The next stop on our itinerary was the Nongnooch Tropical Garden and Resort where we witnessed an elephant show and a Thai cultural and traditional performance, which included religious ceremonies and martial arts.
A “paradise on earth,” Nongnooch, aside from being known to have smart and funny elephants that dance, paint and do basketball, bowling and volleyball, is also known for having one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Southeast Asia. Situated in a 652-acre property, the resort boasts of its tremendous collection of plant and orchid varieties.
We then proceeded to the 11-month old Pattaya Floating Market located at the outskirts of Pattaya along Sukhumvit Road, claims to be the biggest floating market in Thailand, almost 100,000 square meters. It is divided into four parts, representing each of the four regions: Northern, Central, North-Eastern and Southern regions.
There are 80 paddle boats which ferry the guests around the compound passing through intricate Thai teakwood buildings, bridges and islands. Other highlights of the place are the countless boutiques selling wooden hand carvings, silks, special Thai herbs, OTOP products and other native handicrafts; the Neung Siam Woodcarving Museum; paddy fields, exotic animals, a huge sunflower farm; cultural performances and other martial arts demonstrations.
Checking in at the five-star 525-room Amari Orchid Hotel before having dinner at the Phaya Mai Muang Restaurant, we were all privileged to be assigned at the Ocean Tower facing the Pattaya Bay.
After the gastronomic treat at Phaya Mai Muang Restaurant, the Alcazar Cabaret was the last stop before calling it a night. Alcazar houses Pattaya’s world-famous transvestite cabaret show which features an eyeful of unbelievably gorgeous and talented “lady-boys” in lavish production numbers with colorful costumes. We were so impressed that some of my companions had their pictures taken with the performers after the show.
The third day of the tour started with the trip back to Bangkok. Along the way, we dropped by the Sriracha Tiger Zoo with tigers in glass cages and in tiger nurseries. We also watched a breathtaking crocodile show.
Sawasdee! Welcome to Bangkok! Our first stop in the city was the Baiyoke Sky Hotel. We had lunch at the hotel’s Bangkok Sky Restaurant, a revolving restaurant located at the 78th floor, overlooking the whole of Bangkok City. We were joined in full force by Baiyoke Sky Hotel’s Sales & Marketing Team, Director Mr. Srawuth Kweikkutant, Assistant Director for Sales & Marketing Mr. Sant Boonbunloo, Sales Manager Mr. Siranat Chotitatanawongse and Assistant Sales Manager Mr. Songwut Muenpim.
The 88-storey Baiyoke Sky Hotel is Thailand’s tallest and Bangkok’s most scenic hotel. Located strategically in the city, it has an easy access to the Sky Train and the famous shopping malls. Before leaving the hotel, we made sure to drop by the 77th floor where the Revolving Observation Deck is located and got the best view of Bangkok and beyond the metropolis to the Gulf of Thailand.
Our hotel is the newly-renovated 280-room Eastin Hotel Makkasan Bangkok. The new look of the hotel reflects the Eastin brand which serves both business and leisure travelers. The hotel is close to the Prantunam and Ratchaprasong areas where the famous clothes market and other upscale shopping malls such as Central World, Siam Paragon, Siam Center and MBK Center are just a short walk away. It is also conveniently located next to the expressway leading to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which was only a 30 minute drive away. Access to the airport will get even easier after the opening of the Airport Link Terminal that will be right next to the hotel.
We wasted no time to do a little shopping before dinner and a cultural extravaganza at the Siam Niramit, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the largest stage productions in the world. Siam Niramit has a gigantic stage with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. The special effects was just so amazing: a river and realistic rain appeared suddenly on stage. There were angels flying all around the theater, too. The lightning and thunder sounded so real! The 80-minute performance consisted of 80 actors with 150 crew members backstage and 500 elaborate costumes. For the second time at Siam Niramit, I was awed!
The last and 4th day of our tour was a “free for all shopping day.” We explored Bangkok in groups to do our last minute shopping, depending on our “desires.” Sir Bob Salazar, Sir Jack O, Ayet Arnaiz, Arlene Uy and I had the same shopping destinations in mind so we were the shopping “buddies” that day. Taking the famous “tuktuk” of Bangkok, we headed to the Prantunam area for some leather goods, shirts, souvenir items, etc. After almost two hours of bargaining around the area, we took the Skytrain to one of my favorite shopping destinations of Bangkok, the MBK Mall where you can find anything: electronics, clothes, souvenir items, shoes, toys, Thai delicacies, and a lot more. But we had to be at Suvarnabhumi Airport three hours before our PR 733 11:15pm flight to Manila. We reached our hotel almost an hour and a half late than expected. Why? It’s for us to know and for you to find out. We were sweating like hell but it was one of my most unforgettable experiences in that trip.
Again, my recent Thailand sojourn was amazingly great! PAL never fails to show its distinct Filipino hospitality and it was another chance to rediscover the culture of a heritage-rich cosmopolitan country. A perfect destination I personally recommend for those who haven’t been there yet. A place I cannot seem to get enough of. Sawasdee Kap!
My sincerest gratitude to the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines, Sir Barazel “Bob” Salazar, Chris Lebumfacil, Herman Garganera and Grand Holidays Travel and Tours for making me part of that memorable tour. God bless! Mabuhay!
Philippine Airlines flies daily from Manila to Bangkok at 10:30AM and 7:25PM and from Bangkok to Manila at 2:00PM and 11:25PM.