Yesterday was my first night in Bangkok. I flew to Bangkok as i am taking part in the Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon 2011. It was supposed to be in Nov 2011 but due to the flood they moved the date to Feb 12 2012.
My flight from SG to Bangkok was uneventful. Except that i arrived on time to the SG budget terminal and managed to get onboard in time. The flight was empty with most passengers sitting in the middle towards the end. I chose a seat to the passenger pathway and beside me was 2 empty seats to the window.The flight TR 2104 take off on time and we reach Bangkok international airport around 3pm SG time (2pm Thailand time (they are 1 hour behind)). As there were no immigration forms available on-board, I have to fill in one the ground after arriving at the airport. In a hurry I fill in the wrong flight no and the Custom officer scold me for it.
From the airport is where the nightmare starts. from many blogs i know that there is a free shuttle bus from the airport to the public transport center and the airport rail. As I am a little free, I decided to take the less traveled route which is to take the shuttle bus. I exit from Exit 5 from the depature floor and upon reaching the transport center, know that Bus no. 556 had been terminated since 2010 Nov. So the customer service show me a slip, showing me to take bus no .555 instead, drop off at Din-Daeng road and take bus no 171 or 12 to Khao San Road where I am staying.
The first half of the journey was ok. When i boarded bus no 555, I am the only foreigner and as Thai people seldom speak english, I have to show them the slip. Thankfully one for the passenger know where I going so let the bus conductor know. Thai public bus is driver only drive while there is a bus conductor that will issue the ticket accordingly to where the passenger is going. Surprisingly they can remember who is going where and she let me know when I am nearing my stop. Bus no 12 is a non-aircon bus and very frequent. But i decided to wait for bus 171 as its air-con and has less pickpocket. I count 25 bus 12 before bus 171 arrive. As usual, I am the only foreigner on the bus and it introduced me to Bangkok traffic. Luckily its air-con or i will sweet like a pig on the bus. After passing the Democracy Monument, i alighted. Before I alight, there were some Thai female students who were laughing away, I guess they seldom see a foreigner on a public bus. The whole journey cost me 49 Baht and cost me 4 hours of traveling time.
I am staying at Sakul House and at room no. 301. Its a corner with the hotel signboard next to the room. I am ok with it as its a window room with me able to see the floor below. As i arrived there around 5.30pm, there were street hawkers selling their items so I had my pad thai with chicken and egg and some meat skewers. Street Food in Thai is cheap, less then 100 Baht is my dinner. I turn in early as I still need to go and collect my race pack on Friday.
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