After six months of burnout at work, I finally took a much-needed break with a 4-day, 3-night trip to Thailand (24-27 July). This was an impromptu adventure, as my only planned trip for 2025 was a family vacation to Japan. This Thailand getaway was a promise I owed a friend, and we decided to make it happen before they leave Singapore.
Birding Adventure
With my newfound passion for birding, I booked a private birding guide for a day. The tour cost 6,000 Baht for about 10 hours, which felt steep but was absolutely worth it.
We started at 5 a.m. and stopped at a café for breakfast (covered by the guide). Our first destination was the Pathum Thani Rice Research Centre, where we spotted at least 25 bird species. The highlight was watching little weavers meticulously crafting their nests in a serene, peaceful setting. Unexpectedly, we also spotted a nightjar on a rooftop - what a delightful surprise!
Lunch was a delicious Thai meal (included in the package). Afterward, our guide took us to an undisclosed government building to observe the endangered Java Sparrow. These birds, likely descendants of released pets, have established a small population in Bangkok since the pandemic. They’re not native to Thailand, making the sighting even more special.
Our final stop was a temple where we saw two resident owls. My recent obsession with owls - sparked by SWO and BFO owlet sightings in Singapore - made this moment magical. Hiring a guide was invaluable; his expertise led us to hidden birding spots. We returned to the hotel around 3 p.m. The guide recommended Mae Wang National Park for future wildlife photography, and it’s now on my list.
Total Damage
The next day, we explored Ayutthaya’s temples, a fair trade since my friend joined me for birding. Afterward, we indulged in massages and did some light shopping. For the first time in Bangkok, I focused on sightseeing rather than shopping, which was refreshing. We also carved out pockets of time to rest, which made the trip even more rejuvenating.
In total, I spent around $1050:
Birding Adventure
With my newfound passion for birding, I booked a private birding guide for a day. The tour cost 6,000 Baht for about 10 hours, which felt steep but was absolutely worth it.
We started at 5 a.m. and stopped at a café for breakfast (covered by the guide). Our first destination was the Pathum Thani Rice Research Centre, where we spotted at least 25 bird species. The highlight was watching little weavers meticulously crafting their nests in a serene, peaceful setting. Unexpectedly, we also spotted a nightjar on a rooftop - what a delightful surprise!
Lunch was a delicious Thai meal (included in the package). Afterward, our guide took us to an undisclosed government building to observe the endangered Java Sparrow. These birds, likely descendants of released pets, have established a small population in Bangkok since the pandemic. They’re not native to Thailand, making the sighting even more special.
Our final stop was a temple where we saw two resident owls. My recent obsession with owls - sparked by SWO and BFO owlet sightings in Singapore - made this moment magical. Hiring a guide was invaluable; his expertise led us to hidden birding spots. We returned to the hotel around 3 p.m. The guide recommended Mae Wang National Park for future wildlife photography, and it’s now on my list.
Total Damage
The next day, we explored Ayutthaya’s temples, a fair trade since my friend joined me for birding. Afterward, we indulged in massages and did some light shopping. For the first time in Bangkok, I focused on sightseeing rather than shopping, which was refreshing. We also carved out pockets of time to rest, which made the trip even more rejuvenating.
In total, I spent around $1050:
- Flights - $297
- Hotel: $216 (not shared, individual)
- Birdwatching tour: $200
- Temple tour: $60
- Massages, Bar, Food, Grab - $285
The high expenses was mostly from the tours.
Today, I’m back to reality with a class this morning. I’ll share more about that in another post!