Bangkok - Pattaya (ThrowBack March 2014) ~ Travel to Live

Well, I am telling you here now about Our last vacation in Bangkok, Thailand.

I visited Thailand in the middle of March 2014 with all my work-mates from Bali. We spent 4 days for traveling around the capital side. This country anyway is so much popular or one of the hottest destination in the world. The people who knows Thailand i admitted are bigger than my country, Indonesia. Even, I personally think that we actually have more stuffs to offer.

I was curious why this country has a significant enhancement in terms of Tourists arrival.
According to PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) surprisingly reported that from the total of 97 million tourists visiting Asia in 2013, 26.5 million visited Thailand. Malaysia at the second position with 26.3 million, and Singapore at the 3rd post with 15,6 million tourists arrival.

My beloved country Indonesia at 4th with a number of 8.3 million tourists. I saw a huge difference between Thailand & Indonesia, Even though we have so many tourist destination to be promoted than Thailand's.

Thailand is also predicted to have an uplift around 27.5 % each year in 2014 until 2018.

I traveled to Thailand and as usual, we used local travel agency to arrange our tour, we did this both to get cheaper rate & travel efficiency, Luckily my colleague have her own partner in Thailand so we got special agent rate from them. At the same time, we thanked AirAsia for giving us their best deal. "Now everyone can fly", and Yes we're a part of them. Thanks a lot!

Ok, I had 4 Days in Bangkok. I felt less impression actually but also received some "new & interesting" things that I haven't found in Indonesia.

This is The Thai girl who welcomed us at the Airport with her garlands on hands:

Thai Girl welcoming at the Airport

I didn't complaint about the welcome. But that Thai girl did not even speaks English. It was my first weird thing as I predicted many tourists arriving to this country would be difficult to communicate with the local, especially this Thai girl who are directly involved in their tourism sector.
I think, THIS WON'T HAPPEN IN INDONESIA!

Political Crisis in Thailand makes huge demonstration in Bangkok.

The Govt. flacks demonstrated everywhere in Bangkok, effected many things in the country.
But at that time, i didn't find any impact to our traveling. The mass probably understand how important tourist side for them. It was very good reaction i though!

Tuk Tuk Taxi in Thailand

This type of transport may differ in style :).
It's somewhat like motorcycle taxis, Tuk Tuks are usually used by residents for short distances. Fyi, Most of the Tuk tuk drivers make much of their money by taking tourists to a gem store, tailor shop, restaurant, etc (who tend to give 20-50 baht commissions for taking you there). And remember, We must negotiate the price before getting in.
For me, TUK TUK TAXI IS SIMILAR WITH JAKARTA'S BAJAJ.

Royal Grand Palace

This is Royal Grand Palace. I actually don't know more about this place, I visited there when the site was very full, crowded, numbers of tourists were here at the same time. The weather also felt very hot & humid, So I had a little bid 'uncomfortable" with myself.

Well, another weird things here were: The place lacked of local guide, It's difficult for me to find the local or the officers all around just to ask about this place. Moreover, The explanation on the site such a sign board or the patched script were written in Thai language, nearly all of them. I don't know why, though it's one of the most important stuff for every tourist.

Fyi, This Grand palace was the residence of the ancient Bangkok's King. I assumed it's more less like a KERATON in Indonesia?

"We were all on board!". Traditional boat for Wat Arun

The picture is our boat to reach Wat Arun. More exactly a traditional boat in Bangkok, daily operating along the famous Chao Phraya river.

Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple which is located on the edge of the Chao Phraya river. This temple aged around 200 years. Most of tourists and my friends also said This place is a MUST to visit, but be careful if you're getting in to the temple since the stairs are very steep. LOOK!!!