One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster

THAILAND 2025 VOYAGE –  PART 5

It is close to midnight and our taxi takes us from Suvarnabhumi, Thailand’s capital international airport, to Bangkok’s river district for our last night in the country. This city may have a reputation of being chaotic and crowded, but as for myself it is one of my favorites. I always make a point to end any visit in Asia in this most visited metropolis in the world.

The tiny vehicle drops us at the main entrance of what is always my ‘home away from home’ in this capital city – The Millenium Hilton Bangkok. The pampering panoramic windows luxurious suite that was waiting for us was exactly what we needed after the domestic flight from Koh Samui. One night in Bangkok and within 24 hours we should be back at the same airport for a return flight to Israel.

Waking up in the morning to the breathtaking view of the river buses, cross-river ferries, and water taxis on the Chao Phraya, the famous waterway in the city, was insightful. After breakfast we were in a hurry to enjoy Bangkok highlights. Apparently within walking distance, the Pier of the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ Chao Phraya Tourist Boat  was a convenient solution. Boats depart every 30 minutes and stop in most of the major attractions. No traffic gems or time wasted. For 150 baht (approximately 4 USD) daily charge, we were totally covered.

The Chao Phraya view as seen from the breakfast hall (photo by Motti Verses)

The Millenium Hilton Bangkok on the bank of the river (photo by Motti Verses)

The living room of the pampering panoramic windows luxurious suite (photo by The Millenium Hilton Bangkok)

‘Hop On Hop Off’ Chao Phraya Boat – a daily charge of 150 baht (photo by Motti Verses)

The Royal Grand Palace, a complex of buildings, has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782 until 1925. The breathtaking buildings, halls, pavilions, gardens and courtyards here leave the comers speechless. The most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’ is a divine masterpiece. This compound is the most visited attraction in Bangkok.

The pier on the river by Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, was bustling. This attraction is one of the world’s renowned iconic landmarks. A Buddhist temple has existed in this site since the 14th century. A jaw dropping monumental structure. It was intriguing to observe the locals following the footsteps of the popular “King the Land” drama. Episodes of this South Korean television series were filmed here and a significant number of the visitors arrived in traditional Thai attire to make a mark and to be photographed.

Bangkok’s famous and formerly streetside Flower Market is now indoors. I never miss a visit here, enjoying this unique enjoyable attraction, reflecting a genuine love of flowers. This compound is very special and it never fails to satisfy visitors.

Tuk Tuks will take you anywhere here after enjoying the the endless sizzling street food offers all over the city. If you’re a foodie or you’re just traveling, the number one thing that should be on the to-do list is to eat at the counters offered.

We were keen to visit the much talked about IconSiam. The large shopping mall, which opened to the public 7 years ago. It offers more than 7,000 shops, 100 restaurants and even a floating market. The Sook on the ground floor  is no doubt the main attraction. 3,000 distinctively famous local businesses, mainly food and drinks from all over Thailand, in marvelous air conditioned settings, are represented with unique charms.

The Grand Palace, a complex of buildings, has been in the past the official residence of the Kings of Siam (photo by Motti Verses)

The ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’ is a divine masterpiece (photo by Motti Verses)

Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, with a man dressed traditional Thai attire (photo by Motti Verses)

Girls in traditional Thai dresses dominate the scenery of Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn (photo by Motti Verses)

Workers on a break at the Flower Market, an enjoyable attraction, reflecting a genuine love of flowers (photo by Motti Verses)

An endless variety of street food is offers all over the city (photo by Motti Verses)

IconSiam features a pier for the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ and is located within a few minutes walk to our Hilton. Obviously it is an asset to attract guests to this hospitable hotel. Charming Australian General Manager, Tim Tate mentions it as one of the many advantages of this 533 rooms and suites hotel that will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. Tate is proud of the recent renovations taken here in most parts, including the 44 panoramic suite. “The new design is more contemporary and fresh and we even used local motifs, like mosaics that resemble Wat Arun”, he says.

Always charmed by the Chao Phraya traffic, I was curious to understand why a significant number of the luxury hotels in the city were not built by the river like the Hilton. Tate’s answer is straightforward: “In the past hotels were built in Bangkok close to the leading shopping centers, away from the much populated river banks. However, since Covid, people are looking more for unique experiences. Additional hotels are now being built by this magnificent waterway and their ability to totally overcome the plague tourism crisis is definitely proven. With the relatively new IconSiam, the river district is undoubtedly a winning location”, he says.

Tate reveals that the hotel, due to its size, is home to business people and groups. “However, every 3rd guest here arrives for leisure and tourists from Israel, known for their spending capabilities, are a market we are constantly developing”.

Sculptures at the IconSiam entrance – a shopping mall by the river (photo by Motti Verses)

IconSiam offers more than 7,000 shops, 100 restaurants and even a floating market (photo by Motti Verses)

My favorite attraction- the swimming pool overlooking the river (photo by Motti Verses)

Impressive works of art dominate dominate the public areas (photo by Motti Verses)

Observing the illuminated boats from the hotel’s swimming pool – a heartwarming sight (photo by Motti Verses)

With General Manager, Tim Tate (left) and the night view of the river from the panoramic suite: ”Every 3rd guest here arrives for leisure and tourists from Israel is a market we are constantly developing (photos by The Millenium Hilton Bangkok and Motti Verses)

The Happy Hour at the Executive Club Lounge is a major success as it was hard to find a good seat after sunset. The place presents a warm and welcoming atmosphere with generous beverages and snacks. I snuck for a moment one floor above to the swimming pool, overlooking the river with sights not to be forgotten of Bangkok. I remembered personal joyous occasions taking place here so many times in the past. Unfortunately not this time, as the taxi to the airport will soon arrive. Observing the illuminated boats and the unexpected breathtaking fireworks launched from one of them, my mind flew away, humming a song from the 1980s. It was the leading hit of the Chess musical, composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeusof of ABBA. Undoubtedly  the most famous Western melody ever written about Thailand’s capital.

(Click to listen) “One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster. The bars are temples but their pearls ain’t free. One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble, Not much between despair and ecstasy”.

I wanted to honor the song by having Oysters with onion gel and shallot vinaigrette in the reputed hotel’s Oxbo restaurant. Unfortunately even during a one night stay in Bangkok we had to skip the experience. The taxi to the airport was unfortunately our choice.

A short while after our departure and the optimistic forecast regarding the White Lotus Effect– following the new HBO’s season of  The White Lotus filmed in Thailand – the deadly Myanmar earthquake took the industry by surprise. The positive predictions to spark accommodation overbooking is put on halt. Foreign tourist arrivals to Bangkok might be affected. Hopefully for just a short time.