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Sunday, July 24, 2016

A School Visit at Samut Songkram

A School Visit at Samut Songkram

It was an educational experience to visit one of the biggest schools in Thailand. This is one of their campuses here. 

The campus has several facilities to serve the varying needs of the students.

















Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Overland Travel from Thailand to Malaysia

Overland Travel from Thailand to Malaysia

Overland travel by bus from Bangkok to its Southern part and even Malaysia is one option you can consider while in Thailand. There are several schedules to choose from and booking tickets online can also be done. Train is also an alternative option. Trains serve from Bangkok to the Southernmost part of Thailand like Hat Yai and even to the deep south provinces, Yala.

Tickets can also be purchased from travel agencies in Bangkok. I have booked mine from a travel agency at Khao San Road.

At the terminal in Bangkok for my bus to Hat Yai, we waited few hours for the departure time. The terminal was huge. There were several counters so you have to make sure you checked in in the right counter and not miss the bus.

In Thailand, there are at least 2 major bus terminals that I know. One is in Ekkami Bus Station that serves trips going to the eastern side of Thailand like Pattaya or Rayong.

In this case, I was in the southern terminal since I am going to the southern part of Thailand, which is Hat Yai. From Hat Yai, I will be taking another bus going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There is no direct bus from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur as of the moment.





It was a long oddyseus journey to Hat Yai. With the long travels in the past few days, it emptied my energy. Wise enough to just choose to sleep most of the ride. I only wake up when the bus stops and get us go out for food at some restaurant along the way. The bus is air-conditioned so it just feels like you are in a hotel. It is a double-decker bus, huge. It's like having a loft upstairs.

Sleeping is important while you travel. You need to get energized to enjoy the sites.

After the hours I spent on the road, it was dusk when I arrived in Hat Yai, Thailand. The terminal here is just small compared to the one in Bangkok.

Bangkok at night

Bangkok at night

For the 'Hangover' fans, you would love Bangkok for sure. Many scenes from the movie were shot in Bangkok.


Girls and not really girls are greeting guests outside the bars lined up in this 
lively street in Bangkok.

Walking at night here gets you awe-inspired with Bangkok's nightlife. Sure thing, there's a lot to do here when the sun is out.

Some streets in Bangkok have 'Soi' while Kuala Lumpur have 'Jalan'.


The night stroll on the streets gets you to appreciate the buildings in Thailand. Trains do not operate 24 hours so taking the taxi would be your preferred option to get to places at night in Bangkok.




Getting Passport Stamp in Thailand

Getting Passport Stamp in Thailand

When you travel to different countries, you should always have your passport with you. Make sure you do not lose it or you might have difficulties in your travel especially if you still have other countries down the road.

But in the event you lose your passport, you should go to the nearest embassy of your country of origin in the country you are currently in and ask for a travel document so you can travel back home.

Getting stamped out of the Kingdom of Cambodia

When I got to Thailand the first time, I was from Cambodia taking a bus from Siem Reap. At the border, we need our passport stamped out. Once we get out of Cambodia, we need a stamp on the passport to show that we have already departed the country.



As part of the cross border procedures, we have to move out from the bus and head to the immigration counters to have our passport stamped out of Cambodia. 

With that, i need to cross the border of Cambodia and Thailand. Crossing borders has always been fun and of course challenging as you get to meet face to face with the immigration officers. 

It is nerve-wracking at times as you might be asked several questions. As a tip, you just have to bring out that confidence in you and prove you have the capacity to finance your travel.

For sure, you want to tell the officer you know where to go.

Getting in in the Kingdom of Thailand

From the immigration office of Cambodia, we need to just walk towards the immigration office of Thailand at the border. They are just maybe 100 meters apart each other.

Once you get to the immigration counters in Thailand, you need to queue as there are other tourists with you. There are also Cambodian people who line up as they are also going to Thailand for work.

VISAs to Thailand

For Filipinos like myself, we do not need a visa to go to Thailand and any of the Southeast Asian nations. One of the perks for being a citizen of the ASEAN countries. ASEAN means Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

For some nationalities, they may be required a VISA on Arrival for a fee. This is acquired by the foreigner once they get to the immigration office in Thailand. Advance application is not required, you just have to pay upfront upon arrival in Thailand.

If you are arriving by plane, you can pay it at the airport's immigration office.

However, there may be nationalities who are required to apply and get a VISA ahead of time. Please check your country requirements.


While waiting for our transport, we took time to have selfie. With a Japanese friend & European guy.


Dining in Thailand

Dining in Thailand

With few business talks on the side, I enjoyed the great food in Thailand courtesy of my friend here. We were quite hurrying up as the mall was about to close so we landed in a Japanese restaurant instead. Well, I love Japanese food so it was a perfect choice.




I had Thai food on the streets so having Japanese cuisine at that time was good, too.







One word, delicious! I want to keep coming back to Thailand for its food. Indescribable deliciousness!  

Selfie at the Beach in Thailand

Selfie at the Beach in Thailand


When you travel, taking a selfie sometimes become a rule. Lol. Well, the background was extraordinarily touristic.






Tourists come to Thailand primarily because of the amazing beaches Thailand has to offer and the delightful food experience here. That truly makes Thailand amazing #amazingthailand

Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Thailand

Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Thailand 

Shopping is also one thing people love to do while in Bangkok. Popular brands are not so expensive here, I heard.

Siam Paragon is one of the upscale malls in Thailand.

Wifi is available at Siam Paragon which was helpful enough for me to communicate via the internet. 


To my right is the BTS, the train in Bangkok. Siam Paragon has one of the stations so it's easy to get here.


This Wolverine Shirt I am wearing here was bought at Chatuchak Market.





All photos courtesy of Ate Cha.


The architectural design of Siam Paragon's facade is also remarkable. 





One can take photos outside the mall beside the MRT station where colorful water fountains are installed. Most shoppers take some time to chill and relax in this area. During special occasions, there is a stage set up for entertainment activities.