Life on the Spot » Bangkok

Siam Niramit, Bangkok, Thailand

xtian001 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:18:20 +0000

Siam Niramit is a world-class performance of Thailand’s arts and cultural heritage. Set in the heart of Bangkok affording convenient access by MRT subway and major thoroughfares, this must-see spectacular is performed on the gigantic stage now listed in the Guinness World Records, featuring over 150 performers with as many as 500 costumes. On top of this, enhanced special effects with the world’s most advanced technology are used to produce a stimulating, very realistic and inspiring experience. This is a Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Thailand that no one can miss.

We never did go to Siam Niramit last year as we chose to have a Dinner Cruise at the Chao Praya river. This time, with my parents, we did book ourselves a night to watch Siam Niramit. I was quite hesitant to really watch as here have been conflicting reviews regarding the show itself. Some people say that it wasn’t good and not worth the money while some say it is really good. Last night was the night that I get to decide for myself.

We booked the tickets the day we came and got them for 1200 THB from Tourismo. They had a desk at Pullman’s lobby so it was quite easy to book. The 1200 THB included the transport to the Siam Niramit and back but didn’t include the buffet food. You just needed to add 200THB to get the buffet though.

Located at the Thailand Cultural Centre, the area was quite big and you’re given the chance to feed the Elephants (who were to be used later in the show) and ride on them for a fee. Of course, you have to usual photo op with the greeters in front , again with a fee. You also get to roam the “Thai Village” bringing to life the traditional lifestyles, arts and crafts of the four regions of the Kingdom. This was actually nice as you have some stations where you can try out some delicacies and learn more about their culture. Xiane was even able to play one of their traditional “guitars”. The show itself starts at 8 PM so there was an open show at the courtyard which you can watch while waiting. Sadly, cameras and video cams were not allowed inside the theater itself.

We got in before 8 PM and were seated at ROW R, Seats 27-32. These were really good seats as they were in the middle and close to the stage. The theater was huge so if you were on Rows A-O, you wouldn’t see the stage close enough to see details. Again, top /farther seats start with Rows A downwards. The show itself was amazing. Technically, it was really good. You’ll be amazed at how intricate the sets were, how they move them around at such a short time and how many times the whole stage changes. Lighting was very good and were used quite well too emphasize mood and highlights in the play. By the middle of the show, I keep asking myself why anybody would say that the show wasn’t good. I was looking at the people watching and everybody was enjoying it. Nobody was standing up to leave as other reviews would say. The first part was great and though some of the acts were repetitious, there wa s always something added to each to make it different.

The 2nd act was more of a comedic relief to break the seriousness of the whole thing. A guy with a guitar case goes center stage and one by one, calls some actors bringing one of their traditional musical instrument in. Someone from the audience is asked to take part and goes up the stage to join them.

The 3rd act opens with the scene from Hell which gets really scary but eventually gets to the Heaven scene in which actors start flying everywhere. Oh, did I mention that the stage gets to have a flowing river? Amazing.

By the end of the show, people were standing up, calpping for the actors and the whole show. I would recommend you to watch Siam Niramit if you’re in Bangkok. I enjoyed this better than the Dinner Cruise last year. Again, sorry for not having photos of the show itself as they were not allowed inside the theater.

Siam Ocean World Bangkok Thailand

xtian001 — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:37:06 +0000

Tuesday morning in Bangkok was spent at Siam Paragon. Siam Paragon is one of the big malls in Bangkok which carries brands like Gucci, Chanel and Hermes. Since we were up early, we decided to take the BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System) from Victory Monument to Siam. Victory Monument was about 5 minutes away from Pullman King Power but with the Free TukTuk ride from Pullman, this becomes about 2 minutes. We left at about 9 AM and it wasn’t as crowded as expected. Siam Paragon is connected to Siam BTS Station on the 2nd floor so we just waited till Siam Paragon opened.

We really just had one thing in mind when we went to Siam Paragon, that is to go to Siam Ocean World Bangkok. Mavis and I didn’t go last year as we were not with Xiane. This time, I promised Xiane we would go see the aquarium in Bangkok. Prices for the entrance was 900 THB but they has a promotion where you pay 990 THB which includes the Backdoor Tour, Glass-Bottom Boat Ride, Sanyo -4D Theater, a 10 minute date with Doctor Fish, and popcorn and soda.

The Backdoor Tour was just a tour of what goes on behind the closed doors of the Aquarium. This included seeing the big pool where the sharks are, their pool clinic, where they propagate the sea anemones, where they hatch shark eggs, how they test the salinity of the water, and more. There wasn’t that much to see but since you were only paying an extra 90 THB extra, along with the other extras, it was just ok. The Glass-Bottom boat was fairly the same except you ride the boat while going round the same pool. It was still fun though. The aquarium itself was big. They have different areas which were interesting; the Spider Crabs looked like the King Crabs from Deadliest Catch, the seahorses, the pineapple fishes, the african penguins, the big water rats from South America, the envious Otters and more.

We did enjoy the 10 minute visit with the Egyptian “doctor” fishes. They were placed on a jacuzzi and you dip your feet for them to nibble on the dead skin you have. Xiane had a blast laughing as it was ticklish. We also saw the Sanyo 4D Theater which showed a 3D movie with some movement from the benches, airblowing and water sprays. It wasn’t that good as the 3D was very dark and the glasses were scratched. Still, Xiane enjoyed it much though short.

We have visited the Aquariums from Hongkong, Malaysia and Bangkok and Siam Ocean World is probably second to Ocean Park as Ocean Park has a more diverse variety of fishes. Although Siam Ocean World is also great for the bigger space and the way the fishes are presented. They also have a bigger and longer space to see the sharks. For 900 THB, I do think it is worth it to visit Siam Ocean World.

Brunch at Pullman Bangkok King Power

xtian001 — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:44:33 +0000

When we had our Thia night the other night, we were surprised that Cuisine Unplugged get filled to the brim. You were supposed to get a reservation at least a day before to ensure your seats. We were lucky to get seats, though not the best as you get to seat on high seats. Since we were planning to eat Brunch today, we made reservations last night. Again, the place was full and seats were only available at 1:30 pm. This was actually good as we plan to spend the morning taking my parents to Pratunam for shopping and arriving in the afternoon.

After a breakfast in Mcdonalds (we did not want to have a heavy breakfast), we split into two groups; the girls and me and my dad. We split up at 10 AM and met up at 11:30. By 1:10PM, we were back at Pullman with our shopping bags.

Brunch was great! Pullman had clowns to entertain not just the kids but the adults too as they made Disney Characters out of balloons. They has Ice sculptures which we didn’t really paid attention to as we were hungry and overwhelmed at the available food. I loved the duck barbecue, Chicken with Mushroom sauce, Deep fried fish and the Roast beef. Mavis loved the Pasta while Xiane, as always, ate lots of Bacon! My parents tried all the food that their tummy can take. We spent an hour and a half enjoying the food!

Thai Buffet at Cuisine Unplugged

xtian001 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:29:54 +0000

Another eating session at Cuisine Unplugged. This time with a college mate from UP Baguio who has been working in Bangkok for the last 3 years. Tonight is Thai Night!

Swimming Pool at Pullman

xtian001 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:16:53 +0000

Here is Pullman’s Pool on the 4th floor. It was a beautiful afternoon as the sun came up after a rainy morning. It wasn’t that hot and though the pool of the Pullman is not heated, the water was just right. We had a great time playing “Pick the stones”, “Shark” and “Tag”! Xianelle wanted to stay longer but we have a date with an old college mate from UP Baguio who is now an assistant editor for a newspaper in Bangkok.