Siddharth Mohanty

Data Scientist | BITSG

[Backpacking Daku @outofofficedaku]

Spend a relaxed week with parents and sister's family in #Bangkok #Thailand. There are tons of threads on Thailand itineraries so not putting that content here, but adding some pointers which may help plan your next trip with aged parents and a kid. Have broken down the same under a few heads for ease.

Traveling with elderly parents:
- Use the Fast Track International Departure at "Swarna Bhoomi International Airport" If your parents are above 70 they'll allow you to use it. No accelerator stairs to be used and directly walk-in to duty free post immigration + no waiting.
- Almost all malls had a wheelchair facility, and you can get one for free by just giving your name and contact number (Thailand only) or else hotel name and room number.

Stays:
- Visiting with aged parents or kids ask for upgrades on your stays. They may or may not oblige but if they do you're in luck. We did get it at our stay with @Amariwatergate (sharing details separately also)
- If you want family members to shop + some members to stay back and resume shopping etc then staying near to Platanium Mall helps. Multiple 5 Star properties around. We chose the Amari Bangkok for their service and proximity to Platanium + other malls near by
- Most 4/5 star stays in Thailand have free Shuttle Service to major malls. Check and use the same for free drop and pickups.
- Many Indians book with The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam but make sure you book the new rooms and not the old ones. Main tower has the new rooms. While North Tower the old rooms + also to reach the rooms you need to change lifts midway, and it's cumbersome doing it daily multiple times. Most packages have the North Tower rooms included so take care and avoid booking them. Also a lot to walk to and fro to get to the lobby and rooms and the mall below.

Commute:
- Tuk Tuks are notorious for high pricing the rides if taken from malls or late night etc. If you don't want to waste time negotiating the rates just show them the rates of the lowest category meter cab on Grab app and they'll agree on the same or some few extra bahts.
- If booking any packages which include car service, make sure you specifically ask the vendor which type of vehicle will be provided. It's hard for them to confirm but makes sure you're not stuck with some shabby vans etc.
- Do mention and ask for drivers which have WA installed. Many don't and you'll be stuck with not being able to call them in case you just have a data sim which most of us travelers take on foreign trips.
- You can also book a full day cab/van for a decent price on Klook, rather than taking multiple cabs. Works great if you have 5+ members and most rides on Grab will come above 500 baht. Decide the days itinerary so you and the driver are clear on the time and kms that you'll travel. Do your math before bookings hence know your itinerary beforehand.
- Took a grab cab and loved it. Ask for the drivers number directly and most of them will be happy to rent their car/van for the day at really good prices.

Attractions:
- Safari and Marine Park - Bangkok
> Wheel chairs can be hired for 700 baht per day, and a bigger size wheel chairs for 1000 baht. If opting for one get the 1000 baht one. It's light weight and much easier to push, use and much more comfortable.
- Baby Strollers are also available for 500 baht per day
- Depending on which shows you wanna watch plan your day before hand. Skip the Orangutan show. It sucks + hate to see animals have been made to do such.
- Jungle Cruise is a rip off for 380 baht per person, as on the ride all things you'll see are artificial and no real animals can be seen. Avoid.
- Girrafe terrace now has a mandatory 200 baht fee even if you don't want to feed the animals but just watch. Earlier it was free. But this is the most enjoyable thing to do if you are visiting with kids.
- Dolphin show. Again a nice show and good to put it on your watch list.
- Egg museum is a good visit with kids. Parents can also cool down in the hall as it has AC. Can also make them sit there in case they are exhausted and not planning to visit more areas.
- Spywar show. Make sure you're seated above 6 rows as the first 4-5 rows gets water splashed by the speed boats while in show.
- Don't miss interacting with the llamas. Cute level max.
- Only one Indian food option is at Savanna. Veg and Non-Veg options. A good thing is they allocate tables to each family/group so at least you're sorted on the sitting part. Rest to take food etc. It's a mad market with tons and tons of people flowing in post 12:30 pm. Finish your lunch if possible starting 12:00 pm. Veg food was just meh but then no other option.
Tip: Left to the main entrance they have a small table for Jain Food. 2 Sabji's are kept there and there's literally no one. If you're OK with a little less masalas etc this could be your option. Also works for kids who want less spicy food etc.

SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World + Madame Tussauds
- Visit at 10 am as it opens and you'll have the aquarium to yourself mostly
- They have a glass bottom boat ride which doesn't justify the cost of the ticket. Better off seeing them from outside.
- Madame Tussaud's tickets are usually combined along and the price is pretty much the same for one or both.
Tip: Avoid using the props kept in the Madam Tussaud's Musuem. They're dirty and maybe full of germs + unwashed from days. Don't use yourself or let kids use them.
- Tussaud's Musuem is disappointment, but you can visit if you have never anytime or are going with kids etc.

Shopping:
- If you need to shop for clothes, purses, cheap accessories then below are the places:
> Platinum Fashion Mall
> Krungthong Plaza (Oversized clothes)
> Central Mall (Electronics)
> MBK Mall (Eelctronics)
> Chatuchak Weekend Market (Sunday)
Tip: Visit early and finish the market before it gets hot. Also the deeper you go in the market the lower the rates get.
> Mega Plaza (If looking to buy collectible figures and toys etc. Go early as most shops tend to close by 6:00 pm onward)
- Dechatlon - I don't see many tourists visiting here. You'll find so many lovely products which are not launched in India. Visit it and you'll love it.

Some of the shops which I recommend visiting. I shopped from them and loved it.
- Moshi Moshi (Stationery and gift items and much more). I got some cool stationery which was reasonable priced.
- Giant (Part of Moshi Moshi) has some really cool toys etc for kids. Really nice priced too. Best part all items have two pricing. 1 pc = X price. 5 pc = X Wholesale price.
- Loft (Stationery which also has many items from Japan)
- Top Supermarket - If looking to bring back chocolates they have a really nice collection very reasonable prices. Store is in Central Mall. All food stuff, including chocolates, is segregated as per countries. Best only.
- There's a product called "LiquiPlast" It is a liquid bandage that creates a waterproof and flexible film to seal and protect minor cuts, scrapes, and other wounds from dirt and germs. Works superbly well over traditional bandages.

Vegetrain Food Recommendations:
- Take aways ordered from Grab
> Indiagate Restaurant - Watergate Pavilion Centara Basement (Nice Biryani, Sandwich, Samosa, Sabji etc). tick Medium Spicy and it will be the same as we have it here in India.
> Subway restaurant
> Pizza Hut (Serves just 3 vegetarian options). 1. Veggie Pizza. Ask them not to add pineapple. 2. Margarita. 3. Cheesy Garlic Sticks)
- Cheesy Sandwich from 7 11 supermarket. Heat and eat.
- Shree Kodiyar Kathiyawadi Dhaba. Don't go by the name and visit to have some lovely food.
- Tops Supermarket in Central Mall. Tons of options to buy things and make your meal at your hotel. Pre-cooked rice. Dals etc. Sandwiches etc.
- Mrs. Balbir's restaurant outlet in Central Mall, Bangkok. Nice Indian food with reasonable pricing.
Tip: The food court only allows purchase via food coupons which can only be bought in cash. So make sure to carry ample cash along before visiting.
- Chutneys - Terminal 21, Pattaya
- Mango and other fruits smoothies are the best to cool down + are filling
- Chotiwala and Honest Vegetarian Restaurant were both disappointing.

Souvenirs
- Everything 20 Bhat shop at Platanium Mall
- Multiple shops in the inside parts of Chatuchak Market
- MBK Mall
- Platanium Mall

Things to do for kids
- Go Karting and other games at SIAM Mall
- Ice Rink Skating at Central Mall
- Playsquare Laser Tag at Central Mall (Fun for kids and adults). Local kids are regular here and if they're in the opposite team they'll crush you. Each game is 12 mins. Priced at 300 baht per person.
- Playmondo (for kids below 6 years)

Additional things to do for kids which we had drilled down but skipped later:
- KidZania Bangkok
- Funarium
- Dream World Bangkok
- Mahanakhon SkyWalk

Money Matters
- Carried some USD leftover from previous trips. Exchanged it to Baht from Curreny Exchange shops at Platanium Mall. You need to show a soft copy of your passport, and that's it.
- Last day of the trip, we used up all the coins at 7/11, and they also gave stamps with every order which you can later redeem at 1 baht for each.
- For the rest of the transactions I used my Scapia Card. Worked seamless at all places. You can get your card here: https://t.co/JMy4WhBSSP

There are tons of pics etc which I wanted to add but then would be a long long thread hence just avoided. Motive was to share the pointers for all to benefit. Hope these help when planning your next trip to #Bangkok #Thailand.

@ThailandinIndia
@AmazingThailand
@go2Thailand

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[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@ShreeanshM This is a clear indication that you are on drugs. Get help.

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire.

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

In this world where humans are the epitome of mistakes, people often find burdensome to forgive and forget.

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
Persuasive speech are of two types- Dispositional and Actuation. Dispositional includes influence belief, attitude and value, whereas Actuation includes move audience to do something.
#eps

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
Aim of the informative speech is to create mutual understanding, whereas persuasive speech also includes an action plan.
#EPS

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
Organisation of speech is really important as it indirectly reduces the anxiety.
#eps

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
I realized that I need to work on my delivery and my body movements!
#eps

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
I was so relieved after my self intro!
#EPS

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
I was really nervous as names were called out one by one for the intro. I didn't get the chance though. Suspense and nervousness still hangs.
#EPS

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
Congrats to all the people who spoke about themselves for a minute today!!
#EPS

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
There many ways you can organize your impromptu speeches. I find "What so, What Now, What then" structure captivating!
#EPS

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
It's a misconception that we don't organize our thoughts while having a conversation with people. Our brain indeed formulates a structure naturally.
#EPS

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
We all have a bully in us from which we cannot run or hide. But we can acknowledge it, fight it and watch it fade away from our life.
#eps

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245 I got my PSA score as 38. If that's low anxiety then there must've some calculation mistake.

[Siddharth Mohanty @Sid_m1998]

@GS_F245
I cannot believe I got the lowest PSA score in the class today!! It's little embarrassing. I can't wait to boost my score up by the end of the semester.
#eps