03 JJCM: Bangkok - Lost in the hustle and bustle...

“Even in the largest cities, we found quiet alcoves - a narrow alley, a shaded café - where the day could be spent leisurely...”

(The Islamic Centre of Thailand)

Day 03: 21 November 2025 (Friday)
Route: Chumphon – Bangkok
Hotel: NASA Bangkok Hotel
 
After a simple breakfast at the 7-Eleven, we continued our long drive toward Bangkok. This would be the longest stretch of the southern leg - nearly 500 kilometres of steady highways and shifting landscapes. As the hours passed, the scenery gradually transformed, from glimpses of coastline to quiet countryside and small provincial towns.

(Euro Boutique Hotel Chumphon)

(Leaving the busy street of Chumphon)

(Fillet fish burger breakfast at 7-Eleven)

(A clear day for a leisure drive)

(A new wider highway of Route 41)

By midday we reached Phetchaburi, where we stopped for lunch at Restoran Fareda Pattani - nasi lauk for both of us. Afterwards, we performed our jamak prayers at a nearby Bangchak petrol station, just a few kilometres down the road. 

(Restoran Fareda Pattani in Petchaburi)

(A simple tasty nasi lauk lunch)

(Bangchak Petrol Station and R&R)

(A brief comfort and prayer break)

(A spacious clean prayer area at the R&R)

Our journey resumed smoothly until an accident at the cloverleaf junction to Samut Songkhram brought traffic to a complete halt. Everyone waited patiently as workers cleared heaps of wooden planks that had spilled across the road from a lorry. Once the debris was removed, the highway opened up again, and the rest of the drive flowed effortlessly.

(A road closure due to an accident)

(The junction to Samut Songkhram)

(The start of heavy traffic to Bangkok)

(The Thotsamarachan Bridge) 

(A glimpse of Chao Phraya River)

By late afternoon, the dense urban sprawl of Bangkok began to unfold before us. Even with the familiar congestion, the city’s energy - vibrant, restless, unmistakably Bangkok - never failed to amaze us. 

(A railway crossing in Bangkok City) 

(A busy junction near NASA Bangkok Hotel) 

We checked in for three nights at NASA Bangkok Hotel at THB590 per night, ideally located just across from the Ramkhamhaeng Station on the Airport Rail Link. A skywalk connects directly to the hotel, making it incredibly convenient to explore the city. The room was spacious, equipped with comfortable amenities, and the hotel offered ample free parking - a blessing after a long day on the road.

(NASA Bangkok Hotel next to Ramkhamhaeng Station)

(A popular hotel for tourists)

( A clean cozy room)

(The view from the 18th floor)

(Watching the sunset from our bed...)

Once we had settled in, we headed out for dinner at Sophia Halal Restaurant, just a ten-minute walk away and well-known for its Thai-Malay favourites.

(A visit to the Islamic Centre of Thailand)

(The main entrance to the centre)

(Rows of date trees lining the path)

(An interesting modern architecture)

The Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand lay along our route, so we made a small detour to capture a few photographs. Date trees lined the entrance in perfect symmetry, their tall silhouettes creating a cool, soothing welcome. By the time we arrived, dusk had settled over Bangkok, and the soft glow of the lights illuminated the elegant complex - the main building and its adjoining mosque standing serenely against the fading sky.

(A nice ambience in the dining area at Sophia's)

(A variety of dishes to choose from)

We didn’t linger. Hunger had begun to nag at us after the long, tiring drive north. Sophia’s was our next stop - and though the à la carte dishes weren’t the finest we’ve tasted, they were warm, hearty, and exactly what our weary bodies needed. Sometimes, after a full day on the road, comfort matters more than perfection.

04 JJCM: Bangkok – Markets, Malls and the Maze of Trains

"Every journey begins with a small crossing — sometimes of borders, sometimes of comfort zones...”

(An imposing golden serpent at MBK Mall)

Day 04: 22 November 2025 (Saturday)
Route: Bangkok Free and Easy
Hotel: NASA Bangkok Hotel

(Watching the train passing by)

On our second day, we took the ARL and MRT to Chatuchak Weekend Market. As expected, it was crowded with locals and tourists, but we managed to pick up a few souvenirs and enjoyed a much-needed foot and shoulder massage.  Had nasi goreng and tom yum kung at one of the halal stall in Chatuchak.

(The Ramkhamhaeng ARL Station)

(The ARL is packed with commuters)

(Changing to MRT line)

(The MRT is not that full)

(The Clock Tower of Chatuchak)

(One of the many narrow Chatuchak ailes)

(Soap and aromatic oil stall)

(Our lunch at Sara Halal Restaurant)

By midday, the weather grew more intense, so we rode the train to MBK Mall. Our first mission was to find the prayer room, and once prayers were done, we allowed ourselves a relaxed wander through the mall. We weren’t looking for anything in particular, and after some time the endless rows of shops - crowded, loud, and selling much of the same merchandise - felt more tiring than exciting.

(The pathway connecting the many shopping malls)

(The MBK Shopping Mall)

(A tall glass of watermelon juice to quench the thirst)

The crowds, repetitive merchandise and endless walking quickly wore us out. A cold smoothie from a sidewalk stall gave us a short burst of energy, but navigating between malls proved confusing - we circled the same areas more than once, and the stairs took a toll on our tired feet.

By evening, we tried searching for halal street food and the night market but found neither. Exhausted, we settled for dinner at Yana Restaurant in MBK. The river cruise was skipped altogether.

(Yana Restaurant in the MBK Mall)

(My simple dinner - Pad Thai and spring-rolls)

Returning to the hotel became another challenge. The station was crowded, the ticket queue was long, and we mistakenly bought the wrong tickets several times, forcing us to retrace our steps. Frustrated but relieved, we finally reached our hotel safely - ending a most tiring day in Bangkok.

(A long que at the train ticket counter)

(Taking the right train to the hotel)

05 JJCM: Bangkok – Mosque Trails Along the Chao Phraya...

“Even in the busiest cities, peace appears when we travel with intention...”

(Ton Son Jami Mosque - the oldest mosque in Thailand)

Day 05: 23 November 2025 (Sunday)
Route: Bangkok Mosque Hunting
Hotel: NASA Bangkok Hotel

On the third day in Bangkok, we set out for a quieter kind of adventure - mosque hunting - exploring one in the city centre and two along the Chao Phraya River.

(A skywalk from the hotel to the ARL Station)

Our morning began at Darul Aman Mosque, its elegant minarets and intricate calligraphy instantly capturing our attention. Originally established as an Islamic school, the mosque has long played a role in nurturing Islamic learning and values. After performing our jamak prayers, we enjoyed a simple, comforting lunch of nasi goreng and nasi lemak at Rotinis Halal Restaurant next door.

(Taking a short cut via a narrow alley)

(Masjid Darul Aman - built in 1882)

(Lunch at Rotinis Halal Restaurant)

Under Bangkok’s shimmering skyline, next we cruised on an express ferry from Sathorn Pier to Si Phraya Pier. A short walk led us to Haroon Mosque, one of the city’s oldest Muslim enclaves. Despite Bangkok’s constant rush, the mosque offered a surprising sense of calm - a reminder that serenity can still be found in the heart of a restless city.

(A strong wind at Si Phraya Pier)

(The express ferry is full with tourists)

(Express ferries  criss-crossing the Chow Phraya River)

(Islamic murals on the wall)

(Reflection of the two of us - taking the right alley)

(Masjid Haroon - built in 1828)

(The main prayer hall of Masjid Haroon)

(An Indian Muslim tourist at the mosque)

From Si Phraya, two ferry rides took us across the river to Wat Arun Pier. From there, we made our way to the beautiful Ton Son Jami Mosque, founded in 1688 and considered one of the oldest mosques in Bangkok and Thailand. Once a raised teak house roofed with terracotta tiles, the mosque remains a cherished symbol of early Muslim heritage. We took our time touring and photographing its peaceful interior, grateful for the rare glimpse into its centuries-old past.

(Another ferry ride to cross the river)

(Wat Arun - against the bright sunlight)

(Ton Son Jami Mosque - founded in 1688) 

(The main prayer room - spacious and elegant )

(A model of the original wooden mosque)

(The old cemetery behind the mosque)

By the time we made our way back, dusk had settled over the river. The heat, long walks, and ferry rides had worn us down. We took the MRT and ARL back toward the hotel, and with the last of our energy, stopped at Indian Bites Restaurant for a late dinner - warm garlic cheese naan and dhal curry that tasted especially comforting after such a full day.

(Cheese Nan and Dhal curry for dinner)

A day of movement, faith, and gentle discoveries - each mosque revealing a different story woven into the corners of Bangkok.