Thailand Amazing Bangkok 2011

Day 1:Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan and Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise

Suvarnabhumi Airport

We arrived at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport at around 2:00pm and were amazed on how big it was. It is indeed Southeast Asia's biggest airport which is comparable to Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kok airport in the north east. Everything went fine during our arrival in the new airport except in passport controls where it took us one hour to finish due to the long queue. Unfortunately, it was only later on that we realized that we are queuing up in a “trainee” immigration officer line. With nothing to do in the queue, I compared the rate of passenger turnover in trainee’s counter versus the normal counters. Rate is 1 is to 5, meaning, at the same span of time, only one passenger can get through the trainee’s counter while there can be around 5 passengers who can pass the normal counter. I know that tourist’s time are really precious, so if you don’t want to waste so much time in the airport queuing up, check the passport control’s counter first. If there is a trainee sign displayed in the counter, better choose another one.
Transportation from Suvarnabhumi Airport is a breeze as there are plenty of cabs waiting outside the arrival terminal. Most of taxi drivers do not know English but language barrier is not a problem. The taxi booth, which is just outside the arrival terminal, can help you translate your destination or hotel name in Thai in a piece of paper.
It took about 45 minutes from the airport for the taxi to reach our hotel Fraser Place Urbana in Langsuan Road. Total taxi fare is 350 Baht which includes 225 Baht taxi meter, 75 Baht for toll fees and 50 Baht for taxi surcharge coming from airport. We experienced few traffic areas but it is bearable considering that almost all taxis in Bangkok are new and their air cons are always on a full blast.

Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan

I chose this hotel due to its good reviews in the internet, its location and availability of king size bed in all rooms. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by the very helpful bellboys who unloaded our things from taxi immediately. Lobby is of medium size but chic and bright. Check-in was quite fast. One bad thing we encountered upon check-in is that the front desk insisted to charge us for an extra person since we are a group of three and the room we booked is only for two. I told front desk that we don’t need an extra bed but she insisted otherwise. With nothing we can do, we said ok please charge our room then with an extra bed. We are supposed to pay only 2650 Baht per night for studio room but due to the extra bed, we need to pay another 820 Baht which totals to a daily rate of 3,470 Baht (approx USD95.00). But overall, this total rate is quite acceptable considering that their room size is bigger than typical hotel rooms.

Fraser Place is actually a serviced residence condo but many tourists stay here because of value for money especially if you are a family with little kids. The studio room we stayed is actually quite big for two people, probably around 45-50sqm in size. There is a kitchenette with hot plate, sink, complete cooking utensils, spoons, forks and chinaware. There is also a microwave and full size refrigerator where you can find complimentary bottled water daily. Bathroom is of good size with rain shower instead of a bathtub. A two-seater sofa with coffee table and plasma TV splits the kitchenette area with the king size bed. You can also find a stereo with DVD player, a working table, a make-up table, a small dining table for two, closets, umbrella which you can use rain or shine, and a safety box. The room is modern, bright and spacious with a good view of Bangkok city skyline. If you want to relax, you can go to the 33^rd floor to swim or get a good tan. City view from here is fantastic day or night.

Location-wise, I will give Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan a 4 from a range of 5. Langsuan Road is a long street between Ploenchit and Lumphini Park and Fraser Place Urbana is somewhere in the middle. A well-lighted street which you wouldn’t be afraid to walk at night, Langsuan Road is lined with up-market residential condos and serviced residence like Marriot Mayfair Executive Residences, Centre Point Langsuan, and Natural Ville. Fraser Place Urbana is convenient with 7-11, a couple of restaurants, Thai massage parlors 5-10 minute walk from the hotel. The area has no traffic yet it has plenty of cabs. The only downside is that it is not really close to Chitlom BTS Station but is walkable in 10-15 minutes. There is also a scheduled complimentary Tuk Tuk ride to BTS if you are lazy to walk. If you are group of 3 or 4, I would suggest you take a cab (except during rush hours) instead of BTS because it will be cheaper and more convenient. From Fraser Place Urbana , cab fare to Siam Paragon is just 50 Baht, to Sathorn Pier (also known as Central Pier) for only 80 Baht and to Grand Palace area for less than 100 Baht with minimal traffic.

If you are not in tight budget, you can opt to stay in Intercontinental Hotel which is right smack in the central shopping area of Siam. Arnoma Hotel is also a good choice location-wise which is just across Central World Mall.

Central Pier and Yok Yor Marina Dinner Cruise at Chao Phraya River
After we checked-in our room, we called up Yok Yor Marina Restaurant to book dinner cruise at Chao Phraya River. Advance booking is a must because the cruise restaurant quickly fills up with Thai locals as it is the cheapest dinner cruise around. While others are charging to at least 1,200 Baht for a buffet dinner cruise, Yok Yor only charges 160 Baht boat fee with ala carte menu with dishes starting at 100 Baht.

The Yok Yor reservation staff instructed us to go to Central Pier (also known as Sathorn Pier) at around 6:00pm as there will be complimentary Yok Yor water bus every 15-20 minutes between 6:00pm to 7:00pm. We took a cab from our hotel and arrived at Central Pier early at 5pm and waited there for about an hour. For an hour we gazed at local ferries and watched the grand ferries of 5 star river hotels in envy. Central Pier along with BTS Saphan Taksin Station are main tourist hubs as they connect Chao Phraya River and Bangkok’s main tourist attractions to the city center.
Finally, at 6:15pm the Yok Yor water bus arrived and brought us to Yok Yor Marina Restaurant. The cruise ship is quite old and there is nothing fancy but food is so cheap aboard that you don’t need to think twice when ordering. After all, you get to see the same sights as you would do when you are aboard luxury dinner river cruise ships. Sight of the 2 hour Yok Yor cruise from 8pm to 10pm is amazing. The Grand Palace and other temples are well lit up and are glittering in gold at night. The cruise ship docked at Yok Yor Marina Restaurant at the end of the journey and we were taken back to Central Pier by their complimentary water bus.