Buffer Day in Bangkok

Central Thailand and Gulf of Thailand in 9 Days – Day 1

To start with my end-of-academic-year vacations, I along with 3 more friends chose to spend a night in Bangkok before proceeding to the main destinations of the trip. Bangkok is a city full of life with all those nightclubs, bars, shopping areas, restaurants catering every type of cuisine in the world, cruises on Chao Phraya river, beautiful Buddhist monasteries, massage parlors, as well as sleazy areas – a must-visit city of South-East Asia.

Highlights of the Day

  • Check in at Pool House Service Residence
  • Chatuchak Weekend Market
  • Khao San Road

Pool House Service Residence

We decided to stay close to Don Mueang Airport, as we have our flight from the airport day after tomorrow at early morning.

If you are not sure about the particular location, you can always call the reception and make someone from the hotel talk to the taxi driver for detailed location.

Pool House Service Residence was one of the best choices close to the airport if you are looking for an economical place to crash, without giving up the privileges of having fun in an outdoor pool, free breakfast, and also free drop to airport.

The view of the rooms and the pool at Pool House Service Residence
In addition to outdoor pool, 24-hour room service, 24-hour front desk help, and free Wi-Fi, each guestroom has television LCD/plasma screen, air conditioning, desk and chair, and a small sofa.
View of pool from the bedroom at Pool House Service Residence
Choose the lower level rooms as they have direct access to the pool plus a lovely seating arrangement in the adjoining balcony

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Market is the largest open-air market in the world with more than 8,000 stalls, starting from clothes, accessories, bags, toiletries, souvenirs, furniture, flowers, pets, street food, and miscellaneous.

The main market is open only on the weekends, except few sections like flowers and plant sections that are open on mid-weekdays.

A taxi took us to the market, which was within 15 km from the hotel, so it took almost half an hour depending on the traffic. We enjoyed street food from Chatuchak Weekend Market as our lunch.

Open-air market at Bangkok
Best time to visit the market is daytime as many shops close by the evening, though they are replaced by other shops which also close by not later than 9 PM
Beautiful wooden work at sale at Chatuchak Weekend Market
Random furniture for sale at Chatuchak Weekend Market

Khao San Road

We took a taxi from one of the many gates of the vast market to Khao San Road – every backpacker’s paradise. I have stayed in a guesthouse at Khao San Road during my first visit to Bangkok and I advise the same to every backpacker on their first visit to this city.

Khao San road is full of life – clubs, restaurants, massage parlors, bars, and also super-economical places to stay.

The reason for us to visit here was having dinner at Joy Luck Club. It is a very cozy restaurant run by a Thai lady a little walk away from Khao San Road, where I have visited last year during my first encounter with Thailand.

Thai food at Joy Luck Club
Delicious Thai food for dinner home-cooked by the Thai lady owner herself
Sticky rice with mango
The best dessert to finish your meal in Thailand should be none other than sticky rice with mango
Phra Sumen Fort at night
On the way back, I did not miss capturing the image of the white building of Phra Sumen Fort. This is the only fort after Mahakan fort that still stands

Taxi to Hotel

Taxi becomes a convenient vehicle when you are four in a group. A taxi took almost 40 min to reach the hotel. Goodnight!

NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)

Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 1 in Thailand – Bangkok.

  • Hotel in Bangkok for twin sharing (2 nights): 1500
  • Getting around: 150
  • Food:  250
  • Miscellaneous: 600

Total expense (roughly): 2500 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 Central Thailand and Gulf of Thailand in 9 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!

30 thoughts on “Buffer Day in Bangkok”

  1. I have such good memories of Bangkok, and this post brought them back for me! The weekend market is so much fun, and you have to make a stopover at Khao San Road, it’s a Bangkok institution!

  2. My Uncle lives in Thailand and I’ve always wanted to make the trip to see him. We’d probably have a buffer day or 2 in Bangkok ourselves so it’s nice to have recommendations of things to do, see and stay.

  3. I’m planning a trip to Thailand at the end of the year and intend to have a day or two in Bangkok. Thanks for advice, it will come in useful!

  4. Bangkok has always been in our must-visit places thanks to friends who have been in this nice city. The street food looks fabulous. From your photos, we can see many similarities with Filipino dishes.

  5. I have heard and been to Khao San Road in Bangkok. However, I haven’t heard of the Chatuchak Market which is a pity because I know I would’ve loved to go there. It’s a pity its only on weekends though, especially the knick knacks and souvenirs shops. Street markets in Thailand are so cool, I love buying accessories and dry food items from there.

  6. Jane Dempster-Smith

    Chatuchak market is one of our favourite destinations if we are spending a weekend in Bangkok. We love the vibe and the food choices are so plentiful. Thanks for the information about the Pool House Service Residence – it is good to have a recommendation especially close to the airport. The food looked amazing at the Joy Luck Club – I have made a note for future reference.

  7. I would love to visit Bangkok. That Chatuchak market seems to be one of the highlight of the city. I am planning a trip in SEA next year, and that goes straight up to the Thailand bucket list! Thanks 🙂

  8. Susanna Kelly

    Love that you found some time to explore Bangkok even with such little time. Sounds like you made the best of it though by choosing an awesome hotel. The weekend market is a great way to try some local food and get a feel of Bangkok. Sounds like the perfect buffer or half day in one of Thailand’s capital.

  9. You have offered some fantastic recommendations for a stay in Bangkok. I would love to see the Phra Sumen Fort in person – it is especially beautiful at night all lit up. I think my favorite place to visit would be Chatuchak Weekend Market, and I would love to try some authentic Thai food! The sticky rice with mango sounds delicious!

    1. Blairvillanueva

      Your hotel looks impressive, and no wonder coz Thailand’s hospitality is one of the best in Asia. I’m glad you enjoyed your Chatuchak Market food tour, their foods are delicious and pretty cheap! I want to come back to Thailand 🙂

  10. First of all, I didn’t look further after the point when you say that the rooms have direct access to pools! I’m convinced that I need to be there. I don’t have to even read the rest of your series. Haha…
    Super good to know its closer to airport and they also give free transport from/to airport. That’s the best!
    The food looks delicious. Looks much like Indian food infact. I really need to try that sticky mango rice soon.

  11. Pool House Service Residence looks like a great option being close to the airport, offering free breakfast and the pool does look inviting. I would head straight to the Chatuchak Market, yet 8000 stalls sounds a little intimidating, even for me! The sticky rice with mango at Joy Luck Club looks incredible

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