We have arrived! ... but it is not over...

 Firt Visit - Planning

We have arived from Helsinki late in the evening and the plan was to just change the airport and fly further to Chiang Mai. This was the plan - and as always there is a difference between plan and reality. Especially since the second internal flight was from Don Mueang, not from Suvarnabhumi

If you ever plan to go to Bangkok - you need to understand/realize the distance (not only from KM/Miles perspective) mostly from the perspective of time it takes to get to the other airport (places_ (does not matter which one is your start airport and which one is designation). 

I was lucky again - as my colleagues from company told me that it is at least an hour+ to change the airport - when in fact it was more. 

Right after we bought tickets (8) we received the communication that the flight would be postponed and we would be having hard times to catch connection North. The first bit of luck was about the option to delay the second (third) flight to the early next day. And we have decided to do that. Luckily because we have not even realized how much time we needed for leaving the airport, and it took us about 2 hours - try doing it faster with kids, who are refusing to change at first and right when you plan to move forward they change their mind.

Since we had a verified plan to sleep in BKK - I've found the hotel near the Don Mueang airport and we were sure we will make it for the flight to Chiang Mai next day at 7 AM.

Firt Visit - Reality

When we arrived we had to go through customs - which in fact took as about 30-45 minutes waiting in line.

Disclaimer!! You might be interested in observing other people - as sometimes "signs" are saying different things, then it is in reality. Ie. i was went into the line for Thais, and one time i went as a "VIP/Business Class". You just need to follow the crowd

Once we have made it through customs - we have reached the luggage pick up zone - when it all started - we have a few "conversations" with all the kids to make sure they adjust to the weather outside - in Poland it was Autumn already - October. It took us another 45 minutes to be ready to leave the pick up zone. 

Disclaimer!! Check my notes about the Sim Card! 

We have stepped into Thai land - and we had to pick up Sim Card - which took another 30 minutes (still better then in Vietnam). And we were ready ... to look for a bus to Don Mueang. The travel as mentioned takes about an hour, and if you have a plane ticket it is for free - so do not bother to take a Grab - it is not going to be much faster. Please take this into consideration once planning your trip. 

I would say that you need at least 3,5 hours between arriving in Sub airport and departing from Don Mueang to be safe. (Make it even 4 hours).

It is quite easy to find the bus to Don Mueang - just follow the signs and the buses are pretty decent - and not overcrowded. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer!! do not even try to rent a car especially in the evening in Bangkok - see the traffic for yourself - so you can be ready!

Once we have arrived in Don Mueang we have left the airport (the plane ticket is valid for bus even if you have your plane in 24 hours). It took us a while to locate hotel - another time i've realized to trust only google maps - the plan from the hotel took us to a strange place - in completly dark suberb... it was a thrilling experiment - but my team was a little pissed ;-) especially after 18 hours flight. We finaly made it to hotel - which was located 50 meters from Pink District (one of many in BKK). But the food right outside the hotel was fabulous. 

This was also the first time we have realized that people in Thailand not only lack of english skills but many times they cannot read - i was trying to use translator, and they were not able to read. Luckily a Thai Student helped us ;-), and the food was delicious.