Shortly after my trip to Australia, i had the good fortune of being asked to go on a business trip to exciting Thailand for training. The downside was that the trip occurred on the same week as my gf's birthday while the upside was everything's paid for by the company as opposed to my trip to Australia.
So it was that i made my way to the airport and flew via SIA economy class to Thailand.Short note on SIA: Having just taken Tiger Airways to Australia, i was quite delighted by the additional space accorded even in economy class seats. The in flight entertainment was also a huge plus, as is the food and the general service standard. However, on my flight back, there was quite a bit of turbulence and the stewards and stewardesses were less friendly then expected. They did their job right, but somehow, their attitude managed to leave a bad taste in my mouth but maybe its just me. Overall, a huge improvement over Tiger Airways though. You get what you pay for i suppose.
Bangkok Airport
Window View
Bathtub
Having stepped out of the plane in Thailand, i was rather excited at being in a foreign country all by myself. No one to help me if i'm kidnapped, no one to tell me what to do, no ERP and no security whatsoever. Yeah, i was a little shaken as usual but nothing i couldn't handle.
I did have a slight bout of nervousness when i couldn't find my luggage which i perceived as black. Thankfully, the airport staff helped out and i finally found out that my luggage was actually brown in color. Good grief.... my memory is failing me.
After the slight delay with the luggage, i went outside to be greeted by a professional looking lady holding a card for Sheraton Hotel which was where i was going to. I went forward and she asked if i was Mr Goh which i indeed am. Then, i was asked to wait for another colleague who will be sharing the limosine to the hotel with me. Ms Min-na from Korea.
So it was that i waited for a good 1 hour before she arrived. Seems like it was a case of wrong directions, wrong airport and wrong timing of landing but thankfully, it went well.
The ride to Sheraton: Now, this part was rather scary. The limo was great, comfortable, smooth and tastefully driven by a nice man who even offered cds for our listening pleasure. The road was another matter altogether....well, i exaggerate but it will concern you too if you find a road lane marked with arrows pointing in both directions. I was amazed how they manage to know when to drive on that lane and when driving on it means certain death at the speed their going.
The Hotel: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Address: 250 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Contact: (66) 02 6498888
Rate per night: THB 5400 for a double room suite
Website: http://www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com/
I did have a slight bout of nervousness when i couldn't find my luggage which i perceived as black. Thankfully, the airport staff helped out and i finally found out that my luggage was actually brown in color. Good grief.... my memory is failing me.
After the slight delay with the luggage, i went outside to be greeted by a professional looking lady holding a card for Sheraton Hotel which was where i was going to. I went forward and she asked if i was Mr Goh which i indeed am. Then, i was asked to wait for another colleague who will be sharing the limosine to the hotel with me. Ms Min-na from Korea.
So it was that i waited for a good 1 hour before she arrived. Seems like it was a case of wrong directions, wrong airport and wrong timing of landing but thankfully, it went well.
The ride to Sheraton: Now, this part was rather scary. The limo was great, comfortable, smooth and tastefully driven by a nice man who even offered cds for our listening pleasure. The road was another matter altogether....well, i exaggerate but it will concern you too if you find a road lane marked with arrows pointing in both directions. I was amazed how they manage to know when to drive on that lane and when driving on it means certain death at the speed their going.
The Hotel: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Address: 250 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Contact: (66) 02 6498888
Rate per night: THB 5400 for a double room suite
Website: http://www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com/
Room on 26th floor
Window View
Bathtub
Bathroom
Free 24 hour Expresso, Cookies and Butler Service
View from the room
Siam Paragon
Photos of Thai Royalty
Free 24 hour Expresso, Cookies and Butler Service
View from the room
At THB 5400 per night, this is not a cheap room at all but one look and you'll know why its worth the money. The room itself is huge with plenty of space. It comes complete with a studying table, 32 inch lcd television, dvd player, wireless and cable high speed internet, sofa chairs, walk in wadrobe, bath tub, shower room, telephone in the room and toilet and as an ultimate perk, a 24 hour butler service with free flow of cookies and expresso. Although there's not much of a view but in the end, its quite simply one of the best rooms i've stayed in thus far. (This does not take into account serviced apartments and motels of course.)
Ma Boon Kong
Siam Paragon
The hotel room was great, but it soon dawned on me that the only day to do any shopping at all would be this very same day of arrival. With that thought, i quickly departed with my Korean colleague and set off to the famous Ma Boon Kong shopping mall. This mall is famous because its a melding of a shopping mall with street stalls inside it. Bargaining and discounts are a must before you buy and to give you a taste of its scale. It takes at least a quarter of an hour from one end to the other, assuming a leisurely pace of walking of course, and thats only for one level. The mall has around 6 full levels for shopping. Its definitely huge.
Siam paragon is right across the street from Ma Boon Kong and if i remember correctly, its the biggest shopping mall in Thailand. It doesn't look like it, but on the last night before returning, we walked to have dinner with our senior manager and we walked and walked for quite some time before finding the restaurant our boss was waiting at. Its really quite surprising. However, in Siam Paragon, its all branded stuff which simply did not appeal to me in the end.
Shrine at airportSiam paragon is right across the street from Ma Boon Kong and if i remember correctly, its the biggest shopping mall in Thailand. It doesn't look like it, but on the last night before returning, we walked to have dinner with our senior manager and we walked and walked for quite some time before finding the restaurant our boss was waiting at. Its really quite surprising. However, in Siam Paragon, its all branded stuff which simply did not appeal to me in the end.
Photos of Thai Royalty
Artistic Decor
The above here are just some random photos taken at the airport before getting on the plane. Even though i checked in early by 1 hour, by the time i walked to the exit gate, it was already the last call so yes, the airport is pretty big as well and checking in early is a must.
Reflections: All in all, the trip to Thailand yielded nice new friends, a better understanding of different cultures and changed my perception of the country. Although protests were still happening when i was there, it didn't affect me at all as it was mostly peaceful protests. Given the current impression, i wouldn't mind returning to Thailand again for more in depth shopping and some sightseeing. Special thanks to my company and all the new friends i made at the time for making this trip meaningful and special.
Reflections: All in all, the trip to Thailand yielded nice new friends, a better understanding of different cultures and changed my perception of the country. Although protests were still happening when i was there, it didn't affect me at all as it was mostly peaceful protests. Given the current impression, i wouldn't mind returning to Thailand again for more in depth shopping and some sightseeing. Special thanks to my company and all the new friends i made at the time for making this trip meaningful and special.
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