Pattaya
Thailand is my 3rd foreign country to visit. I arrived in an early morning flight of Air Asia in Donmueang International Airport, Bangkok which exclusively caters the Budget Airlines. Indian Tourist can enter Thailand by Visa On Arrival. Unlike Malaysia or Singapore where the immigration are fast and straight forward, in Thailand Scam starts from the Immigration itself. On the Visa On Arrival Que even though there are 3 to 4 counters, only 1 was functioning and after seeing our photograph they straight away reject those photos which were taken in India itself telling some reason and asking us to take a live photo from the nearby counter which charges around 150 bhats during the year 2015. But they themselves fill-up the VOR Forms. But they are not making any problems further and not even checked whether we are having sufficient funds or not.
Unlike KL Airport where there were shuttle buses to the City Center almost 24 hours, there was no such kind of buses in Donmueng Airport to City or Pattaya in the early morning. The City Buses starts only around 7.30 am. and we have to rely only the Metered Taxi. We should not catch the Taxi with out a meter as they over charge. There is another Que for the Metered Taxi in the Airport where we have to write the name of the destination in English to the Taxi Counter and the person incharge translate the destination in Thai Language to the Drivers as most of the Thai people doesn't know English.
There was 4 individual person from Chennai including me pooled together and hired a Taxi to Ekkamai Bus Station which is on the eastern side of Bangkok City from where we have to catch the bus to Pattaya. The other 3 also booked some hotels in Pattaya. The taxi fare from Donmueng Airport to Ekkamai Bus station came around 250 bhaat. The bus fare to pattaya was 125 bhaat from Ekkamai.
From Pattaya Bus Station to various places can be accessed by a closed Tri-Cycle which is called Songthaew which charge 50 or more bhaat depending on the distance of hotel from the main bus station.
There are 3 main beaches there the Pattaya Beach, Nakluea and Jomethien Beaches. Pattaya Beach is not that much clean. There are lot of day tours to a nearby island namely Kolarn with lot of activities like Parasailing, Snorkling,etc. and a tour to Nongnoonch botanical garden, and a tour to Srirach Tiger Zoo.
Pattaya is also famous for it's 2 shows Alcazar and Tiffany. There is a famous Walking Street is also in Pattaya with lot of Pubs and Bistros, Restaurants, etc.
Unlike in Malaysia or Singapore Indian Vegetarian food are not easily available and there are very few restaurants only and we have to search for it in Pattaya or overall in Thailand.
Phukket
From Pattaya I catched a bus to Bangkok Southern Terminal namely Saitaimai from where buses to southern Thailand are originating. There are Government operated Company Buses as well as Private buses like Phuket Travels,etc. The buses are classified as Executive Class, 1st AC, 2nd AC & Ordinary buses. Phuket is located around 850 km south west of Bangkok and the average travelling time taken is 11 to 13 hours depending on the buses and traffic. 1st AC is not only comfortable but also affordable. It costs around 475 bhats to phuket including snacks,water & drinks served in the bus and a Overnight Buffet Dinner at one stop point in the middle. The roads are ok but not like Malaysian Expressway.
Phuket has so many beautiful beaches of the world which are Pathong, Karon, Kamla, Katha,etc. I stayed in Korean Hostel in the famous Soi Bangla road in Pathong Beach side. There are so many day tours like Phuket city tour , Phi phi Island Tour, James Bond Island Tour and etc which are worth to visit. Book directly with the tour operators or in the Hotel or Hostel itself.
Bangkok to Phuket- AC 1st class Bus
Pathong Area in Phuket
Pathong Beach
Phi Phi Island
Bangkok
After visiting Phuket i returned back to Bangkok. The first day i went to Half a day City Tour which includes the visit to famous Buddhist Temples like What Pho, What Phra Kaew, Golden Buddha, Reclining Buddha,etc. And the next day evening i went for a Rice Barge Cruise in Chao Phraya River to view the Bangkok skyline from the river. This tour includes a buffet type of fruits, juices, snacks and Vegetarian Thai dishes and even some type of Liquor.
These tours can be booked with the Hotel or Hostels or there are lot of local tour operators and you have to select a reputed one and there is no Hop on Hop Off type of buses like in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
Next day in the morning i went to Lumpini Park in the Heart of the city near Pratunam area where i stayed. It is suitable for a Brisk Morning Walk or Jogging. Other than there is two more Major parks in Bangkok namely Dussit and Chatuchak. Bangkok as a whole is of a Concrete Jungle and there is no much greenery like KL.
Bangkok has some of the world renowned and biggest malls like Central World, Phantip Plaza, Platinum Mall, Siam Paragan, MBK,etc. Stuffs like Clothing and Low end Unbranded goods are the cheapest in the world. But at the same i don't think Computers, Mobile Phones, Electronics or LED TV are cheaper. For these items and Branded goods Kuala Lumpur is better and reliable also. In Bangkok beware of Duplicate Counterfeit goods.
There are lot of day tours to enjoy like Safari World, Dolphin Show, Siam Ocean World one of the biggest of the world, Muay Thai Boxing, Siam Niramit Show which shows the Hindu Epic of Ramayana and which is followed by a Buffet Dinner, 1 day tour to Heritage site of Ayuthaya, Night Dinner Cruise in Chao Phray River.
Other than this there are lot of Spas, Thai Authentic Massage Parlors, Rejuvenating Camps, Pubs, Restaurants and Street food Stalls to enjoy.
Bangkok
Lumpini Park- The Lungs of Bangkok
Evening River Cruise in Chao Phraya River by Rice Barge
Where ever you go take at most care of your belongings, Cash and Valuables. Even though Bangkok is comparatively a safer city in South East Asia, there are lot of other scams.
