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TonyT's 5th Thailand blog:
Yet another two months in and around the country:
February to April 2018.
Page 1
This fifth journal or blog was written whilst in Thailand; February, March and April 2018. Although it's called the "5th", I've actually travelled Thailand firstly in 2007, twice in 2011 and three times in 2012 which are not documented online, so this is actually my 11th visit to Thailand.
The reason for my being in Thailand principally was to sort out a number of affairs, both financial and personal and to give my Thai wife, Aom an opportunity to catch up with her family (my in-laws) and for both of us to meet up with old friends as well as sneaking in a couple of genuine holiday trips.
Our 3½-year old son, Jack, is now fully accustomed to his Thai grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and it's possible he will be left in their very safe custody whilst we chill out and do a bit of country and island roaming. We intend taking him on a couple of 'holidays' but when we visit friends in places like Pattaya he's best left in a place of safety; Many areas in Pattaya are not a suitable place to take young children in my view, but I'm rewarding Aom, and myself a couple of visits and holidays at various places throughout Thailand.
To anyone who has stumbled across my original blog pages they will note that the occasional photo may be repeated on these pages. This is purely because at times we have visited the same places again and I've seen fit to make use of some of the photos and movies again.
For anyone interested, the original 3-month visit in 2013 around Thailand can be viewed here:-
"TonyT's 1st 3-month Thailand blog, 2013"
Additionally, there are more blogs. These can be found via the links here:-
TonyT's 2nd Thailand blog, early 2015
TonyT's 3rd Thailand Blog, late 2015
TonyT's 4th Thailand blog, 2017
TonyT's 5th Thailand blog, 2018
TonyT's 6th Thailand blog, 2022
TonyT's 7th Thailand blog, 2024
TonyT's 8th Thailand blog, 2025
Our mixed itinerary on this trip was thus:
Manchester to Helsinki, Finland (<5 hours)
2-3 hour stop-over in Helsinki
Helsinki to Bangkok: a total of >14 hours, 12 of which are airborne.
Bangkok stay: 3 days.
Bangkok to Phanom Dong Rak, Surin Province courtesy Thawon, our driver, we've used several times before. (>6hrs).
Phanom Dong Rak in Surin Province: 7 days
Overnight bus Phanom Dong Rak via Prasat to Bangkok, 6hrs 30mins.
One night stopover in Bangkok
Taxi to Don Mueang Airport to catch Air Asia flight to Krabi.
8 day holiday at Ao Nang at the Phu Pi Maan Resort
Return flight Krabi to Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok
One night stopover in Bangkok
Back to Phanom Dong Rak and stay 6 days
Overnight bus Pratas to Pattaya
3 nights stay in Pattaya
Mini bus Pattaya to Trat
Ferry from Trat to Ko Mak
10-day stay on Ko Mak
Trat to Pattaya
Pattaya to Pratas and then on to Phanom Dong Rak
6 Days in Phanom Dong Rak
Taxi or bus to Bangkok (6+ hours)
2-3 days in Bangkok
Flight Bangkok to Helsinki
Flight Helsinki to Manchester
Manchester to home (50 minutes)
Phew!
Anyway, here’s the journal/blog:-
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25th, 2018:
08:15. Check-in at Manchester Airport.
A new airline for us this year; Finnair; via Helsinki, Finland, and on to Bangkok.
Fast tracked through Manchester security check and on to the Premier Lounge for some breakfast relaxants, courtesy Finnair Airways.
Flight #1 left on time at 10:15 and arrived at Helsinki around 13:20 local time.
HELSINKI, FINLAND
A mere minus-18ºC at Helsinki and plenty of the white-stuff all over.
Made a quick dash for the Finnair Lounge and relaxed over a couple of drinks until the next leg to Bangkok.
TOP LEFT: Helsinki Airport
TOP RIGHT: De-icing truck.
BOTTOM: De-icing delayed take off by several minutes. At -18ºC I guess it was needed.
BANGKOK
MONDAY 26th:
After a further 9 hours arrived at Bangkok at around 19:20 (local).Through the usual Thai Immigration., but made a lot easier by taking advantage of the Priority Lanes
Baggage collection a cinch. Transport to our apartment arranged and we were off on our way through the manic Bangkok traffic arriving at the apartment at around 20:20.
A quick shower and change into more suitable attire for the 34ºC here in Bangkok. A bit of a shock after Finland's -18º.
In spite of the comfort of business-class flights we were all exhausted and, unusually for me, jet-lagged. A couple of hours sleep helped and we were out-and-about for a few beers at one of the local bars.
Next morning, the first task was to buy some Thai SIM Cards; one for each of our phones and one for the computer Air-card.
Late afternoon/Early evening saw us in "Hilary 1" Bar in Soi 4, Nana. This is the new "Hilary 1" bar. The original was demolished last year to make way for a new development. The new one is almost in the same location. Anyway a few beers followed by some food did the trick and made for an extremely relaxing evening.
Bottom photo is the view from our apartment.
TUESDAY 27th:
Up at 08:00 and and out for an excellent breakfast in the Monsoon Bar in Soi 8. Good food here.
Treated ourselves to a foot-massage each later in the morning.
Aom, my wife, and son Jack were off in the afternoon to meet up with her parents. They're booked in near us for the next two nights and we'll all journey to Surin on Friday.
Photos above are of a typical Bangkok city street scene and of the Grand Palace.
TUESDAY 27th (continued):
Aom was supposed to have returned with her parents by 5pm, but by 6pm still no sign. A phone call caught her still having here hair done. Stuff that I thought, so it was out for a beer in the Kiwi Bar over the road.
Later in the evening, we met up with one of Aom's cousins, Yee, in the Hilary 1 bar in Soi4. The two of them nattered away over numerous more drinks. Back to the apartment by midnight.
Aom and cousin Yee (with yours truly sneaking in) enjoying the nightlife at the "new" Hilary 1 bar.
WEDNESDAY 28th:
Finally met-up with my in-laws at breakfast. Another number of hours sitting in the apartment whilst Aom took her mother shopping.
Later another foot massage was in order (one of the best yet).
Evening saw us back in the "Kiwi" for a swift beer followed by a quick change and out into Soi 4 for several more beverages. A fairly late night.
THURSDAY 1st MARCH:
Check-out day. Decent breakfast, a trip to the main Post Office to ship off some stuff we'd brought from UK followed by an easy re-pack (we'd not really unpacked).
Our driver from past excursions, Towan, arrived with his 15-seater air-conned mini-bus at around 11:30 for the lengthy 6-plus hours drive up to Phanom Dong Rak, Surin.
Destination achieved by 18:00. A few drinks and dinner sent Towan on his way. For Aom and me a few beers and dinner were in order.
Page 1
This fifth journal or blog was written whilst in Thailand; February, March and April 2018. Although it's called the "5th", I've actually travelled Thailand firstly in 2007, twice in 2011 and three times in 2012 which are not documented online, so this is actually my 11th visit to Thailand.
The reason for my being in Thailand principally was to sort out a number of affairs, both financial and personal and to give my Thai wife, Aom an opportunity to catch up with her family (my in-laws) and for both of us to meet up with old friends as well as sneaking in a couple of genuine holiday trips.
Our 3½-year old son, Jack, is now fully accustomed to his Thai grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and it's possible he will be left in their very safe custody whilst we chill out and do a bit of country and island roaming. We intend taking him on a couple of 'holidays' but when we visit friends in places like Pattaya he's best left in a place of safety; Many areas in Pattaya are not a suitable place to take young children in my view, but I'm rewarding Aom, and myself a couple of visits and holidays at various places throughout Thailand.
To anyone who has stumbled across my original blog pages they will note that the occasional photo may be repeated on these pages. This is purely because at times we have visited the same places again and I've seen fit to make use of some of the photos and movies again.
For anyone interested, the original 3-month visit in 2013 around Thailand can be viewed here:-
"TonyT's 1st 3-month Thailand blog, 2013"
Additionally, there are more blogs. These can be found via the links here:-
TonyT's 2nd Thailand blog, early 2015
TonyT's 3rd Thailand Blog, late 2015
TonyT's 4th Thailand blog, 2017
TonyT's 5th Thailand blog, 2018
TonyT's 6th Thailand blog, 2022
TonyT's 7th Thailand blog, 2024
TonyT's 8th Thailand blog, 2025
Our mixed itinerary on this trip was thus: Manchester to Helsinki, Finland (<5 hours) 2-3 hour stop-over in Helsinki Helsinki to Bangkok: a total of >14 hours, 12 of which are airborne. Bangkok stay: 3 days. Bangkok to Phanom Dong Rak, Surin Province courtesy Thawon, our driver, we've used several times before. (>6hrs). Phanom Dong Rak in Surin Province: 7 days Overnight bus Phanom Dong Rak via Prasat to Bangkok, 6hrs 30mins. One night stopover in Bangkok Taxi to Don Mueang Airport to catch Air Asia flight to Krabi. 8 day holiday at Ao Nang at the Phu Pi Maan Resort Return flight Krabi to Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok One night stopover in Bangkok Back to Phanom Dong Rak and stay 6 days Overnight bus Pratas to Pattaya 3 nights stay in Pattaya Mini bus Pattaya to Trat Ferry from Trat to Ko Mak 10-day stay on Ko Mak Trat to Pattaya Pattaya to Pratas and then on to Phanom Dong Rak 6 Days in Phanom Dong Rak Taxi or bus to Bangkok (6+ hours) 2-3 days in Bangkok Flight Bangkok to Helsinki Flight Helsinki to Manchester Manchester to home (50 minutes)
Anyway, here’s the journal/blog:-
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25th, 2018:
A mere minus-18ºC at Helsinki and plenty of the white-stuff all over. TOP LEFT: Helsinki Airport TOP RIGHT: De-icing truck. BOTTOM: De-icing delayed take off by several minutes. At -18ºC I guess it was needed.
MONDAY 26th: Bottom photo is the view from our apartment.
TUESDAY 27th:
Phew!
08:15. Check-in at Manchester Airport.
A new airline for us this year; Finnair; via Helsinki, Finland, and on to Bangkok.
Fast tracked through Manchester security check and on to the Premier Lounge for some breakfast relaxants, courtesy Finnair Airways.
Flight #1 left on time at 10:15 and arrived at Helsinki around 13:20 local time. HELSINKI, FINLAND
Made a quick dash for the Finnair Lounge and relaxed over a couple of drinks until the next leg to Bangkok.
BANGKOK
After a further 9 hours arrived at Bangkok at around 19:20 (local).Through the usual Thai Immigration., but made a lot easier by taking advantage of the Priority Lanes
Baggage collection a cinch. Transport to our apartment arranged and we were off on our way through the manic Bangkok traffic arriving at the apartment at around 20:20.
A quick shower and change into more suitable attire for the 34ºC here in Bangkok. A bit of a shock after Finland's -18º.
In spite of the comfort of business-class flights we were all exhausted and, unusually for me, jet-lagged. A couple of hours sleep helped and we were out-and-about for a few beers at one of the local bars.
Next morning, the first task was to buy some Thai SIM Cards; one for each of our phones and one for the computer Air-card.
Late afternoon/Early evening saw us in "Hilary 1" Bar in Soi 4, Nana. This is the new "Hilary 1" bar. The original was demolished last year to make way for a new development. The new one is almost in the same location. Anyway a few beers followed by some food did the trick and made for an extremely relaxing evening.
Up at 08:00 and and out for an excellent breakfast in the Monsoon Bar in Soi 8. Good food here.
Treated ourselves to a foot-massage each later in the morning.
Aom, my wife, and son Jack were off in the afternoon to meet up with her parents. They're booked in near us for the next two nights and we'll all journey to Surin on Friday.
Photos above are of a typical Bangkok city street scene and of the Grand Palace.
TUESDAY 27th (continued): Aom and cousin Yee (with yours truly sneaking in) enjoying the nightlife at the "new" Hilary 1 bar.
WEDNESDAY 28th:
Aom was supposed to have returned with her parents by 5pm, but by 6pm still no sign. A phone call caught her still having here hair done. Stuff that I thought, so it was out for a beer in the Kiwi Bar over the road.
Later in the evening, we met up with one of Aom's cousins, Yee, in the Hilary 1 bar in Soi4. The two of them nattered away over numerous more drinks. Back to the apartment by midnight.
Finally met-up with my in-laws at breakfast. Another number of hours sitting in the apartment whilst Aom took her mother shopping.
Later another foot massage was in order (one of the best yet).
Evening saw us back in the "Kiwi" for a swift beer followed by a quick change and out into Soi 4 for several more beverages. A fairly late night.
THURSDAY 1st MARCH:
Check-out day. Decent breakfast, a trip to the main Post Office to ship off some stuff we'd brought from UK followed by an easy re-pack (we'd not really unpacked).
Our driver from past excursions, Towan, arrived with his 15-seater air-conned mini-bus at around 11:30 for the lengthy 6-plus hours drive up to Phanom Dong Rak, Surin.
Destination achieved by 18:00. A few drinks and dinner sent Towan on his way. For Aom and me a few beers and dinner were in order.