Was supposed to be on a plane today, actually. Because of COVID-19, all plans were changed. So I’m just going to complete this blogpost regarding Day 1 of my Bangkok trip in February 2020. 
Pretty interesting how we just went with the flow that day – we’d planned to meet my pal who is based in Bangkok and probably most of the day would have been spent with said friend. This Singaporean pal in Bangkok was supposed to pick us up from the airport but as there was no reply to my messages, I figured he must have overslept so we decided to make our way to the hotel without waiting for him.
At the airport, I picked up the sim card I’d booked via Klook, for something like $6.35! Cheaper than if I were to get a Changi Recommends wifi device! Here are the sim card rates I’d have paid over-the-counter if I hadn’t booked with Klook:
Then we headed to the basement where we could take an ‘airport train’ to Phaya Thai, and which would cost us 45baht for the full journey. Before we got onto the train though, we noticed that there are a few bubble tea shops to the left of the automated ticketing counters. We found one at a (hidden) corner called ‘Monte’s Cup’. It had a steady stream of airport workers buying their bubble tea here. So we joined the queue and bought Yakult Green Tea + a topping of aloe vera for 60baht.
Always follow the lead of the people who work in an area. They know what’s best. 
From Phaya Thai, it cost another 16baht to take the BTS to Victory Monument station. We had lunch at Narai Pizzeria, which is SO popular among students. No doubt because you pay a flat fee and then get to eat and drink all you want.
*Note to self: Definitely eat the proteins with the shabu shabu first before the carbs (pizza, pasta).
The food’s OK. Nothing amazing. Just good for when you’re feeling ravenous. Haha!
We paid a total of 509baht for the shabu buffet for two.
And we did pop by the cinema to check out the movie ticket prices. I can’t say they are cheap though:
~
After lunch, we made our way to Le Tada Residences. The reception counter was in one building but we stayed in another, which was fine with us. Since we saw that a group of Mainland Chinese folks were staying in the first building. And the receptionist even mentioned that people from Wuhan were staying in the hotel – which no doubt spooked us a little.
Luckily we were in a bit of a food coma, and rather chill, ‘cos check-in was quite a disaster. After heading to the second building and locating our room (#327), we found that there was a strong smell of cigarette smoke within. Since the smell was unacceptable to us, AND we didn’t want to end up having to pay some cleaning fee or other (on behalf of the previous guest), we headed back downstairs and over to the next building to inform the receptionist. We were then issued the keycard for room #528 but when we got to the room, alas, it was not ready. In fact, it was in quite a mess. The housekeeper, who probably speaks little English, just said “LATER! LATER!” to us. So off we go again… back down to the lobby and this time, the lady comes along with us to yet another room (#529). The keycard issued to us was problematic though – it wasn’t able to open the door. (>_<) So we told her we’ll just drop our bags in the room (since the ‘master’ card she had was able to open the door), wash up, then collect replacement keycards from the lobby on our way out.
Quite an ‘adventure’, no? Anyway, on Day 2, we found they had left a surprise for us in-room.
~
Since my pal had gone MIA (Ah! It’s really a young millennial thing), we took a 15-minute Grab ride to Platinum, and that cost just 92baht.
My fav shop in Platinum. I don’t even know what it’s called. But EVERYTHING’s priced at 20baht.
And I evidently don’t do enough walking, as I felt my knees HURTING after a while! Unlike other men, my darling doesn’t complain about accompanying me shopping, does a great job of steering me in the right direction when I am lost in that maze of stores, and his knees are just fine! Hmph! (@_@)
After feeling like I’ve just ascended a mountain, and I’m not really feeling my legs anymore, we head outside and use the overhead connector to get to the mall beside Big C. Apparently, it’s called The Market Bangkok.
At their foodcourt, there’s supposedly some Tom Yum Goong Noodles with a Michelin Bib Gourmand accolade. It turned out too sweet for my liking plus it didn’t look nor taste like it would win any kind of award. 
Good thing the foodcourt has an ongoing promo whereby you can exchange 100baht for 120baht in coupons. My darling’s tom yum goong fried rice wasn’t remarkable either. I really don’t think we’ll be back again. I’m sure we aren’t the only ones waiting for Don Don Donki to open its outlet downstairs.
At Big C, we spent almost S$60 on snacks and drinks! And what’s perplexing was that there were many randomly-pasted signs along the aisles and on product shelves that said “加油中国”. We certainly haven’t seen anything like that in supermarkets in Singapore. And now, it’s probably not just China, but the whole world, that needs the encouragement.
At another store, I found interesting tidbits such as these crispy bamboo worms in a can. ORIGINAL FLAVOR, no less. I’m not sure I’ll like ‘original flavor’ worms. Maybe if they’re spicy or have some other flavoring (tom yum?), I might be able to enjoy them. 
~
In any case, I am glad this blogpost’s done! The previous ones did make me feel like ‘Ah~~ I wish I can go travel’ but because of this virus situation, we’ve got to stay home more often than we’d like. And as my sis kindly reminded everyone at dinner, we can choose to stay in 1 of 3 places: Home, a Hospital, or a Picture Frame.
~ 55555 ~