Global Staci

“…and the world’s your oyster,” so the song goes.

I used Bangkok as my landing pad, on my way to Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai and Lampang and again on my way out of Thailand before heading to the Maldives, then Switzerland. I bookended with two nights on the front end, one night on the way out.

Although my time was short, I decided to stop because (a) I could begin to get over jetlag (it was a 12-hour time difference), and (b) I flew into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and my ticket to Laos two days later was out of Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). It was so nice to arrive in the evening and head straight to a hotel to sleep.

[PRO TIP: Before entering you’ll need to fill out a Thailand Digital Arrival Card online. It’s free, quick and simple but you’ll need to gather a few documents to do it. Get some Bhat from an ATM or money change at the airport to pay for a taxi, which is regulated and easy to use. Grab is most widely used rideshare app in SE Asia and I recommend you download it for Thailand.]

A big and busting city, here are a few pearls in that oyster.

GalileOasis Boutique Hotel

This hotel had everything I usually look for; small and unique, clean and functional, a great price with a hipster cool environment. With only two nights, knowing that the main attraction was Jim Thompson House and Museum, one place I did not visit on my previous trip to Bangkok, it was important to be within walking distance. GalileOasis fit the bill. It’s a bit tricky to find and does not serve breakfast although there is a coffee shop downstairs.

[PRO TIP: I used booking.com to make my reservation, one of my favorite sites, and found it easy to communicate with the hotel staff through the app. I had no trouble catching a taxi from BKK; be sure to negotiate price from your driver before you depart, and get cash at the airport ATM to pay. On my way out, I had to leave the hotel and walk to the nearest larger intersection to catch a Grab. Traffic can be very heavy at almost any time, so leave the hotel with plenty of time to get to the airport. It took 45 minutes for my car to arrive and was another hour to the airport.]

Who was Jim Thompson?

Born in Delaware in the United States in 1906, Jim Thompson was an American architect, a US Army officer, entrepreneur, and collector. Jim is credited for resurrecting the Thai silk industry, earning him the nickname, the Thai Silk King.

He moved permanently to Bangkok in 1947, falling in love with Thailand and beginning his silk fabric making business. He bought land, and because he was fascinated with the old Thai style architecture, moved several wooden homes to his property and added more to the spot where they are today, now the museum.

He packed a lot into his life cut short.

On an auspicious day in 1959 he moved into the house which also displays his art collection. On March 26, 1967, while visiting the Highlands of Malaysia, he disappeared. To this day, no one knows what happened to him. His legacy lives on through his famous Jim Thompson House Museum, art collection, foundation and art center.

[PRO TIP: You cannot buy your ticket online. The ticket office is open 10am – 5pm daily, and you’ll want to arrive early enough that you can book a timed tour, which I recommend, in your language of choice: Thai, English, French, Chinese, or Japanese. 250 Bhat/adult. No shoes inside.]

[PRO TIP: There is now a restaurant on site, as well as a large shop. I ate lunch here and enjoyed the food and especially the atmosphere, although it is over-priced as one might expect. I made my table reservation when I arrived in advance of my tour.]

Not feeling quite like heading back to my hotel, despite the heat and the jet lag, I wandered a different route and stumbled upon Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, which I was happy to find open on a Sunday afternoon. This multistoried mega space, with tiered escalators and Guggenheim like winding staircases, was a great find.

It is a contemporary arts center showcasing art, music, theatre, film, and design. Cultural and educational events take place in its exhibition and performance spaces. The center also houses cafes, commercial art galleries, bookshops, craft shops, and an art library. A venue for cultural exchange, the center affords Bangkok a spot on the international art stage. 

WIW Mini Hotel

This place totally rocked! I was only sad to have to leave so early in the morning to miss breakfast! You’ll see immediately from the photos online how insanely well decorated it is. I couldn’t believe the price, but everything about it, from the photos to the fabulous reviews is spot on. WIW Mini is super clean and super chic. But you won’t believe it when you pull up.

I chose it specifically because I had an early morning flight to Male, Maldives and it was less than two miles from Don Mueang International Airport.

[PRO TIP: You cannot walk between the hotel and the DMK airport terminal, although as the crow flies, it looks like you could. I booked a car for my early morning departure through the hotel when I checked in. You could also get a Grab, but I didn’t want to risk the availability of cars. The ride is about ten minutes.]