From our hotel, we took a cab to Grand Palace. Our agenda for the day is to visit Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo but unfortunately the guard refused to let us enter because we are not wearing long pants. We were instructed to go to the cloth borrowing booth which we need to deposit 100 Baht per item. All they have is a man’s polo shirt even for ladies and wrap skirts. We borrowed some items but felt that they are so unfashionable and felt that they are so sticky to wear. The clothes have not been washed. So, we decided not to enter the palace because we can not bear to wear the dirty borrowed clothes. We just took photos outside the palace. Lesson learned: Do not visit palaces and temples in sleeveless shirts and in shorts. By the way, Grand Palace entrance fee has increased to 350 Baht from 200 Baht. 
The Grand Palace has many gates but only one is open which is the main entrance. This is the gate opposite to Au Bon Pain Bake Shop. You need to be careful because there are so many scam artists lurking around the other gates which are closed, waiting for tourists looking for the palace’s entrance. These scam artists would normally approach you and say that the Grand Palace is closed for the day because it is Buddha day or whatever holiday, and will convince you that it is better if you go to visit another temple and go to the shop of the king. Eventually, the scam artist will offer you a cheap Tuk Tuk ride. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM! They are just luring you to go to the Royal Gem Factory which is one of Bangkok’s tourist traps. To be safe, do not entertain any strangers in the Grand Palace area.Bayoike Sky and Pratunam
It was already noon time and we can not find a good restaurant near the Grand Palace. So we hailed a cab to go to Bangkok’s tallest tower – Bayoike Sky. I was surprised to see that the location of this famous tower is right in the middle of a very busy market in a very crowded street. Anyway, outside the hotel, there is an information booth where you can pay 200 Baht to go observation deck. We are so hungry that our first question is where the restaurant is and were instructed to go to 18th floor.
The Bayoike Café has huge serving and very affordable. Steak meal for just 350 Baht, roast duck meal for only 150 Baht, it is so cheap yet very delicious. For 3 people, we only spent 1,000 Baht including fruit shakes. This is definitely a good restaurant I would recommend.
After our lunch, we wandered just for a short while in Pratunam area. Pratunam is not really a touristy area but if you are a bargain hunter, this is the place to be. Also, a gentle warning to tourists, there are also a lot of scam artists lurking around Pratunam who will lure you to go to Thailand Export Factory. A typical conversation with a scam artist will be like this.
Scene: Tourist wandering around Pratunam, looks like lost.
Scam Artist: Hi! Where are you going?
Tourist: I’m looking for XYZ place.
Scam Artist: Oh, that place is closed today. Today is a national holiday. Why don’t you go to Thailand Export Center? It is so much cheaper than here. Can I have your map? I will write down the direction for you. Where are you from?
Tourist: I’m from ABC country. Where are you from?
Scam Artist: I’m from Brunei. I’m a doctor attending a conference here in Bangkok. Yesterday, my wife and daughter went to Thailand Export Center. They bought a watch yesterday for just USD2,000 when price is normally USD6,000 in our country. My wife and daughter are very very happy. You are very very lucky, Export Center is only open 7 days a year, so you have to take opportunity to go there now. (Draws in your map) You just walk straight, turn left and cross the railway station, and the export center is there. Go now before it closes!
Thai people normally do not know how to speak English, some only speak a few English words. These scam artists speak fluent English and are extremely friendly. Take note that normal guys do not bring a pen in their pockets, but I see a trend that these scam artists always bring a pen with them and always ask for your map for them to write the direction. I wonder why Thai government is not doing something about this given that tourism comprises a chunk of their economy. Anyway, if you meet these people, just do not mind them. Central World Mall and Shabu Shi Restaurant.
We did not enjoy walking around Pratunam as there are no walkable side walks and the streets are extremely crowded with vendors and bargain hunters. Our next destination for the day is Central World Mall, I know it is just walking distance from Pratunam, but we are lost and want to get out of this place as soon as possible. So, we just took a cab and the driver smiled and told us that Central World Mall is just 5 minutes walk from here.
Central World Mall is one of the biggest malls in South East Asia but it lacks the appeal of Siam Paragon. It has huge and empty hallways making you feel bored and sleepy. But in the mall’s 6th floor, there is a very good restaurant which I would highly recommend – Shabu Shi by Oishi. Shabu Shi is a Japanese restaurant which offers eat-all-you-can Shabu Shabu (hot pot cooking) and Sushi for just 220++ Baht (+10% service charge and +7% VAT). Eating time is restricted to 1 hour and 15 minutes. There is a conveyor belt in the middle where you can get sushi and shabu shabu ingredients all you want. Not only that, you also get to have unlimited tempura, drinks, fruits, deserts and ice cream. This restaurant is so popular that it is always jam packed with local Thais and queue is quite long. So, better be there early. For those going to Bangkok, this restaurant should not be missed!
After a long day, we are so tired and we wanted to go home but the taxis here are very choosy because of bad traffic. Imagine, one cab driver trying to charge us 150 Baht back to hotel when normal metered rate will cost only 50 Baht. We turned down the offer and walked back home. Thanks to the elevated walkway just below BTS Siam and BTS Chitlom, walking is a breeze and we arrived in Fraser Place Langsuan in 30 minutes.
Authentic Thai Massage
Just 5 minutes walk fromraser Place Langsuan, you can find a couple of Thai Massage Parlors. We entered one and had a 1 our foot massage for only 250 Baht. For this price, expect nothing fancy but the massage is really great. It made us feel ready for our adventure next day.
Go to Day 4
Go to:
- Bangkok 5D/4N Itinerary
- Day 1: Suvarnabhumi Airpot, Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan, Central Pier, Yok Yor Dinner Cruise
- Day 2: Thonburi Canals, Floating Market, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Siam Paragon
- Day 3: Grand Palace, Wat Phra Keo, Bayoike Sky, Central World Plaza, Shabu Shi Restaurant
- Day 4: Jim Thompson's House, MBK, BTS Sky Train Joy Ride, Emporium
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