Sawasdee Khrap, Sawasdee Kha...

KLIA - Boarding Thai Airways to Bangkok on Boeing 777

My souvenir from Thai Airways

The journey from Survanabumi Airport to the city center takes between 30 and 45 minutes. However, I took 2 hours to reach my hotel which is located at the downtown of Bangkok - The Amari Watergate Hotel because of rush hour.

Sawasdee Khrap...Sawasdee Kha

In Thailand, people in general greet one another with the word Sawasdee and a gesture of pressing the palm together called Wai. The word Sawasdee can be used all times of the day. A male would add the word Khrap and a female the word Kha after Sawasdee to show politeness. The Wai has much more social significance than a western handshake and in general, the younger person or the person with junior ranking wais first to an elder or senior, who returns the gesture.

I was told that there are three institutions that the Thai people regard highly and must therefore pay proper respect. The Nation, represent by the Nation Flag and the National Anthem. The Religion, represented by the Triple Gems: Buddha, Dharma and Sangkha (the monks). The Monarchy, represented by the King and members of the Royal family.

Long Live The King

Here's a quick review of the hotel I stayed...

The Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok

View of Amari Watergate Hotel from CentreWorld

The Amari Watergate Hotel is located in the very heart of the city in Pratunam, one of Bangkok’s main commercial and shopping district.

I was not dissappointed with the Amari. Good location, close to shops, restaurants, public transportation...in the heart of the city and brilliant all round package. I stayed in a deluxe room for 3 nights; which was modern and very clean, with LCD TV and DVD player. One night here cost me 5,438 Baht which is equivalent to RM550.

Deluxe Room with 42' LCD

Bathroom with duckling duck to play with

The difference between a Superior and a Deluxe is the floor level and room decoration; Deluxe rooms have been refurbished in a more modern/business style, but the bathrooms are still the same in all rooms - twin hand basins, a separate show cubicle and a large bath tub. Each room has a spectacular view of the city.

Staff were very polite, they try to make your stay really pleasant and will help out any way they can. The 8th floor gym and pool area are also great. The breakfast buffet is quite good and runs until 10:30am, which is also great if you're not an early bird!

Swimming Pool @ Amari Watergate

There is no air condition in the corridor - where the elevators are, and also in the elevators themselves - so it's pretty hot there... The only thing that I found a bit of the nuisance was that no free internet in the room. However, there was free wi-fi in the lobby, which I only found out when I checked out!

Right in front of the hotel, there is a new wholesale mall with not less than 1500 shops, and clothes are extremely cheap! But I am not a shopaholic, so I bought nothing at all...was tempted to buy the pirated version of croc shoe @ 159 Baht; but end up didn't buy...

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