/gym.gif)
![gyms on On Nut, Bangkok](/images/icon/yoga.gif)
![](/images/icon/gym08.gif)
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250
Useful Information
Bangkok Cost Index
as of Sep 4, 2018: US$1 = Baht 32 = Php 53
- Bht 60 sm, 90 big one mug draft beer
- Bht 13 1.5 liter drinking water
- Bht 220 one hour massage
- Bht 60-80 muesli breakfast
- Bht 60-80 tom yum soup in modest eatery
- Bht 25-30 coffee
- Bht 30-50 pad thai
- Bht 350 Adventure Hostel lodging
- Bht 20-30/load laundry, coin operated machine
- Bht 7 bus ride
Transport Maps of Bangkok
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)
(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)
- take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
- Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an
information booth, a
train schedule chart and the
ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
- daily train schedule:
- 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
- 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
- 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
- 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
- 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Currency Converter
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