I was nervous about the flight to Thailand; Nepal doesn’t have the best air travel safety record, but by booking with a reputable airline, Thai Airways, I hoped to avoid any catastrophe. Fortunately the flight was OK, zero turbulence and only 3 hours 20 minutes soit wasn’t worth upgrading and actually had quite a lot of leg room as it happened. On board, I had a couple of drinks and a meal included which is quite a rarity from some airlines these days and as a bonus, it was good. Also watched the latest Mission Impossible film in between looking out the window at Mount Everest and various announcement interruptions.
The airport in Bangkok is really quite clean and modern, very different to the garden shed at the end of a runway in Nepal. Immigration was simple and efficient though I must get to an immigration office before 6th January and extend my visa exemption for another 30 days. The alternative would be to exit Thailand, to somewhere like Malaysia and re-enter Thailand for another 30 day visa exemption stamp in the passport. Haven’t quite decided yet.
It was a quick 30 minite transfer in a taxi for about 600 Baht (£12) and it dropped me off at the hotel near the Khaosan area of Bangkok. Have stayed here before but the hotel has since changed brand and ownership. I couldn’t quite believe how busy the road had become. Last time I was here there were only a few bars down the street, a few street vendors, massage places and travel and tour agents. That was 10 years ago, now there are many more bars and restaurants with live music every night which starts gently at around 20:00 hours and goes on until about 02:00 – 03:00 hours or until the last person leaves.
I dropped off my bags in the room and got changed back into shorts and sandals, having come from Nepal which whilst not cold, warranted wearing trousers and a fleece, but the sticky evening warmth of Bangkok was too much. I wondered down and around the Khaosan Road which brought back memories and it took all of about 2 minutes to hear the familiar call of, “Hallooo Meeeesstaaaahh!” from various street sellers and offers of massages, which you only ever seem to hear in Thailand. In addition, there were little old ladies with wooden ‘chirping frogs’, people with fried scorpions and spiders on sticks trying to sell them to various tourists.
The music was blaring out and managed to have a couple of pints of Chiang which was really refreshing and didn’t touch the sides. Bangkok has some of the best street food in the world, even in a very touristy section it is worth eating a Pad Thai or some spring rolls from the street vendors instead of a sit down restaurant. Cheaper, tastier and more hygienic. However, there are stalls selling various deep fried insects, bugs, spiders and the like but I chose to refrain.
Next morning after an oriental and continental breakfast, I decided to go on an exploration of the immediate area find my bearings. I managed to get a hair cut for 300 Baht though still need to have another as I think something got lost in translation and I was too polite to argue with a ladyboy armed with scissors. I also stocked up on some toiletries from a local Boots store. It’s really exciting this travelling lark… Pity I bought the toiletries from the first Boots I saw, as on the way to the Grand Palace, less than 1 km away from my hotel, there was a bigger Boots and 7-11 store which had everything I wanted and needed, but a lot cheaper. I contemplated going back to the hotel, collecting my purchases and returning them for a refund and then buying them at the other stores, but it was too hot and too much inconvenience to do. At least I know for next time…
It was a short, hot walk across some busy traffic to the Grand Palace. There’s a strict dress coded enforced so no shorts allowed but fortunately they sold trousers which were cheaper than my haircut, so got a pair which actually fit really well. Elasticated waist too which is handy because of all the delicious Thai food I am having to eat. What a shame… The palace itself was really, really busy but a must see attraction in Bangkok. I decided not to hire a tour guide here and just explore on my own. In hindsight probably I should have done, at least they could have taken pictures of me rather than try and do a selfie.
Had a really nice coconut and chicken soup for lunch with a couple of beers and wiled away the afternoon down by the riverside having a look at boat trips for next month.
I checked out of the hotel with minimal fuss and got a taxi to the station, collected my train ticket from the office opposite, over the road and boarded the train. The ticket office recommended collecting the ticket at least 2 hours before scheduled departure as the office can get busy which is fair enough. I got there about 11: 00 for a 13:00 train and I was the only customer in the office. Picked up the ticket and free bottle of water and crossed the road back to the station. The train was already in and I was able to board, even about an hour and a half early.
I had booked a 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper train to take me to Chumphon where I am spending a few days before heading to Koh Tao. The train seats are wide and comfy with plenty of room but the train is a little ‘rustic’’ and rattles along the way. Every 15 minutes for so, someone walks past trying to sell drinks or food of varying sorts (thankfully no spiders or scorpions though).
The train was supposed to arrive in Chumphon at 21:12 but actually arrived over an hour later. Once again no big deal, as I had no connections to make and the seats were comfortable. Outside the station there were a handful of tuk tuks waiting – very different to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
I had a couple of days in Chumphon but the hotel was about 20 km away from any of the forests and the weather was really awful – thunder and lightening for the duration. I explored a bit and got soaked so decided to go for a swim in the pool. Was wet anyway. The room was absolutely lovely but this was just a stopping point before heading to Koh Tao for Christmas.
