Siam Paragon: The Basement

An impromptu suggestion made by Silver Bullet to visit Siam Ocean World saw the three of us adventuring down the basement of Siam Paragon Shopping Mall in no time at all over the weekend. Yep. You read that right. Siam Ocean World in Siam Paragon.

In fact, it is apparently purported as the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia - 10,000 square metre aquarium filled with marine life, right-smacked in the heart of downtown Bangkok and occupying 2 levels of an upscale shopping destination. Sounds weird, I know...but it's true. And you know what, extremely convenient too!

Last we brought Spud to Siam Ocean World was when she was only about 3 months old when we had played host to Silver Bullet's subordinate who was here on training. She was still so young then, but we remembered her being intrigued by all the colours she saw. She seemed particularly hyper and got all excited by the jelly-fish. I think she also got overtly stimulated by  the end of the trip that she had a (more than a) tad of an issue sleeping well at night; waking up several times and crying hard. I wonder if she was having nightmares about the jelly-fish then!

This time though, a little bit older, she seemed to be really intrigued by the penguins and the big fish. She missed the jelly fish as she fell asleep towards the end.

What made this trip memorable for us though was that we realised something completely coincidental and un-orchestrated as we sat down and made a pit-stop at a rest area to feed her. We had unceremoniously introduced Spud to fish for the very first time that day while in an area full of fishies! Funny that.

Siam Ocean World is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm. The admission fee however, can be quite exorbitant at 900 per adult if you are a tourist. It is, like any other attractions in Thailand, a two-tiered pricing place where Thai nationals pay much lesser. However, the first time we went with Spud in tow, we were actually offered a discounted rate (without us asking for it!) since Silver Bullet were able to produce a Thai driving license as prove that we reside here. (I only do not need to open my mouth and I pass of as a Thai!)

For that, we pay a not-so-hefty amount of less than 600 baht for the two and a half of us. (infant is, of course free). For that amount, it makes a casual visit to the Siam Ocean World almost all worth it.

Spud and the curious penguins

The Ragged-Tooth Shark!