Thailand Part 8: Urban Sparkle & New Year's Eve with Confetti in My Head

"Sometimes you can just be decadent."

This time, we actually treat ourselves to a train ride to Surat Thani station, which is about 30 minutes outside the city center – and to be honest: We've had enough of bus, songthaew, and self-discovery rides. No, we're just being super lazy today.
The train station itself is manageable: three platforms, a display board that officially states our train departs from platform 1 at 7:31 PM. All very nice.

At the platform, a railway employee approaches us asking to see our ticket (of course booked through 12Go – I'm now a pro at this). He looks at it, points to platform 2 and says essentially: “That’s your train.”

Confusion.
It's 6:20 PM, we are way too early, wrong platform, wrong time – or maybe not?
Thailand says: Yes.

So we do what you do here: we walk directly across the tracks to platform 2. No tunnel, no bridge – just go over. Thailand style.

Our carriage is just being prepared: beds are being made, final touches – and then we get to board.
Off to Bangkok. Scheduled arrival: 6:10 AM.

I firmly resolve to go to sleep early.
The train is resolutely planning to rock me awake.
Spoiler: The train wins.

When the conductor wakes us up at 5:00 AM, I feel like I've meditated with my eyes open all night.
Soo tired.

We arrive punctually at Grand Station Bangkok. Our first goal: shower.
For 20 Baht, you can freshen up here – shower, brush teeth, new beginning.
I leave the room feeling somewhat like a new person. Somewhat.

Then off to the subway, Blue Line, towards the center.
Rush hour. Crowded. Noisy. Works surprisingly well, though.
The air conditioning? Freezing cold.
I'm freezing my butt off in Bangkok. Irony of life.

After about 25 minutes, we reach Sukhumvit. From there, a short walk to the hotel: Asia Inn.
I’m skeptical – the reviews swing between “catastrophe” and “top-notch!”. In between: nothing.

For two rooms, two nights, early check-in, and late check-out we pay 130 €.
Bangkok, baby.

I almost walk past it. Very inconspicuous. Right next to a 7/11 – the most practical feature ever.
The lady at the reception is super nice, but we have to leave a deposit of 1,000 Baht.
“Do I want to know what all has happened here?”

The reception: normal.
The rooms: on the second floor, next to each other.
Conclusion: Totally fine!
Yes, my view is a concrete wall – but hey… 65 €!

The Asia Inn absolutely does not live up to its reputation. I find it completely okay.

Drop off the backpacks, take a deep breath – and then off to a small French café around the corner.
On the way, we already notice: Yeah… New Year's Eve could escalate here.

Almost right next to the café is Ink.inc – my chosen tattoo studio. I've already secured an appointment for December 31st online.
Martin wants one too. We take a look.
And lo and behold: same day, same time.
Perfect. Everyone busy again.
I’m already excited like a little kid.

After that: make up for sleep deficit.
“I've heard Bangkok is prettier at night.”

Bangkok.

Pulsating. Chaotic. Colorful. Noisy. Alive.
Shiny skyscrapers next to old houses, street food on every corner, luxury mall meets food stall.

To experience the real Bangkok, you have to go into the sois – the side streets.
Since our stay is limited in time, we mainly stay in the Sukhumvit district. And honestly: That’s enough for now.

Tattoo Day!
I'm excited. Very.

Important: balanced breakfast.
I find a granola bowl. That’ll do.

Ink.inc is an absolutely good choice: clean, modern, great team – I feel instantly comfortable.
And the result? Love it. Period.

New Year's Eve in Bangkok

“New Year's Eve at 30 degrees is great. New Year's Eve in Bangkok is… next level.”

We settle on Soi Sukhumvit 11. Bars, restaurants, clubs – all closely packed.
We hop from bar to bar. Live music everywhere – why they keep playing ballads like “Angels” by Robbie Williams is a mystery.
I usually know that song as a closing number. But okay.

Cocktails flowing.
Today, I’m oscillating between espresso martini and margarita.
A decision that my future self will hate.

Later, we end up at Mullis. Great team, just before midnight there are free shots and small table fireworks.
The big fireworks from the old town are on TV, on the street itself, there are smaller fireworks, glitter confetti, balloons – and a whole lot of alcohol in my head.

It was a very, very nice New Year's Eve.

Travel Day – the Last

After 6 hours of sleep, I'm awake.
Why? No one knows.

I use the time to type this blog.
Actually, I had planned to sleep as long as possible – until I get home, this is my last bed for a while.
It… worked out moderately well.

Fortunately, we booked late check-out.
A bit more wandering around the city, getting rid of a few Baht.

The return flight is at 2:55 AM.
It will be a long day.

I enjoy my last hours in Bangkok:
the warmth, the sun, the lightness, this special feeling of life.
I soak it all up – as a reserve for daily life until the next trip.

3.5 weeks in Thailand – my conclusion:

One trip to Thailand is not enough.

• If you prefer less tourism and more authenticity, in my experience, you should travel to the north and east.

• For true beach feeling, there’s no way around the south – incredibly beautiful, although sometimes very crowded.

• Bangkok is an overload of stimuli – but in a good way. Loud, colorful, exhausting, and at the same time fascinating.

I have, as always, tried to stay in the low-budget range – which works wonderfully in Thailand. You can find nice accommodations even for little money.
(I'm just not the classic hotel type.)

For transportation, I can absolutely recommend night trains and buses.

I booked the train tickets in advance through 12Go since they can sell out quickly – straightforward, reliable, and very convenient.

We took the domestic flight with AirAsia – also problem-free.

And to avoid the tedious “who owes whom how much?”, we used the app Tricount for the travel fund.
Everyone pays a bit here and there – and in the end, it all settles down nicely.

“Friendships saved.” 😄

See you soon, Thailand. 🇹🇭✨

I will come back. For sure