Have Perut Will Travel...: BKK Day 1 │ KUL to BKK • MH788!

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Wednesday, 17 December 2025

BKK Day 1 │ KUL to BKK • MH788!

✈️ Christmas Adventures: From KL to Bangkok!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—and this time, we’re shaking things up! After three consecutive Christmases in Penang, we’re heading north to the vibrant streets of Bangkok. This trip is extra special: it’s our last holiday together before Brendan starts a new chapter in January.

🛫 Planning Ahead

We locked in our flights way back in April during the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair. The deal? A round trip for only RM1,002 per person (≈ USD245 / EUR208). Not bad for a festive getaway!

🌅 The Journey Begins

Our day started at dawn. After getting ready, we headed to the lobby and booked a 6-seater Grab to KL Sentral. That’s when the drama began:

First attempt: A Perodua Alza (AKL1080) driven by Mohamad Rashidi Bin Ghazali picked us up—only to cancel because our three yellow submarines didn’t fit his trunk (which was full of shoes!). He even scolded us for not booking a 6-seater. Last we checked, Grab classifies an Alza as a 6-seater. Genius!
Second attempt: Muhammad Firdaus bin Saari in a Toyota Vellfire (PQK6371) sped off as soon as he saw our luggage. Shameful!

Third time’s the charm: Finally, an honest Grab driver saved the day and drove us to KL Sentral for MYR14 (≈ USD4 / EUR3).

From there, we hopped on the KLIA Express, saving RM10 per ticket by booking online—just RM40 each (≈ USD9 / EUR8). Pro tip: KLIA Express tickets give you access to the KL City Air Terminal, which currently serves MAS, Batik Air, and KLM.

🧳 Check-In Made Easy

We checked in our luggage—well within the 75kg allowance—and even purchased extra baggage for the return trip (lesson learned!). After clearing security, we boarded the KLIA Express and arrived at the airport in just 30 minutes.

🍴 Pre-Flight Meal

With time to spare, we explored the departure hall and settled on Nooodles for breakfast. Our order:

Loh Mai Kai
Spring Rolls
Wonton Dry Noodles
2 Iced Lemon Tea
Teh Tarik

Total damage: RM99.40 (≈ USD24 / EUR21). A quick meal before the adventure ahead!

✈️ Boarding MH788

Our flight, MH788, was scheduled for 12:15 PM. Immigration was a breeze thanks to the new MyBorderPass auto gates. We then rode the Air Train to the satellite terminal and headed to Gate C11.

Boarding began at 11:50 AM, and as Group 5 passengers, we boarded at noon. The aircraft pushed back at 12:23 PM and took off at 12:38 PM. The flight was smooth—kudos to Captain Cheah and Chief Steward Joseph Teo for an excellent experience.

🛬 Hello Bangkok!

Two hours later, we touched down at 1:35 PM local time. Bags collected, hearts full—welcome to Bangkok!

This trip marks the start of new adventures and the end of an era for our family holidays. Stay tuned for more updates as we explore the sights, sounds, and flavors of Thailand!