Erawan Shrine, More Malls, & Chinatown (Day 5)

This is our last day in Thailand and we were hoping to make it count.  Unfortunately, the "Incident" happened, which I won't discuss further, and instantly, I was on my own for the rest of the day.

I started my trip around 1 pm, after checking out and leaving my stuff at the hotel.  I hoped on the BTS to Chit Lom Station and made my way down to the Erawan Shrine.  Located below the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, the Erawan Shrine houses a sacred Hindu statue named Than Tao Mahaprom with hordes of followers paying their respects from morning til night.  It is adorned with flowers, incense and candles and is revered by Thais.

As seen from the skybridge

After saying my prayers at the shrine, I decided to check out the other malls in Ratchaprasong.  Inside the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel is the Erawan Bangkok, a boutique mall with posh brands and very few people shopping. There is a wellness center on top, fashion shops in the middle and fine restaurants on the ground including Crystal Jade.

Entrance to the Hyatt

Getting back up the skybridge, I followed the directions to Gaysorn, a chic and sophisticated mall geared towards luxury shopping.  It has over 100 shops in 5 levels but none which interests me.  Major tenants include LV, Prada, Fendi and local brands Stretsis and Disaya.

Conveniently connected to the skybridge

Gorgeous chandelier

I had lunch at Siam Paragon then returned to Central World and bought something before heading to the Pratunam area.  I made my way to Platinum Fashion Mall which as the name implies, is all about fashion.  Guys be warned though, this place is catered especially for women so you might want to skip this and save yourself and your wallet!  Ladies, you are expected to haggle and buying in bulk will get you more discount, but  you already know that!

Yum!

My mom says "Hi"

Parang 168

Right next door is Pantip Plaza, the electronics mall.  This is the place to go for the cheapest prices and widest selection of stores selling computers, cameras, music players and other gadgets.  There are also stores which sell counterfeit software and pirated goods.  The biggest drawback as always when buying electronic items abroad is the lack of warranty and the after-sale services which your item might need.  Based on experience, it is very difficult to have an item repaired or to look for parts if bought internationally.

Pantip Plaza

Packed with tech goodies

I walked about 10 minutes to reach BTS Ratchathewi Station and moved on to Bangkok's Chinatown at Yaowarat road.  My visit coincided with the Vegetarian festival, and for people who don't know me, I don't eat veggies.  I just don't, never have; I eat them minced or in small portions like as part of fried rice or pizza but never in big portions or as main meal.  My palate just rejects it, if I force myself into eating I usually just swallow the whole thing up otherwise I spit them all back out.  All of the street vendors had the yellow flag raised which signifies their participation in the festival.  Needless to say I didn't get to enjoy the street food and contributed to my disappointment in the place.  It's a bit unfair to give a verdict of the place because the timing of my visit wasn't ideal (more alive at night) and with the festival going on.  Also, I didn't get to spend a lot of time exploring the area.  On this day, I found Yaowarat as no different than any other Chinatowns I've been to, nothing special.

Getting to Chinatown on foot is tricky, but I will try to give you guys the direction as well as I can.  Switch  into the Metro to Hualamphong Station.  After exiting the station, cross the street, and turn left to Thannon Rama IV where the stoplight is, then walk straight until you reach the intersection on the second corner where a small Chinese arch stands.  Turn left to Thannon Mittaphap Thai-China and walk until you reach the end of the road signaled by another Chinese arch.  Turn right and walk until you reach Wat Traimit where another intersection awaits.  Turn left at the intersection and you have reached Yaowarat road aka Chinatown. 

Yaowarat Road

Where'd all the meat go?

I returned to Khao San for some last minute food tripping, then rode the ferry and BTS back to the hotel to meet up with JC.  After saying our goodbyes to the endearing hotel staff, we took a cab back to the airport. We had dinner in one of restaurants inside after crossing immigration.  I wandered around the shops waiting for boarding, not really wanting to go home yet.

Airport Departure

Food at the Airport, okay lang

BYE

I enjoyed my first visit toThailand.  Bangkok is surely one of the best cities in the world although not THE best as the magazine claims, but still, a fine destination for sightseeing, street food and meeting wonderful people.  Life around the Chao Phraya River is fascinating, sticky mango rice is now one of my all time favorite street food, I would love to return to Khao San Road and Chatuchak, and the Thai people are truly friendly, unassuming, and hospitable all which makes this trip memorable.

Thanks again for reading my blog, feel free to post your comments.  Salamat.

Helpful Links:

Wikitravel Bangkok
PEX Bangkok
Bangkok Guide