Bangkok (Jul '18)

Traveled to Bangkok (曼谷) again from 20 Jul (Fri) to 22 Jul (Sun) over the weekend. Seems like Bangkok has become my annual trip since 2015 where I gave myself a good break from work. This short trip was more like a food trail where I got to sample delicious local snacks and cuisines.

Leisure trip at a glance

Country: Kingdom of Thailand
Period: 20 to 22 Jul 2018
Flight timings:
20 Jul: TR 608, SIN-BKK, ETD 0635 ETA 0800
22 Jul: TR 607, BKK-SIN, ETD 1025 ETA 1355
Air tickets:
Return tickets at SGD 201.56 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodation:
Mercure Bangkok Siam (20 to 22 Jul)
Currency exchange rate:
THB 100 = SGD 4.16 (Jul '18 period)

Singapore is ahead of Thailand by an hour (Thailand time: GMT +7 time zone). Total damage was about SGD 450 including flight tickets, transport, food and hotels, excluding personal expenses.


Day One

Traveled to Changi Airport by Grab at SGD 14 early in the morning. Had fast-food as breakfast besides the arrival hall of Terminal 2 before boarding.

Scoot Airways

The flight TR 608 departed on schedule at 0635 hours and landed on Thailand at about 8 am (local time).

Magic Food Point

Had my second breakfast in this food court located at the first floor of the airport building (left photo below). Ordered a plate of pork trotters rice at THB 70 and a can of coke at THB 15 (right photo below).


As usual, I enjoyed this light and simple breakfast.

🍔 Airport Street Food by Magic Food Point
Address:	1st Floor of Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Access:	Before Security Clearance. Bottom floor on the right if facing the runway
Operating Hours:	24-hours (might differ on Public Holidays)

After which took airport rail link at THB 45 per ride to Phaya Thai station, then changed to BTS and alighted at National Stadium station.

Mercure Bangkok Siam

The Mercure Bangkok Siam is a 4-star hotel located next to the National Stadium BTS Skytrain station, and just few minutes walk to MBK shopping mall (left photo below), Siam Paragon and Central World (right photo below).
Booked this hotel online at THB 6,666.52 for two nights per Superior Queen Room without breakfast. This superior room had comfortable Queen-sized bed (left photo below) and a clean bathroom with basic amenities provided (right photo below).
Being a 4-star hotel, facilities like fitness center (left photo below) and a rooftop swimming pool with wood-line patio and poolside bar (right photo below) were available to guests.
As it was too early for my check-in, I then deposited my luggage with the counter and proceeded with my massage.

Let's Relax Spa

Visited this Let's Relax Spa located next to the Phaya Thai station. Opted for a two-hour full body massage which cost THB 1,000. After payment I was served with an iced pandan-flavored tea and a cold towel to freshen up myself (left photo below). At the end of the massage, a small plate of mango sticky rice and a cup of warm tea were then served at the lobby (right photo below). Overall, it was a relax and enjoyable experience.


Roast Coffee and Eatery

Had my lunch in this Roast Coffee and Eatery outlet located in EmQuartier. Ordered a "Roast Breakfast" set that first came with two toasted slices of sourdough bread and butter (left photo below). As for the main dish, the "Roast Breakfast" came with poached eggs, bacon, pan-fried tomato, mushroom and potato, and smoked salmon (right photo below).
The food rating for this restaurant has always been high for me though it is rather pricey. After included 7% VAT and 10% service charge, the total cost for this brunch was THB 471.

🍔 Roast Coffee and Eatery (EmQuartier)
Address:	1st Floor, The Helix Quartier of EmQuartier
Access:	Phrom Phong BTS Station of Sukhumvit Line
Operating Hours:	1000 hours to 2200 hours

Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri

After a fulfilling lunch, I then proceeded to Big-C supercenter at Ratchadamri for my purchases. Spent almost a thousand baht on snacks and some household items there.

Kai Chik Khao Krung Noodle

Had a break in this restaurant. Ordered a medium-sized bowl of Yentafo noodle soup (left photo below) and a Thai iced tea (right photo below) at a total cost of THB 155. Yentafo, equivalent to our familiar 'Yong Tau Foo', is a noodle soup with broth tinted pink by a mildly-sweet "yentafo" sauce.


Taste was good for this local Thai noodles.

🍔 Kai Chik Khao Krung Noodle
Address:	414/7-8, Henri Dunant Road
Access:	Siam BTS Station of Sukhumvit and Silom Lines
Operating Hours:	0830 hours to 2230 hours

Asiatique: The Riverfront

Took BTS to Saphan Taksin Station and then walked towards the pier for the complimentary shuttle boat to Asiatique. It rained in the late afternoon and the floor was still wet when I reached the place (left photo below). The only beverage I got was a durian blended shake from a "Durian Shack Siam" stall at THB 89 (right photo below). Taste of durian was not too strong as only few pieces of durian meat were thrown into the blender.

Spent about two hours exploring the shops there. Thereafter took the shuttle boat then BTS to Ploen Chit Station.
Eathai Restaurant

Had my dinner in the Eathai restaurant. Got myself a Yentafo noodle soup at THB 110 (left photo below) and a red ruby dessert at THB 65 (right photo below).
After included the 5% service charge, the total cost for the dinner was THB 183.75. Food tasted good and dining environment was pleasant.

🍔 Eathai Restaurant
Address:	Level LG of Central Embassy
Access:	Ploen Chit BTS Station of Sukhumvit Line, Exit 5
Operating Hours:	1000 hours to 2200 hours

Back to hotel to have a good rest.


Day Two

Simple Breakfast

Went to the 7-eleven store located next to the hotel entrance to get my breakfast. Bought a "Tuna Salmon Croissant Sandwich" at THB 28 (left photo below) and requested the staff from the convenience store to toast them. Simply enjoyed these crispy toasts in the morning (right photo below).


Or Tor Kor Market

Once reached Or Tor Kor Market, I then went to this small food court located at a corner of the market (left photo below). Got my favorite "Total Duck" at THB 80 (right photo below). Taste was as good as before.
Chatuchak Weekend Market

Had a good time shopping in this large weekend market. Bought some room freshener refill bottles and triple-D toasted bread. I left the market at about 12 noon for my lunch.

Thai Boat Noodles at Victory Monument

Eating Thai Boat Noodles, or 'guay diow rua' in Thai, at the Victory Monument is one of the must-try itineraries in Bangkok.

Location

These noodles shops, also known as "Boat Noodle Alley", are located at Ratchawithi Road which is at the north of the famous roundabout of the Victory Monument (left photo below) and intersection along Samsen klong or canal. There are plenty indoor and air-conditioned rooms along the alleyway to provide a comfortable dining experience (right photo below).

How to Order

The concept of ordering these boat noodles is simple; restaurants basically serve tiny bowls of bite-sized portions of either rice vermicelli ('sen lek' in Thai) or yellow egg noodles ('ba mee' in Thai), with meat or tom yum soup, and topped off with fresh herbs. Beef, pork or fish balls can also be chosen. For extra flavor, dried chili or fish sauce can be added. A bowl of Thai boat noodles typically costs around THB 20, but it depends on the restaurant and toppings chosen.

Unique Photo Op

The small size bowl is the unique selling point of Boat Noodle Alley in Bangkok. It is common to see locals order dozens of bowls at a time, which are then stacked high on the tables for an all-important photo opportunity.

My Orders

Had my lunch in the restaurant where their staff were wearing an orange T-shirt. Ordered six different bowls of Thai noodles, starting with some fried dumplings and mildly spiced noodles (photos below).



Subsequently ordered another three bowls of boat noodles without any spice (photos below).



Total cost for this lunch was THB 72. If looking for an authentic Thai dining experience, then it will be worth to make a trip down to the Boat Noodle Alley.

🍔 Boat Noodle Alley
Address:	North off Ratchawithi Road along the Samsen canal
Access:	Victory Monument BTS Station of Sukhumvit Line
Operating Hours:	1030 hours to 2100 hours (some stalls may close or open early)

Lert by Hole Boat Noodle Shop

Probably still felt hungry, I then went to Siam Square for my second lunch. Went to this noodle shop located in Siam Square (left photo below). Ordered a plate of egg with ham rice at THB 85 (right photo below).
Though simple, the egg was very smooth and complemented very well with the savory rice.

🍔 Lert by Hole Boat Noodle Shop
Address:	Siam Square Soi 6
Access:	Siam BTS Station Exit 6, about 1-min walk
Operating Hours:	1030 hours to 2030 hours

Let's Relax Spa

Went to the Let's Relax Spa again. Same as my visit the day before, I opted for a two-hour full body massage which cost THB 1,000. Iced pandan-flavored tea and a cold towel were then served to refresh myself (left photo below). At the end of the massage, a small plate of mango sticky rice and a cup of warm tea were then served (right photo below).
Phranakorn Boat Noodle

Located on the fourth floor of the Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri, this restaurant serves hearty bowl of Thai street noodles (left photo below). My order started off with a cup of Thai iced tea at THB 25 (right photo below).


And followed by some "unhealthy" deep fried pork skin at THB 18 (left photo below) and a bowl of 'Yentafo' at THB 65 (right photo below).


Taste was acceptable but was rather pricey for the small amount of food served.

🍔 Phranakorn Boat Noodle
Address:	4th floor of Big C Shopping Center
Access:	Chit Lom BTS Station Exit 1, about 5-mins walk
Operating Hours:	1000 hours to 2100 hours

TALAD Neon Night Market

Decided to explore the Neon Night Market. It is located on Petchaburi Road, between soi (streets) 23 and 29, and close to Platinum Fashion Mall. This market bills itself as the "greatest festival in Thailand" and there are over 1,000 stalls selling flea market-type retro fashion, homeware, food and drinks (photos below).
Saw this cute store "Mango Fu" stall located in the front row close to the overhead bridge (left photo below). Cost was THB 80 for the durian smoothie (right photo below). Disappointedly, this smoothie was too sweet for my liking.


This night market is open from 1700 hours till 0000 hours midnight daily.


Day Three

Once checked out from the hotel, I then took the same route of BTS and subsequently airport rail link to the airport.

Magic Food Point

After checked in my luggage at the airline counter, I then proceeded to the Magic Food Point for my early lunch. Got myself a plate of pork trotters rice at THB 70 from the same store (left photo below). It was indeed a satisfactory meal.

Mango Sticky Rice at Airport

After custom clearance, I then bought a box of mango sticky rice at THB 180 in the transit area (right photo below). Though highly priced, it was convenient to get them before the flight.

Scoot Airways

The flight TR 607 took off one time at 1025 hours and landed safely on Singapore at about 2 pm.

With this, it ended my three days trip to Bangkok.