Instagram has been such a fantastic resource for making new friends all over the world. When I met @Teatime_muffin I truly loved her content since she shows you many places in Bangkok. Since Thailand is on my bucket list, I asked her if she would give us some recommendations on where we could go once we can travel again and bring our dogs with us.
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Everyone calls me by my nickname, Mild (yes, as in not spicy 🤣), because Thai full name is so long and super hard to pronounce. I was born and raised in Bangkok. However, I studied in the United States from high school until college. I’m 35 years old and I’m a Real Estate Developer.
I currently live in Bangkok City with my Husband. We have been together for over 10 years and married for 3 years. One day we went to Japan on holiday and fell in love with a Maltipoo puppy in the store. That puppy is not Muffin though, as much as I wanted to impulse buy, I knew it would be complicated to deal with the custom procedure.
Typically, a mixed breed dog in Thailand is not as popular as a pedigree breed. So a special breed of poodle mix like Maltipoo is tough to find. After studying this breed, My Husband & I decided that our only choice is to import a puppy. After much research and vetting process, we choose a pet store from South Korea since the traveling period is the shortest. We picked Muffin from photos & videos and feel very lucky to have her in our lives today.
Photography is one of my many hobbies. So when we met Muffin for the first time, seeing how absolutely adorable she is, Mummy just can’t resist sharing her photo. I’m not a big fan of social media and don’t have an active account myself. I only started Muffin’s Instagram account to share her photos with our friends and family. It comes with much delight and surprise to find such a wonderful dog community on Instagram. Muffin has friends from all over the world that encourage me to share her life in Bangkok with all of you.
What is it like to live in Bangkok?
Bangkok, also known as City of Angels, is a big metropolitan and always full of life. Thailand is often referred to as The Land of Smiles. It got this nickname because in Thailand, a smile is much more than just a smile…it is a form of subtle interpersonal-messaging. There are at least 13 different smiles that a Thai person may use, each one having a very specific meaning.
I live right in the Central Business District, so I’m surrounded by high-rise buildings and skytrain. However, the wonderful thing about Bangkok is next to these high-rise buildings, you might find a park or a cool cafe, the options are limitless. Bangkok is certainly not dull.
The transportation is good, you have so many options to choose from. The Chaophraya River is cut right in the middle of the city, so boat travel is relatively fast and convenient.
The city is rich in culture and history.
The main religion here is Buddhism, and there are many temples all over Bangkok, particularly in the old town section. I love to visit and admire the architecture in the old town.
However, there is no denying the best part of living in Bangkok is the Food! You can find all varieties of Food here. We are known for our Pad Thai and Tom Yum Kung, but I think our street food is the best. I have the biggest sweet tooth, and Bangkok has endless dessert options.
When people visit, where are the go-to places you like to take them to?
It really depends on what kind of things they like to do. However, it would be a shame to miss the Grand Palace in the old town. Also, a day getting a Thai massage is much recommended. No matter your preference, there is always something that suits you in Bangkok.
Do you have any favorite restaurants that are pet-friendly?
The running dog cafe is my favorite due to the proximity to our house. It has a little yard, which our house does not have. Muffin loves running on real grass. They serve southern-style Thai Food, something quite hard to find.
Which hotels do you know about that are pet-friendly that you enjoy staying at? Do they offer anything special for the dog? Like a dog bed, bowl & treats?
Pet-friendly hotel in Thailand has a wide range of services. You can find five stars pet-friendly hotel in Bangkok, like W Hotel. They will offer everything from dog bed, bowls, treats, pee pad. Some might even provide kibble. However, I never stayed at any hotel in Bangkok.
In the countryside, I love Baan Rim Ao in Chanthaburi. They provide all the above services, and the staff is very friendly to the dog. The interior is new and stylish. The view and surroundings are also very peaceful. However, it is quite a long drive from Bangkok.
Some hotels may also have a limitation on the dog weight that can stay; most will set the limit at 10kg (22 lbs).
Which tourist attractions allow you to bring your dog?
I have not tried all of them, but typically small-size dogs can go to most places in a bag. A general rule is indoor air-condition site is not dog-friendly. However, some shopping malls will allow pets in the stroller.
With the temple, you have to be extra respectful and not have your dog walk around on the grounds. We have been to The Temple of Dawn and enjoy the wonderful breeze by the river.
One thing for sure, public parks and national parks is a no pet zone.
Do you know of any pet-friendly beaches and/or parks?
All beaches are pet friendly. However, there are always stray dogs around, so have to be careful.
Public Parks are all not pet-friendly. We have to go to paid dog parks around Bangkok.
Have you ever been to any elephant sanctuaries? Do you recommend one that is not cruel to the animals?
I have been to one elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai. Also, I have showered an elephant in Kanchanaburi. I do not see cruelty in all these places. There is an animal cruelty law in Thailand to protect these elephants. It is also important to remember that most elephants cannot be returned to the wild, and most are born and raised in captivity.
Elephants are intelligent creatures and are very easy to train with positive reinforcement. From the past till the present, elephants are a part of Thai culture, raised to help with work such as other farm animals like buffalo. Once they are retired, they come to a sanctuary. The cost of the running sanctuary is high; elephants are expensive to raise. So for a sanctuary to keep going, they need tourists’ income along with donations.
Follow Muffin’s Journey on Instagram
www.instagram.com/teatime_muffin
Left to Right Photos
Grand Palace, The Temple Dawn, Baan Rim Ao Hotel, Dog Park, The Running Dog Cafe, and Khao-Yai
Grand Palace – https://www.royalgrandpalace.th/en/home
The Temple Dawn- https://www.hotels.com/go/thailand/wat-arun
Baan Rim Ao Hotel – https://www.baanrimao.com/
The Running Dog Cafe – https://www.facebook.com/TheRunningDogCafe
