Mini-Shopping Holiday in Bangkok in March 2013 ~ Section 3

A very warm welcome to the third section of my short vacation in Bangkok, Thailand in March 2013. The topics that will be covered in this section are mainly a visit to the Erawan Shrine for paying respects, shopping around Siam Paragon and MBK Center, as well as visiting The Emporium.

Part 1 ~ Erawan Shrine Respects and Shopping Again

The next morning, which was Monday (18 March), I woke up at around 10.30 a.m. to have a shower before starting off the day. By around 11 o' clock, all of us were awake, ready for another day of shopping and paying respects at the Erawan Shrine.

After preparing all our necessary belongings for the day, we took the elevator down to the ground floor at around 11.30 a.m.. Feeling pretty hungry, we made the decision to go to the Siam Paragon for lunch first before we went to the Erawan Shrine and MBK Center.

To get to the Siam Paragon, we decided to take the BTS Skytrain Silom Line from National Stadium to Siam BTS Station. The walk between the LIT Hotel Bangkok and National Stadium BTS Station took no more than just five minutes.

The view of my room on our fourth day shortly after I woke up that morning

The exterior view of the LIT Hotel Bangkok in the early afternoon

The view of National Stadium BTS Station from the alley near the LIT Hotel Bangkok

About to walk up the escalator towards National Stadium BTS Station

The view of the Mercure Bangkok Siam Hotel

After a short five-minute walk from the LIT Hotel Bangkok, we finally arrived at the station concourse of National Stadium BTS Station by 11.40 a.m.. Heading towards the ticketing machines, we purchased our BTS Skytrain Silom Line tickets towards Siam BTS Station.

Upon purchasing our tickets from the ticketing machine, we went through the ticket gates and went up to the platform towards Talat Phlu, where a four-car BTS Skytrain was awaiting departure. Immediately, we boarded the train and as soon as the train doors were closed, we were on our way for a short one-minute journey towards Siam BTS Station.

The ticketing concourse of National Stadium BTS Station

The ticket gates in the station concourse of National Stadium BTS Station

The Talat Phlu-bound station platform at National Stadium BTS Station

The interior of the Talat Phlu-bound BTS Skytrain Silom Line train while awaiting departure from National Stadium BTS Station

Almost departing National Stadium BTS Station

MBK Center as seen from the Talat Phlu-bound BTS Skytrain Silom Line train

Racing by a BTS Sukhumvit Line train into Siam Station

Finally arriving at Siam Station

After a short one-minute BTS Skytrain ride from National Stadium BTS Station, we finally arrived at Siam BTS Station at 11.45 a.m.. Upon alighting the train, we rode the escalator down and exited through the ticket gates. Via the station entrance, we entered the Siam Paragon and took the escalator down towards the ground floor, where all the restaurants were located.

The lower level platforms of Siam BTS Station

The busy ticketing concourse of Siam BTS Station

The entrance to Siam Paragon from Siam BTS Station

Bypassing a perfume stand in Siam Paragon

Walking by some restaurants and cafeterias on the ground floor

An indoor pond below the escalators in the ground floor of the Siam Paragon

After looking through the various restaurants in the ground floor, we managed to stumble upon a Chinese restaurant by the name of Four Seasons Restaurant, a restaurant which specialises in Roasted Duck. With that, we requested for a table for the four of us. Upon being directed to our table, the food and beverage menus were distributed to us. It was then that we made a good review through the menus before we placed our orders for lunch.

The logo of Four Seasons Restaurant located near the entrance to the restaurant

The interior of Four Seasons Restaurant during lunch hours

The introduction to Roast Duck in the food and beverage menu of Four Seasons Restaurant

Reviewing the food and beverage menu of Four Seasons Restaurant

After having a good review through the food and beverage menus, a waitress came over to our table to take our lunch orders. We ordered several items that seemed to suit our likings. That afternoon, we had a sumptuous Chinese lunch at Four Seasons Restaurant in the Siam Paragon.

A sumptuous dish of the famous Roasted Duck

A platter of the sliced crispy roasted pork

A platter of mixed vegetables soaked in sauce

A platter of fried hor fun

A plate of fried garoupa with mixed vegetables

After having a sumptuous lunch at Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant, the clock was finally showing 12.35 p.m.. Wanting to spend the rest of the afternoon shopping, my dad, brother and I decided to head off to the Erawan Shrine for spiritual respects, while my mum stayed on in Siam Paragon to do her shopping, since she had done her spiritual respects.

With my mum doing her shopping in Siam Paragon, my dad, brother and I went over to the Erawan Shrine via a foot bridge just underneath the BTS Skytrain tracks. The walk between Siam Paragon and the Erawan Shrine took no more than 10 minutes.

There, we simply just paid our respects to the golden spiritual statue at the shrine. All people, except those from monotheistic religions, or those who have converted to any monotheistic religion (e.g. Christianity, Islam, Judaism), can come here to pay their respects at their own interests.

The linkage between Siam Paragon and Siam BTS Station

The roads of Pathum Wan District near MBK Center

Walking along a deserted path by a Thai Parliament Building

The busy roads and the BTS Skytrain viaduct near the Erawan Shrine

About to cross the busy road towards the Erawan Shrine

Outside the Erawan Shrine after paying respects

After paying our respects at the Erawan Shrine, we were all feeling hot, so we decided to head back to the Siam Paragon for tea and dessert. We then walked through the foot bridge below the BTS Skytrain tracks, just as we had come through previously.

Again, the walk from the Erawan Shrine took no more than 10 minutes. Upon arriving back at the Siam Paragon by 1.40 p.m., we headed down towards the ground floor via the escalators, where all the restaurants were located.

Upon reaching the ground floor, we went to a small luxury cafeteria by the name of the Mandarin Oriental Shop. While my dad, brother and I were at the Mandarin Oriental Shop, they all had a sausage and coffee respectively. I had a lovely piece of Sachertorte and a can of Diet Coca-cola for myself. My mum met us there at the same time and had a cup of coffee.

Walking along the skyway bridge towards Siam Paragon

The view of the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, where we previously stayed at in September 2011 and August & September 2012

The view of Siam Paragon from the foot bridge below the BTS Skytrain tracks

The busy afternoon traffic on the roads of the Pathum Wan District in downtown Bangkok near the Siam Paragon

The entrance to the Siam Paragon from Siam BTS Station

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Cafeteria in the ground floor of the Siam Paragon

The exterior view of the Mandarin Oriental Shop in the ground floor of Siam Paragon

The cover page for the afternoon tea menu of the Mandarin Oriental Shop at Siam Paragon

Reviewing the afternoon tea menu of the Mandarin Oriental Shop at Siam Paragon

The interior of the Mandarin Oriental Shop in Siam Paragon with my dad paying up for our light tea food items

My afternoon tea: A plate of Sachertorte and a can of Diet Coca-cola

The interior of the Mandarin Oriental Shop in Siam Paragon during our tea time

After finishing off our afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Shop, the clock was finally showing 2.30 p.m.. Finished with our shopping trip at the Siam Paragon, I decided to head over to MBK Center again. Since my brother would stay with my mum at Siam Paragon, my dad decided to accompany me further on towards MBK Center.

With that, while my mum continued with her shopping at Siam Paragon, my dad and I went over towards Siam BTS Station. Upon arriving at the entrance to Siam BTS Station by 2.35 p.m., we went to nearest ticket machine to purchase our Bangkok Skytrain tickets towards National Stadium.

The exterior view of Mandarin Oriental Shop in Siam Paragon shortly after finishing our afternoon tea

An open perfume show area in Siam Paragon

A glass elevator linking the upper floors of Siam Paragon near the main entrance

The exterior view of Siam BTS Station from Siam Paragon

The exterior glass entrance to Siam Paragon

The ticketing gates in the ticketing concourse of Siam BTS Station

After purchasing our BTS Skytrain tickets towards National Stadium, the clock was finally showing 2.40 p.m.. Having everything with us, we then went through the ticketing gates, and took the escalators up to the topmost platforms leading towards Mo Chit and National Stadium.

Upon arrival onto the platform, we waited for a few minutes, until a BTS Skytrain Silom Line train bound for National Stadium finally arrived at the station. Once the train had arrived at the station, we immediately boarded the train for the short ride towards National Stadium, where the train ride took no more than just a minute.

Walking up the escalator towards the platforms of Siam BTS Station

The lower platforms of Siam BTS Station serving the trains bound for Talat Phlu and Bearing

Three posted placards of generally prohibited activities in Siam BTS Station

The upper platforms of Siam BTS Station serving the trains bound for National Stadium and Mo Chit

The BTS Skytrain Silom Line train bound for National Stadium finally arrives

The interior of the BTS Skytrain Silom Line train bound for National Stadium at Siam BTS Station

Finally departing Siam BTS Station

Bypassing the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre

Finally arriving at National Stadium BTS terminal station

After a short one-minute BTS Skytrain ride from Siam Paragon, we finally arrived back at the National Stadium BTS terminal station at 2.45 p.m.. We then alighted the train, and exited through the ticketing gates in the concourse, before heading over to MBK Center.

With that, we both entered the shopping mall after leaving National Stadium BTS Station. While my dad went to see other shops, I looked through the many shops available very carefully in order to find my paradise shop in MBK Center, Toy Studio. At the same time, my dad promised to meet up with me once I was done.

The alighting platform of National Stadium BTS Station

The ticketing gates in the ticketing concourse of National Stadium BTS Station

The pedestrian footbridge linking MBK Center with National Stadium BTS Station

The exterior view of Toy Studio in MBK Center

After looking through the various shops available very carefully, I finally managed to arrive at Toy Studio again at 2.50 p.m.. Upon entering the shop, the owners were delighted to have me in their shop, as their regular customer. Again, most of the commercial aircraft models, particularly the Herpa Wings Scale 1:500 models, seemed to be very attractive to me.

While I was doing my usual aircraft model shopping again at Toy Studio at MBK Center, I purchased six more brand new Herpa Wings Scale 1:500 commercial aircraft models. The aircraft models purchased were as follows:

1) Air Europa Airbus A330-202 Herpa Scale 1:500 (523264)

Air Europa Airbus A330-202 Herpa Scale 1:500 (523564)

2) Air France Boeing 747-428 Herpa Scale 1:500 (523271)

Air France Boeing 747-428 Herpa Scale 1:500 (523271)

3) Alitalia Airbus A330-202 Herpa Scale 1:500 (517713)

Alitalia Airbus A330-202 Herpa Scale 1:500 (517713)

4) Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-467 Herpa Scale 1:500 (CXcitement Exclusive)

Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-467 Herpa Scale 1:500 (CXcitement Exclusive)

5) Lufthansa Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Freighter Herpa Scale 1:500 (503570)

Lufthansa Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Freighter Herpa Scale 1:500 (503570)

6) TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 777-3M2/ER Herpa Scale 1:500 (523172)

TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 777-3M2/ER Herpa Scale 1:500 (523172)

After purchasing my aircraft models from Toy Studio, the clock was finally showing 3.40 p.m.. My dad came over to meet me at Toy Studio, as he had promised, and feeling quite thirsty, we decided to have a drink before heading back to the LIT Hotel Bangkok. I then thanked the shop owners for their kind services, and promised to come again whenever I come to Bangkok in future.

Upon leaving Toy Studio, we managed to stumble upon a small cafeteria, known as Caffé Nero by Black Canyon. Being ushered to table and reviewing the food and beverage menus, a waitress soon came by to take down our orders. While at Caffé Nero, my dad had some iced coffee, whereas I had a nice, refreshing glass of chocolate milkshake.

The exterior view of Toy Studio in MBK Center shortly after I had finished my aircraft shopping

The entrance to Caffé Nero by Black Canyon in MBK Center

A nice, refreshing glass of chocolate milkshake for myself at Caffé Nero in MBK Center

The interior view of Caffé Nero by Black Canyon in MBK Center

After spending almost an hour of commercial aircraft shopping at MBK Center, the clock was finally showing 3.50 p.m.. Feeling quite exhausted, we felt that there was nothing much left to do for the rest of the afternoon, other than to walk back to the LIT Hotel Bangkok. With that, we paid our bill, and left MBK Center at 3.55 p.m. via the same way we came into earlier.

Upon exiting the mall, we walked across the pedestrian bridge that linked towards National Stadium BTS Station, and climbed down a flight of steps towards the main streets of Pathum Wan District. There, we walked along the alley back towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok, with the walk taking no more than just 10 minutes.

Bypassing several restaurants and cafeterias in MBK Center

The view of a shrine and the Pathum Wan District from the pedestrian footbridge between MBK Center and National Stadium BTS Station

The main entrance to National Stadium BTS Station

Walking along the pedestrian skybridge below the BTS Skytrain Silom Line tracks

The streets of Pathum Wan District below National Stadium BTS Station

Walking along the alley back towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok

Finally arriving back at the LIT Hotel Bangkok

After a short 10-minute walk from MBK Center, we finally arrived back at the LIT Hotel Bangkok by 5.05 p.m.. Entering the hotel lobby, we took the elevator back up towards the sixth level, where our Rooms No. 609 and 610 were located. Upon arriving back, we found that my mum and younger brother had just returned from their shopping trip at Siam Paragon.

For the rest of the entire afternoon, we were very tired and had a well-earned rest in our hotel rooms. Later that night, by the time the clock struck eight, my brother and I were feeling rather hungry after spending a long day of explorations. Since my mum was too tired to go anywhere that night, my dad decided to bring us out to dinner.

With that, we grabbed our necessary belongings, and took the elevator down towards the main hotel lobby. Upon reaching there, we arranged for one of the hotel butlers to transport us to the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre via the hotel's private pink tuk-tuk. Soon enough, we finally left the compound of the LIT Hotel Bangkok by 8.25 p.m.. The ride between the LIT Hotel Bangkok and the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre took no more than just five minutes.

The pink private LIT Hotel Bangkok tuk-tuk, which will soon take us to the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre

The traditional Thai massage parlour across our hotel, where we visited the previous day

Riding on the LIT Hotel Bangkok tuk-tuk towards the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre

After a short tuk-tuk ride from the LIT Hotel Bangkok, we finally arrived at the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre at 8.30 p.m.. Having all our possessions with us, we alighted the tuk-tuk and thanked the driver for his kind and warm services. We then walked up the staircase that linked the viaduct between Siam Discovery Centre and National Stadium BTS Station.

Upon entering the Siam Discovery Centre by 8.35 p.m., we took the escalator all the way up towards the sixth floor, where most of the restaurants were located. There, we had a good look at the many restaurants available to see which one would be the best one to eat at for dinner.

The pink private LIT Hotel Bangkok tuk-tuk outside the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre

The view of Siam Discovery Centre at night

The view of National Stadium BTS Station at night

The exterior view of MBK Center at night

The view of the main atrium in Siam Discovery Centre

Finally on the sixth floor of Siam Discovery Centre, where most of the restaurants are located

After looking at the various restaurants available on the sixth floor of the Siam Discovery Centre, we finally stumbled upon Evaime Shabu-shabu Japanese Restaurant again. We were familiar with this restaurant, since we ate dinner here on our first day. Feeling very hungry already, we immediately requested for a table for the three of us.

Soon enough, we were then ushered to a table, and were distributed the food and beverage menus to allow us to make our reviews before placing our orders for dinner. Upon doing so, a waitress came by to take down our meal orders. We ordered several items off the menu that seemed to suit our likings.

But, unlike on our first day, the service was partly robotic, as there were not much diners at the restaurant. Nevertheless, we still managed to have a very good and filling steamboat dinner at Evaime Shabu-shabu. Near the entrance, there is a small buffet area, where diners can come at their convenience to select their choice of sauces.

The main entrance to Evaime Shabu-shabu Japanese Restaurant in Siam Discovery Centre

The hot plate used for the steamboat metal pots to cook food

The interior view of Evaime Shabu-shabu Japanese Restaurant during dinner hours

Reviewing the meat section of the menu of Evaime Shabu-shabu

Taking a look through the vegetable accompaniment menu of Evaime Shabu-shabu

Reviewing the noodles and carbohydrate accompaniment menu of Evaime Shabu-shabu

The shabu-shabu hotpot containing the broth required for the cooking

Our first platter of beef set ready to be cooked in the pot

Several plates of tofu and Taiwanese udon ready to be cooked in the broth

Two bowls of luxury beef ready to be cooked in the shabu-shabu hotpot

The overall view of our steamboat dinner at Evaime Shabu-shabu Japanese Restaurant

Several vegetables and tofu being cooked in the shabu-shabu hotpot

A platter of thinly sliced pork ready to be cooked up in the hotpot

One more platter of thinly sliced pork ready to be cooked up in the hotpot

Several pork pieces and tofu being cooked in the shabu-shabu hotpot

Several pieces of tofu and beef being cooked in the shabu-shabu hotpot

Two plates of seaweed noodles ready to be cooked in the pot

The seaweed noodles being cooked in the hot shabu-shabu pot

Our last platter of thinly sliced pork ready to be cooked up in the hotpot

The last of the sediments being cooked in the shabu-shabu hotpot

The interior of Evaime Shabu-shabu Japanese Restaurant just before closing time

After having a very hearty steamboat dinner at Evaime Shabu-shabu, the clock was finally showing 9.40 p.m.. Knowing that the restaurant would be closing in 20 minutes' time, we decided to head back towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok. With that, we paid our bill and left the restaurant by 9.45 p.m..

We then took the escalator down towards the same pedestrian footbridge we came through. Since it was getting rather late, most of the shops were already finishing their businesses. Upon exiting, we finally left Siam Discovery Centre by 9.50 p.m. for a short five-minute walk back towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok.

Finally leaving Evaime Shabu-shabu Japanese Restaurant

The main atrium of Siam Discovery Centre shortly before the shops were closed for the night

The night view of National Stadium BTS Station ahead of us

Bypassing MBK Center again

The alley leading towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok at night

Finally arriving back at the LIT Hotel Bangkok

After a short five-minute walk from the Siam Discovery Centre, we finally arrived back at the LIT Hotel Bangkok at 9.55 p.m.. Reaching the main hotel lobby, we took the elevator back up to our rooms on the sixth floor.

Upon reaching the rooms at around ten o' clock, we had a nice hot shower before settling down for the night. For the rest of the entire night, there was nothing much left to do, other than being left to our own devices before finally turning before two o' clock late that night.

Part 2 ~ Having Lunch at The Emporium

The next day, which was Tuesday (19 March), we all woke up relatively late at around 10.30 a.m. after a well-earned good night's sleep. Having a nice, hot shower to freshen up for the day, we were all ready to go out by 11.45 a.m..

Feeling that we had already done most of our shopping around the Pathum Wan District, we decided to make a trip to The Emporium in the Khlong Toei District for lunch. With all our necessary belongings ready, we took the elevator down towards the main hotel lobby, where we arranged for a taxi to take us to The Emporium at noon.

Soon enough, a yellow and green-liveried cab finally arrived at the entrance to the LIT Hotel Bangkok at exactly 12 noon. With the hotel butler telling the taxi driver about our intended destination, the driver understood immediately, as we boarded the cab. As soon as all of us were on board, we finally departed the compound of the LIT Hotel Bangkok by 12.05 p.m. for a short 25-minute cab ride towards The Emporium.

The view of my room shortly after we all woke up

The main hotel lobby of the LIT Hotel Bangkok in the afternoon

Some of the many buildings located across the road near the LIT Hotel Bangkok

The view of the traditional Thai massage parlour across our hotel, where we visited for a massage just a couple of nights earlier

The yellow and green-liveried taxi that would soon take us to The Emporium

Driving along the alley towards National Stadium BTS Station

The busy traffic of Pathum Wan District below the BTS Skytrain viaducts

Bypassing Siam Discovery Centre, where we ate dinner the previous night

Bypassing the Pathum Wan District near MBK Center

Travelling beneath the expressway in Bangkok

Driving along the road, with the BTS Sukhumvit Line bridge ahead of us

About to bypass several large infrastructure near the Khlong Toei District

Driving between the Pathum Wan and Khlong Toei Districts with a petrol station up ahead

Finally approaching the area near Phrom Phong BTS Station

The mall sign of The Emporium up ahead of us

After a short 25-minute taxi ride from the LIT Hotel Bangkok, we finally arrived at the main entrance to The Emporium at 12.30 p.m.. Having all our belongings with us, we paid our taxi fare and went into the mall to see which restaurant was a good one to eat at for lunch.

Upon reviewing the mall information map near the main entrance, we looked around and finally stumbled upon a restaurant called 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique. Feeling pretty hungry already, we immediately requested for a table for the four of us. Upon being directed to a table, we were left with the food and beverage menus to make our selections for lunch.

The main entrance to The Emporium Bangkok

The exterior view and the entrance to Phrom Phong BTS Station

One of the entrances to 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique at The Emporium located near the main entrance of the mall

The food and beverage menu stand located just outside 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique at The Emporium

The alternative entrance to 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique at The Emporium

Several lineups of boutique shops on the first level of The Emporium

The interior of 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique at The Emporium during lunch hours

The cover page for the food and beverage menu of 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique at The Emporium

Reviewing the food and beverage menu of 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique at The Emporium

After having a good review through the food and beverage menus, a waiter finally came by to our table to take down our lunch orders for lunch. We ordered several of the items that may suit our appetites of the menu, including drinks such as coffee and iced Earl Grey Tea since it was a baking hot day.

Soon, that afternoon, we had a really sumptuous lunch at 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique. From this, I can clearly say that 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique at The Emporium has become one of my most favourite restaurants in Bangkok. It clearly displays its quality as a five-star restaurant in Bangkok.

A pot of hot tea for my mum

A nice, huge refreshing glass of iced Earl Grey Tea for myself

My main course: Beef tenderloin, which consists of Australian Wagyu tenderloin served with matchstick potatoes and oven-baked tomato crumble and drizzled with a rich sauce infused with Polo Club tea

A beef burger meal with french fries for my younger brother

 A platter of mini sandwiches for my dad

My mum's main course: Talisman Arborio, consisting of traditional saffron Arborio rice with mixed seafood, vegetables and mushroom infused with Talisman Tea

My main dessert: Chocolate fondant, consisting of TWG Tea's warm chocolate cake served with a light custard cream and a scoop of homemade Vanilla Bourbon Tea ice cream

After having a sumptuous lunch at 1837 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique, the clock was finally showing 2.20 p.m.. Feeling that there was nothing much to do since we had already shopped for most of the time, we decided to head back towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok. With that, we paid up our bill, and left the restaurant by 2.35 p.m..

Upon reaching the taxi stand where we had arrived earlier, we hailed the nearest cab for our journey back towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok. Soon enough, we finally departed the compound of The Emporium by 2.40 p.m. for a journey time of 40 minutes towards the LIT Hotel Bangkok.