Don Mueang

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This used to be Bangkok’s only airport before the new shiny one was built.  This one is closer to city centre, but there is no good public transit to it.  I used a taxi which was quick when it took the motorway and I paid a 60 baht toll on top of the fare.

This airport is now almost exclusively used by Air Asia, but a few small low cost airlines use it to.  It also seems popular for private jets as it is closer to the city.
Air Asia likes it because it is less congested by other flights, so it saves them money on fuel costs since they can usually land right away and they don’t need to wait too long on the runway to take off.
Inside it seems like a rather large terminal with not a lot of people in it!  It seems to have all the services you would need though, and immigration and security were quick and easy.
Next stop Myanmar…..

Bangkok road signs

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So, I dont know about you, but when I read highway road signs I expect to see things like “Bangkok next left”, “5km to airport”, and things that are generally driving related.  What was not expected was this sign below.

Only in Thailand could you advertise your business on a highway sign.  I was thinking I should try to register a business name like that in a Canada and see what response I get!

Bangkok

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Last night I flew Asiana into Bangkok.  With the time change it felt like 1am when I arrived here so I was glad to get to the hotel.  With the 10pm curfew the streets where deserted with only a few taxis coming from the airport.

I picked a hotel about half way between the airport and the city and it seems to have worked out well.  It’s close to a BTS sky train station, so it is easy to get into town.
From the BTS you can transfer to a ferry to get to most places.  The river is pretty much the same colour that I remember it!  Otherwise the ferry is a pretty pleasant way to travel and they are pretty quick.  
I spent the morning doing some logistical stuff like getting a haircut and finding an English bookstore.  I found a travel guide for Turkey in Asia Books near MBK, a big shopping centre downtown.
In the afternoon I went to my favourite temple in Bangkok, Wat Pho.  I started thinking, and this would be the 4th time I have passed through Bangkok, sometimes briefly and sometimes longer.  This is the first time I had a curfew though!
Wat Pho has the worlds largest reclining Buddha.  Admission for foreigners is now up to 100 Baht, or $3.25, but comes with free drinking water and free wifi.  I never thought I would see a temple install wifi, but there you go.  If you happen to be Thai, it’s free to enter.
Usually I find Bangkok quite crazy in the evening with good nightlife, but since nobody can be outside after 10pm it’s quite relaxed!  Locals tell me they are quite concerned about the situation and what will happen next.  Thailand gets a lot of its GDP from tourists and right now most are staying away.
Here is hoping things improve for when I get back from Myanmar.