TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Traveling

Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018

Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks

Location: Bang Wa, Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, the 5th Time Around
I love Bangkok, but I didn't expect to be back after only 5 weeks! 2 days before my Vietnam visa expiry, I still had no place to go. I felt boxed-in. Of the cheapest plane fares I was eyeing on skyscanner.net, no destination was viable. I was to go Penang at $60, but by the time I was ready to book, it shot up to $88. Suddenly, Bangkok price dropped to $60 - the die was cast. Why is my universe taking me back so soon?

Mei and HangMei and Hang
Seated with me on the VietJet flight were Mei and Hang, from Vietnam. We had a little conversation about traveling. When I learned they were going to cab it from the airport to their hotel in Siam Square, I tipped them to take the cheaper airport train instead and transfer to the BTS Line in Phaya Thai. We all took the trip together as I gave them tips on the transfers, the tickets, etc. In a way, it was good bonding and a welcoming start in my new travel venture, NOMAD TRAVEL BUDDY - helping travelers along the way, empowering them and saving them money. We kept in touch while they shopped til they dropped...LOL! Hope to cross paths with you again, Mei and Hang!!!

in Bangkok with Mei and Hang
meeting 2 beautiful Vietnamese travelers, Mei and Hang, in Bangkok

Pay As You Can (Bangwa Hostel)
While booking for a place to stay in BKK, I looked for the cheapest price that is near the train station. I found Pay As You Can (Bangwa Hostel) on the last station (Bang Wa) of the Silom Line. At $3/night and only 200m from the BTS station, I found what I was looking for. BUT, the place was horribly dirty, unkept and dilapidated! The room was in disarray and the dust accumulated. I had no choice as I was tired. I asked the staff to clean the place and they did. The staff are actually nice people. I was their first guest in 2 months! The hostel is along a busy 6-lane major roadway - noisy and polluted. At night, the mosquitoes feast on me. Still, I had to stay for 3 nights as I couldn't make a move until my money arrives. It's so bad I don't even want to offer a barter deal.

Money
Hmmm....money seems to be a constant feature in my travel blog lately. But there's always a money story to write. The last time, I arrived Bangkok with only $50 with no prospect of where the next money comes from. That was frightening. It got down to $2.50 before a little money came trickling-in (I was 2 meals away from starving). Now, having used up nearly all my money in HCMC, I arrived Bangkok with only $20 - no kidding! But I'm not as nervous. I expect a little money to be wired-in from a logo job. Until I got it though, I had to tighten my belt. By the time I received the money, which was on my third day, I was already down to my last Baht 120 - another cliff-hanger! This little money buys me 2 months...or 3, if I can get a hotel barter deal despite the owner, Zurin, being a nice guy.

Neighborhood
If there is anything this neighborhood lacks, is charm. Energetically, it's dead. Still, I took the time to walk around but there was really nothing. However, a short bus ride and I can come into 2 malls - Seacon Banque and The Mall Banque. For the short stay I did, it wasn't bad. Across the street is a night market where I can feast on good cheap eats and refill on my water for B1/liter.

Ending Thoughts
With a little money now, I can move out (because I can pay the hostel) and go somewhere equally as cheap but decent where I can feel comfortable enough to offer a web deal. Next hostel? Empo hostel @ 30 Onnut at B84/night, all in.

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

plane
room
fish maw soup, my first meal
exploring the nearby Seacon Mall Banque
original Koay Teow and one with my carrot overload
yummy Bangkok street food
with no pictures or English menu, I could not eat here
at Mall Banque
Pata Tim on a big vat
night market food
fried fish, steamed squash and buchi...dinner!
getting around by bus using Google Maps

Facebook Users

Reader Comments:

Mikey ChongMike Singapore
(Aug 29, 2018) Chiang Mai? hahahahha. U can come again.
Jun QueJun Que Philippines
(Aug 29, 2018) Gigit, let me know when you are in Manila
Kaori AlanisKaori Alanis
(Aug 29, 2018) Is it raining a lot? I'll be in Thailand maybe in October
Mei NgMei Ng
(Aug 27, 2018) Thanks to Gigit for helping us!! 🙏🙏🙏
Hang NguyenHang Nguyen
(Aug 27, 2018) Thanks Gigit...we saved a lot of money for shopping and eatting. We ate a lot...hihi
TheLoneRiderTheLoneRider
(Aug 27, 2018) ...my pleasure! Great to meet Vietnamese travelers in Bangkok 🙂
AnnGeert DoutreloigneAnnGeert Doutreloigne
(Aug 27, 2018) Gigit is the helping hand everywhere!!

Next stop: Outside Looking In

Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider
  1. Bangkok in Pictures Mar 17-21, 2021
  2. Bangkok for Passport Renewal Mar 17-21, 2021
  3. Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
  4. 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
  5. Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  6. Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  7. Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
  8. Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
  9. Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
  10. Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
  11. Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
  12. Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
  13. Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
  14. Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
  15. Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
  16. Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
  17. Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
  18. A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
  19. 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
  20. Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
  21. Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
  22. Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
  23. Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
  24. Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
  25. Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
  26. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  27. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  28. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  29. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  30. Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
  31. Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  32. Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
  33. Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train Sep 9, 2018
  34. Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  35. Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club Sep 8, 2018
  36. Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 7, 2018
  37. Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 Sep 6, 2018
  38. Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness Sep 5, 2018
  39. Gentle Flow Yoga with Nuch at Now's Fitness, Bangkok Sep 4, 2018
  40. A Yogi Lost in a Modern Gym - Now's Fitness Sep 3, 2018
  41. Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018
  42. Outside Looking In Aug 29, 2018
  43. Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018
  44. 15 Days in Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  45. Peoplescape: Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  46. Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018
  47. Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok July 23, 2018
  48. Rope Skipping, 4mins Full-on July 22, 2018
  49. Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market July 17, 2018
  50. Fork on the Road: Abundance or Poverty by Choice? July 16, 2018
  51. Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
  52. Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok July 11, 2018
  53. Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct 20, 2014
  54. Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
  55. Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
  56. Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
  57. A First Timer in Bangkok December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006

Bangkok Map
Google Map

Bangkok, Thailand

hotels in Bangkok HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

restaurant in Bangkok RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

spa and wellness in Bangkok SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

gyms on On Nut, Bangkok GYM| gyms on On Nut, Bangkok YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
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
  1. Chao Phraya Express, MRT, BTS, Khlong boats, Airport Link
  2. Bus Routes: 1-14
  3. Bus Routes: 15-30
  4. Bus Routes: 32-49
  5. Bus Routes: 50-70
  6. Bus Routes: 71-88
  7. Bus Routes: 501-516
  8. individual bus routes
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)

  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
  2. 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.
  3. 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
Currency Converter


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