Bangkok (Mar '23)

Traveled to Bangkok from 10 Mar (Fri) to 12 Mar (Sun) over the weekend. Covid-19 related border measures for most countries had been lifted gradually since the second half of 2022. And even before this trip, I already had traveled to Johor Bahru twice. Therefore, traveling has returned back as "normal" activity with little or no restriction.

Initially wanted to explore Hong Kong or Taiwan, but due to my limited and expiring 'krisflyer miles', I could only redeem the air tickets to Bangkok. Besides food sampling and shopping in this Thai capital, I realized that this trip also had an itinerary around 'toys and figurines'.

Leisure trip at a glance

Country / Region: Kingdom of Thailand (Bangkok)
Period: 10 to 12 Mar 2023
Flight timings:
10 Mar: SQ 708, SIN-BKK, ETD 0935 ETA 1100
12 Mar: SQ 711, BKK-SIN, ETD 1805 ETA 2135
Air tickets:
Return Economy Class tickets (Krisflyer miles through online redemption)
Accommodation:
IBIS Bangkok Siam (10 to 12 Mar)
Currency exchange rate: THB 100 = SGD 3.91 (Mar '23 period)

Singapore is ahead of Thailand by an hour (Thailand time: GMT +7 time zone). Total damage was about SGD 300 including airport taxes, transport, food and hotels, excluding personal expenses.


Day One

Traveled to Changi Airport Terminal 2 by bus early in the morning. This direct bus journey took an hour and it was crowded due to most passengers worked in the nearby industrial area and airport. Cost was definitely the main reason to take public bus because it was ten times higher to take taxi or grab due to the "skyrocket" petrol cost.

Changi Airport Terminal 2

After checked in my luggage at the counter, I then had my early breakfast in a fast-food restaurant inside the transit area of the terminal (left photo below). Ordered a deluxe breakfast set which cost SGD 9.00 (right photo below).
Singapore Airlines

Redeemed through 27,000 miles only three months before the flight date but had to pay SGD 89.50 for the airport taxes and handling fees. The flight SQ 708 departed on schedule at 0935 hours (left photo below).

During inflight meal serving, I selected the "fried carrot cake" as my breakfast (right photo below). Although looked little of food, the paper container was actually quite tall and its portion was the same as those served in usual airline meal container. These food paper boxes are only available on short-haul in Singapore Airlines.

The flight landed on Thailand at about 11 am (local time).

Magic Food Point

Had my meal in this Magic food point located on the first floor of the airport building (left photo below). Ordered a plate of pork trotters rice at THB 80 and a can of coke at THB 20 (right photo below).
As usual, I enjoyed this 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)

Suvarnabhumi Airport Currency Exchange

There are several money changers offering a fair exchange rates that are in most cases much better than in home country. They are located on B-floor of the airport building next to the Airport Rail Link Suvarnabhumi station. During my visit, there were only 3 money changers operating there, namely Happy Rich, Kasikornthai (left photo below) and SuperRich (Orange) (right photo below).
Do note that only these 3 money changers located in the currency exchange zone offers the best rate compared to their branches in other locations.

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.

IBIS Bangkok Siam

The IBIS Bangkok Siam is a 3-star hotel located right next to the National Stadium BTS station, and just few minutes' walk to MBK shopping mall, Siam Paragon and Central World.

Booked this hotel online at SGD 162.30 for two nights per Standard Room without breakfast. This standard room had a comfortable queen-sized bed (left photo below) and a clean bathroom attached (right photo below).


Ruamkatanyu Foundation (泰国义德善堂)

Ruamkatanyu Foundation is a charitable religious organization setup by local Thai Chinese. The foundation provides coffins to victims killed in accidents or murdered in the event that no one comes forward to make a claim or identify the body.

Directions

• The foundation is located next to Wat Hua Lampong Temple.


• Take MRT to Sam Yan station (BL27) and leave from Exit 1. Turn left and walk for about 5-mins (left photo below).


• The foundation can be recognized from its name "義德堂" on the plaque of the temple (right photo below).
  
• The foundation is open 24-hours.

How to donate

Eight Steps on How to Donate
Step 1: Enter the admin part of the foundation located besides the temple.	Step 2: Take the pink merit slip(s) and fill up the the "name of donor" and "signature" accordingly.
Step 3: Approach the counter for payment. Each donation is THB 500.	Step 4: Tax deductible receipt will then be given to each donation. The name of donor will be written on the receipt.
Step 5: Walk into the inner hall of the foundation.	Step 6: Put some glue at the back of the pink merit slip(s).
Step 7: Paste the slip(s) onto the empty spaces of the coffin.	Step 8: Walk out and pray in the temple. After which burn away the official receipt(s) in the incense bowl.

Mega Plaza Saphan Lek

Mega Plaza is a mall located near to Chinatown and Phahurat and specializing mainly in toys, models, figurines and IT gadgets (photos below). It is the biggest toy mall in Thailand and its toy section occupies four levels of the 6-storey mall.


The layout reminded me of the toy shops in Hong Kong where toys and figurines are displayed over several layers on both sides of the narrow passage (photos below).


Various sizes of bear bricks were for sale in one of the shops (photos below). Some of them even had the unique Thai elements.
Iron Man figurines from Hot Toys were also purchasable from the shops but my guess would be more expensive as their production had been discontinued (photos below).
The nearest MRT is Sam Yot station (BL30) and takes about 10-mins walk to the mall. Opening hours from 1000 hours to 1930 hours. Do not be confused with Sam Yan MRT station (BL27) which is three stations away on the same MRT Blue Line.

Took MRT then BTS to silom.

Kai Chik Khao Krung Noodle

Had my early dinner in this noodle restaurant (photos below).
Ordered a cup of Thai iced tea at THB 35 (left photo below) and a bowl of medium-sized "Yentafo" noodles at THB 138 (right photo below).


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; daily

Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri

After a fulfilling dinner, I then proceeded to Big-C supercenter at Ratchadamri for my shopping spree. Spent slightly over a thousand baht on those daily items there.

Supper from 7-eleven

Bought a shrimp dumpling at THB 39 (left photo), milk tea and croissant sandwich at THB 29 (right photo below) for supper. This convenience store is located at the entrance of the hotel.



Day Two

Breakfast from 7-eleven

Bought a "croissant sandwich" at THB 32 and a "Double Pork and Cheese Burger" at THB 42 (left photo below) from 7-eleven convenience store. A full slice of cheese covered the whole pork patty and tasted good as those from any fast-food restaurant (right photo below).

After the satisfying breakfast, I then took BTS to Mo Chit station.

Or Tor Kor Market

Or Tor Kor Market has an outstanding food court that offered a good selection local Thai food (left photo below). Got myself a "mixed duck noodles" at THB 80 (right photo below) as my lunch.
Taste was as good as before.

🍔 Or Tor Kor Food Court
Address:	101 Kamphaeng Phet Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Access:	Kampheng Phet MRT Station, Exit 3
Operating Hours:	0600 hours to 1800 hours; daily

Chatuchak Weekend Market

While walking along the main street of the market, saw a food stall selling deep-fried fish cakes (photos below). Bought five pieces at THB 40 to try and it actually tasted not bad especially with its fish sauce.
Had a good time shopping and bought some items from the usual stalls in this large weekend market.

Mixt Chatuchak

This is a modern multi-level mall with shops for clothing, books & home goods, plus a food court located besides the Chatuchak Weekend Market (left photo below). Almost its entire second floor was occupied by stores retailing figurines, models and toys (right photo below).


Comparing to Mega Plaza, the passageway in this mall is much wider and visually less claustrophobic (photos below).

Let's Relax Spa

Took BTS from Mo Chit station and alighted at Phaya Thai station for some body massages. Opted for a two-hour full body massage which cost THB 1,200 in this Let's Relax Spa.

Prior to the massage, 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.
Took BTS to Phloen Chit station.

Summer Street Food @ CentralWorld

Saw this food street setup on the square in front of the CentralWorld mall while walking towards the Big-C supercenter (photos below). To celebrate the coming Songkran Festival, the mall created this summer street food that consisted of more than 40 stalls selling Thai street food.
The Market Bangkok

The Market Bangkok is a 6-storey mall located besides the Big-C supercenter at Ratchadamri. Likely due to the pandemic, there were very few tenants left in the mall. Among the few surviving shops is the "Cha Tra Mue" located on its basement (left photo below). Bought a "cha yen" or "Thai iced tea" at THB 40 with a 70% sugar level (right photo below). This brand has determined my definition of a typical Thai Iced Tea.


Food Park @ Big-C Supercenter Ratchadamri

After a quick browsing in the Big-C supermarket, I then decided to have my dinner in the food court located on the top floor of the building. Popular Thai food dishes are served with a reasonable price in a clean air-conditioned environment. Do note that a pre-paid E-card needs to be purchased before ordering.

The large pot of braised pork trotters caught my attention while searching for what to order in the food court (left photo below). Bought a plate of pork trotters rice at THB 80 (right photo below).
Taste was savorier and its portion was bigger compared to the one sold in the Magic Point at the airport.

🍔 Food Park @ Big-C Supercenter
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; daily

Supper from 7-eleven

Bought some BBQ drum sticks and a croissant sandwich at a total of THB 69 (left photo). Surprisingly the drum sticks tasted good after microwaved (right photo below).

Had a good rest after a long tiring day.


Day Three

Breakfast from 7-eleven

Bought a "croissant sandwich" at THB 32 and a "Spicy Chicken Burger" at THB 32 (left photo below) from 7-eleven. Similar to those sold in fast-food restaurant, the burger tasted good with its rich sauce (right photo below).

After which checked out from the hotel and took grab to the toy museum which cost THB 205.

Batcat Museum & Toys

Owned by a private collector, this museum claimed to be the first in Asia and has collection of over 50,000 action figures, toys and collectibles related to superheroes and other popular characters (photos below).


Relocated in Apr 2021, the museum is housed in a new residential building consisted of 4-storeys and an elevator is required to begin the exploration (left photo below). Fourth or top floor mainly displays some bear bricks and tin toys, while third floor has an extensive collection of figurines related to Japanese comics and Hollywood themed superheroes (right photo below). Its second floor is dedicated to Batman Universe collection. There is a café and a reception on its ground floor.


The layout of this museum is better which is brighter and wider walkways compared to its previous location (photos below).
Following were the photos taken during this visit (video below).


Explored this museum for about an hour before leaving this place.

🎫 Batcat Museum & Toys
Website:	https://www.facebook.com/batcat.museum
Access:	By private car or Grab
Opening Hours:	0900 to 1700 hours (Fri to Sun only)
Admission:	THB 250 (adult)

Took Grab from the museum to Hua Mak station of the Airport Rail Link which cost THB 118. After which took the airport rail link to Phaya Thai and then BTS to Phrom Phong station.

Roast Coffee and Eatery

Had my early lunch in this Roast Coffee and Eatery restaurant located in EmQuartier. Ordered a "Roast Breakfast" set that first came with two toasted slices of sourdough bread (left photo below) and a cup of orange juice (right photo below).
Next a cup of cappuccino with a 'heart-shaped' latte art was served (left photo below). As for the main dish, the "Roast Breakfast" came with scrambled eggs, bacon, pan-fried tomato, mushroom and potato, and smoked salmon (right photo below).
I always have good reviews regarding this restaurant. Total cost for this meal was THB 530 with 7% VAT and 10% service charge.

🍔 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; daily

Went back to hotel after some window-shopping in EmQuartier mall. After which took airport rail link at THB 45 per ride to the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Probably I reached the airport too early, after immigration clearance I felt hungry again while walking in the transit area (left photo below). Had my break in a fast-food restaurant where I got a "Double Quarter Pounder" meal at THB 365 (right photo below).

Singapore Airlines

Glad that the flight departed on time at 1805 hours (left photo below). During inflight meal, I selected the "laksa" set (right photo below). The soup was creamy and its portion was satisfactory. However, the wooden fork provided was not the perfect cutlery for eating laksa and personally think that chopsticks should be provided instead.
The flight SQ 711 landed on Singapore safely at about 9.40 pm. With this, it ended my three days short trip to Bangkok.