Have Perut Will Travel...: BKK Day 3 │ ICONSIAM • Mixed Feelings

Our Least Favourite Mall? A Day Out in Bangkok

We started the day bright and early, waking up at 8:00 AM and getting ready for another Bangkok adventure. By 9:00 AM, we were in the lobby and managed to catch the shuttle—but instead of heading to Gateway Ekkamai, we asked the driver to drop us off at the Bangkok Planetarium.

Getting to ICONSIAM the Scenic Way

This time, we decided to skip the train-and-boat combo and try something different. After a little research, we discovered that Thai Smile Bus runs EV buses from Phra Khanong to ICONSIAM. Perfect!

From the Planetarium, we hopped on the 149 (4-53) EV bus, which took about an hour to reach our destination. It was a scenic ride and the best part? It only cost THB20 (≈ MYR2.60 / USD0.60 / EUR0.50) per person!

We got off at Wat Suwan around 9:55 AM and walked a short distance to ICONSIAM.

Breakfast at ICONSIAM

First stop: the massive food court. Here’s what we had:

Mixed Rice – THB80
Tom Yum with Rice – THB60
Radna Noodles – THB70
1 Iced Milk + 2 Iced Milk Tea – THB180

Total: THB390 (≈ MYR50 / USD12 / EUR11)

After breakfast, we browsed the NaRaYa store where Cat picked up a cute coin purse for THB60. Later, on the 4th floor, I topped up cash at Bangkok Bank, and Cat treated herself to a Mason De Auri handbag for THB1,490 (≈ MYR193 / USD47 / EUR43).

Why ICONSIAM Didn’t Win Us Over

Before leaving, we couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room: ICONSIAM quickly became our least favourite mall. Much like Plaza Indonesia in Jakarta, we felt racially profiled. At the concierge, Big Camera, and Levi’s, staff barely acknowledged us—until a Caucasian shopper appeared, and suddenly, they were all smiles. Disappointing, to say the least.

Stay tuned for our next post: Brendan's shopping spree at Lido Connect!