Krabi & Bangkok: Sending Postcard 2014

During Krabi and Bangkok trip, I had having my first experiences to send some postcards from there. It was a challenge for me from buying stamps and postcards until send out the postcards. The value of stamp that needs to post a postcard in Thailand is 15 Baht.

Where to Buy Stamp?

In Krabi, I had bought some stamps from Family Mart. When buying the stamp from the staff, I had an enquiry but due to communication barrier and the staff did not understand my question so my enquiry regarding stamp was an unknown.

My enquiry is when buying the stamp with value of 15 Baht; I need to pay for 20 Baht to buy it. It means that I need to pay additional 5 Baht to get it. WHY?

On 17 October 2014, I had sent a postcard to a postcrosser in Thailand name Pannika. In her profile, she stated that if you put your address on postcard then she will send a Thank you postcard for you. I had put my address on postcard so I received her Thank you postcard too. When I received it, I had email she to tell she that I safety received it and at the same time I tried ask the postcard inquiry as above.

She did answer my enquiry. Actually I have lots of questions. Haha..Her answer as below:-

Regarding Thai stamps, Thailand Post has 2 prices:

Stamps for normal usage – you pay prices that printed on the stamps itself, normally there are several stamps of the same design per sheet.

Stamps for collectable – usually come in a single sheet with a set of stamps, you have to pay extra for those kind as they are for collectable only.

 

Besides Family Mart, when in Krabi Airport, I do brought some stamps for Bangkok use and luckily I bought some extra as in Bangkok, I cannot find where to get the stamp.

In Bangkok, I had tried to ask 7-11 shops for stamps but the stamps finished. In the end, I did not manage to post some postcard to myself from Bangkok because all the stamps had been used for sending postcard to friends and postcrossers.

After buying the stamp, I was headache about how to paste the stamp on postcard as I did not bring glue. Luckily one of my friends told me that I can use water to paste the stamp on postcard. If not, I will use my saliva to paste it. Haha..just kidding. 

Where to send the postcard?

Krabi

In Krabi as Ananta Burin Resort have postal service so I can ask receptionist to help me post out my postcards. They will put my postcard in a post box before sending out. In Krabi Airport, you can find a mail box before went to waiting hall.

Bangkok

In Bangkok, it is very hard to search for mail box so I also asked The Berkeley Hotel's Concierge to help me send out the postcard. I can saw many postcards in Concierge Counter there. If you did not have time or did not know where to get stamp, you can give some money to Concierge so that they will help you buy and paste the stamp on postcard before send out.

Where to buy postcard?

Krabi

Along the Ao Nang Beach has many stalls, I had bought some postcards from there. Each postcard cost 10 Baht or RM 1.00. In Krabi Airport, it also has some shops sell postcards and stamps.

When waiting for the flight, I had gone around to shop and found out a Krabi Phi Phi Island postcard with beautiful view so I bought one or two of them to be sending out.

Bangkok

I had bought some postcards in Chatuchak Weekend Market as the postcards were so cute with elephant illustration.

Postcard Arrival

23th July 2014

I had received my postcard which sent from Krabi. It had taken around 20 days arrived my house.

16^th August 2014

My friends from Labuan had told me that she had received the postcard that I sent from Bangkok. Although it took around one month to arrive, the most important was the postcard did not getting lost.

My Transportation in Bangkok: Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), Taxi and MRT Station

[Itinerary]

Map for BTS and MRT Station

Before went to Thailand, I had found a Transportation Line Map in Bangkok (picture as below) through Facebook Page. It will easy for me to know which station that I need to reach in order to go that places. In this post, I also will refer this map to explain for my transportation line. 

Picture credit

Chit Lom Station

Chit Lom Station is near with The Berkeley Hotel so we always go there to start our adventure. Inside of Skytrain has a small TV hanging there with many advertisements for you to see when wait for your station arrives. When the Skytrain arrive one station, it will display in the TV so you will not worry that you will miss out your station. 

Ticket Office

Ticket office usually allows you to change your money into coin that for you to use in ticket machine. Sometimes, you can direct purchase ticket at ticket office.

Ticketing Machine

Everyone are using ticketing machine to buy ticket. On the ticketing machine has instruction or step to use it. The steps to use it are select fare >> insert coin >> take ticket >> take change.

If you change the coin in ticket office, the ticketing staff will help you to calculate the fare that you need to pay. If not, you just refer the picture which as below for your reference:-

The fares are calculated base on the station that you will pass by before reach the station that you want.

BTS Ticket

In Bangkok, we just bought single journey ticket as we just took BTS Skytrain for 1 day while the next day, we walked to Siam Mall.  At the back side of BTS ticket has transportation line which you can refer when you in the Skytrain. 

05 July 2014 (Saturday)

Breakfast at Buddy Restaurant (Restaurant in Ananta Burin Resort) >> Krabi International Airport >> Dong Muang Airport Bangkok >> The Berkeley Hotel >> Lunch at Platinum food stall (Road side) >> Platinum Fashion Mall >> Asiatique The Riverfront >> Dinner at Asiatique- Nan Yuan Noodle >> The Berkeley Hotel

Ananta Burin Resort >> Krabi International Airport

Ananta Burin Resort has airport transfer service so the staff of resort fetches us to Krabi International Airport.

Dong Muang Airport Bangkok >> The Berkeley Hotel

In Dong Muang Airport, we had taken a taxi to The Berkeley Hotel. Before you go in the taxi, the airport staff will give you an airport public taxi ticket. The taxi fare is charged as shown on meter plus 50 Baht surcharge (for taxi driver only). In the ticket has mentioned that passenger has to pay for toll/express way fees, luckily that on the way to hotel, we did not meet with any toll/express way.

At the back of the airport public taxi ticket is a complaint forms that if you did not satisfy with the taxi service, you can make your complaint. The complaint included overcharged fare metered rate, switch of the metered, drop off passengers before reaching destination and others that for you to fill in if your complaints is not the first three on forms. By seeing the complaint form, my friends and I were relieved as the taxi driver will not overcharged the taxi fares.   

Platinum Fashion Mall >> Asiatique The Riverfront >> The Berkeley Hotel

After check in hotel, we walked to Platinum road side to search for lunch. After that, we directly went to Platinum Fashion Mall for shopping. In Platinum Fashion Mall, I had seen many people take the luggage for storing their shopping haul. Around few hours in Platinum Fashion Mall, it’s time for us went to Asiatique.

The line that we supposed to go for arrive Asiatique

Chit Lom >> Siam (transfer to Silom line) >> National Stadium >> Ratchadamri >> Sala Daeng >> Chong Nonsi >> Surasak >> Saphan Tasksin

The line as below that we had go for Aisatique (we had go to different direction of station) *Wrong*

Chit Lom >> Phloen Chit >> Nana >> Pjloen Chit >> Chit Lom >> Siam (transfer to Silom line) >> National Stadium >> Ratchadamri >> Sala Daeng >> Chong Nonsi >> Surasak >> Saphan Tasksin

Form Chit Lom station to Saphan Taksin station, we paid for 37 Baht per person. After we purchased ticket, we had gone to arrival hall to wait for the skytrain. When we in the skytrain and it arrive to Pjleon Chit station, we just realized that we had taken the wrong skytrain. We supposed to take the skytrain that go to Mo Chit station direction but we took the skytrain that go to Bearing station direction.

Then, we stopped by Nana station and went back to Chim Lom station. Taking wrong direction of skytrain made me think of I also met with this problem in KL with my cousin before.

When interchange to Silom line, we need to go down from skytrain and take another skytrain to reach Saphan Tasksin station.

When arrived at Saphan Tasksin station, you will see a board to guide you to Asiatique. Asiatique has free shuttle boat takes you from station. The boat operates at 4.00 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.

When we back from Asiatique, we took the skytrain from the direction to National Stadium station. At interchange Silom line, the skytrain will open another door then we went out from there and will reach Chit Lom station. The line that we go to Chit Lom station which as below:-

Saphan Taksin >> Surasak >> Chong Nonsi >> Sala Daeng >> Ratchadamri >> Siam (transfer to Sukhumvit line) >> Chit Lom

After came out from skytrain, we use skywalk to walk for some distance and followed by walk on road to The Berkeley Hotel.

06 July 2014 (Sunday)

The Berkeley Hotel >> Chatuchak Weekend Market (breakfast & shopping) >> Esplanade Shopping Mall (Art in Paradise 3D) >> Lunch at Esplanade Shopping Mall (McDonald) >>Terminal 21 >> Dinner at Pratunam Chicken Rice Shop >> The Berkeley Hotel

The Berkeley Hotel >> Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chit Lom >> Ratchaynewi >> Phaya Thai >> Victory Monument >> Sanam Pao >> Ari >> Saphab Khwaj >> Mo Chit

The next day, we took BTS skytrain to Mo Chit station. When we came out from skytrain, we just follow with skywalk and walked down to Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market >> Esplanade Shopping Mall (Art in Paradise 3D)

After breakfast and shop in Chatuchak Weekend Market, it’s time for us go to Art in Paradise 3D. This time, we need to take MRT in order to reach Esplanade Shopping Mall. The MRT Line which as below:-

Kamphaeng Phet >> Chatuchak Park >> Phahon Yothin >> Lat Phrao >> Ratchadapisek >> Sutthisan >> Huai Khwang >> Thailand Culture Centre (Exit no.3)

Remember to take the skytrain that “To Hua Lamphong” way in order to reach Thailand Culture Centre station. If not, you will reach Bang Sue station.

In Chatuchak Weekend Market, we were at Kamphaeng Phet station which near with toilet. You can refer the Bangkok Transport Route Map to double confirm the station that you want to go.

By MRT, we purchase token instead of ticket at Ticket Office. From Kamphaeng Phet station to Thailand Culture Centre station cost us 116 Baht for 4 persons.

Inside of train also has a map for you to see, which station that you need to come out from train.

When at Thailand Culture Centre station, I had seen 3D art under renovation. Next time perhaps can take picture with 3D art first before go to Art in Paradise.

When you came out from Thailand Culture Centre station, you can see Esplanade Shopping Mall just near with MRT station.

Esplanade Shopping Mall (Art in Paradise 3D) >> Terminal 21

After spended few hours in Art in Paradise, it’s time for us to Terminal 21. My MRT line to Terminal 21 which as below:-

Thailand Culture Centre >> Phra Ram9 >> Phetchaburi >> Sukhumvit (Exit no. 3)

From Thailand Culture Centre to Sukhumvit station cost us 80 Baht for 4 persons. When you came out from station, you also will spot Terminal 21 at there.

Terminal 21>> The Berkeley Hotel

When finished taking picture in Terminal 21, we need go back to hotel for a bath.  In order to reach Chit Lom station, we need to take BTS line which as below:-

Asok >> Nana >> Pjloen Chit >> Chit Lom

From Asok station to Chit Lom station, it cost us 25 Baht per person.

07 July 2014 (Monday)

The Berkeley Hotel >> Breakfast at Siam Center (Food Republic) >> Siam Discovery (Madame Tussauds) >> MBK Centre >> Siam Paragon (Ocean World) >> Dinner Thai Food >> The Berkeley Hotel

The Berkeley Hotel >> Siam Center >> Siam Discovery >> MBK Centre >> Siam Paragon >> The Berkeley Hotel

From The Berkeley Hotel, we walked to Siam Center. It has a skywalk that can reach for Siam Mall so on skywalk, we just go straight and will see many Siam Mall under the skywalk.

By referring the map as below, you can see that Siam Mall is very near with each other.

Near with Siam Paragon has a tourist counter that you can take the 20% discount voucher for entrance fee to Madame Tussauds and Ocean World.

Between Siam Discovery and Siam Center has a connection walk that can link with each other. It means that by go to the connection walk from Siam Discovery, you will directly arrive Siam Center. The connections walk at one of the floor of the mall where you can ask for the security guard for a help. If I not mistake, Mr. P shop or Starbuck in Siam Discovery has a connection walk.

08 July 2014 (Tuesday)

The Berkeley Hotel >> Dong Muang Airport Bangkok >> KLIA 2 >> Kota Kinabalu

The Berkeley Hotel >> Dong Muang Airport Bangkok

Around 4 a.m., we had taken taxi to airport that book from hotel. The taxi did not charge extra fee for us as we need take the taxi in the early of the morning.

Around 45 minutes, we had arrived airport safety without any traffic jams. We had paid for 700 Baht to taxi driver to fetch us to airport.

That all for my transportation story in Bangkok and I hope that I will not having any mistake for all those station as when write for this post, some of that, I not quite sure about it. If you spotted any mistake, do tell me.

Krabi & Bangkok 2014: Shopping Haul

Thailand especially Bangkok is a shopping heaven but in this trip, compare with my friends, my haul is the lesser. They really bought a lot. I think maybe either I am a rational buyer or I did not see the things that I like.

Krabi

In Krabi, I had bought Meiji brand yogurt as I have constipation problem in the first day. My friend had bought yogurt with coconut flavor which is more delicious.

This is Paddle Pop ice-cream that did not see at Malaysia before which bought by my friend.

This is a small note book with a nice 3D cover that also bought by my friend. This note book really has beach feel.

These entire magnets cost 300 Baht which is a great souvenir to friends and family.

The soaps are in fruits shape which is so lovely. All these soaps cost me 900 Baht after negotiate with the owner. The soap has the smell of the fruits.

This is all the snacks that my friends bought which include the yummy coconut yogurt. She also bought a mask. Pocky snack is a popular snack in Thailand.

Bangkok

My picture of shopping haul is unclear due to the romantic light in hotel but I had done some small editing. As I took all the haul pictures at the night and end of the day because at the early of the morning, I need went to airport so I have no choice but just snap some pictures under romantic light. If I took picture after I come back, surely I will forget it.

This Thai keychian was bought by me in airport while wait for the flight arrived.

As Malaysia did not have pork porridge so I had bought 2 sachets of porridge for my family to try for it. The taste is good.

This is the milk candy that I bought from 7-11. Before go to Bangkok, I had knew that this candy is quite popular among tourists.

This is another type of milk candy. I did not know what the different between these 2 candies is as I dislike milk candy. My family quite likes to eat fish sheet so I had bought some to them.

Although this peanut can be finding in Malaysia but this snack’s packaging was in Thai words so has little different compare with Malaysia. The one that I bought was truly original. Haha..

I had bought bread for my tomorrow breakfast as we need to go to airport in the early in the morning so I scared did not have time to buy for breakfast. This cracker is so tasty as my friends had given to me tried before so I bought one for my family. I cannot bring too many packs of cracker as it is eating space. I had bought pork floss from Thailand for my family tried which also good to eat with porridge.

This belt is for my father which bought at the stalls which in the front of The Berkeley Hotel.

These shirts were for my sisters and I. I will let them to choose first. The 3 shirts from top were bought from Chatuchak Weekend Market while the rest was from the stall in front of our hotel.

This is the only dress that I bought also at the stall that operates in front of our hotel.

In Siam Paragon, I had bought some Naraya bags for a gift. Naraya bag has many varieties from cosmetic bag to pouch and others. I really took lots of time to find some bags because due to money limitation. If I have many money, surely I will bought each of the bag for my collection *Dreaming*