TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Thailand

BANGKOK

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is practically the destination hub of travelers plying Southeast Asia. This is a place people don't tire of coming back to - me included. It's a party place,a place for food, it's a place for temples with its rich history, a place for devotion to the Buddha and it's a place for culture. Racial diversity is more a norm given all the people from all over the world crowding into it.

In Bangkok, the backpacker hub is without question, Khao San Road. It's dynamic and eclectic where everything is happening all the same time. It is to be experienced.



Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider

3 Nights in Bangkok traveling

3 Nights in Bangkok

(Oct 11-13, 2022) En route to the Philippines from Chiang Mai, I had to take the train to Bangkok to catch my flight. I thought I'd stay a couple of nights. It won't be too soon until I see Bangkok again...more »»

Bangkok for Passport Renewal traveling

Bangkok for Passport Renewal

(Mar 17-21, 2021) My passport was nearing its 6-month expiry threshold - time to have it renewed at the embassy in Bangkok. This trip also gives me a break from Chiang Mai, its pollution and its heat.....more »»

Bangkok with $19 traveling

Bangkok with $19

(Dec 8-11, 2018) Arriving Bangkok from DaNang with just $19, first thing was to get free lodging and pawn my GPS. Now with $119, I could prepare for my trip north to a forest monastery for a 10-day meditation retreat....more »»

30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok traveling

30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok

(Nov 8, 2018) After a full 30 days, it was time to pack-up again for a new country. Bangkok this time around offered a different flavor - like it always does. I didn't struggle this time. People came and went but some stayed within my orbit. I had a barter roof over my head, barter resto deal for me and friends, work kept me busy, and a newfound abundance came in the form of a donation....more »»

Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok people

Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok

(Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018) Bangkok's peoplecape is a revolving door - a kaleidoscope of personalities, experience, insight and narratives. Individually, they are animated with layered dimensions. Collectively, they can move mountains!....more »»

Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Food Odyssey

Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese

(Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018) With my partnership with Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant, I was able to say 'thanks' to the wonderful people who have been so generous to me by inviting them there for good eats and relaxing ambiance. Yes, it's also my default place to invite new acquaintances for great food and engaging conversation.....more »»

Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) movie

Movie Review: First Reformed (2017)

(Nov 6, 2018) First Reformed is Paul Schrader's unbridled movie about a tormented priest (Ethan Hawke) in a suburban congregation who is torn about his past, climate change and loneliness....more »»

Doing Online Work at The Work Loft traveling

Doing Online Work at The Work Loft

(Nov 5, 2018) Located in the bustling Sala Daeng area, it's a clean, quiet, expansive loft-style open space with a professional-hip feel to it. It looks like a trendy cafe without a barista.....more »»

Window Seat [His Precious] lucid

Window Seat [His Precious]

(Nov 1, 2018) On the ferry along the Chao Phraya River, a man on the window seat was getting drenched because rain water was getting channeled down to his seat. He was so miserable trying to keep himself dry by redirecting the water but to no avail. It would seem like a normal thing that can happen to anyone. Then a realization hit me!....more »»

Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center meditation

Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center

(Oct 29/31, 2018) You don't have to go to the Dead Sea to float in extremely salty water. Here in Bangkok, the Bangkok Float Center gives you a surreal sensory stillness that is usually achieved through meditation. Your body is rebooted as the water supports your entire body weight, shape and size. It has to be experienced...more »»

Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve chillout

Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve

(Oct 27, 2018) I've always been a ninja during Halloween. Now, I donned a barf and elephant pants and came as a farang! Halloweens are fun. One of the few days in a year grown-ups can be kids again.....more »»

Push-Ups fitness

Push-Ups

(Oct 22/24, 2018) One-hand push-up, deep push-up...the many ways you can play with push-ups....more »»

Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok restaurant review

Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok

(Oct 16, 2018) At least on the internet, the runaway pad thai bestseller is Thip Samai Restaurant. One site even stated that 9 out of 10 locals will mention Thip Samai as the pad thai place of choice. It was my birthday and I had been craving for pad thai the last couple of days. So I planned my bus route for this fabled pad thai place. And the verdict is....more »»

Birthday Walkabout traveling

Birthday Walkabout

(Oct 16, 2018) Okay, I'm not exactly a spring chicken anymore, I know that. But am I old now? Hmmm...let me take stock of how I am. At an age where my people my age would lug about with their beer bellies, take a handful of morning medication, struggle to climb a flight of stairs, and make frequent trips to their doctors, what do I do?...more »»

Coming to Terms with Donations lucid

Coming to Terms with Donations

(Oct 14, 2018) I have survived 6 years on the open road with very little money - but I've managed to survive. It means I can take this indefinitely. So why would I open up now for a donation? I'll call it an epiphany. And it happened just moments ago...more »»

Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar chill

Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar

(Oct 12, 2018) The Blues don't happen everyday in Asia. If it does, you have to look hard for it. But when you find it, you drop everything for it. It's my 2nd time at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar and they still have the edge. With UP buddy Chai, we drowned the Blues away with our Beerlao....more »»

Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand traveling

Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand

(Oct 12, 2018) The Grand Palace of Thailand was built in 1782 when King Rama sat on the throne. It served as his residence and the seat of his government. The palace system is ostentatious with all the glitter and dazzle. It houses the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha....more »»

A Web Mandate in Bangkok traveling

A Web Mandate in Bangkok

(Oct 8, 2018) After Yangon, skyscanner's cheapest airfare was $46 for Bangkok. Again? I was there for a month just 2 weeks ago! But the die was cast. Next thing to do is secure my lodging. With a web offer that was accepted, I was assured a 30-day stay in Bangkok. Let's see what mini-life awaits.....more »»

29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye traveling

29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye

(Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018) Even though this has been my 5th time in Bangkok, my 29-day mini-life has been unique from the others. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones of course remain the highlight. I am grateful for the abundance - I never get anything beyond the basic but really, that's all I need.....more »»

Calling the Bangkok Police slice of life

Calling the Bangkok Police

(Sep 23, 2018) The unscrupulous owner of the hostel I was in, was frantically selling everything in the hostel before the other owner showed up. In the process, she sold the locker with my laptop and passport inside. I called the police in helping me get back my stuff.....more »»

Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) movies

Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011)

(Sep 22, 2018) Within a Buddhist temple in Thailand, a homeless young man is murdered. The suspect is a monk! The hunt for the killer is conducted by one of the monks who used to be a detective. The movie is a who-dunnit suspense thriller that keeps you guessing.....more »»

Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym yoga

Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym

(Sep 19, 2018) Yogic inversions (handstands, headstands, shoulderstands, etc.) are a fundamental part of the tradition and practice. It gives the body a break from the pressures of gravity and reboots the body in the process. It's difficult but it's challenging at the same time.....more »»

Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness yoga

Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness

(Sep 18, 2018) After days of weight training and calisthenics, doing a flow yoga class with Teacher Kea felt just right. The muscles got stretched while holding them in place made for good muscle toning as well.....more »»

Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) movies

Movie Review: Under Construction (2015)

(Sep 15, 2018) The movie was simple and a little slow, but it gave perspective on the pressures against a woman by society and family about choices she had to make. Basically, it was feminist empowerment against tradition, convention and society.....more »»

Walking Tour of Little India traveling

Walking Tour of Little India

(Sep 15, 2018) I'd been to Little India in Singapore and Malaysia. Both are fascinating. Of course I'd been to India just recently and now I'm wondering, exactly what part of India are they talking about? India is so diverse! With Rina Pow of 'Get in Lost in BKK and Beyond's walking tour, I was about to find out....more »»

Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness yoga

Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness

(Sep 14, 2018) Teacher That's Vinyasa Yoga is challenging with sustained holds and stretches - long enough to sink into the pose and make the most of the stretch. Even with Thai intructions, it was easy for me to follow and stay with the class.....more »»

Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness fitness

Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness

(Sep 13, 2018) Sporting good abs is probably the quintessential pretty pose, but far beyond aesthetics, having a well developed abs optimizes load-transfer because nearly every movement starts or passes through the abs - it's a load-bearing structure.....more »»

Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market traveling

Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market

(Sep 9, 2018) Amphawa Floating Market is similar to Damnoen Floating Market but it also offers a night cruise on the long boat for some firefly watching. Not just marketing, but you can walk around its connected islands by foot bridge to glimpse a bit of its narrative and history....more »»

Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple traveling

Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple

(Sep 9, 2018) When you hear about trees engulfing an entire temple, you think Ta Phrom in Angkor Wat. I was surprised to see a version in Samut Prakan, Thailand. But this temple tells of a besieged temple-fortress overun by Burmese soldiers as fierce Siamese warriors engaged in hand-to-hand combat to regain the kingdom!....more »»

Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train traveling

Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train

(Sep 9, 2018) Maeklong Market is unique. You see a crowded wet market along a train railway. When the train comes, the vendors move their wares aside giving way to the train. They move the goods back after the train has passed. This market has been featured globally by top shows. Now I get to see it first-hand!....more »»

Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market traveling

Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

(Sep 9, 2018) It was a fun-filled day with Chai, Mar, Mayet and Christina was we ventured into the fabled floating markets of Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa. We also strung along the unusual Maeklong Train Market and the enchanted Wat Bang Kung Temple....more »»

Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club traveling

Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club

(Sep 8, 2018) I've never been to a horse race ever. But when a hostel guest told me he was going, I asked him if I could tag along. I was curious what all this hype (movies, books) was all about and wanted to see what I was missing...more »»

Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness fitness

Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness

(Sep 7, 2018) Fight Class was similar to a Body Combat Class I taught in Cebu. It wasn't so much as a martial arts class but an aerobic exercise - think Zumba but with kicks and punches. But here, I wasn't ready for all the kicking, punching and elbows that came with it. My arms and legs felt like cement, but towards the end of it, I felt the juices coming back!....more »»

Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 art

Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018

(Sep 6, 2018) The Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 is an annual gathering of young people who make up the art scene in Bangkok - indie artists, photographers, writers, graphic designers, illustrators as well as indie publishers, small publishing houses and contemporary art collectives from Thailand and abroad....more »»

Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness fitness

Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness

(Sep 5, 2018) Attending my first-ever circuit training class, I wasn't sure what to expect or at what level my fitness level should be. Surprisingly, it was an all-female class with a toned female teacher. I tried keeping up with the class, but since it was my first after a long hiatus in cardiovascular workout, I nearly died...LOL.....more »»

Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok traveling

Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok

(Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018) Moving to Empo Hostel on the other end of Bangkok made a big difference. At B84/day, it was a steal. I was able to do a barter deal - web services in exchange for increased internet profile. The energy of the neighborhood was far more alive than the one at Bang Wa. I was able to negotiate a yoga deal at Now's Fitness. Things felt and looked optimistic.....more »»

Outside Looking In lucid

Outside Looking In

(Aug 29, 2018) Increasingly in the last few years, I had been meeting magnificent lives who opened their doors for me. And here's another one. Already, I could name a few. It's a validation of my ethics and my energy in a humbling and flattering way.....more »»

Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks traveling

Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks

(Aug 27, 2018) 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. Suddenly, Bangkok price dropped to $60 - the die was cast. Why is my universe taking me back so soon?....more »»

15 Days in Bangkok traveling

15 Days in Bangkok

(July 10-24, 2018) After a 29-hour stay in India's New Delhi airport, I was so relieved to be in Bangkok, Thailand! I thought India wouldn't let go of me! This is my 4th time in Bangkok and it's still exciting - the food scene, the vibrant city energy, the cool Thais, etc. I'm already thinking, I can live here!....more »»

Peoplescape: Bangkok people

Peoplescape: Bangkok

(July 10-24, 2018) What would I do without the wonderful people in my travels who prop me up when I feel like falling down? They are more magnificent than the tallest waterfall.....more »»

Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok traveling

Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok

(July 23, 2018) Terminal 21 Mall is an airport-themed mall with alleys named after famous world capitals. It's conveniently located at the Asok BTS train station. It is one of Bangkok's upscale mall with 9 floors of shopping area full of globally recognizable brands and some local brands alike....more »»

Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market traveling

Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market

(July 17, 2018) No visit to Bangkok is complete without a visit to the very popular Chatuchak Weekend Market. Chatuchak is HUGE, spanning 35 acres and claims to be the world's biggest weekend market. It has 15,000 stalls and receives 200,000 visitors per week!....more »»

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Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok hotel review

Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok

(updated: July 11, 2018) Starting at B350 for a dorm bed, Adventure Hostel is probably not the cheapest around. But considering its location and what you get for the money, it's great value....more »»

Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok traveling

Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok

(Oct 6-20, 2014) I could be staying on an island or up in the mountains for months - no movie house, no exotic cars passing by, no urban nightlife. When in a city, I make the most out of it. Malls? Yeah, bring it on! When it comes to malls, very few destinations on the planet compare to Bangkok.....more »»

Bangkok Revisited 3 traveling

Bangkok Revisited 3

(Oct 6-20, 2014) Bangkok is one place you'll never tire to visit. This is my third and it won't be my last. This time though, I have 20 days to explore the place on my own - no girlfriend, no production crew.....more »»

A First Timer in Bangkok traveling

A First Timer in Bangkok

(December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006) I didn't know shit about Bangkok - but I was always curious. There's got to be something about Bangkok. With Mimsy to ring-in the New Year, it was wishful thinking coming true...more »»




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


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

General Travel Tips
  1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
  2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
  3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
  4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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