“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.
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. 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.
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. We checked in for three nights at NASA Bangkok Hotel, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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. We checked in for three nights at NASA Bangkok Hotel, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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