{"id":7726,"date":"2025-01-27T00:17:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T23:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/?p=7726"},"modified":"2026-01-03T18:35:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T17:35:14","slug":"thailand-pandemic-asia-2021-bangkok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/asia\/thailand-pandemic-asia-2021-bangkok\/","title":{"rendered":"Bangkok in the Pandemic \u2013 Chaos, Contrasts &amp; Travel Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7726\" class=\"elementor elementor-7726 elementor-7562\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9891f9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c9891f9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec3c589 elementor-toc--minimized-on-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-10937 elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"ec3c589\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;,&quot;h4&quot;,&quot;h5&quot;,&quot;h6&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of contents\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__ec3c589\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__ec3c589\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__ec3c589\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d719b6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d719b6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Hello! \ud83d\udc4b<\/h2><p class=\"p1\">After peaceful days on Koh Chang, it was time for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=9395\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a>\u2014a city that has always been synonymous with chaos, intensity, and contrasts. Skyscrapers towering over crowded streets, tranquil temples tucked away in hidden alleys\u2014all of this creates the unique atmosphere of Thailand\u2019s capital. But did Bangkok still retain this character during the pandemic?<\/p><p class=\"p1\">It depends. The capital wasn\u2019t completely empty, but it was clear that tourism had shifted its rhythm. In smaller towns and villages, tourists were almost nonexistent\u2014there, the pandemic turned bustling areas into empty spaces. In Bangkok, however, they blended more into the daily flow of the local population. That is, if you could even call it a \u201ccrowd\u201d, as the pandemic had also left its mark on the life of this bustling metropolis.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">If you haven&#8217;t yet read about the earlier stages of the trip, I invite you to the first two parts of the recap:<\/p><ul><li class=\"p2\">\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/asia\/thailand-pandemic-asia-2021-phuket\/\">Phuket Sandbox &#8211; the first stage of my pandemic journey <\/a><\/li><li class=\"p2\">\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/asia\/thailand-pandemic-asia-2021-koh-chang\/\">Koh Chang &#8211; a peaceful island at a special time <\/a><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"p1\">Did Bangkok retain its character? Partially, though in a different form. How the capital looked during these extraordinary times is something you\u2019ll discover in the rest of this article. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdab0c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"cdab0c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-005-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-005-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Red vintage bus in Bangkok, Thailand, traveling on a busy city street with modern buildings in the background\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--portrait\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-005-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-005-650x1300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait\" alt=\"Bangkok city street scene with a tall office building and Acne\u2019s billboard under a blue sky\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--portrait\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-004-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-004-650x1300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait\" alt=\"Golden seated deity statue under an ornate dragon-covered shrine at Bangkok\u2019s Thailand city temple\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-003-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-003-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Night street in Bangkok, Thailand with taxis, motorbikes, and a fruit stall under red umbrellas\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-003-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-003-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-003-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-003-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-006-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-006-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Bangkok canal with a small boat cruising between high-rise buildings under a blue sky with clouds\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c652c9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c652c9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Where is Bangkok located?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac7b2a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-google_maps\" data-id=\"ac7b2a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"google_maps.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed\">\n\t\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=bangkok%2C%20thailand&#038;t=m&#038;z=10&#038;output=embed&#038;iwloc=near\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttitle=\"bangkok, thailand\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"bangkok, thailand\"\n\t\t\t><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fc1306 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1fc1306\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Bangkok is the capital and largest city of Thailand, located in the central part of the country. The city sits along the Chao Phraya River, which flows into the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 25 kilometers south of Bangkok\u2019s city center. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=9395\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a> is a key transportation hub in Thailand, connecting the country via road, rail, and air. The city\u2019s main airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK), handles both international and domestic flights, while Don Mueang (DMK) primarily serves low-cost airlines. Thanks to its strategic location, Bangkok serves as an excellent base for exploring the rest of the country.  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-393f334 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"393f334\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How did I get to Bangkok?<\/h2><p class=\"p1\">I set off from Koh Chang by car, heading toward the capital. The journey began with a ferry crossing from the island to the mainland, followed by several hours of driving to Bangkok. Although the trip took some time, it offered the opportunity to take in a variety of Thailand\u2019s landscapes along the way.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d01e585 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d01e585\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Leaving Koh Chang by ferry<\/h3><p class=\"p1\">I had purchased my ferry ticket in advance, which saved me from any extra hassle. I arrived at the designated time in the morning, and everything went smoothly. This time, having learned from my previous experience, I drove onto the loading ramp without any issues\u2014you could say practice makes perfect. \ud83d\ude04<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd1d772 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"dd1d772\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-007-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-7\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-007-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Bangkok street food stall inside Thailand shop with menu boards and prepared dishes on display\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-008-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-7\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-008-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Truck with a large tarp on a road outside Bangkok, Thailand, with motorcycles nearby\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-008-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-008-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-008-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-008-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7884812 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7884812\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>From the province of Trat driving<\/h3><p class=\"p1\">After disembarking from the ferry at Koh Chang, I continued my journey by car from Trat Province to Bangkok. The approximately 320 km route follows National Highway 3, commonly known as Sukhumvit Road. The road is in good condition, making the drive smooth and comfortable. The journey typically takes about 4\u20135 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">My destination was Suvarnabhumi Airport, where I planned to return the rental car. I definitely wanted to avoid driving into central Bangkok\u2014the idea of wasting time in traffic wasn\u2019t particularly appealing. From the airport, I took the Airport Rail Link, which quickly and efficiently brought me to Ratchaprarop Station, conveniently close to my hotel. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec263ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"ec263ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-009-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-8\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-009-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Red Suvarnabhumi airport departures sign with station platforms A1\u2013A8 in Bangkok, Thailand\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-009-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-009-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-009-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-009-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-010-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-8\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-010-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Bangkok metro car interior with yellow poles, seated commuters, and face masks on the floor markers\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee69e51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee69e51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Accommodation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24be7f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-google_maps\" data-id=\"24be7f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"google_maps.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed\">\n\t\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=The%20Berkeley%20Hotel%20Pratunam%2C%20bangkok%2C%20thailand&#038;t=m&#038;z=15&#038;output=embed&#038;iwloc=near\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttitle=\"The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, bangkok, thailand\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, bangkok, thailand\"\n\t\t\t><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89a8fce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"89a8fce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">In my previous travel posts, I didn\u2019t really mention accommodation prices, but during the pandemic, Bangkok\u2019s rates were\u2026 ridiculously low. So, I decided to splurge and go for something upscale. I chose the five-star <b>Berkeley Hotel Pratunam<\/b> and paid just 335 PLN for three nights, including breakfast. Yes, for the whole stay! Looking at the prices for this hotel now, I can\u2019t help but miss those times\u2014at least from a budget perspective. \ud83d\ude05    <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The hotel itself? The room was great\u2014spacious and comfortable\u2014and the breakfasts were solid, though nothing overly fancy. The location in the Pratunam district was a big plus, especially if you enjoy shopping. The area is packed with markets and shopping malls, making it a shopper\u2019s paradise.   <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84563de elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"84563de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-001-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-001-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Bangkok hotel room with a neatly made bed, bedside lamp, and patterned striped carpet\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-002-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-002-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Modern bathroom interior in Bangkok, Thailand with a bathtub, marble vanity, and blue patterned window panels\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-002-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-002-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-002-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-002-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-003-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-003-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Bangkok Article photo of a modern bathroom in Thailand with glass shower enclosure, toilet, and tiled wall\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-003-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-003-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-003-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-003-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-004-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/thailand-bangkok-hotel-004-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Bangkok, Thailand skyline at dusk with illuminated high-rise towers beside a blue-lit hotel pool\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-082d26e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"082d26e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What did Bangkok look like during the pandemic?<\/h2><p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=9395\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a>, even during the pandemic, remained a city that operates at full throttle. After the tranquility of Koh Chang and the structured procedures of Phuket, arriving in this metropolis felt like diving headfirst into an urban jungle. The noise, the traffic, the constant hustle\u2014it all hit me with double the intensity. My first thought? \u201cWow, there\u2019s so much going on here!\u201d<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Of course, the pandemic had changed some things. Masks were an absolute must\u2014everyone wore them, everywhere. Before entering shopping malls or restaurants, you had to go through routine temperature checks. Hand sanitizers? They were everywhere, as if someone had planted them alongside street food stalls. In some places, scanning QR codes was required, giving the city an even more digital vibe.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Despite these precautions, Bangkok retained its essence. Tourists\u2014though far fewer in number\u2014blended into the crowd of locals, giving the city a slightly different vibe. Compared to the silence of Koh Chang, here I felt that life was still moving forward, albeit at a somewhat altered pace.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">What surprised me? Even during the pandemic, the traffic managed to embody the chaos that Bangkok is famous for. Tuk-tuks weaved through streams of motorcycles, cars were wedged in traffic jams for hours, and the air was filled with a mix of exhaust fumes and the aromas of food from street vendors. Bangkok was still Bangkok\u2014even in a pandemic.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c292110 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c292110\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What was I able to see?<\/h2><p class=\"p1\">During my visit to Bangkok, I decided to focus on exploring the area around my hotel. I didn\u2019t feel like trekking across the entire city, so I spent most of my time in shopping malls, which in Bangkok are almost like miniature cities\u2014packed with shops, restaurants, and sometimes even cinemas or swimming pools. It was quite the contrast to the streets outside, which, in some places, were\u2026 well, far from perfect.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Just stepping outside for a walk was enough to encounter the grittier side of the city. Rats on the streets were a sight hard to ignore\u2014and yes, it was just as unpleasant as it sounds. Add to that the chaotic traffic and general grime, and it was difficult to feel completely at ease, especially in the less polished neighborhoods.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">I also gave Bangkok\u2019s buses a try\u2014and I must say, their condition took me back to the worst memories of Warsaw\u2019s Ikarus buses from the \u201990s. Hot, dirty, and lacking any sense of comfort. It\u2019s definitely better to stick to the metro, which is modern, clean, and offers a way to bypass the city\u2019s notorious traffic jams.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">I also visited Chinatown, which, despite the crowd and chaos, offers an incredible atmosphere. Lanterns, narrow alleyways, and countless food stalls create a memorable vibe, even if the sheer number of sensory inputs can sometimes feel overwhelming.<\/p><p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=9395\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a> is a city that assaults all your senses\u2014some people are captivated by it, while others find it exhausting. For me, it was a mix of both. I discovered things that fascinated me, but also aspects that left me discouraged.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2ddb93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"a2ddb93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-011-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-011-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Bangkok street traffic with cars, taxis, and motorbikes under an elevated concrete structure\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--portrait\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-012-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-012-650x1300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait\" alt=\"Bangkok, Thailand temple gate with ornate red columns and gold Chinese characters above the entrance\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--portrait\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-015-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-015-650x1300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_portrait\" alt=\"Decorative balloons and colorful \u201cHappy New Year\u201d lights inside a Bangkok mall in Thailand\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-014-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-014-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Night street scene in Bangkok, Thailand with colorful shop signs and parked motorbikes along a busy market street\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-014-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-014-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-014-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-014-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-013-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-013-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Bangkok street food stall display of fried insects and beetle larvae with chopped herbs in trays\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddb3142 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ddb3142\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>I&#8217;m going back to Poland<\/h2><p class=\"p1\">Can I say I explored <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=9395\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a>? Definitely not. Thailand\u2019s capital is so vast and diverse that one or two days barely scratch the surface of what the city has to offer. Truly getting to know Bangkok requires time\u2014a lot of it. Leisurely sightseeing, uncovering hidden alleys, savoring food from street stalls\u2014all of that wasn\u2019t possible during such a short stay.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Despite the time and pandemic-related limitations, I was able to see how the city managed under these unusual circumstances. Bangkok, while still lively, seemed to operate at a slightly different rhythm. Precautions like masks, temperature checks, and sanitizers were part of everyday life. In a way, this trip gave me a unique perspective, allowing me to witness how different parts of the world adapt to a global crisis.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Traveling during a pandemic is an experience unlike any other\u2014fewer crowds, more tranquility, but also certain challenges. Bangkok was just one stop on this journey, and looking back, I can say it was worth taking the time to visit, even if it left me wanting more. Maybe someday there will be a chance to return and explore it fully. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2419e09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"2419e09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--huge-square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-016-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-016-1300x1300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_huge-square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_huge-square\" alt=\"Bangkok airport terminal interior with check-in counters and overhead lights under a steel roof\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-016-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-016-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-016-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-016-650x650.jpeg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-018-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-018-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Inside an airplane cabin in Bangkok, Thailand, with passengers seated and inflight screens showing video\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-018-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-018-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-018-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-018-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-017-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-017-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Bangkok, Thailand: gold and purple statue of a Hindu deity with elaborate headdress atop a giant bronze turtle\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-017-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-017-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-017-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ithailand-bangkok-017-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1790af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c1790af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Airport<\/h3><p class=\"p1\">My return to Poland was with Qatar Airways, with a layover in Doha. That transit in Qatar marked the beginning of an adventure I\u2019ve detailed in a separate article about what the country was like just before FIFA 2022. Officially, I wasn\u2019t allowed to leave the airport, but the thought of spending several hours waiting in a closed terminal wasn\u2019t particularly appealing.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">Risk it for the biscuit\u2014I gave it a shot. I struck up a conversation at passport control, explained my situation, and maybe luck was on my side\u2026 because it worked! I managed to step out into the city. \ud83d\ude04<\/p><p class=\"p1\">You can read all about this adventure, along with my observations about Qatar at the time, in the article <a href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/asia\/qatar-doha-stopover-at-the-2022-fifa-world-cup\/\">available here<\/a>. It was worth it\u2014not just for the change of scenery, but also to catch a glimpse of a different side of the country before the big sporting event. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bangkok 2021 \u2013 my pandemic travel story. Empty streets, masks, and a glimpse of Thailand\u2019s capital in a quieter era.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7563,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[152,173,427,170],"class_list":{"0":"post-7726","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-asia","8":"tag-thailand","9":"tag-travel-safety","10":"tag-traveling-in-pandemic","11":"tag-visas-and-documents","12":"cs-entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7726\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}