Norwegian: Thailand April 2011 - Bangkok and Koh Samet Songkran Celebration

A long post this time with a lot of photos. For this years spring vacation we went to Thailand. It has been 3,5 year since K and I last visited, and it was nice to come back!

On the boat to Koh Samet.

Thai Airlines has started a direct flight from Oslo to Bangkok, but unfortunately it was fully booked the day we went, so we had to travel via Stockholm. Here you can see Kristine posing in the departure gate - unaware of the funny Swedes behind her!

The plane landed at 6 a.m. so we went straight to the hotel from the airport. Then some swimming in the hotel pool - and then three hour of sleep before we woke up ready to explore the city.

We got to use the Skytrain, the sub, taxis, pickup, busses, the new airport train, boats and our feet during our stay. The Tuk Tuk however we refrained from using as I do not consider it safe!

Bangkok street.

During our stay we had the pleasure of experiencing the Songkran Celebration. It is Thai New Year - lasts for three days and is mainly a huge water fight. People stand on all corners and pour water on bypassers. In addition they use some kind of talcum and clay which they smear on each other and everyone around. All electronics had to be hidden in plastic bags.

Kristine

Kristine by a water channel.

A lot of good food!

I think the philosophy is one wire for each electrical appliance.

Kristine

Here we are on a water bus up along the river. They will try to sell you expensive trips for many thousand Baths, but you can get a nice river "cruise" for only a few cents (14 Bath).

View from the boat.

This is taken from outside the Grand palace. It was closed when we passed it in the evening.

One of the entrances to the Grand Palace.

Kristine

I usually prefer to avoid the tourist main stream and go with the locals. Here we are watching a show with dancing, singing and storytelling in Thai.

This is the Reclining Buddha. It is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It rests inside a building at Wat Pho - the largest Temple in town.

The feet are decorated with mother-of-pearl.

They consist of 108 lakshana that depict the true Buddha, and supposedly bring luck!

Details...

I do not know why some of the Buddhas are not golden.

Detail of the base.

Window.

Beside from throwing water Songkran is the time to visit family and pray. Here Thais line up to clean Buddhas as they say a prayer. There are long lines and small Buddha figures for every occasion.

SONGKRAN

People as far as the eye can see. (Click to enlarge)

Lumpini Park. The largest park in town. Nice and quiet.

In front of King Rama VI

Kristine by night.

All bags 199 Bath = 6.5 US$

This time we took a bus down to Koh Samet. We have tried different transportation. The easiest is to take a Taxi from the airport (around 2000 Bath) for the 3 hour trip down to Ban Phe from where the ferries take you over to Koh Samet. The bus is almost just as good. It leaves from Ekkamai - The Eastern Bus Station, and I believe the fare was around 150 Bath one way. What I do not recommend is a minivan. We tried it once. It was supposed to pick us up at the hotel in the morning and then drive us down to Ban Phe. And so it did - except for it driving back and forth in the city for almost two hours to pick up tourists from different hotels.

On the ferry leaving Ban Phe behind.

The boat trip takes 30-45 minutes depending on which port you are aiming for. It is also possible to rent a speed boat - but I find the slow moving ferry much more pleasant!