Cambodia: Of Hotels ang Tuktuks

I agree that an overnight stay in Cambodia is not enough. Well, I don't have any choice because I only have a tight travel schedule.

In order for me to maximize and enjoy my stay, I made sure beforehand that I will feel comfortable with my hotel accommodation, but of course not forgetting to blend with the Cambodian daily life.

Bangkok Sights and Temples

Bangkok is famous around the world for its historical temples and even though it has evolved as one of the most industrialized city in Asia, it’s still good to see that they have also been carefully preserving their old structures to continuously remember their past.

Here’s a rundown of the must-see places I visited in Thailand:

1. Wat Pho
2. Wat Arun
3. Khao San Road
4. Ayutthaya Historical City
• Wat Ratchaburana
• Wat Mahathat
• Wat Lokayasutharam 
• Elehpant Ride
• Wat Phra Mongkhol Bophit
• Wat Sri Sanphet

Let me start with the places I visited in the City of Bangkok. These places are just conveniently located in the heart of the city. You can just ride a Train, Taxi, or a Tuktuk going to these places. Check out from here Bangkok's Transportation: "Where to in Bangkok?".

A View of the Grand Palace from Sanam Luang

WAT PHO (Entrance Fee: THB 100)

Wat Pho, or popularly known as the "Temple of the Reclining Buddha" is a popular destination among tourists. It is located on the southern side of Wat Phra Khaew and just beside Tha Tien Pier.

The Reclining Buddha

 

TRAVEL TIP: Wear your proper attire if you want to enter the Temple (NO short pants and NO sleeveless shirts). Be sure to bring your refreshments with to hydrate yourself under the heat of the sun.

WAT ARUN (Entrance Fee: THB 50)

From Wat Pho Temple, go straight directly to Tha Tien Pier and ride the Chao Phraya express ferry going to the other side of the river. The boat ride costs only THB 3 and will take around 5 minutes. Upon alighting the other side of the river, you can directly enter Wat Arun.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun is known as the "Temple of the Dawn" and home to beautiful ancient temples. You can go up the temples and experience the overlooking view of Chao Phraya River and the Bangkok Metro. It's good spending some quiet time atop the temples and watching the sun set in peace.

Dragon dancers doing their stunts at Wat Arun

 Sunset watching at Wat Arun

TRAVEL TIP: The Chao Phraya Express Ferry operates until 8 PM so you still have more time to spend in Wat Arun before going back to Tha Tien Pier.

Khao San Road (read also Bangkok Food)

One place on a backpacker's travel list is definitely Khao San Road. It is a home of cheap backpacker's hostel and guest houses. A lot of chill-out bars are found here during the whole stretch of the night.

TRAVEL TIP: Try their tasteful local beer, Chang Beer, which is only THB 60 for a 640 ml bottle.

During my second day in Bangkok, I went to Ayutthaya City riding through Bangkok’s State Railway Train. The train ticket to Ayutthaya from Bang Sue station cost THB 14. You can read more details about Bangkok Transportation from here: "Where To In Bangkok?".

Arriving Ayutthaya Station, head straight directly near the pier and ride the ferry boat going the other side of river. The ferry boat costs THB 4 and around 5 minutes travel.

TRAVEL TIP: Upon arriving the other side of the river, walk a few meters going to the market and hire a tuktuk for your Ayutthaya Tour. Try your best to haggle down the price with the Tuktuk driver. THB 300 should already be a good price.

Ayutthaya has a lot of scenic temples to offer. It's a very humble experience to be up close and personal with Thailand's history and be awed with these beautiful architectures. Here are some of the places I visited during my 6-hour trip in Ayutthaya.

Wat Ratcha Burana - Temple of the Royal Restoration (Entrance Fee: THB 50)

Wat Ratchaburana Entrance

Wat Mahathat (Entrance Fee: THB 50)

Wat Lokayasutharam – Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Wat Lokayasutharam

TRAVEL TIP: The Wat Pho Reclining Buddha was patterned from Wat Lokayasutharam. The size, designs, and details we're almost the same!

Elephant Ride in Ayutthaya

Thailand is famous for elephant ride and it's more fun to do it in Ayutthaya. An elephant ride here costs THB 450 per person and the ride takes around 20 minutes around the park. A lot of tourists are lining up for the ride so be patient and you'll have your chance.

Little Dumbo Eating Corn

Wat Phra Mongkhol Bophit

Wat Phra Mongkhol Bophit

Wat Sri Sanphet

Wat Sri Sanphet

Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to visit all the temples and places and here are some still remained unticked in my to-do list:

Bangkok:
     Wat Phra Kaew
     Bangkok Grand Palace
     Damnoen Floating Market

Ayutthaya:
     Wat Chaiwattanaram
     Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon
     Wat Phu Khao Thong

More resources about Thailand:

• Bangkok, Thailand's Krung Thep
• Bangkok Foodies
• Bangkok Transportation

Where to in Bangkok?

I want to be a certified backpacker; well at least I’m trying to be one. I want to experience exploring in a new place with all my things just packed in my backpack. Thailand is a popular destination for backpackers and I thought this will be a good start for me to be one.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

TRAVEL TIP: Ride all the local transportation as much as possible, be closer to the local people, and get acquainted with the place’s culture, up close.

I want to share with you how transportation system is like in Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok. It’s good to see that even though Bangkok has progressed greatly over the years, they still haven’t seized their early mode of transportation, the Bangkok State Railway. Now I agree with the ideas I've known before that train systems are the city’s road to industrialization.

I’m amazed of Bangkok’s State Railway because it is still fully operational and still offers a lot of train routes heading to various places of Thailand.

Bang Sue [bang-soo] Train Station

For instance visiting Ayutthaya City on the northern part of Thailand, you can ride a train from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station via the Northern Line. The trip takes around 90 minutes and costs around THB 20 for a 3^rd class yet a comfortable seat. The train regularly departs everyday from 6:30 AM so no need to be worried not to catch a train ride. :)

Ayutthaya Bound Train Station

When you are a first time traveler in Thailand just like me, arriving Bangkok’s airport and going to the city central is very convenient. After passing through the Thai Immigration and getting your luggage, exit the arrival area and go to the main lobby. Then head down to the Basement to which the Airport Rail Link (SARL) is located.

SARL Train at Bangkok Airport

From the airport going to the last train station of SARL, Phaya Thai Station, it will only take around 30 – 45 minutes and costs around THB 40 – THB 50. Not only you will pay less, you will still have equal comfort!

Train token vending machine

TRAVEL TIP: Roaming around Bangkok, there are a lot of transportation options to choose from. It depends on what area you want to go and what’s the cheapest and safest option to have. If the place you wanna go is near the Bangkok MRT Stations or BTS Stations, I highly suggest riding the Bangkok Trains. It is fast, convenient, highly-organized and safe. Well the downside is that it is a bit expensive.

Train turnstile using contactless token

Petchaburi Station                           Bang Sue Station

If the place is not near the train stations, the TAXI should be your next option. There are a lot of “colorful” taxis in Bangkok. Yes, I did mean it is colorful. Always politely ask the driver to use the taximeter rather than them dictating the price. If they don’t agree with this suggestion, put on your smile, get out of the taxi, and politely say thank you. There are a lot of taxis available in the city so it would not be a problem.

There it is, the PINK Taxi!

TRAVEL TIP: The taxi’s flag down rate is THB 35 and increments regularly depending on the distance and time it takes for you to arrive at your destination. You may find some online Bangkok Taxi Calculator to have an idea prior.

Crossing the famous Chao Praya River, you can easily go to Wat Arun from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho Temple, through their express ferry. The ferry operates regularly until 8PM and it only costs THB 3.

Tha Tien Pier

Last mode of transportation I would recommend is the Tuk-Tuk. Tuk-Tuk is very and cheap but some tuk-tuk drivers tend to fool you around especially when you’re new in Bangkok.

Yes, I am a living casualty of their “tuk-tuk moves”. It may cost you cheaper but be mindful though because they might bring you to some places first such as the Information Center, expensive River cruise trip, and other places to which they can earn referral commissions.     

Yes, he did his "Tuk-Tuk moves"!

Visiting Cambodia from Bangkok, there are a lot of options to choose from heading to the border, Aranyaprathet; bus, taxi, and train. Well, what are the pros and cons? Check out my “opinion table” below about the transportation options:

	TRAIN	BUS	TAXI
Availability	Departs Bangkok's Hua Lamphong twice everyday  (5:55 AM and 1:35 PM)	A lot of buses available going to Aranyaprathet	Available anywhere and anytime
Travel Time	5 - 6 hours	4 – 5 hours	3 – 4 hours
Comfort	3rd class non-airconditioned seats	Air-conditioned seats	Air-conditioned seats
Safety	SAFEST	Somehow safe   (but takes a lot of stops)	Very Safe
Price	THB 48 (cheapest!)	THB 230	THB 2,000

Hua Lamphong Station

I highly recommend riding the train because it is very safe, heads directly to Aranyaprathet without detour stops, passes the rural areas of Thailand, and the best of all - you will surely meet fellow tourists and backpackers alike! :)

More resources about Thailand:

• Bangkok, Thailand's Krung Thep
• Bangkok Foodies
• Bangkok City and Temples