A New Bangkok 2024

Thai Airways was chosen for her good timing & cost. Landed at around 2pm. Nice lunch, wine & service. Clearance took about 15 mins. Fast! Just Thai & Intl passports counters. No More Asean, HK or Sg. As usual took public taxi at the main airport.

Main purpose of this trip was to visit 4-Faced Buddha, Erawan Shrine. If budget allowed, would stay the next door hotel, Grand Hyatt. Always enjoy Pratunam area, Well, the previous hotel that i used to stay was gone due to the lockdown. This time chose a new hotel to me, Grand Diamond Suites. A 28 floors property. Next to the popular Platinum Fashion Mall. Along the main road. It's restaurant, swimming pool, gym etc Value for $ for a 45sqm room.

The most famous 4-Faced Buddha Erawan Shrine is crowded always. Not allowed to light joss or candle still. Get the praying items & flowers etc from the counter inside the ares is ideal. If you wish to sponsor Elephants of any sizes can approach them too. Inviting Dancers has the usual long Q. Don't forget to donate at the Donation Box nearby. Was told if you wish to donate Big Amount, can go to the shrine office at the basement of Hyatt hotel.

To know 4-Faced Buddha better, do visit My Fate with 4-Faced Buddha page of this Blog.

This Big C dept store opp Central World is very popular. Surprisingly on a Sunday night no crowd rushed to pack their items. Only many group tours with their leaders waving flags. And tour buses waited outside. My Japanese set dinner was good & fair price. Many other shops & restaurants, big & small worth your visit.

 

                       A Thai friend brought me to 2 first class Royal Temples. Wat Bowon & Wat Suthat.

5 mins walk from Wat Suthat was a Thai Bread Shop. Quite crowded. We ate Thai Bread with Kaya.

On a weekday, at about 4pm, I tried to catch a cab from Pratunam to Wat Rakang. First 10 cabs didn't want to go by metre. Thay asked for between 250 & 400 baht! The 11th metre taxi came. It costed 115 baht. Tipped him 5 baht.

The legendary former Abbot of the Bell Temple, Somdej Toh, came to my dream thrice. 1st taught me to chant a simple mantra. 2nd told me to visit Wat Rakang. I went in 2018. 3rd told me to go Wat Rakang & stay for the Evening Prayer. In 2019, around Mar or Apr, I booked the air ticket & hotel but failed to go. Lock down!

After 5 years I made it but didn't stay for the Evening Prayer. Lots of changes in the Temple. Extensively renovated. Many Donation Boxes. 

The case of Somdej Toh tamed the Ghost Wife was made into movie. Somdej Amulet created by the great Monk now commands S$1 million no less!

Do surf Thai Buddhism & I, and Thai Amulets & Power Tools page of this Blog.

Outside the popular Platinum Fashion Mall now stands a new 4-Faced Buddha Shrine. Joss & Plates are kept in a cabinet next to it which is near a big P signage.

Platinum Fashion Mall stands strong still. As usual very crowded. The Food Court on level 6 now uses Cash Card payment. No more cash to buy vouchers. Worth the visit.

                                                                       Must buy always

                                              Watch Straps changed. Better quality & price.

Husband & Wife cook very nice Beef Soup Mee at 100 baht only. Next to Soi 21 0r 23 Pratunam. Glad they remember me.

Food needs no introduction. Venue an air-con seafood restaurant at Pratunam main road. Fair price. Good service.

                                                 Abalone Fish Ball Mee in a MBK restaurant. 

MBK mall previously known as BKK People's Park. Still vibrant. Many good bargains & food too.

Had Foot Massage twice at different shops. 250 baht. Have many types of Body Massages too. Healthy.

Each time I go Bkk will have Shampoo & Cut at this Salon at Soi 15 Pratunam. Although price was raised, only 250 baht. 

 

After settled down then realised it's a Burmese restaurant. Full Burmeses, Staff & Music. Tea & light Soup were free. Fair price with good service. Along Pantip IT Mall.

I was right this's a new gate. Still have to catch a " LRT " to another building called Satellite 1. Just liked in Changi Airport T1 to T2 etc. Some duty free shops were seen. Well, now at Departure clearance, needs not remove shoes & belt. Due to very heavy rain, my flight was delayed for half hour.

At Changi Airport, collection of baggages took longer time. Many didn't see their baggages. A passenger pointed us to look at the end of the belt. To our surprise, many baggages were jammed there! Many baggages were fallen onto the floor. Like many others, I picked up my luggage from the floor.

When unpacking at home, saw the luggage had 3 cracks! 1 was no less thn 30cm. Already informed Changi Airport. they replied that matter were be looked into. To claim from Insurance, have to show many documents.

                        

A Thai made Award Winning 2022 Shiraz. Got it at Bkk Airport for 990 baht. Can't recall what was the 1st one in around 2018. Also from the airport. Many years ago watched a documentary on Thai made Wine. Amazing! Tasted good.  

A very happy 5D 4N trip in May. Surely look forward to more. Buddha Bless All.

16/5/2024, 3/6/24.