Always Something New to do in Bangkok
ASIAN JOURNEYS INTRODUCES YOU TO A FEW NEW ATTRACTIONS IN BANGKOK, A FAVORITE DESTINATION FOR SINGAPOREANS, TO WHICH THE TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND SAYS, “THANKS A MILLION”.
When Ms Angela Kwek Sui Hoon stepped off her Thai Airways flight from Singapore to Bangkok she didn’t know she was about to be feted like a celebrity. She was greeted by officials from the Singapore office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) who informed her that she was the 1 millionth Singaporean to visit Thailand in 2018. With Angela’s arrival TAT has achieved yet another milestone fuelled by its “Dear Singaporean, Thanks a Million” campaign that produced two consecutive years of over one million tourist arrivals from Singapore.
ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW
A high-profile airport welcome ceremony was presided over by the Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific Mr Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya plus representatives from the Airports of Thailand, Thai Airways International (THAI), and other public and private tourism related organisations, all of whom showered gifts upon her. What a great way to start a vacation.
This was not Angela’s first trip to Bangkok, but no matter how many times you have visited, there always seems to be something new to do; as well as enjoying your favorite attractions, shopping areas, restaurants, street food and night life. On this visit, just before Christmas 2018, we found even more new places to visit and enjoy in Bangkok as the city continues to evolve.
PULLMAN POWER
Media and tourism industry officials from Singapore had arrived the day before the ceremony, but our flight had been delayed by two hours due to heavy rain in Singapore. By the time we got to Pullman Bangkok King Power it was close to 10:00pm, but that certainly didn’t dampen the welcome we were given by the staff.
There are many award winning and trendsetting bars and restaurants at the Pullman to enjoy. Cuisine Unplugged is an international buffet concept with organic ingredients plus wellbeing drinks. Tenshino, where we enjoyed dinner, is a chic innovative Japanese restaurant and the stylish Glen Bar with mezzanine lounge under the theme of ‘VERY Thai’ offers a great place to chill. The hotel is a ‘resort in the city’ featuring 354 guestrooms and suites, including 18 new Deluxe Rooms with a private balcony.
DUTY FREE SHOPPING
The Pullman is located adjacent to Kingpower Rangnam a glittering shopping centre where travellers are the focus of attention. Duty Free Shopping (which you can also do online) is offered here. The goods will be available at the Pick Up Counter in the Airport when you leave Thailand. There are lockers where you can store your luggage while you go shopping, if you are then heading to the airport. King Power’s goal is to deliver a splendid duty-free experience, marrying the joy of travelling and shopping with a diverse mix of products from over 1,500 international and local brands curated with travellers in mind.
A nice feature for shoppers was that Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary was celebrated at the mall. A string of activities was held and a great array of items of Mickey and his friends were available to buy. With the Christmas Village it was a delightful place for families.
BOWLING GREEN
After a hard morning of shopping it was off to divana spa, which really is an oasis in the heart of Bangkok. Entering the property, you walk between tall cool bamboo and enter an atmosphere of dark greens, browns and golds. Go to their website and you can see the extensive range of treatments that the award-winning company offers. The rooms are spacious, and you leave feeling far more refreshed than when you came.
After the relaxing ‘couple’s massage’ with Wilbur, a Singapore blogger, who may have been too traumatized to blog about the experience, I asked Wittaya Jeraswakdilok, Public Relation Specialist for divana, how he got his nickname. “My father liked bowling,” replied Bowling.
More importantly Bowling related: “divana nurture spa is Bangkok’s first Thai retreat spa
that integrates traditional Thai remedies and oriental healing wisdom with medical technology (natural power + oriental wisdom + medical technology = holistic). It aspires to be Thailand’s retreat and longevity hub with the goal of keeping the body, mind and soul in the best of health.
Its treatments are based on four fundamental principles of “wellness life”.
THAINESS THROUGHOUT
Enjoying the gentle after-spa-glow we made our way to Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queens Park, where we would stay for two nights. Dinning is a major focus of this vibrant hotel, which is based on the Thai Queen’s passion, “the cultural heritage of Thailand resides within the people. You feel the Thainess throughout.
Delight your palate and all five sense by enjoying Korean, Chinese, Japanese or Thai cuisine. Wind down at the Lobby Lounge where you can get afternoon tea, specialty drinks, coffee and a light dining menu in a relaxed, sophisticated setting. Overlooking Bangkok’s bustling streets, Abar evokes the grandeur and flair of a bygone era. Or really overlook the streets at Abar Rooftop, an inviting, openair lounge that showcases one of the most impressive gin collections in Bangkok.
THINGS ARE COOKING
While mentioning all these iconic cuisines one shouldn’t overlook the buffet breakfast, which is extensive and excellent. Get there early as with 1388 rooms in the 37-storey building it can get busy. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and offer all the amenities you would expect. On buzzing, bubbling Sukhumvit you are in one of Bangkok’s most vibrant areas.
It was then off to the airport to welcome the one millionth visitor from Singapore.
Our morning began early as we had a full day ahead of us. I had been to the Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant before, but this was the first time I would take part in the cooking class. Before class, Chay took us to a local market, just one stop away on the BRT, where we were introduced to local products and had a refreshing drink.
A RAINBOW OF TRADITION
We were introduced to Head Chef Khun Nooror Somany Steppe who has developed a menu that is a “rainbow of tradition and novelties” from her extensive experiences. Chef Non led the class that takes place in two classrooms thoughtfully designed to get the most out of the
session. In the room where the Chef creates the dishes, while you look on, there are monitors and screens that provide excellent views of the process. Once you have seen how the dish is made you go into the kitchen – again designed as a classroom to facilitate learning. The ingredients were already prepared but we had to mix, cut, cook, and plate the dish. I didn’t learn much, but I was given a beautiful certificate with gold lettering that certified I had successfully completed the Half Day Cooking Course on Thai Cuisine.
We made dishes such as Crispy Mince Catfish and Prawn Salad (for which I have the recipes). After class we were shown to a private dining room where we ‘enjoyed’ the food we had prepared. When I found one of my dishes to be way too spicy someone suggested that I could have put in less chili. “I just do as I’m told,” I muttered, wishing I hadn’t. But my fiery innards give me a good excuse to drink lots of cold cold beer.
ART & CULTURE
At the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre we were given a guided tour of the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 (BAB) by its Artistic Director Prof. Dr Apinan Poshyananda, Chief Executive of the Centre.
Dr Poshyananda related: “BAB is the first international contemporary art festival of its kind to take place in Thailand. This collaboration of public and private sectors is a major public display of more than 200 art pieces by 75 international and Thai artists that are displayed at 20 landmarks and tourist destinations in Bangkok, not just here at this Centre.
ART FOR THE PEOPLE
“BAB’S mission,” Dr Poshyananda continued,
“is to engage and inspire Thai, ASEAN and international audiences by fostering appreciation of contemporary art exhibitions. Visitors will have the opportunity to appreciate it as the BAB Foundation revitalizes and enriches areas of Bangkok into art walks and art loops for leisure activities and tourist attractions.”
It was delightful to take in the exhibition that was made up of such a wide variety of art. Art made from everyday items such as plastic strainers to barbwire. Subject matter equally diverse from images that are warming to those that are jarring. Not only can you look at and photograph you can climb on and climb into, step over and step around.
BANGKOK’S HIGHEST
Stepping over was not on my mind when we visited Thailand’s highest observation deck at 314m offering 360º panoramic views.
King Power Mahanakhon is Thailand’s new architectural landmark. AT 78 stories, this mixeduse development is home to the Ritz-carlton Residence, King Power Retail and Duty-free, and King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk – a state-of-the art observation deck boasting the city’s most epic views, is currently the city’s highest building.
When we entered the elevator Wow, Director of Public Relations, told us it was one of the fastest Vdo-themed elevators in Thailand. With digital images of the city flashing on the walls we zipped to the 74th floor in less than 50 seconds.
MORE THAN A VIEW
At the 74th floor we stopped to take in the 360º views from the indoor observation area. The Interactive Augmented Reality experience and dynamic interactive touch screens provide information about Bangkok’s landmarks that you can see out the window – most of them far below.
We ascended to the 78th floor and Thailand’s highest outdoor observation area. There are several levels, with the highest point at The Peak, 314m above ground level. It was busy with many people lining up to walk on one of the world’s largest ‘Glass Trays’ at 310m. Despite the Glass Tray being very solid and safe it did seem to disconcert people who ventured out on it.
Also here are Thailand’s highest Rooftop Bar, with champagne, signature cocktails, and an unbeatable sunset experience. Of course, most people were there to get selfies and shots of the cityscape.
NEWEST & LARGEST
From the highest we went to Thailand’s newest and largest riverside mall, the recently opened Iconsiam. There is much to be impressed with at this retail, residential and river park development.
Start with Sooksiam, on the ground floor of the sprawling complex. This amazing town is a ‘co-creation space’ for local communities from the 77 provinces of Thailand. Small business operators and artists from communities nationwide and government agencies have worked together to create a town to showcase popular products and cultures.
LOCAL WISDOM
A city of ‘Thai Happiness’ on four acres makes available arts, handicrafts, performing arts, foods, beverages, and local wisdom in a single, exciting and dramatic destination. The colourful environment reproduces contemporary and historic scenes from around Thailand such as the floating market and Peranakan Village. Perhaps what surprised us most, according to my local friends, was that food prices in this very upscale development were the same as what they are on the street.
Mrs. Chadatip Chutrakul, Director, ICONSIAM said, “ICONSIAM was created out of a strong desire to present all that is great about Thais and Thailand. As Thais, we are proud that the world’s leading fashion and luxury brands trust and see the value of Thainess and have a truly impressive presence at ICONSIAM.”
NEW CONCEPTS
There are over
7,000 leading global and Thai brands with new concepts offering super special items exclusively at ICONSIAM. It comprises two of the most glamourous retail complexes ever in the region, two of the most luxurious residential towers and the Seven Wonders at ICONSIAM.
“Many of the world’s ultra-luxury brands have located flagship stores in the stunning 25,000sqm super luxury pavilion, ‘ICONLUXE’. Situated next to the river it has the longest pillarless glass façade in the world. It was built with specially commissioned glass that is pleated around the building to create a nirvana of luxury worthy of the new landmark on the
Chao Phraya River,” according to Mr.
Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, Managing Director.
GLOBAL ATTRACTIONS
River Park was designed for daily use by the community. It takes advantage of the picturesque landscape of the river to create an amazing and expansive community space covering over 10,000sqm. The park is open to the public every day.
The Iconic Multimedia Water Feature, the longest in Southeast Asia, is designed to be a global iconic attraction that promotes tourism. It will enable Bangkok to rival the world’s leading metropolises just as the London Eye does for London and the Gardens by the Bay does for Singapore. It will spark tourism for the Chao Phraya River in a major way.
EAST & WEST
We toured the complex and had some time for shopping before and after dinner at the Greyhound Café, a chic setting with healthy food from East and West.
Even if you frequently visit Bangkok, just Iconsiam will give you new spaces to explore.v