Trip to Thailand

I have been fascinated by Bangkok since childhood, thanks to my elder brother, Krishnan. After watching the Hollywood movie *Panic in Bangkok*, he would fill my imagination with vivid stories about the city. During my time with Engineers India Ltd., I had a chance to travel to Hyundai, South Korea, with Bangkok as the first leg of the journey. However, it was merely a transit stop, and I spent my time there exploring the duty-free shops.

The dream of truly visiting Bangkok and Phuket became a reality thanks to my daughter, Priya. She meticulously planned the entire trip, hoping to take her kids on a vacation to Thailand during their school holidays. After careful consideration, we decided on Pick Your Trails as our tour organizer. The itinerary was crafted so that Siddhu would come to Chennai first and spend some time with us before we three headed to Phuket via Bangkok. Meanwhile, Priya and Anirudh would fly directly from the Netherlands to Phuket via Qatar.

The excitement was palpable as we eagerly anticipated our adventure. As planned, Siddhu arrived in Chennai on 29th July 2024 and enjoyed his holidays with us, frequently visiting Appa Swami Flats to meet his friends.

**8th/9th August:**

On 8th August, we boarded a Thai Airways flight from Chennai to Bangkok. The journey was smooth, and by 6 am, we had arrived in Bangkok, where we swiftly cleared immigration before catching our connecting flight to Phuket. We landed in Phuket around 1 pm and were warmly greeted by a representative from Lark Holidays, our tour operator in Thailand. We then embarked on a scenic 180-kilometer drive to our hotel in Krabi, with a refreshing stop for tender coconut water along the way.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed like royalty at the Sofitel Phokeethra, a luxurious five-star hotel. The stunning architecture and expansive grounds made it feel like a true oasis. After settling into our rooms and relaxing for a bit, Priya and Anirudh joined us in the evening, having arrived from the Netherlands around 7 pm.

**10th August:**

The next day was a designated rest day, with no activities planned. We started with a delightful breakfast, savoring a variety of Indian delicacies. The rest of the day was spent leisurely by the sprawling pool. The kids enjoyed swimming while we relaxed and soaked in the serene surroundings. Lunch was a casual affair at the poolside restaurant, followed by more relaxation in our rooms, where we spent quality time chatting with Priya and the kids. In the evening, Priya treated me to my first-ever massage at the hotel’s spa, which left me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. We ended the day with a delicious dinner and retired for the night.

**11th August:**

Our itinerary for the day included visits to the Emerald Pool, the hot springs, and a Buddha temple in Krabi. Our vehicle arrived at 8 am, and our first stop was the hot springs. We walked about a kilometer through a beautiful forest to reach the springs, where we immersed our feet in the warm water—a truly rejuvenating experience. Anirudh even took a dip, finding it immensely refreshing.

Next, we visited the Emerald Pool, where the crystal-clear water captivated us. After a hearty lunch, we made our way to the Tiger Cave Temple, where we offered prayers for the welfare of all. We returned to the hotel in the evening, had dinner, and settled our accounts in preparation for our early departure to Bangkok the following morning.

**12th August:**

After an early breakfast, we left the hotel by 8 am and reached the airport by 10 am. Our flight to Bangkok departed at 1 pm, and we arrived by 2:30 pm. A representative from our tour operator assisted us with transportation to Hotel Oakwood Studios, where we arrived by 4 pm. The hotel, beautifully furnished with a great ambiance, was perfect for relaxation, and we took the rest of the day to unwind.

**13th August:**

We began the day early with breakfast before departing for the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. By 10 am, we were navigating the bustling waterways, enjoying the unique experience of shopping from boat vendors. We indulged in delicious coconut ice cream before heading back to the hotel by 3:30 pm. Later, Siddhu ordered hot vegetable pakoras and masala chai—a perfect way to end the day. In the evening, we enjoyed South Indian delicacies for dinner, ordered through GRAB from a nearby Indian restaurant. It was another memorable day filled with new experiences and joyful moments.

**14th August:**

This day was all about the kids, with a visit to Siam City Amusement Park planned. We had a leisurely start to the day, waking up at 6:30 am and enjoying breakfast by 9 am. We reached the amusement park by 11:30 am, and the kids were thrilled with the fun rides and water play. After a delicious lunch at the Marine Restaurant within the park, we relaxed by the pool under the shade of huge trees, soaking in the peaceful surroundings. We returned to the hotel around 4 pm, where Priya ordered masala chai and hot samosas, rounding off another delightful day.

**15th August:**

Today, we visited three of Bangkok's most famous Buddha temples. We started at the ornate Wat Traimit, located at the end of Chinatown’s buzzing Yaowarat Road. This temple is home to the unique 5.5-ton Golden Buddha. The peace and calm inside the temple offered a transcendental meditation experience, and we prayed for the welfare of all.

Next, we visited Wat Pho, Bangkok's largest temple complex, home to the impressive 46-meter-long reclining Buddha and the Pagodas of the Kings. Despite the hot weather, we braved the heat to explore the temple complex.

Our last stop was Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the White Marble Temple. This fine example of Thai architecture offered great photo opportunities. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious tender coconut—its taste was unlike any I've had before.

In the evening, we visited the Mahanakhon Skywalk and experienced the thrill of walking on glass trays at a height of 310 meters. Standing on Bangkok’s glass tray with a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful skyline was perfect for adventure seekers. We also enjoyed the 360-degree view from Thailand’s highest outdoor observation area, at 314 meters above ground. It was a day full of rejoicing and unforgettable experiences.

**16th August:**

Early in the morning, at 5:45 am, Priya, Siddhu, and Anirudh left for Amsterdam, as their flight was scheduled for 9:45 am. After they departed, a sudden serious doubt crossed my mind—had Priya settled the hotel bills? Panic ensued as I realized I didn’t have enough foreign currency on hand. I hurriedly called Priya, only to be relieved when she confirmed that everything had been settled. It was a real *Panic in Bangkok* moment for me and Radha! 😃

With our flight to India scheduled for the night, we decided to visit the Sree Maha Mariamman Temple in Bangkok. We left at noon, but the congested traffic delayed our arrival until 1:15 pm. We had a good darshan of Maha Mariamman and other deities and returned to the hotel by 3 pm, where we had lunch.

In the evening, we vacated the hotel by 6 pm and took our flight to India at 10 pm, arriving in Chennai by midnight. On the whole, it was yet another memorable tour.