Kal El

Woke up early to visit the art center in Silom. Shops were still closed when we arived so took some interesting photos of the wood crafts at the center. Walked to the place from our Silom Hotel.

Today we will be transferring to a one night stay at Ambassador Hotel. The plan is to cover the Suckhumvit area. After checking in Ambassador we took a cab to cruise Chao Phraya river and was hoping to see a floating market in action. The river cruise was dull and only two market vendors were seen. But the experience cruising along the longest river and seeing many Wats along the way was just breathtaking.

At night we went to the market for more shopping. Took a taxi home and the taxi got lost - the driver did not know where Ambasador Hotel. Afraid being lost farther, we asked to be stoppped somewhere i could recognize a way back to the hotel.

We had to walk for half and hour back to the hotel and on the way found a stall selling edible insects - spiders, cricket and a lot more other exotic 'food' of the locals! Yummm!

Visited Chatuchak again today for more shopping. In the evening did more shoppig at Siam area. Went to Hard Rock Cafe to shop for memorabilia. Again at 6pm we esperience the wold stopping moment. This time we were more prepared and actually waited to film the moment hoping to show our friends how the Thais respect their national anthem.

We also saw a Roti Boy Bakery in Thailand (Roti Boy originates from Malaysia). In Bangkok people queue for hours to buy the delicious bread. If course, the fre smelll 'Famous Amous' style would attract any passers-by.

Woke up early to see the Thailand sunrise. Still on board the train. Had breakfast on the buffet coach while enjoying siamese operatic songs and the beautiful morning scenery along the way.

Arrived Bangkok Hua Lampong's Station at noon. Met a very friendly local, a fellow Muslim who snapped our first picture in Thailand. Took the BTS to Silom where we will stay for 2 nights at Tower Inn Hotel. A good bargain, but rather old hotel. Huge room with fridge, TV, phone, hot shower, L-shaped sofa and tea making facilities.

Visited Chatuchak (only open on weekends) via BTS to meet a couple of Malaysian friends there. Had a couple of the best young coconut i've ever had in my entire life there. At 6pm the market went to a standstill. Felt funny at first because the world actually stopped. Nobody moved. Only later did i realize that everyday at 6pm, the Thailand national anthem is publicly aired and the Thai's really respect their national song.

At night visited Patpong and shop somemore! Had McDonald for dinner - one funny incident was when i ordered apple pie.They do not have that in Bangkok, so i ordered Pineapple Pie - the girl at the counter said they do not serve Pineapple pie but they only have Pine Apple pie... damn! I nearly had a fight with the McD girl

Arrived Butterworth at 5:45am. Decided to rent a room at a local budget hotel before boarding a train to Bangkok at 2:45pm. Had breakfast oppsite the Butterworth Railway Station. Called a cab to take us to the nearest budget hotel. the cabbie promised to pick us up at noon to the railway station.

Found a room for day use at RM60. Decent with TV and air conditioning plus water heater. Slept until noon, packed and headed to a nearby nasi kandar restaurant for lunch.

The cabbie didn't turn up and when called he was stuck in a traffic jam near the airport. We decided to take a public bus to the railway station for RM0.60 per person.

Arrived at the station about 1:30pm and the train to Bangkok was delayed. The rail journey started at 3:30pm on board an economy berth. Quite reasonably priced, decent, considerably clean although the interior was quite old-fashioned.

Stopped at the Padang Besar station for immigration check and to have our passports stamped. Entering Thailand is visa-free for Malaysians as both are members of Asean.

At night about 9pm, the railway staff will convert the seating cabin to a berth. There was also a buffet train on board serving dinner, breakfast and lunch. Food could be ordered and sent to the coach.

Took the night train to Butterworth on an economy berth. There are two types of berth onboard KTM; the 1st class and the economy class. The 1st class berth was fully booked since this was a long holiday (Chinese New Year and Federal Territory Day) so we had to settle for the economy class but had a satisfied trip; there was lots of privacy and the berth was clean.