Published date: November 11, 2024
If you're looking for sights like Nana Plaza and Thaniya, check out [HafH's affordable hotel in Bangkok 2] with a bathtub and pool!
Room Type Stayed
Some info has been automatically translated by AI.
Experience of the stay
A hotel located on a street next to Nana Plaza, about a 10-minute walk from Nana Plaza Station on the skytrain.
From the map app, it looks like you can only enter from one side, but you can actually access the hotel from both the front and the back.
I wanted to check out Nana Plaza at night, but I was too tired and ended up sleeping. It was a shame. When I went to Phuket before, I was out drinking until morning, but I guess I'm getting older.
● Hotel Details
Bath: Separate toilet, bathtub available
Work: Desk available, room lighting is dim, but there's a desk stand
Charging: No USB, but you could use outlets without a converter
Meals: Dining options. There’s a café and restaurant on the first floor.
Amenities: A few bottles of water, coffee available.
Facilities: Kitchen available, with dishes, microwave, coffee maker, etc.
During my stay, there was a woman at the front desk who spoke Japanese.
Experiences during the trip
I took the BTS (Skytrain) to visit Thaniya Street. Since I went during the day, not many shops were open, but I enjoyed snacks at stalls and unique shops. I've heard that Thai people tend to have lighter lunches and snack to keep their hunger at bay. The street food at the stalls in the pictures was delicious (Pictures 4-8). The yakitori was also tasty (Pictures 9-11).
● Free hotel shuttle available
I only found out two weeks after returning to Japan, but this hotel actually has a free shuttle from the nearest station. I ended up walking quite a bit with heavy luggage. It was written on the back of the hotel business card. If you call 02-120-8188 (+66-2120-8188) from either BTS Bhlunghit Station or Nana Station, press 0, and say "Tuk-tuk please" to the staff, it works. You can connect even via the mentioned Wi-Fi.
● Train travel
You can't use bills at the ticket machines on the skytrain. Additionally, it's hard to choose which line to take from the overall map of Bangkok's railways. It would be nice if they centered the information around the line you're on, but unfortunately, the center is always the same. I recommend using the ticket counter if it's open. It helps to ask for directions with gestures as well.
● Smartphone auto-translation
I heard there's real-time translation, but when I asked Google for real-time translation, it somehow connected to searches, making it hard to use the translation software effectively. I relied on some basic English and Thai. I assume Japanese also works, but I didn't try it. However, I could use Google Scope to translate menus at stalls, which was helpful.
● How to Zoom with Japan from abroad
I faced some issues during a Zoom meeting with a client in Japan, so I summarized the improvements here!
1) Sign in to the Zoom web portal. https://zoom.us/signin (Can't do this through the gear icon in Zoom)
2) In the navigation panel (left menu), click on [Account Management] and then [Account Settings].
3) Click on Audio Conference in the upper menu.
4) Scroll down to the Global Dial-In Country/Region section (at the bottom) and click the edit icon.
5) Select the country where the meeting or webinar participants are expected to dial in. -> Add Japan (not Thailand).
6) Click [Save].
● Switching back to a Japanese SIM card
The trouble started when I arrived in Japan. This happens to me every time, but I can't open the SIM card slot, so I can't switch back to my Japanese SIM card upon arrival. If I have a clip, I can open it, but hardly anyone has one. Buying an unnecessary grip at a 100-yen store is a waste, and until I get home, I can't connect to a phone outside Wi-Fi areas. It's a good idea to bring a clip when using a real SIM abroad.
Finally, while waiting for my flight at the Thai airport, I went to McDonald's. It was pricey, but I was able to charge my devices there.