A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

[Khun Ying Pojaman]

Hehehe. The sky is my blanket and can sleep anywhere. Food not a problem, have taste Indian and Middle East food liaoz. Not my taste, but eat to survive.

Okay. Shall take note of your interest.

 

[rotikosong]

Hey I'm still recovering from my jet lag but there is so much to be done at work. I left home at 8 this mornign and now just got home at 11pm.

I hear that's the best way to recover from jet lag - to be busy as much as possible. You were in the US for a long time - did it change any of your previous ideas about the US? Or Thailand for that matter?

For me, sometimes when I have the opportunity to be "in country" for a while, I find that I always learn something new despite having been there many times in the past. The reverse holds true: coming back home, I often find something I take for granted especially when I see how other people live.

For example, in Thailand, I'm always struck by how similar the middle-class (or upper middle-class) are to Singaporeans - they are upwardly mobile, travel, focus on kids' education etc. And how big the gulf is between the classes in Thailand (live paycheck-to-paycheck, liquored-up, playing pok-deng all the time). Different with say, Japan or Singapore to a smaller extent, where everyone is mostly middle-class - you don't get huge disparities in income/opportunities.

For everything bad people say about Singapore, the one thing that stands out is the potential for social mobility. One ex-GF comes from a very humble family background - 3-room HDB type. She is now a senior partner in a Big 4 law firm. In one generation, her family finances went from middling to probably the top 1% all because of a daughter who was academically gifted.

 

[Froggy]

Wife and I woke up early, still adjusting to US time. So came to Foodland breakfast at 5.30am.

What a nice cup of coffee and breakfast

All the above for 99 baht

This is Meatloaf Omelet Sandwich also for 99baht plus 2 sunnyside up for addition 24baht

The above meal would have easily cost US$25. Yes I know cannot compare but my point is Thailand is good place to live, with a Singapore salary of course.

 

[Jlokta]

Hehehe. You are the creative one! Looks like you are having a good time in bangers huh?

If i ever open a bar, think just call it library bar or reading bar. Hehehe, if gf ask, just tell her i am going to library or reading. Hehehehe.

there used to be a 'reading room' at Marina Mandarin many years back.

waitress there are yummy, std uniform in cheong sam with damn high slit at the side.

 

[Jlokta]

Wife and I woke up early, still adjusting to US time. So came to Foodland breakfast at 5.30am.

All the above for 99 baht

The above meal would have easily cost US$25. Yes I know cannot compare but my point is Thailand is good place to live, with a Singapore salary of course.

you're not tired of western breakfast after so many days in the states?

 

[Froggy]

there used to be a 'reading room' at Marina Mandarin many years back.

waitress there are yummy, std uniform in cheong sam with damn high slit at the side.

Yo bro high slip on the side not interested la, only interested in slit in the middle what you thinking man?

 

[Froggy]

you're not tired of western breakfast after so many days in the states?

Breakfast this one is ok la, but if have meepok tah or prawn noodles or nasi lemak sure will not eat these western breakfast la.

 

[Jlokta]

Yo bro high slip on the side not interested la, only interested in slit in the middle what you thinking man?

that time still early teens lah brother, but i agree that only the slit in the middle is more interesting.

 

[Jlokta]

Breakfast this one is ok la, but if have meepok tah or prawn noodles or nasi lemak sure will not eat these western breakfast la.

talking about mee pok tah, heres a couple of reads for you before your next trip back here.

1) Macpherson bak chor mee - but i heard they're getting chased out.
http://ieatishootipost.sg/2010/08/macpherson-bak-chor-mee-gout-inducing.html

2) Tai Wah - somehow i think this one you'll like.
http://ieatishootipost.sg/2006/11/tai-hua-bak-chor-mee-everybody-queue-up.html

3) Seng Kee - Much better when they were near Aljunied MRT Station.
http://ieatishootipost.sg/2006/09/seng-kee-bak-chor-mee.html

 

[rotikosong]

that time still early teens lah brother, but i agree that only the slit in the middle is more interesting.

I remember the Reading Room. Also remember Riddley's, Library etc. I'd also listen to Tania at Tanglin Shopping Center and Douglas Olivero at whats-that-place on Beach Road.

 

[Jlokta]

I remember the Reading Room. Also remember Riddley's, Library etc. I'd also listen to Tania at Tanglin Shopping Center and Douglas Olivero at whats-that-place on Beach Road.

Yup, Riddley's and another place at the old phoenix hotel, can't remember the name

I used to hang out at HV (Wala), their liveband was pretty decent back then but have not been back to that place for like ages.

 

[chonburifc]

It's a cool morning today. It was raining very heavily in Chonburi and later in Sin City. Had Teochew Porridge at the regular open air Khao Tom stall with big projector TV. While ordering the second bottle of Chang, very strong wind came and it looks like it's going to rain any time.

Here's my second Chang. Eventhough never order Singha beer, Singha Sao sao also come and TCSS, probably think I 'ngao'. :p Sorry, front photos will not be posted.

<a href="http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/?action=view&amp;current=c4c27451.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o497/chonburifc/1205/c4c27451.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>

Okay. Shall take note of your interest.

Hehehe. Especially agricultural stuffs. Gam Sia Gam Sia.

 

[yinyang]

..Reading Room. Also remember Riddley's, Library etc. I'd also listen to Tania at Tanglin Shopping Center and Douglas Olivero at whats-that-place on Beach Road.

Blast from past:p? Ridley's at former Ana. Tania's own pub at Tanglin Shopping Centre, also popular with farangs especially scandinavians. Moved on to Harry's (next to 4 flrs whores aka OT). Douglas O at some dump in Beach Rd?

big the gulf is between the classes in Thailand (live paycheck-to-paycheck, liquored-up, playing pok-deng all the time). Different with say, Japan or Singapore to a smaller extent, where everyone is mostly middle-class - you don't get huge disparities in income/opportunities

Social gaps elsewhere more apparent than narrower bands in places you listed.

waitress there are yummy, std uniform in cheong sam with damn high slit at the side.

Best if they kneel down to serve and slice lemons for your cocktails (at low tables) and tight slitty cheongsams over extended.:p

another place at the old phoenix hotel, can't remember the name

Basement, next door to wine bar. Popular night spot -used to be my tgif hangout ..laeum liao

 

[Jlokta]

Blast from past:p? Best if they kneel down to serve and slice lemons for your cocktails (at low tables) and tight slitty cheongsams over extended.:p

unfortunately i never had the chance for them to kneel down to serve me anything. only saw them at the staff canteen when i was waitering at MM partime.

 

[chonburifc]

there used to be a 'reading room' at Marina Mandarin many years back.

waitress there are yummy, std uniform in cheong sam with damn high slit at the side.

Hehehe. Yes, Pan Pacific also have waitress with the same concept at the lobby lounge. Popular with Taiwanese FTs in IT/electronics.

 

[Froggy]

Yup, Riddley's and another place at the old phoenix hotel, can't remember the name

I used to hang out at HV (Wala), their liveband was pretty decent back then but have not been back to that place for like ages.

Ya mate, we surely had many many or rather countless wild binges in Wala those days didn't we? Remember we kenna spot check just outside your estate at I think 2-3am? Knn after checking our ids and asked to go I still turned back and asked the police what there are doing there and the best part he answered me they are performing routine spot checks. Knn that night really balls shrink man as we drank so much. Good old days mate.

 

[Jlokta]

Hehehe. Yes, Pan Pacific also have waitress with the same concept at the lobby lounge. Popular with Taiwanese FTs in IT/electronics.

yup, last time keep wanting to visit these places when all grown up.

now all grown up just end up at LSB / HFJ.

 

[Jlokta]

Ya mate, we surely had many many or rather countless wild bings in Wala when we were young didn't we? Remember we kenna spot check just outside your estate at I think 2-3am? Knn after checking our ids and asked to go I still turned back and asked the police what there are doing there and the best part he answered me they are performing routine spot checks. Knn that night really balls shrink man as we drank so much.

that is one famous story, and we had like 13/16 jugs before that??

i do miss those times. Not much $$ but we have time.

sadly, time now is a very rare commodity.

 

[chonburifc]

talking about mee pok tah, heres a couple of reads for you before your next trip back here.

1) Macpherson bak chor mee - but i heard they're getting chased out.
http://ieatishootipost.sg/2010/08/macpherson-bak-chor-mee-gout-inducing.html

2) Tai Wah - somehow i think this one you'll like.
http://ieatishootipost.sg/2006/11/tai-hua-bak-chor-mee-everybody-queue-up.html

3) Seng Kee - Much better when they were near Aljunied MRT Station.
http://ieatishootipost.sg/2006/09/seng-kee-bak-chor-mee.html

Hehehehe. Evil you. Sort of kid teung SG liaoz. Yeap, mee pok (Bak Chor Mee) is one of my favorite. Like it with lots and lots of black vinegar. Here can only get Mee Pok at Makro and not all the time they sell this. Ever cook Bak Chor Mee once but find it too costly. Think add a little bit more, can buy a one-way budget airline ticket on SG liaoz.

 

[chonburifc]

Yup, Riddley's and another place at the old phoenix hotel, can't remember the name

I used to hang out at HV (Wala), their liveband was pretty decent back then but have not been back to that place for like ages.

The basement place at Old Phoenix hotel change owners so many times. Was it 97 or Europa at one time?