July 10-24, 2018
Peoplescape: Bangkok
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
PEOPLESCAPE
I didn't do much of the touristy offerings of Bangkok, in fact, stayed mostly inside Adventure Hostel, but the experience is just as enriching given the people I had the good fortune to reconnect and connect with.
Mike Chong
Mike, a Singaporean client-turned-friend based in Chiang Mai, who learned I was in Bangkok, messaged me to join him in Chiang Mai where I could stay again in his luxurious Nawa Saraan Hotel for 2 weeks! If that wasn't good enough, he offered to buy my remaining Bitcoin Cash to ensure I have transport money for Chiang Mai. Whoa! You gotta love the guy. He has just become my client-turned-friend-turned-white knight. Although I didn't meet him here in Bangkok, he was instrumental in shaping my Bangkok experience.
Eunice
We did yoga in Indonesia, explored the cafe scene in Singapore, took me to her hometown in Malaysia and now, we reconnect in Thailand - karmic entanglement through space and time. Somehow, Eunice has been looking after me here - inviting me for dinners, introducing me to friends, giving me a metro card, etc. This is something I dearly appreciate about her. Through the years, our friendship has deepened. Having given up the corporate life to pursue her bliss, she's now steeped in Buddhist tenets of love and compassion. Always true to herself, she walks the narrow path. I am greatful to meet such a life and be part of her karmic path.
I somehow feel that Mike, Eunice and me are karmically entangled somehow - yes, the 3 of us are friends although we haven't been together yet as we met each other separately.
Chai
Chai and I go a long way, back to my UP days as a mountaineer. We don't hang out much, but we stay connected through the years. I thought I've seen the last of her when I left Manila, but then we reconnected in Cebu where we immersed ourselves in our yoga practice. Here in Bangkok, I was just surprised when she messaged me that she's based here already. We had dinner to catch up on how our lives have taken shape since the last meetup. I'm sure we'll reconnect at some point again. Like some people in my life, Chai seems to be a recurring constant - in a beautiful way.
Zelong
Since my last visit to Bangkok where Zelong went the extra mile to help me find lodging in the dead of midnight, I have always regarded her as my Good Samaritan at Adventure Hostel. She's one of the reasons why I feel at home at the hostel. I'm glad she stayed with the coming of the new owners. She's always helpful and always professional. I wish her luck in her new venture to Phuket. Will miss you here at Adventure Hostel, Zelong!
Marrisa
Marrisa was also a long-term hostel guest but we didn't really talk until later. As an American, she was the only guest I could have a comfortable conversation with in English at the hostel as most guests were Thai. We'd catch each other in the kitchen and have passing conversation. We bumped into each other in the street and walked along Chatuchak Market for good eats and chat. It was good having her as a buddy in the hostel.
Kansuda Kunlachat
Kansuda is a local I met in previous visit. We would keep in touch every once in a while but we find time to connect whenever I visit Bangkok. This visit is no exception. We bought street food and had it on my hostel roof deck where she updated me on her social work - a noble service to humanity. It was a fitting last-hurrah before catching my train for Chiang Mai.
Ending Thoughts
I am blessed for the wonderful people I keep and the wonderful people I meet. Sometimes, I wonder what good thing I must have done in a previous life to deserve them.
--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit
|
Learn English
|
Travel like a Nomad
|
Donation Bank
Next stop: 15 Days in Bangkok
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
Bangkok, Thailand
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai
RESTAURANT
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai
SPA / WELLNESS
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)
GYM| YOGA
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
»» next story: 15 Days in Bangkok
»» next Peoplescape story: Mike Chong
»» back to Peoplescape
»» back to Homepage
ARCHIVE 2024:
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC
1970 |
1973 |
1975 |
1976 |
1979 |
1981 |
1996 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
ALL BLOGS