5 Days in Bangkok with 1 Kid – Part 1

September 2024

We flew to Bangkok for a 5D4N trip without YB, and it was such a bittersweet decision. While we felt guilty leaving him behind with the grandparents, Daddy’s participation in a downtown running event made it more practical to bring only J along.

J was ecstatic about the adventure!

Day 1: MBK & Centralworld

After landing, we hopped into a Grab and went straight to the Princess Pathumwan Hotel. While we typically prefer boutique accommodations, the hotel’s proximity to Daddy’s running event venue made it a practical choice for this trip.

Although this hotel lacks the distinctive character and charm we usually seek, its prime location, connected to the MBK Center and within walking distance of major shopping areas like Siam Square, provided the convenience we needed.

We were famished after check-in so we quickly went into MBK to seek out lunch. We planned to dine at Ban Khun Mae, which translates to “Mum’s House” in Thai. Surprisingly, we found the restaurant easily without getting lost in the maze that is MBK. We ordered some traditional Thai dishes like pineapple rice, tom yum soup and stir-fried cabbage. The lunch was so filling and yummy, and J even got to enjoy a glass of mango smoothie.

Post-lunch snack #1: Khanom Buang (mini crepes filled with meringue, shredded coconut etc).

After lunch, we walked to CentralWorld, one of the city’s largest malls, for J’s much-anticipated manicure and pedicure appointment at Milk Kids Salon & Nails. Located on the second floor in the Family World zone, the salon caters specifically to children, offering a variety of pampering services.

J was absolutely thrilled, bouncing with excitement as she selected her favourite nail colors. The salon’s cheerful atmosphere and friendly staff made her feel right at home, and she revelled in the special treatment.

We also came here to collect our BTS Rabbit Cards and Street Food Pass at the Hug Thai (Tourist Zone) in the basement. We booked on the Klook before the trip. One thing to note though is to go during their opening hours!

Then it was dinner time! There were so many restaurants at Centralworld, but we walked around to look for Somboon Seafood. It was lucky we arrived earlier than the usual dinner time because we managed to get a seat within 15 minutes. Later, the restaurant filled up quickly with eager diners.

We were there just to try their Fried Curry Crab, and it was undeniably delicious. The other dishes were well-executed too, but we did find the meal to be a bit on the pricey side.

And then, we hopped into a tuk-tuk back to the hotel! It was J’s first time in a tuk-tuk, and she was so happy to feel the wind in her hair!

Day 2: Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Asok, Phrom Phong

The next morning, we strolled over to Siam Paragon for a visit to SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, as J was eager to see the seahorses. We had pre-purchased our tickets through Klook.

Once inside, we focused on the Seahorse Kingdom, where we patiently waited for the seahorse feeding session. J was overjoyed to witness it firsthand, making the experience truly special for her. The cool, air-conditioned environment of the aquarium also provided a welcome respite from Bangkok’s heat.

Then, we decided to try the Glass Bottom Boat Ride. This short excursion circles the main indoor tank, allowing participants to observe a variety of sea creatures, including sharks, stingrays, and numerous fish species, through the transparent floor of the boat. While J found it thrilling to glide over the massive tank and observe marine life from above, we felt the experience was a bit underwhelming.

One of J’s favourite stop was at Stickerland, because she loves stickers and she loves shopping! We spent so much time inside just browsing, and she eventually went home with a big basket of stickers, quirky knick-knacks and craft materials.

We then took the BTS to Asok for a spa session. But before that, lunch!

We walked into a random restaurant for lunch. Suda Restaurant serves up Thai-Chinese dishes like Thai fishcake and fried kway teow. Both were satisfying, especially when paired with a much-needed Singha to beat the heat. After that, we wandered around and went into Greydient & Them for coffee. The place has an industrial vibe and the coffee was decent – just what we needed to recharge after lunch.

We then made our way to Once Upon A Thai Spa in Phrom Phong for a much-anticipated spa session. Loved the spa’s beautiful decor and cosy ambiance but it was quite busy with many patrons waiting their turn. We both got a 60-minute massage, which was exactly what we needed to unwind. The staff also allowed J to stay with us in the room, making the experience even more comfortable for our family.

And that was Day 2!