Day 3
On the third day in Phuket, we checked out of our hotel (Saladee Gallery Residence) very early in the morning for the transfer to the airport. We would be taking the AirAsia domestic flight from Phuket International Airport to Bangkok Don Mueang Airport and spend the next 5 days travelling in Bangkok.
After a short 1 hour and 20 minutes flight, we arrived at the Bangkok Don Mueang Airport. As the Don Mueang Airport now mainly serves low-cost airlines and domestic flights, the airport was not crowded, and we managed to collect the luggage relatively quick. For our stay in Bangkok, we would travel mainly on free and easy, but we still engaged a local travel agency (WE Tour Thailand) to arrange for the airport transfer to our hotel and a full day city tour on one of the days.
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| View from our flight to Bangkok |
First House Hotel
After the pick-up at the airport, the bus took us straight to our hotel (First House Hotel) located in Pratunam, driving through the infamous Bangkok heavy traffic. We had chosen First House Hotel for our stay in Bangkok because of several reasons. The most important is it is in an excellent location, directly in the Pratunam Market, and within walking distance to BTS Skytrain Station, Platinum Fashion Mall, Central World and Erawan Shrine etc. In addition, it received very good reviews from other travelers on online platform such as Agoda.com. Lastly, the price was affordable too. When we entered our room, we were surprised to find the room space was big, equipped with all necessities like complimentary bottled water, coffee, and tea.
After the pick-up at the airport, the bus took us straight to our hotel (First House Hotel) located in Pratunam, driving through the infamous Bangkok heavy traffic. We had chosen First House Hotel for our stay in Bangkok because of several reasons. The most important is it is in an excellent location, directly in the Pratunam Market, and within walking distance to BTS Skytrain Station, Platinum Fashion Mall, Central World and Erawan Shrine etc. In addition, it received very good reviews from other travelers on online platform such as Agoda.com. Lastly, the price was affordable too. When we entered our room, we were surprised to find the room space was big, equipped with all necessities like complimentary bottled water, coffee, and tea.
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| Modern Deluxe Triple Room at First House Hotel |
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| Bathroom |
Lunch @ SabX2 Wanton Noodles
As it was lunch time already, we did not spend too much time in the hotel. So, we assembled again at the hotel lobby after dropping the luggage in the rooms. Our hotel is located exactly along Soi Phetchaburi 19 and guess what the most famous food was here, it was SabX2 Wanton Noodles! Literally just 60m away towards the Platinum Fashion Mall, we joined the long queue outside the shop to try out the popular Wanton noodles. I could sense most people in the shop and queue were tourists, especially Singaporeans. Interestingly, we could see many signboards at the shop claiming "No Branch in Singapore".
As it was lunch time already, we did not spend too much time in the hotel. So, we assembled again at the hotel lobby after dropping the luggage in the rooms. Our hotel is located exactly along Soi Phetchaburi 19 and guess what the most famous food was here, it was SabX2 Wanton Noodles! Literally just 60m away towards the Platinum Fashion Mall, we joined the long queue outside the shop to try out the popular Wanton noodles. I could sense most people in the shop and queue were tourists, especially Singaporeans. Interestingly, we could see many signboards at the shop claiming "No Branch in Singapore".
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| Queuing outside SabX2 Wanton Noodles shop |
Other than Wanton noodles, the shop also sells pig trotter too. After some 20 minutes wait in the queue, we were brought to the tables. As it was full house inside, we had to share tables with other patrons. The dry Wanton noodles I ordered came with the usual pork char siew, Wanton dumpling, vegetables like in Singapore. But on top of that, they have crab meat inside and lots of pork lard.
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| Full house setting inside the restaurant |
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| My dry Wanton Noodle |
Overall, the noodle was delicious, although the portion was small and expensive (100 Baht) by local standard. That explained why most customers were foreign tourists.
Pratunam Market
After our lunch, we headed outside for the official tour around Pratunam Market. Pratunam Market is a popular shopping destination for locals as well as tourists, which is known for selling clothes, bags, and other fashion accessories at cheap wholesale prices. The market is not located in a single building but refers to a large area comprising of several streets and shopping centres.
After our lunch, we headed outside for the official tour around Pratunam Market. Pratunam Market is a popular shopping destination for locals as well as tourists, which is known for selling clothes, bags, and other fashion accessories at cheap wholesale prices. The market is not located in a single building but refers to a large area comprising of several streets and shopping centres.
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| Pratunam Market with Baiyoke Sky and Suite Hotels at the background |
The offerings here was so large that it can cater to everyone's needs, for women, men, old, teenagers and children. Along the streets, we could also find many push-cart vendors selling local snacks and drinks. Most of the clothing and fashion shops require you to buy 3 or more pieces to enjoy the wholesale price, but many also sell single piece at higher retail price.
Platinum Fashion Mall
After Pratunam Market, we went to the Platinum Fashion Mall located across the Phetchaburi Road for more shopping. The mall is fully air-conditioned and offers a much more comfortable shopping experience as compared to Pratunam Market, which is mainly open air and susceptible to the hot and humid weather. Platinum Fashion Mall has more than 1000 shops spread across 6 levels, selling pretty much similar items like at Pratunam Market, but in my opinion were of better quality. Approximate 90% of the shops sell lady's wear.
After Pratunam Market, we went to the Platinum Fashion Mall located across the Phetchaburi Road for more shopping. The mall is fully air-conditioned and offers a much more comfortable shopping experience as compared to Pratunam Market, which is mainly open air and susceptible to the hot and humid weather. Platinum Fashion Mall has more than 1000 shops spread across 6 levels, selling pretty much similar items like at Pratunam Market, but in my opinion were of better quality. Approximate 90% of the shops sell lady's wear.
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| T-Shirts |
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| One of the many shops selling evening gown |
Most of the shops were small outlets, packed in the many small lanes at each level. The entire area looks like a maze. There were many instances that we wanted to revisit a particular shop for the clothes we had checked earlier, but unable to find in the sea of shops!
Dinner @ Platinum Fashion Mall Food Court
After hours of non-stop shopping, we were tired and hungry already. We went up to the highest level of the mall to have our dinner at the large food court. Other than the popular local Thai food, we could also find other cuisines, such as Chinese, Indian, and western. Many locals ate here as well, thus the prices of the food were quite affordable. We had ordered Pad Thai, Green Curry Chicken, as well as some desserts.
After hours of non-stop shopping, we were tired and hungry already. We went up to the highest level of the mall to have our dinner at the large food court. Other than the popular local Thai food, we could also find other cuisines, such as Chinese, Indian, and western. Many locals ate here as well, thus the prices of the food were quite affordable. We had ordered Pad Thai, Green Curry Chicken, as well as some desserts.
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| Bingsu Dessert |
After dinner, we decided to head back to our hotel to wrap up the long day.
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