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Bangkok: Huai Khwang Night Market

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Bangkok Trip: Huai Khwang Night Market (Day 3) – Oops, I missed out a place after eating my dinner at Somboon Seafood Restaurant on the third day of my Bangkok Trip last week. Right after our dinner, we went to tour around the area of Huai Khwang. Walking along Ratchadaphisek, and turned left into Pracharat Bamphen Road when reaches a junction leaded us to a row of night market and stalls located along the road.

It’s the Huai Khwang night market and wet market area. Unlike night market in town, this one is more cater to the locals around that area, selling clothing, accessories, shoes, and also raw food and vegetables at the wet market. Besides, there’s many exotic sexy clothing because of the presence of night club workers at this area. We toured around this place for an hour before heading back to the hotel. The wet market is where we stopped as it’s boring and smelly. Now I know that they shop for meat and vegetables at night, something different.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.778245,100.572935&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8fca819daf1a16ac&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 15, 2012
Bangkok: Tha Tien Pier Water Taxi

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Bangkok Trip: Tha Tien Pier Ferry (Day 4): It’s day 4 of my trip in Bangkok last week, on the fourth day, it’s a sightseeing trip in Bangkok instead of shopping and night market exploring. Was thinking of going to the floating market, but then I found out it’s one and a half hour away from Bangkok city and the Thonbori district, which is far away. Review of the famous floating market is not so nice afterall. There’s review of the river is very stinky, it’s so tourist centric and what a waste of time.

I would like to go find it out myself next time, but since I have a day left, I took the day for some major tourist attractions like the Wat Arun, Wat Pho Reclining Buddha and Grand Palace which is near to Bangkok city.

On the illegal cab to Tha Tien Pier. For only 100Baht, he took us to the Gem shop for a tour before heading to Tha Tien. It’s a famous Gem shop scam, but for that price of cab, it’s worth it, we didn’t buy anything though. Haha

Passed by Grand Palace

Our first stop was Wat Arun which is on the other side of Chao Phraya river, so it’s either bridge of boat. But then bridge is too far, so boat is the ideal and best transport to go to the other side of the river. Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Grand Palace are all near to each other only. First we take a cab to Tha Tien Pier to sit the water taxi which ferry people across the river for as low as 3Baht per person per way! That’s only like RM0.30/US$0.09. It’s so cheap!

Man transporting cooking gas.

Tha Tien Pier at far.

Selling salted fish and more.

Tha Tien Pier is located right opposite of Wat Pho and Grand Palace, there’s a market that sells many food and also beverage stalls along the way. It’s good to chill with some cold coconut juice on a Sunny day. The temperature was really high that day at 35 degree cel, very crazy. Luckily we have umbrella with us.

A market at outside of Tha Tien Pier.

Tha Tien Pier.

Dear Hueisean sipping on a cold coconut.

Making Thai’s salad.

The Tha Tien Pier.

Wat Arun, pyramid-like holy tower.

The water taxi comes and goes every 15 minutes, it’s very convenient but then a little bit unsafe, however if you sit still and don’t walk much, it’s pretty safe. So after arriving on the other side of the island, you need not to walk far to reach Wat Arun, it’s just located on the left hand side outside the pier. You can see the Wat Arun pyramid-like spiritual tower from here.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.74717,100.491568&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8e71792a0bc51953&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 14, 2012
Bangkok: Famous Somboon Seafood Curry Crab

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Bangkok Trip: Famous Somboon Seafood Curry Crab (Day 3) – After eating chicken rice, we actually went back to shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall until our foot cannot stand the tiredness. Mom was really powerful as she can keep exploring and hunting for clothing even though the feet sores. Haha, girls really girls, when it comes to shopping, they can ignore everything.

We went back to hotel for a rest later, went to foot massage then we headed to Ratchada area for dinner – Somboon Seafood. Somboon Seafood is a very famous curry crab restaurant in Bangkok located at Ratchada area.

One tips for you is that don’t get scam by taxi driver who offers to bring you to famous curry crab restaurant, Somboondee Restaurant. Some will thought it’s the same restaurant, or it’s the branch but it’s a complete rip off of the real Somboon restaurant with a ‘dee’ added to the name, the price at Somboondee is blood sucking expensive and I’ve been there few years back.

But now we are clever already, we know the real curry crab is Somboon Seafood. We took a cab there and costs 100 Baht. You can also take MRT to there and get off at Hwai Khwang station.

Somboon Seafood is a very famous restaurant in Bangkok, specially famous with their “Bangkok’s best fried crab curry”, so it’s a place that must no be missed when visiting Bangkok. The restaurant is so big that it spans 3 floors of seating. The dinner was awesome and love the curry crab.

This is the curry crab. It’s nice to eat it with steamed rice. If you are lazy and want to skip the haze of eating crab, order the one without shell.

A kind of vegetable that tasted old, and crunchy. Like it because there’s many garlic.

Noodle with goose feet.

Desserts! It’s the yummy mango with glutinous rice. A famous Thai desserts.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.779047,100.573429&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8d4a7633057d235b&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 13, 2012
Bangkok: KuangHeng – Famous Chicken Rice

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Bangkok Trip: KuangHeng – Famous Chicken Rice (Day 3) – When you are in Thailand, you will think about Thai food like tomyam kung, pad thai, mango with glutinous rice. Those are authentic Thai food. But have you heard before that Bangkok has good Chinese-style chicken rice? Yes there is one that I know which is located right opposite of Platinum Fashion Mall.

We went there during our shopping break at Platinum Fashion Mall for lunch. In fact, every time mom and dad go to Bangkok, they will visit this chicken rice shop. The chicken rice shop is called Kuang Heng.

It is an old restaurant and has opened for more than 70 years, since 1932 and quite famous among the local. Same like our Hainanese chicken rice, the rice it self is chicken flavoured and they serve steam white chicken. What’s special about it is the chilli sauce which taste a little spicy and sour. The sauce is nice to eat with rice and the chicken.

They even have a Facebook page too! That’s our lunch for day 3 in Bangkok.

Outside of the shop.

Steamed white chicken hanging on the hook.

The black thing is chicken liver.

This is a special dish like our chai kuay (vegetable cake) but with chicken inside.

The special chilli sauce.

Must eat on Pratunam Road.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.750349,100.540202&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8d3801c2805e4db5&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 13, 2012
Bangkok: Walking Along Central World Area & Platinum Mall

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Bangkok Trip: Walking Along Central World Area & Platinum Mall (Day 3) – On day 3 of my Bangkok trip, after praying at the Erawan Shrine, we walked towards Platinum Fashion Mall, a place where my mom and dear Hueisean was crazy for, there are lots and lots and lots of clothing and girls accessories, all sell at affordable price. It’s a shopping haven for the girls. We passed by Central World, which is also one of the largest shopping mall in Thailand and Asia and skipped that mall because that all the things inside are not very affordable to us. Haha. It somehow like our enlarge version of Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.

The walk to Platinum Fashion Mall took us about 15-20 minutes. It was scorching hot under the hot sun and luckily we have umbrella with us. Though, there’s only two umbrella for three of us. It’s best to have one umbrella for each person. Along the way, there’s some stall selling Thailand t-shirt and food by the roadside. So there’s always things to see in in Bangkok.

It’s so nice when we stepped into Platinum Fashion Mall because of the cooling air conditioning. It’s so hot out there that I was so sweaty. I accompanied the two girls shopped at Platinum Fashion Mall. It’s like a more beautiful version of our Berjaya Times Square with even more fashion stores. There’s so many stores that Platinum Fashion Mall is divided into 3 buildings and each floor is classified into different type of fashion apparels. 80 percent of the mall are all about girls stuff, so I was pretty bored at there.

One thing, I realised the price is although affordable, but still Chatuchak’s cheaper.

At lunch time, we crossed over to the opposite of Platinum Fashion Mall for a famous chicken rice lunch.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.751141,100.540137&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8d35d0c25ca0275b&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 13, 2012
2012 Valentine’s Day Dinner In Penang

2012 Valentine’s Day Dinner In Penang – Looking for a place to dine with your love one on Valentine’s Day in Penang? Doing some last minute homework? Here I’ve included a list of restaurants and hotels that offers Valentine’s Day special set meal.

1. The Library @ Straits Quay, RM199 nett per couple. Telephone: +60162389447

2. Vintage Bulgaria @ Tanjung Bungah. RM99 per person.

3. G Cafe, Sesame + Soy, G Spot @ G Hotel, Gurney Drive.

4. Berlin’s Bier Houz @ Bay Avenue, bayan Lepas. RM68++ per person. Telephone: +604-6448887

5. Blue Reef @ Straits Quay. Telephone: +60164059182

6. Gurney Hotel, Gurney Drive. RM188++ per couple. Telephone: +604-3707000

7. Hisago Japanese Restaurant @ Straits Quay. RM168 nett per couple. Telephone: +604-8901251

7. Sigi Bar & Grill, Golden Sands Resort. RM129++ per person. Telephone: +604-8861852

8. Aqua @ Straits Quay. RM98++ per person. Telephone: +604-8908668

9. Deluxcious, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. RM99++ per person. Telephone: +604-2610288

10. Tao Japanese Cuisine, RM188 nett per couple. Telephone: +604-5017826 (Autocity Juru) +604-6587826 (E-Gate)

11. Bayview Hotel, Georgetown. RM118 nett per person. Telephone: +604-2633161

12. Bayview Beach Resort. RM88 nett per person. Telephone: +604-8812123

13. Traders Hotel, George Town. RM88 nett per person (Buffet Dinner) / RM246 nett per couple (Wine Dinner). Telephone: +604-2622622

14. Coffee Island, Gurney Drive. RM99++ per person. Telephone: +604-2272377

So after checking out the special Valentine’s Day menu, what do you think? Hahaha. It must be expensive right? Though, you don’t really want to spend your Valentine’s Day with your love one at the hawker stall or fast food corner.

For other alternative, or a cheaper one, you can cook a candle light dinner at home, or visit some other restaurant that offer normal day menu. I kinda dislike when restaurants offer only Valentine’s Day menu during that day, it lessen the choice of ordering other food.

Happy Valentine’s Day. I’ll tell you where I celebrate my V Day few days later. Hehe.

February 13, 2012
Bangkok: Famous Erawan Shrine / 4 Faced Buddha

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Bangkok Trip: Famous Erawan Shrine (Day 3) – Erawan Shrine, also known as Thao Maha Brahma, or simply known as the Erawan 4 Faced Buddha is a famous little shrine that is located in the city centre. Many people know about this, especially Malaysian tourist. Every Buddhist who visits Bangkok will definitely go there to do a little prayers. I’ve went there before, 4 years ago and I just went again, last week. Haha.

Very simple, every visit to Bangkok will bring us to this 4 Faced Buddha. Even artists from Hong Kong will visit it too.

It’s very cool is that this Four Faced Buddha is located in the city center, at Pratunam area and near to Central World shopping mall. Cab dropped us here, did some prayers, only then we head to shopping along this road as there’s many shopping malls here. It’s easy to reach here by BTS, and stop on Chitlom Station. The shrine is located by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, at the intersection of Ratchaprasong.

Buddha’s Face #1.

Buddha Face #2.

Buddha Face #3.

Buddha Face #4.

According to the history, this Erawn Shrine was built in 1956 as part of the government-owned Erawan Hotel to eliminate the bad karma believed caused by laying the foundations on the wrong date. A very funny fact is that you can find a replica if this shrine in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. =D

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.745065,100.54062&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8bf79e37b13e3ba1&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 12, 2012
Bangkok: Talad Rot Fai – Retro Train Night Market

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Bangkok Trip: Talad Rot Fai – Retro Train Night Market – I believe many visitor to Bangkok does not aware of this night market that’s called Talad Rot Fai, included me until I found it on CNNGo website. Talad Rot Fai, also known as Talad Dek Naew or in English – the Train Market is a night market that features retro stuff, antiques, second hand clothing and also a hangout place for Thai’s retro hipster.

“Talad” means market and “Rot Fai” means train in Thai which reflects the venue which is actually an abandoned train warehouse and tracks.

It was kinda hard to communicate with the taxi driver about this place even I showed him a map of the location, many of the taxi drivers are not from Bangkok itself and not really familiar with all of the road in Bangkok. I told him about Kamphaeng Phet MRT Station, somewhere near there then he brought us there. Sucking blood, he charged 250Baht for the trip.

Anyway, forget about the cab driver, he brought us there safe and sound. I was pretty worried it didn’t open or not exist as I couldn’t find much info about it on the Internet. When I saw the light and sound of Thai, I became excited and found many people going in and out of the “Talad Rot Fai” train night market.

The Talad Rot Fai is actually located near to Kamphaeng Phet MRT Station, so it’s easier to take the MRT here and then you walk towards west of the station, which is also the way away from Chatuchak Weekend Market.

A little bit history about this train market is that it’s started off 2 years back in 2010. It was just an abandoned warehouse and railway track and Rod’s Antique rented the place to sell antique stuff. Rod’s Antique was actually located near to Chatuchak Weekend Market. Then Rod’s invited many vendors to sell stuff at here for free. When it was free, there’s not much stalls and vendors, but once they started collecting rental, more and more vendors come in. Funny right.

This train market sells a lot of 2nd hand retro stuff, clothing, antique and has many modified Volkswagen van which then turned into a mini vehicle bar playing retro music, offering beer and other beverage. You can find some cool artsy futsy printed tee here as well as some nice retro home decor.

Mom dislike second hand clothing, but those clothing looks as good as new. I find this place quite interesting because it’s a retro theme night market. Many youngster dress up in retro fashion too! What I like the most is the Volkswagen modified van which I feel it’s very cool.

Deep in the warehouse is outlets of different antique shops including Rod’s.

You may also grab a beer and sit at one of the outdoor bistro too. We walked for about 2 hours at there, explored, only then we headed back to the hotel.

Talad Rot Fai / Talak Dek Naew / Train Market is opens on Saturday and Sunday from 5pm. Get there as late as 8pm when all the stalls are out in full force.

To get to the Talad Rot Fai, take the MRT to Kampaeng Phet Station. Get out at exit 3 (Or Tor Gor Market) then cross the road and walk about 450 meters west on Kampaeng Phet Road, away from Chatujak Market. For a map (in Thai) click here.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.798115,100.543742&spn=0.005001,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8bf2cb226bf23a33&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 12, 2012
Bangkok: Green Shirt T&K Seafood, Yaowarat Chinatown

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Bangkok Trip: Green Shirt T&K Seafood, Chinatown (Day 2) – Do you know Thailand actually has got a lot of good food and delicacies to eat? I feel Thai food has the closest taste to our local Malaysia food because of the spiciness and the ingredient use.

One food corner that must not miss out when visiting Bangkok, Thailand is the T&K Seafood in Yaowarat Chinatown. The T&K Seafood is also known as “Green Shirt” seafood in Chinatown because that all of their worker wears a sporty green polo tee as uniform. And what’s interesting is, located right across the street is the R&L Seafood which all of their worker wears red colour uniform.

Obviously, both of them are competing with each other, though T&K Seafood is the original and more famous one. Nevertheless, both of them are always full-house when night falls.

Green shirt gang of T&K Seafood.

A
Red shirt gang of R&L Seafood.

We went there with a cab. The cab charged us 200Baht at first, and after some bargain, it’s 150Baht. Upon arriving, I was pretty amazed that the number of people waiting for a place to sit. It’s very happenings, very full and very cool. It’s not only famous to the tourists, but also among local Thai too.

T&K Seafood is like our local’s zhu char / dai chao 煮炒 in Malaysia. It’s a stall by the roadside with many table placed by the road.

Vegetable that I don’t know #1.

Vegetable that I don’t know #2.

Deep fried garlic fish which is not really awesome.

Egg and crab meet in crab shell which tasted not bad, kinda special.

Curry crab which is nice to eat with white rice.

The food was serve in about 15 minutes, pretty fast given that there’s so many people at there. Overall the food taste is kinda good, and price wise not that pricey, but a little bit more than affordable. I think its famous-ness explains the price.

After our dinner at T&K Seafood, we went for a walk along Chinatown. It’s really fun to see huge Chinese sign hanging on the street, it doesn’t really feels like China to me because of the presence of Thai words and Thai people. Though, it’s pretty cool. Not many shops were open, but Chinatown in Bangkok is famous for street food like Wantan Mee, Chinese desserts like bird nest, shark fins soup, tang yuan and more.

We actually stopped by a desserts stall by the road side and have 2 bowl of desserts. The tang yuan was pretty spicy because of the ginger soup and the bird nests was sweet and nice. Both for only 150Baht.

So, Chinatown is basically more about Chinese food, seafood, desserts and shark fins soup. That’s all here.

Next stop: We will go to Talad Rot Fai, a old train warehouse turn into a retro antique night market.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.74099,100.509689&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8bdb1269726521da&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 12, 2012
Bangkok: Shopping At MBK Center

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Bangkok Trip: Shopping At MBK Center (Day 2) – Bangkok is actually a shopping haven for girls or shopaholic as there’s many good bargain as well as big shopping malls. Many of their shopping malls are very quality and nice. There’s one famous shopping mall in the city centre of Bangkok that I’ve visited and that is the MBK Centre.

MBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong, is very popular among tourists and the locals too. I went there after visited Chatuchak Weekend Market.

But before heading the MBK Centre, I went to eat pineapple fried rice and a bottle of Coke. Coke in a glass bottle feels so old-school. The pineapple fried rice was so-so only, so there’s nothing much to talk about the restaurant. Coke was awesome though. =D

Traveling to MBK from New Petchburi area takes about 10 minutes, we took a cab to reach there and it costs us 100Baht again. The taxi just didn’t want to turn on the taxi, so no choice man.

Some little facts about MBK is that it’s opened in 1985 and has more than 2000 stores, including 4-stody Tokyu departmental store, restaurants and entertainment. I saw many Thai youth were hanging around and shopping in the mall.

It’s like our Berjaya Times Square to us. Haha. Afterall, it was boring to me, mom and Hueisean bought some stuffs there though. =D

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.744106,100.530363&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b80a8bb76ba58cd4b&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 11, 2012

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