Travel Blog: Thailand November - December 2009
This was my first return trip to Thailand in Nov-Dec 2009. I lived and worked in Bangkok in 1994 and for 15 years I yearned to return. This was the first trip that I took photos and recorded videos with my new shiny Apple 3GS iPhone camera.
The pictures from which these videos were produced can be found on my web site at the Revisit Thailand Nov-Dec 2019 link and at this Google Photos link.
November 22/23 2009 - The Grand Palace in Bangkok
The first video in this series is recorded during Nov 22-23 2009, where I checked into the Bangkok JW Marriott. The following morning Charlie, my pre-arranged tour guide, met me at the hotel and then went to the Grand Palace.
The Thailand Grand Palace website contains a wealth of information about the palace history and architecture. I used that web site to annotate the pictures in my travel gallery.
November 24 2009 - Bang Pa In Summer Palace and Ayutthaya
The next video in this series is of Nov 24, 2009 of the Bang Pa In Summer Palace and Ayutthaya. Both Bang Pa In and Ayutthaya can be seen in a day trip from Bangkok. The Bang Pa In Palace is about 60 km north of Bangkok and close to the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
My tour guide met me at the hotel and then we took a car to Bang Pa In Summer Palace. After a morning tour of Bang Pa In, I took a long tail boat on the Chao Praya river to Ayutthaya.
November 25 2009 - Bangkok Government House and Wat Saket - The Temple of the Golden Mount
The next video in this series is of Nov 25, 2009 of the Government House and Wat Saket a.k.a "The temple of the Golden Mount". Wat Saket has been built up over the last 200 years and provides unobstructed views of Bangkok's old city. Around Wat Saket is a village on Soi Ban Bat where monk alms bowls are made by hand following traditional Thai methods. The Thai word "soi" is similar to "small road" or "small street".
November 27 - 29 2009 - Phra Pathom Chedi, Floating Market, Dinner at Vertigo
The next video in this series is during November 27-29. On November 27 I started early and traveled with my guide to Phra Tathom Chedi, about 2 hours northeast of Bangkok. Phra Pathom is magnificent. It's considered the world's largest stupa. I visited during a much needed renovation, so some areas and the outside where blocked. But it was still a magnificent building. I hope to go back again very soon.
After visiting the Chedi, my guide took me to eat and then we went to a near by floating market via a long tail boat ride. It was fun seeing the market, although I think the markets are now more for tourists than locals. The last stop was at a wood carving center and shop. The place was huge and had hundreds of skilled wood workers carving everything from small souvenirs to full room furniture.
I relaxed on November 28. On November 29 I went to dinner at the Vertigo restaurant on the 61st floor roof top of the Banyan Tree hotel. This hotel was then the tallest in Thailand, but now was been surpassed by Maha Nakhon building, which has a hotel and the Ritz Carlton condominiums.
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November 30 - December 3, 2009 - Shopping, Muay Thai Boxing, and Dancing at DJ Station
My last days of my return trip were spent shopping, going to a Muay Thai boxing match, and dancing at DJ Station. Bangkok is famous for shopping. Siam Paragon shopping complex is one of my favorite shopping areas because it's in central Bangkok and directly connects to the sky train public transportation system.
Siam Paragon and the sky train were a surprise to me. In 1994 public transportation consisted of buses and taxis and motorbikes. The Sky Train (BTS) opened December 5, 1999, and was followed by the subway (MRT) in July 3, 2004. Thailand has also expanded and improved car/truck expressways. Transportation dramatically changed during my 15 year absence. Now it's much easier to commute in air conditioned comfort.
My last video of this series shows the Siam Paragon shopping center, some pictures of Muay Thai boxing, and a video clip of the cabaret show at DJ Station. DJ Station was a favorite hangout place in 1994. Given how fast bars, clubs, restaurants can change, I was surprised it stayed open since the last time I went there in 1994. Oh .. one more thing .. the last few days I of this trip I spent with my partner Tooh. We met in DJ Station on December 1 and have been together ever since.
Alas, I had to leave to the USA, hoping that I would soon return to the land of smiles.
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