Bangkok Day 1

February 2015 - Bangkok Thailand Day 1

Our flight is 9:05 AM to Bangkok and arrives 11:25 AM.

We asked for a wake up call for 5:15 but never got it. No worries we are up anyway. Checked out at 5:40 and mentioned we didn't receive our call so they deducted $25 from our bill. Bonus.
John didn't want to complain but...

At airport and check in is easy and we go to find a lounge. Most of the overseas lounges such as AC or BA were not open so we went to SATS the chief ground-handling and in-flight catering service provider at Singapore Changi Airport. SATS controls about 80% of Changi airport's ground handling and catering business.
SATS runs ground handling and airline catering operations at nearly 44 airports across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

 Decorations around the terminal.

We were first in line and security takes place right at the gate.

Our first glimpse of Thai.
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the largest city in the country. But it is typically only called Bangkok in English. In Thai, it is often called Krung Thep Maka Nakhon, or just Krung Thep. Its full name is "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit."

What it means is “The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (unlike Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.”

We waited for our ride but they never showed. We did get a sim card for John's phone and then got a limousine to the hotel. Our lady Thai driver.

Bangkok, Thailand is 12 hours ahead of Toronto, ON, Canada


2:45 PM Monday, in Toronto, ON, Canada is
2:45 AM Tuesday, in Bangkok, Thailand

INTERCONTINENTAL BANGKOK
973 Ploenchit Road
Bangkok, Thailand
The InterContinental Bangkok located within the core of the city's business and commercial districts. Within walking distance there is a wide range of shopping and other facilities are within easy walking distance. Access to the rest of the city is easy with the adjacent BTS skytrain station.

We arrived a day before our tour begins so we have the day to ourselves.

The service is astounding as you arrive at the hotel, everyone bows to you, holds doors open, just so impressive.
Most of these were taken with phones as our luggage had been whisked off to be taken to our room.

Our room wasn't ready so we were given complimentary drinks.

We then walked over to the Central World mall for lunch. There is a walkway just outside the hotel.

What they call a food court is really row upon row of restaurants serving every possible food. We ended up at China White where we would go again.

On our way back we could see this Hindu altar.

Our room wasn't ready at 2 PM as promised but was shortly after, the desk clerk showed us to our room and gave us complimentary internet for the inconvenience.

The view room the 28th floor.

We headed out to wander around.

We signed up for a day trip the next day to the River Kwai including elephants and tigers.

We decided to have an evening in with pizza and wine.

The salad and pizza came from the Italian restaurant and was soooo good!