Hoov's Travel Adventures: 2023 Three months Thailand and Cambodia Travels

When I first got to Thailand, I could not get access to my blog because last year I was banned because of something I had posted on my blog that was offensive to Thailand. Now almost two months later, I finally have access to my blog so I can now post my 2023 Thailand Adventures.

Instead of detailed blogging about my three-month travel to SE Asia, I consider it more of a trip to a warmer climate where the sights are exotic, the food and lodging are cheap and sometimes spectacular. Along the way, I will share some of my experiences and what I have seen that were of interest to me.

When I earlier tried to access my blog, here is the message I got.

Here is the picture I posted concerning COVID-19 which may have gotten me banned, but I am not sure. It may have been my comments about some of their liquor laws.

Compared to last year when I was here, there were no health restrictions other than suggested mask-wearing in the Bangkok metros—almost everyone wore masks—locals and foreigners alike.

Businesses that were back in business were booming and those that weren’t were boarded up.

Thailand has a new blossoming industry with the legalization of the use and sale of marijuana—cannabis—with shops appearing everywhere in the cities, even with street-side vendors with card tables.

Building construction was going full blast with the recent topping off of the building where there used to be my favorite food court on Soi 7. What a change in just a year.

While I was in Bangkok, I revisited my Bumrungrad Hospital dentist, Dr. Pacharee for a crown based on my Seattle dentist’s recommendations. She took a look at it and said that I just needed refilling and widening to reduce the gap where I was continually getting food stuck. My dental exam including X-rays cost $370 and my filling in Thailand cost just $183. The picture below is from my first appointment with Dr. Pacharee in 2004.

While staying in Bangkok, I still found some amazing hotel bargains like last year. I found the Mac Boutique Hotel near the Nana Sky Train stops for just $24 per night.

While in Bangkok, I celebrated Chinese New Year—Year of the Rabbit—which was much bigger this year than last. In addition to watching the Lion Dancers perform on elevated poles, I enjoyed grazing through the many food stalls that lined the streets.

I enjoyed riding the Sky Train to the Chao Phraya ferry boats, and this year there was the return of the old ferry boats that cost just 17 Baht vs the Tourist boats that only ran last year when I was here and cost 30 Baht. I returned to Wat Arun and Wat Po and enjoyed my waterfront restaurant and watching the views of the boats and passengers getting on and off the ferry boats.

I then made my way to Ko Samet by minibus and ferry to the Sea Breeze Bungalows which unfortunately did not have any sea view and the Blue Bay bungalows were filled up. I enjoyed their beach lounge chairs and food and beverage services during the days.

Unfortunately, I again caught COVID and quarantined myself for 5 days as COVID ran its course. My symptoms were mild and somewhat relieved by the decongestant drugs I got from the local pharmacy.

I visited Pattaya and stayed at the Natural Beach Resort where I had a room with a beachfront view of the Beach road and beach action along with a swimming pool—about $26 per night.

Most venues all along Walking Street were back in business as were those in other entertainment places like the LK Metro area. Most visitors seemed to be from Europe, Australia, Russia, India, and other Asian countries except China. China was just beginning to allow its people to leave China. Chinese tourist usually represents 1/3 of all visitors to Thailand and are frequently seen in large groups led by a person waving a flag for the group to follow.

I enjoyed lots of free music venues compared to the high prices of drinks at the go-go bars.

I then returned to Bangkok for the night train to Surat Thani and on to Krabi by catching the night train from the new train station at Bang Sue, Bangkok. I had a comfortable ride in my 1st class cabin.