Traveled last January 5-10, 2023, from Manila to Bangkok.
Just came home from a very short but packed Bangkok trip, and realized how almost everything's back to normal in traveling. Requirements have eased up a lot since my last international trip, ang sarap na mag plano ng next ones agad-agad (if only money doesn't matter). So if you're planning to go to Bangkok soon, sharing some of my notes that might come in handy:
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| My favorite view |
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| Early flight to BKK |
♡ Immigration - My immigration experience was a breeze. The immigration officer (io) just asked for my return date, and a bit about my work.
I've read a lot of off-loading horror stories on the internet nowadays, but if you have complete evidence that you're returning home, and you're just traveling for leisure, then there's nothing to worry about. Always be ready when you have flights. Do not be nervous, they say that it shows. Prepare on your phone kahit screenshots or photos lang of your Certificate of Employment, return flight ticket, your accommodation booking confirmation, and your travel insurance--in case the io asks for them.
♡ Bangkok Travel Requirements - As mentioned earlier, traveling felt like we're back to pre-pandemic times already. For requirements, I just presented my valid passport, got my printed plane ticket, and that's it. I still bought a Travel Insurance via CEB Add-ons as a #ResponsibleTraveler and COVID is still around the corner, just to feel safe even when I'm away from home. I also have my vaxcert and yellow passport padin with me, but hindi hinanap.
♡ Cebu Pacific Add-Ons - I brought a 77/28 sized American Tourister Luggage for this trip, and knowing that I'll be shopping since I booked nadin naman a hotel right in the middle of the Pratunam Market, I only filled half of my bag with light clothes. I also packed a big empty backpack (Cabin Zero), which I used for my dirty clothes and hand-carried on my flight back to Manila to maximize the allotted 7-kilo hand carry allowance. Heading home..saktong 20.7 kilos yung check-in ko, and around 5 kilos for my hand-carry (may space pa pang Mango Sticky Rice, lels).
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| Long lines for check-in even at 4 in the morning. "Post-Pandemic", I always go the airport FOUR hours before my flight. |
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| Spotted so many ARMYs in this trip too, reminiscent of BTS in Busan (this time, for Golden Disc / Hobi!) |
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| My trusty, new American Tourister. Pag napuno to saktong 20 kilos. |
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| Breakfast while waiting for boarding |
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| Super early flight |
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| Made me SMILE: Seeing Smile Magazine back onboard Cebu Pacific flights! |
After around 3.5 hours non-stop flight...
...Welcome to Thailand!
Here Are My Bangkok Travel Essentials
♡ BAHT - Ever since I experienced how easy it is to just withdraw cash with my BDO card pagdating sa airport of my destination, I never took time to learn about money exchanges. I just go to the ATM in the airport and withdraw cash that I can use for a few days. The charge for my ATM withdrawals in BKK is around PHP 200. I withdrew from the ATM next to the Klook booth.
♡ Local Sim Card - For internet connection throughout my trip, I bought a local sim card DTAC 4G via Klook app for only PHP 330 (good for 16 days ang minimum nila, but the price is already super sulit na kahit 5 days lang ako). I conveniently claimed my purchase at the Klook Counter at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), located at the Departure Hall which is at the 4th floor. The Klook counter is near Row K24, and is available 24 hours daily. They even helped me set-up my sim card on my phone!
Link: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/16587-dtac-4g-sim-thailand/
♡ Train Card? - Also via Klook, I bought a BTS Skytrain Rabbit Card for PHP 428, same pick-up location as the sim card, and is already pre-loaded with BHT 200. Later on during the trip, I realized that I wasn't able to use the train card a lot and still had load in it when I was going home na. I used other mode of transportation around Bangkok, but this still depends on where you're staying and planning to go. In case you're planning to get one, sharing the link to the Rabbit Card.
Link: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/11626-bts-skytrain-rabbit-card-bangkok/
I used the Airport Rail Link to get to my hotel, with Ratchaprarob Station as the nearest station, and thank God there are no transfers already. Rabbit Card wasn't accepted in this train line, so I still paid cash and got a plastic coin as ticket. There are lots of lifts and escalators during my transit, which is very convenient while towing a luggage. I only paid around 40 Baht, and arrived at the Ratchaprarob Station in around 30 minutes. There was a bit of a walk to my hotel, but manageable naman especially since it was my first day in Thailand and super excited pa! :D
Will be writing a separate post about my hotel for this trip (perfect for the budgetarians), and the transportations that I surprisingly used more to go around the city. And one last thing, before heading home or around 72 hours before your flight back to Manila, make sure to fill out your One Heath Pass for a QR (instant) in their new website: https://etravel.gov.ph. It's easy so I usually do this at the airport na while waiting for check-in, you'll receive the QR instantly (make sure to screenshot QR and show this in NAIA when you've landed home).
Happy Planning!
2 Comments
Going to Thailand this February! Your blog is a great help for us who's nervous travelling for the first time again after pandemic. Thank you! Keep it coming! ✨❣️
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ReplyDeleteYour turn! Always excited to read your comments! :)