Bangkok 2026

The last time I travelled with Joan to BKK was in 2023. Hence beginning of the year, she asked me to block off the dates in August to resume our yearly BKK travel adventures. It was lovely reuniting with her on this BKK trip, which was mainly to eat, shop and take photos. 

Our first stop upon arrival checked in to Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Bangkok. A very convenient location with BTS and terminal 21 within walking distance. 

Then it was off to find to find Benkoff, a small and charming cafe in Bangkok featuring two cute dachshunds as ambassadors. They were so cute. Be prepared to walk a distance if you are coming from BTS. We nearly gave up finding the place, but we persevered. I thought I could have a drink there, but the shop was very small, barely place to stand, as there were many people at the shop.

If you wanted the blind boxes, it is only 2 boxes per person. Joan's loot. They are cute. 

Benkoff 

Address: 195 NT TOWER Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Hours: 7.30am-4pm

Here we are at Nara Thai located at Terminal 21 for our late lunch and it was time for shopping. We went back to hotel to rest after that. 

Dinner was Japanese food at central world. Pat and her matcha drink.

Breakfast at hotel you have an option of Japanese, Thai, Western or Vegetarian set.

Day 2 adventures began. We took a train to Icon Siam - take the BTS Silom Line (Bang Wa direction) to Krung Thonburi Station then transfer to the Gold Line to Charoen Nakhon Station. We were there before 10am. The doors were not open yet.

Here we are at Popmart and there were so many merchandise to look at or buy. Not a Pop mart fan but the items are interesting. We had to get a queue for their cafe. We were the first in the queue. 

Brunch Time at Pop Mart

One of the highlights for the day was savoring Michelin-awarded Thai cuisine while touring Bangkok on Thailand's first dining bus. This 90-minute journey takes you past 20 iconic landmarks around historic Rattanakosin Island through panoramic windows of a luxury double-decker bus. We took the hi tea set.

I enjoyed the view and sights of bangkok on the bus.

Our night adventure was a visit to  Charmgang - MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant, (highly rated Thai restaurant) set in the heart of Talad Noi, near Bangkok’s Chinatown. We took a Grab to the restaurant. The food was really good. 

One of the dishes we had was Seared Scallop on Crispy Coconut Milk Cupcake.  The scallop was gently seared, still soft inside.

Phanaeng Curry of Braised Beef Cheek is a must try. I have never tested such tender beef.  At Charmgang, they used braised beef cheek, and the long, slow cooking made the beef meltingly tender.

It was opening night for the restaurant moving back to current location after renovation. Just enjoying our dinner and resting our legs.

The third day was spent at Miffy cafe. They had a set lunch menu on weekdays and value for money.

How can I not resist my milk tea drink in BKK. 

Both of us were so thrilled - shopping time

We visited Dusit park before adjourning back to our hotel to rest

More shopping before dinner time at Bura Marie

How time flies when you are having fun. Final day and Shopping at Terminal 21. Found my blue dye shirts. Boat noodles for lunch.

   

Pat and Joan signing off from BKK. Till next year Bangkok. Thank you for the memories and friendship. 

Benkoff Cafe (BKK)

A boutique dachshund-centric cafe tucked away in Thonglor, Benkoff is a small and charming cafe in Bangkok featuring two cute dachshunds as ambassadors. It was not easy finding the place. From thong lo bts it was a long walk to sol 9, we nearly gave up finding the place. 

 

I was wondering what was the hype about. The sight of the dachshund melted our hearts. They are very cute. People were busy grabbing the blind boxes and merchandise. The blind boxes were limited to 2 per pax. The place was very small. I thought I could grab a coffee and muffin, but no such luck. We got the merchandise and left.

Address: 195 NT Tower Thong Lo. 7.30am-4pm (Closed on the 16th of every month)

Jeollanam-do (Korea)

Jeollanam-do was a trip we made from 19 - 27 March 2026. It was indeed a relaxing and enjoyable trip. In fact, I have been eyeing this itinerary for two years.  Every day there was something to look forward to. We had wonderful tour mates and our guide was very helpful and friendly. Thanks to my tour kaki, our first time travelling together - great company and friend. Thank you for making this trip possible. 

 

Our first stop was lunch and then a visit to Gyeongam-dong Railroad Retro Village which is a retro-themed attraction built around a 2.5-kilometer railway in Gyeongam-dong, Gunsan, originally constructed in 1944 during the Japanese occupation to transport paper materials.  Old houses and shops line the tracks, and vendors sell nostalgic Korean snacks such as dalgona candy. 

Next we had the foot and arm massage and visited Jeonju Hanok Village located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pung-dong and Gyo-dong. Hanok Village retains its historical charms and traditions. 

It was a lovely nature walk at Metasequia Road, admiring the trees along the street. Time stood still, as we breathed in the fresh air and strolled along the path.

Picture Postcard Scene

Here we are at Damyang Bamboo Park, where the bamboo trees shielded us from the sun. There were many different paths to take. Truth be told, we got lost. Instead of meeting back at the front entrance we ended up at the back entrance. Thankfully, we contacted our guide and the tour bus came to pick us up where we were. We had a taste of Salt Ice-cream and were given 1kg of salt.

Mokpo Cable Car gave us the opportunity to soar over Mokpo in a red cabinet and allowed us to get a bird's eye view of the port and surrounding islands.

Say Cheese

Here we are at Purple Island, yap, the place I wanted to visit. I was dressed in purple jacket to match the theme. Banwol Island is identified with its native bellflowers known as Campanula Paint, marked for their lilac colour. Attributing to its purple scenery, this unique remote destination is also called Purple Island. It has about 400 houses and buildings with roofs coasted in pastel purple colour, including old-school telephone booths, and a bridge connecting it to neighbour Bakii island. 

Welcome to Purple Island

Boseong Green Tea Field is a beauty on its own. It was easy to walk the path and the Green Tea Field. The Green Tea Planation is breath-taking and beautiful. We even had our matcha ice-cream there.

The next day was the adventure boat ride out in the open sea for Wando Abalone Picking and tasting the fresh abalone. 

We ended the day with a visit to Naganeupseong Folk Village.

This is my first time wearing the Hanbok and here we are at Gyeongbok Palace. Pretty interesting dressing up, and walking around with our Hanbok. 

On our free day, we watched the play Nanta, navigating ourselves with the trains and trying to find the venue. Play was interactive and exciting. 

In Gwangmyeong Cave, we saw many geological features and thematic areas set up in cave. It was brightly lit and beautiful.

On our last day, we visited Bukhansan National Park Jingwansa Temple. 

Goodbye Korea. It was a trip filled with many wonderful memories.