Th 2 - Bangkok 1

Bangkok
กรุงเทพมหานคร
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

Seal of Bangkok

Alhamdulillah - arrived in Bangkok without any problems. I've heard news about Bangkok road protester and border dispute between the Thais and Cambodia days before my departure. Lucky I'm not delayed with any of this problems.

Bangkok is a big city with more than 8 million peoples reside in it. It's 8 times more than population of Kuala Lumpur. Being a large city, it didn't escape from the problems other city faced like massive traffic jams, air pollution, increasing crimes and scams that involved tourist. However good image potrayed by the people and promotion done by the tourism industry make this city Asia's best tourist destination.

This name of this city being famous as being the longest name in the world. The full ceremonial name of the city given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, and later edited by King Mongkut, is: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit means "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam".

I've arrived at my hotel - Manhora Hotel that situated at the Surawong area around 2000. With a direct bus express from the Suvarnabhumi airport - at least I can have a proper rest in my arrival without any need to travel by walking. Guess I need a lot of rest to start my journey on the next morning.

Th 1 - The Kingdom of Thailand aka Siam

Kingdom of Thailand

ราชอาณาจักรไทย
Ratcha Anachak Thai

Thailand - being the only country in South East Asia that able to maintain their independence from the European colonial empire. It is a constitutional monarchy country with the current ruling monarch is King Bhumibol Adulyadej; known as King Rama IX, the longest-serving current head of state and longest-serving monarch in Thai history. The country previously under serious political dispute but able to elect new prime minister - Abhisit Vejjajiva to lead the country through this uncertain circumstances.

From left : King Bhumibol Adulyadej as printed on the Thai banknotes; Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva - has lot things to do for the country right now.

Thailand bordered with Laos and Myanmar to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the and Malaysia to the south. Its surround by Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Majority of the people is Thai that consist of 80% of 63 million people. The remains are Chinese (10%) and ethnically Malay (3%) plus several minorities like Mons Khmer and various hilltribes.

The main religion is Theravada Buddhism practised by majority Thai and Chinese. Islam is predominantly practised in the south namely Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and part of Songkhla. Being a large country with difference races and political stands made Thailand suffered lot of insurgence like 2006 Thai coup d'etat, the sack of Yhaksin Shinawatra, South Thailand insurgency, and the recent People's Alliance for Democracy's 2008 rally. However these situation didn't make the people away from the country as it offered a lot such as historical sides, cuisines, beauiful beaches and entertaining nightlifes.

The Golden Dome of Wat Phra Kaew

Kh 28 - Phnom Penh International Airport

After 4 days in Siem Reap, its time to move to Bangkok. I've planned to go to Phnom Penh via bus and departed to Bangkok using flight. There's land road that connecting Siem Reap till Bangkok through Poipet but since it's much easier to book a flight using Thai Air Asia and I've heard a lot of scam at the border - I won't risk my time. If I got plenty of it, I'll try the route.

From left : the bus that I travel in the Kampuchea / Angkor Express - they provide you some refreshment; kampong scene on the way through Siem Reap - Phnom Penh expressway.

It cost me USD 8 to travel to Phnom Peng using Kampuchea / Angkor Express that departed as early as 7.30 am. You can book it from your guesthouse without any extra charges! Good service. The ride took us about 5 hours with one stop. Initially my plan to visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum in Phnom Penh; but since my flight is around 1655 and we need to check in 2 hours before the departing time of international flight - I have to cancel it .

From left : from the bus station I rode tuktuk till the international airport; road in Phnom Penh - busier than Siem Reap.

Phnom Penh International Airport is not as busy as KLIA, Suvarnabhumi or Changi. But it have all the need facilities. Do remember to keep some of your dollar (USD 25 precisely) as there are International Departure Tax charge upon you. This tax will not included in your airfare and it is said to be used for Cambodia development.

From left : Phnom Penh International Airport; the departure terminal.

The ride took me 1 hour and 10 minutes from Phnom Penh. But since it has delayed for nearly an hour, I only reached Suvarnabhumi International Airport nearly 1900! Sucks. Lucky the immigration process at the airport quite fast and I no need to wait long for my luggage.

So - Mai Pen Rai Bangkok!

From left : for Muslim - do not worry as Musolla available for us to perform our prayer in the airport - just situated near to the arrival gate; check-in counter - a bit lousy as you can't check-in earlier.

Kh 27 - Angkor's Map

Satellite view of Angkor

Just wanna include the map of Angkor. Basically if you want to travel by your own - there're several option you can choose from. Either you can rent bicycles - from USD 1 to 5 in a day (its can be provided by your hotel), tuk-tuk (much better option if you're too tired to cycle a bicycle) and taxi - way to convinient with aircond). I choose the later - not really for the aircond. It's just coz I need somebody to guide me around and some places like Mt Kulen and Beng Mealea need to use taxi to get there!

So - the option is yours. Try to negotiate along the way. Make sure you're not being scam. But trust me - Cambodian are can be trust as they will not cheat you since it will affected their future business in tourist area.

I know this map are not too clear and even in French - you can click over it to enlarge!

Bad Luck Doesn't Smell (Malang Tak Berbau)

It's happen on my way back to hotel from the silk farm. According to peoples around - the lorry driver was try to avoid a tuktuk / motorcycle in front and crashed to the drain. How unlucky!