Wednesday, Nov 13 — Bangkok
I wake in the Al Safwa First Class Lounge family room at Hamad International Airport DOH, and groggily have a quick breakfast bite and head over to my gate. I board Qatar Airways flight QR 828, seat 1A, and at 8:23am, our Boeing 777-300ER A7-BOB takes off for Bangkok, Thailand.
We land at Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK at 6:45pm. I collect my bags, and taxi over to Rambuttri Village Hotel near Khao San Road. I check into room D319. Interestingly, the is no elevator in this block, so I have to lug my bag up four flights of stairs, something I would not have minded 20 years ago, but today, for some reason, I find it irritating. Nonetheless, I'm happy to be back in my old haunt, so I instantly forgive the inconvenience!
Thursday, Nov 14 — Bangkok
I check out and Grab over to the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit Bangkok hotel, and check into room 2507, with a balcony, and great view looking out over downtown Bangkok. In the evening, I head to the Bloom Cafe, for the Travel Massive party. I meet lots of great people.
Friday, Nov 15 — Bangkok
I attend ETF and hear Barry Hoffner speak. Then Sultan Randy Williams does a great speech about Slojamistan, complete with Thai Secret Service. Many other great speakers. In the evening, we hit up Muum, for a night party. Again, I connect and meet with lots of great people.
In the evening, my hotel is celebrating Loy Krathong, and I place a a krathong in the water pond in front of the hotel. Later, Phil and I head to Wat Pak Bo for a very local Loy Krathong festival on the nearby Phra Khanong Canal.
Saturday, Nov 16 — Bangkok
I attend ETF
Sunday, Nov 17 — Bangkok
I attend ETF
Monday, Nov 18 — Bangkok
I head to the Thai Travel Clinic and get my yellow fever jab. Afterward, I meet Joe at Sa-Nguan Sri for a nice lunch a great conversation.
In the evening, Phil and I hit up the Manel Lanka Restaurant for some epic Sri Lankan food. We meet up with Matt Bowels, founder of the Mavericks Show podcast, about digital nomads. We walk back to Soi 11.
Tuesday, Nov 19 — Bangkok
I take a walk to the end of Sukhumvit Soi 11, over the bridge across Khlong Saen Saep, then across Phetchaburi Rd and to the left. There are many traditional Thai teak homes, some ponds, and great photo ops. Eventually I get lost in a more slummy area, but a very nice local rescues me, and walks me through the windy alleyways, past angry dogs, to the the main street again. I hop on a moto taxi back to the hotel, in time for a swim.
Wednesday, Nov 20 — Bangkok
Here
Thursday, Nov 21 — Bangkok
I reluctantly check out of the Fraser Suites and head over to The Quarter Phloen Chit by UHG, and check into room 416. I head over to Lumphini Park, and take a pedal boat on the lake, around the fountain, and back. I grab larb moo and som tam at Krua Jae Khiao. I walk around Phat Pong for some time. I head over to the newish One Bangkok and check out the mall. I wander to the top floor food court, and have combo plate of yellow cabbage curry, minced sweet fish and calamari rings at Food Street.
ETF meetup at Muum. I order an epic red snapper grilled with cabbage, herbs and the spicy sauce. Ric's wife asks me if I've been in Thailand a long time, as it seems to be a more local person order!
Friday, Nov 22 — Khao Yai
I check out and return to Sa-Nguan Sri, and enjoy the daily special red curry and a pork salad. They serve watery iced tea. It's funny because I run into Joe again; he's having lunch with a famous photographer. So of course I ask them both where their favorite place in Thailand to photograph is. They both agree it is Trang province. I make a note to visit there extensively one day soon. I head over to Central Embassy shopping mall, and notice an ad for a Zaha Hadid exhibit, so I investigate and find the nifty T66 smart locks designed by her, and sold by Moorgen for a paltry THB 105,000, or around $3000 USD. I must admit it is tempting.
I take the subway to a moto to the bus station, and I board a mid-sized bus to Pak Chong, gateway city to Khao Yai National Park. A driver picks me up and takes me to the Greenleaf Guesthouse, where I check into spartan fan room #16 with a bed sheet and cold shower, reminding me of the old school days, 25 years back.
Saturday, Nov 23 — Khao Yai
We tour the Kai Yai National Park
In the evening, we grab the train back to Krung Thep Aphiwat train station. When we arrive, I taxi to the Siri Heritage guesthouse, and check into room 202, with a nice balcony. The hotel is in the interesting Phra Nakhon neighborhood, where there are hundreds of homeless folks lying about, apparently waiting for food handouts. I wander over to Khao San Road, and hit The Club for some good DJ music.
Sunday, Nov 24 — Bangkok
I grab a Grab, and make my way back to Sukhumvit 13, and check into the impressive Floral Court Hotel & Residence, where I manage to score room 3402, a one-bedroom suite. I take a nice swim.
Monday, Nov 25 — Bangkok
I take an early taxi to Don Mueang International Airport DMK, and board Air Asia Thailand flight FD 610. At 9:55am, our Airbus A320-200 HS-ABQ takes off and heads toward Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Thursday, Nov 28 — Bangkok
Here
Friday, Nov 29 — Bangkok
Here