Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in Days – Day 6
Every few months, I end up spending a full day in Bangkok en route to some other destination. Richie had his flight on Sunday, so we thought of spending a night in Bangkok on Saturday and get our city fix. Though you can cover distant places in Bangkok and visit the must-sees, but we decided to stick to Sukhumvit only – a popular district in Bangkok filled with hotels, restaurants, malls, nightclubs, and also the naughty Soi Cowboy and Nana Entertainment Plaza.
Highlights of the Day
- Phitsanulok to Bangkok
- Room at Bangkok Guesthouse
- Veganerie Concept
- Terminal 21
- Soi Cowboy
Bus to Bangkok
Phitsanulok being the transport hub of Northern Thailand has buses and other transport connecting to every place of Thailand. Buses to Bangkok run all day round. But it is a holiday time, so it is highly advisable to get your bus tickets booked at least a week in advance.
I usually prefer Wintour and Phitsanulokyanyon to travel between Phitsanulok and Bangkok.
Our bus was at 9.30 AM with Phitsanulokyanyon bus company. The bus station is only 3 km from my home. It took only 5 min to reach by taxi. We made sure to have some breakfast at home before we left. The bus arrived on time but delayed to depart for 30 min. The bus took 15-min stop for lunch at Nakhon Sawan on the way. Overall, it took around 5 h to reach Mochit bus station – the northern bus terminal of Bangkok. A taxi from there brought us to our boutique guesthouse in Sukhumvit.
Room at Bangkok Guesthouse
I highly recommend this guesthouse to every traveler if you are looking for an economical stay in the heart of Bangkok. This is a boutique guesthouse run by a very warm host, Greg. He has made sure that every room looks unique. They have single room and double rooms catering solo travelers, friends, couples, and families.
The location is the biggest advantage. The intersection of Sukhumvit is just a few meters away with accessibility of Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT. The only drawback you should be aware of is that it does not have an elevator. However, Greg is always happy to help you with the luggage.
Veganerie Concept
I have few favorite vegan places in Bangkok, and this is one of them. I keep returning to this spectacular dining place during almost every single visit to Bangkok. The owner Kalayanee Yimsiri is a compassionate soul and also owns the most popular vegan bakery in Bangkok – Veganerie, in Siam Paragon.
Veganerie concept has over 50 savoury items in categories, such as salads, pasta, all-day breakfast, burgers, wraps, Asian-styled rice bowls, and varieties of desserts – everything meat- and dairy-free. The price is toward the expensive end, but is totally worthy – we ordered two super-filling burgers and an appetizer along with a glass of juice that cost us around 900 ฿.
A stroll by Benjasiri Park on the way back to BTS station was delightful. Parks like Chatuchak Park and Lumpini Park are huge and very popular in Bangkok – but Benjasiri also has its own share of popularity. Cool winds by the lake, health-conscious people working out, playing sports, so many contemporary sculpture by Thai artists all around. It is often used for open-air events.
Terminal 21 Shopping Mall
Though people would go ooh-la-la for Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Emporium, and Central World, but my favorite mall in Bangkok has always been Terminal 21. Its cutting-edge concept that places several world-famous cities under one roof being one good reason for my love toward it.
We wandered around a maze of shops in Tokyo city, bagged some gifts in an Istanbul zouk, strolled by the Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, sauntered down London’s Carnaby Street, and also walked by Rome and Paris and many.
For souvenirs and other gifts from Thailand for your dear ones, I highly recommend the shop named “Pink Pvssy” next to Instanbul zouk – we bagged many gifts from there.
Soi Cowboy
The last thing we did before hitting the bed back to our guesthouse was a short stroll from one end of Soi Cowboy to the other.
It is not necessary that you have to hook up with someone, but you cannot miss going to this notorious red light district located right at the intersection of Asok and Sukhumvit. Soi Cowboy cannot go unnoticed when the sun goes down and the neon light lits up the street. Recently, I was in Pattaya and Soi Cowboy looked like a smaller version of the Walking Street of Pattaya.
Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in Days – Day 7
After a whole week of madness starting from Koh Nang Yuan to attending Full Moon Party in Koh Pha Ngan to celebrating Songkran in Chiang Mai to chilling in Bangkok along with an overnight stay in Phitsanulok, all we needed now is a great massage followed by good food before we head out to the airport, the saddest part of any vacation!
Highlights of the Day
- Body massage
- May Veggie Home
- Off to Airport
Body Massage
Thai massages are popular worldwide, though many people relate to kinky massages with happy ending – but that is not true about traditional Thai massages.
Originally, Thai massage is an ancient healing system combining acupressure, assisted yoga postures, and Indian Ayurvedic principles, which is done without oil or lotion and with a constant body contact between you and masseur or masseuse. There is another kind of massage with body oil, which involves rubbing oil on muscles along with your body being compressed, pulled, stretched and relaxed.
Urban Retreat Spa is one of the best massage spas in Thailand and they have two branches – one next to Asok BTS and the other one is next to Phrom Phong BTS. It is advisable to book in advance so that you can get the service at your convenient time. I and Richie had booked the previous evening for sweet almond oil body massage for 60 min at 10 AM the following day. Make sure to reach on time, otherwise they cancel your appointment if you are late for more than 10 min.
May Veggie Home
It is advisable to have something light 30 min or 1 h prior to getting a body massage done, as you would feel very hungry post that. Lucky us as everything was in walking distance. Post body massage, we went to May Veggie Home for brunch – which was just few steps away from our guesthouse.
May Veggie Home is my another favorite vegan restaurant in Thailand. I have come here a couple of times before during my earlier visits to Bangkok, and their food has never let me down, not even for once. I love their cruelty-free food! The price is a little above average – an appetizer, a bowl of spaghetti, and a glass of juice cost us around 500 ฿.
Seeing Off
The hardest and saddest part of the vacation is seeing your travel buddy off. Richie and I have been traveling since last December and we find great fun exploring new places together. It has been a great experience sharing travel moments together, but then bidding bye keeps getting more difficult. We are planning to Europe next, and that hope keeps us at peace that we should meet and rave again!
Do not take a taxi if the driver does not wish to go by meter. They tend to charge a higher price. Always go by meter!
After lunch, we checked out from the guesthouse and took a taxi to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Richie checked in his luggage and got his boarding pass. We would meet again until our next vacation, which would be soon for sure.
I took the airport link train from the basement of the airport to Makkasan airport link which connects to Phetchaburi MRT. From there, I got to Kamphaeng Phet MRT. Finally a motorbike taxi from gate 1 of that MRT station dropped me to Mochit bus station. I already had bought bus ticket back to Phitsanulok from there, so my journey back home was hassle-free!
There are so many things to do in Bangkok, you cannot really be done with this crazy metropolitan city even if you stay here for a week. It is better to spend a short yet sweet and spicy 24 hours in Bangkok before you carry on your journey to your next destination.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Days 6-7 in Thailand – Bangkok.
- Phitsanulok to Bangkok: 300
- Hotel in Bangkok for twin sharing (1 night): 700
- Getting around: 200
- Food: 750
- Miscellaneous: 1550
Total expense (roughly): 3500 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in 7 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
i can say that nightlife in Bangkok is amazing especially in that district Sukhumvit. You had a great accommodation and people were everywhere, looks like a beautiful place to mingle with new faces.
Yes, Bangkok has people from every corner of the world! A great place to share experiences with unknowns.
I have yet to make it to Thailand, although it is a place I want to visit for sure. I will go the next time we live in Asia somewhere. Bangkok seems like a very lively city. It’s so nice that you are able to return to places that you love and still find new things to explore.
Yes Kathleen, my favorite indeed.
I am planning a trip to Bangkok later this year so I’m taking notes! Thank you for sharing your good places! The food looks so incredibly delicious.
The food is to die for.
Bangkok is a fun place and I really enjoy reading your posts on southeast Asia. They are so detailed and helpful. Its good to know that you visit Bangkok now and then and find us new things for travellers like us.
Yes, Bangkok is just 6 hours away from where I live, it’s fun there.
That’s a perfect itinerary for a day, Terminal 21 looks like an awesome place to shop and hangout. I love that you always mention prices, that is really helpful to people who are on a budget trip.
Glad if you find it helpful, Suman.
Bangkok in a day!!!! wow!!!! Nightlife sounds wonderful there.
It is madness!
Wow! I’ve always heard that there was so much to do in Bangkok. It must have been surreal to experience the full moon parties. Yet another great recap of things to do in Bangkok. Thanks for sharing
Welcome dear.
It’s been a long time since I was in this area of Bangkok, and I see it’s still as active as it was then! It’s good there are some vegan options there. I’m not vegan, but as a foodie, I’d love to try out the options there. Love the Thai massage too, I always seem to overdose on them when I travel to that part of the world!
Same here Lisa, I can’t imagine visiting this country without taking Thai massages at least on every alternate day.
Thank your for your recommendation.We are looking for a place ot stay and this is just perfect. We wanted one in a good location and something not really expensive.
Will also try Veganerie. Their food looks really delicious.
Food in Veganerie is awesome.
Sound so much fun. Didn’t know about these vegan restaurants in Bangkok, which is why travelling like a local is so important. Am glad you mentioned the spa name, as wiith its fame for masages, it would be difficult to decide which one to go to. Planning my visit for this year end,
Oh you must come here, Ambica.
You really seem to have had a lot of fun. From shopping to a relaxing thai massage. Pity that you had to say good bye to your travel companion. At least you have some great memories.
Bangkok was fun!
It looks as though you had a wonderful time here! I’m not a veggie, but it’s good to know there are some good vegan places in Bangkok. I overdose on massages when I’m in this part of the world; they’re so good and cheap too. I wouldn’t mind a Thai massage right now!
Thai massage is so amazing, Lisa.
Bangkok has many neighbors ce restaurants. Once we had a dinner in a nice Japanese restaurant and it only cost us a price of starter in Europe. This is an interesting city to go because I also ate ice cream with bread!
I agree.
Such a refreshing post Shreya. I have been to Bangkok, only once and that too a couple of years back, Looks like i need to head out-there soon, and have Terminal 21 on my list for sure, apart from talking a stroll down Soi Cowboy ?
Glad you liked it, Arnav.
Bangkok is such a diverse city! I love that you stuck to one area to truly experience all that it had to offer. Also, great tips about Vegan restaurants. I love vegan food so I often try to find restaurants that at least have vegan options. I’ll definitely have to check these two out when I’m in the area. It looks like you and Richie had a blast in the mall! Definitely remember these moments, life is too short not to! I definitely would like to witness a Full Moon party while there as well!
Oh you must visit the place, Martha.
Bangkok can never make anyone bored. This is one vibrant city. It seems like you had such a great time. My favorite mall is also Terminal 21. It is such a fun place to hang out and shopping.It always feels sad to say bye to your travel partner. Hope to read more of Europe stories soon.
Sure, Parnashree.
Bangkok is very vibrant and wonderful place and in that Sukhumvit is the most happening neighborhood. I loved your hotel stay as red furnishing and a night sky behind the bed looks very romantic. Vegan food options are also great but good to know that there vegan fried chicken. I wonder how it is vegan. After a fun filled day in Bangkok, I would also prefer a relaxing massage.
Yukti, it means that the vegan food is made from plant based meat.