iRecommend member Nicholas Lim and his fiancée recently jetted off to the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand, and had the adventure of a lifetime – thanks to ChangiWiFi! The highlight? Visiting Talat Phlu, where the popular movie “How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” was filmed. As fans of the film, they were thrilled to explore the filming location while soaking in the unique culture of Thailand and savouring local delicacies – like the Michelin-starred famous crab meat omelette by Raan Jay Fai!
“My go-to uses for the ChangiWiFi router in Bangkok were navigation and posting on social media to share photos and videos with friends about the attractions and restaurants we visited. Best part was, we could use Google Map Street View to locate film locations for “How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”!” Nicholas shares his appreciation for ChangiWiFi’s promise of unlimited Wi-Fi and guaranteed connection.
He is also happy with the easy booking process, convenient collection and return at the airport, and 24/7 customer support. In addition, ChangiWiFi offered affordable rental rates with no hidden charges – all provided in a portable and lightweight router that he could easily carry around, making it a travel essential.
A CINEMATIC JOURNEY
During their trip, Nicholas and his fiancée set out to find the exact spots where “How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” was filmed. Talat Phlu, an old neighbourhood known for its railway station, street food scene, market and temples, was a cinematic treasure trove. It was an absolute blast for Nicholas to explore the places where his favourite scenes from the movie were shot.
Their journey began at Soi Liap Thang Rotfai (an old alley along the railroad), where they discovered a traditional congee shop, as seen in the movie. “This is where M and Ah Ma walk in the morning to sell congee. Thanks to ChangiWiFi, we were able to use our live location to pinpoint the exact film location with Google Street View. It’s closer to Talat Phlu SRT station, so taking a Grab or SRT is more convenient,” Nicholas explained. “We had a fun time taking photos and recreating scenes from the movie!”
Next, they walked to where the poignant bank scene was shot, using Google Street View to pinpoint the exact spot. “This is where Ah Ma walks with young M to the bank to deposit money into his account. This touching scene, where Ah Ma secretly grows savings for M, shows how much Ah Ma dotes on M and cares for his future. The location is further than the walk to the congee shop but along the same street. Continue walking straight, and you will find it!” Nicholas shared. “We also wanted to find Ah Ma’s house but could only locate it after we returned. We’re happy to share this location with everyone!” (Here’s the location.)
TASTING THAILAND’S DELICACIES
A high priority for Nicholas and his fiancée was trying out Bangkok’s most popular food scene. With ChangiWiFi, finding and getting to the best eateries was a breeze.
Thipsamai Pra-Too-Pee
Rated as the best Pad Thai in Bangkok, they visited the original branch at Maha Chai Road. Nicholas shares: “Found this place from Google reviews and food blogs. I personally recommend it! It’s the best Pad Thai I have ever eaten. The noodles are soft and flavourful, wrapped in yummy eggs. The tiger prawns are huge and juicy!”
*Must-try: Pad Thai with shrimp oil, big tiger prawns, and wrapped with egg and the superb Pad Thai
Raan Jay Fai
This is the first and only Michelin-starred street food in Bangkok. “Discovered this place on Netflix and the Michelin guide. Must-go! The crab meat omelette was thick and filled with generous amounts of fresh crab meat. However, the queue was very long, around a 2-hour wait, and the dish was quite pricey at 1,400 baht (around $50),” Nicholas remarks.
*Must try: Crab meat omelette.
Thongsmith Hotpot, Empshere
At this restaurant, they tried Thongsmith’s signature noodle soup and other dishes. “Like how most food blogs describe it, this place offers a different experience of eating Thailand’s famous boat noodles – the soup is used as a base for the meat. You can vary the thickness and spiciness of the soup to your liking. Worth a try!” says Nicholas.
*Must-try: Original boat noodle soup hotpot with Australian Ribeye beef slices
Thongsmith Siamese Boat Noodles
Thongsmith is also renowned for boat noodles with rich beef broth and premium beef slices. “I think this is the best boat noodles in Bangkok. There is a nice balance between the thickness of the broth and the softness of the noodles,” Nicholas adds.
*Must-try: Beef ball and sliced beef boat noodles and crispy pork and shrimp wontons
Puponfai and Phed Mark
After coming across positive reviews on food blogs and Google reviews, the couple decided to order takeout from these two highly recommended restaurants. “The crab meat was very fresh and juicy, and the portions were huge. The basil beef rice and pork rice were both delicious and came with a tasty sunny side up duck egg,” Nicholas says. Fun fact: Phed Mark is a restaurant in Bangkok run by Mark Wiens, a popular food YouTuber known for his unique way of exploring different cuisines.
*Must-try: Crab meat fried rice from Puponfai and basil beef rice from Phed Mark
ปังชา Pang Cha, Emsphere (World Class Thai Tea)
Listed in the Michelin Guide, their signature drink is Thai Iced Tea Shaved Ice with Bread. Nicholas recaps his experience: “The bread soaked in Thai Iced Tea was a perfect combination. This cold dish also served as a good tea break dessert in Bangkok’s hot weather.”
*Must-try: Thai Iced Tea Shaved Ice with Bread
SHOPPING HAVEN ON EARTH
No holiday in Bangkok is complete without some retail therapy. Nicholas and his fiancée explored some of the city’s best shopping destinations:
EmQuartier
This is the first of the three malls in the Em District, offering international brands and various dining options. “One of my top favourites! The mall stands out with its futuristic architecture and the way it incorporates green space and water to create a refreshing back-to-nature feel in the middle of Bangkok’s urban jungle. Plus, it’s super convenient and just a quick walk from Phrom Phong BTS station, with a linkway that takes you straight into the mall,” Nicholas shares.
Emporium
The second of the three malls in the Em District, you can find more luxury brands and boutiques catering to tourists at Emporium. Here’s a tip from Nicholas: “If you want to purchase luxury goods or limited-edition items exclusive to Bangkok, you should drop by this mall. It’s on the opposite side of EmQuartier, with Phrom Phong BTS between the two malls. There is also a linkway from the station to the mall.”
EmSphere
The third and newest mall in the Em District, this shopping venue caters to the younger crowd. “The mall is vibrant with colours, and you can get fancy and unique souvenirs here! There are two shops in EmSphere that I don’t see in other malls: Daddy and the Muscle Academy, selling fancy phone accessories, Crocs Jibbitz, stationery, and more,” Nicholas explains. “The Only Market Bangkok is also here, selling unique local products like tote bags, clothes, and cups made by local artists and artisans. This mall is huge, with a large food hall in the basement offering a variety of local and international food (there’s Shake Shack here, too!). There’s also an IKEA store at the higher levels of the mall. A short walk from Phrom Phong BTS, but there’s a covered link walkway linking the station to the mall, so it’s accessible even during rainy weather.”
Featured prominently on social media, this two-storey boutique allows visitors to shop and dine comfortably in a luxurious and glamorous vibe. “You would need to make a reservation in advance. They do accept walk-in reservations in the morning, but it will depend on cancellations. It’s located beside Erawan Shrine, which is a short walk from Chit Lom BTS station. Again, reserve tickets online before going down, as the slots may get full quite early,” the couple advises.
BONUS: SNACK ATTACK!
Unsure what souvenirs to bring back from Bangkok? Nicholas highly recommends these popular Thai snacks, guaranteed to be a hit:
Nicholas and his fiancée’s trip to Bangkok was nothing short of memorable. With ChangiWiFi, they stayed connected, making navigation and sharing their experiences a breeze. This trip brought them closer to Bangkok’s vibrant culture and inspired them to explore more destinations, knowing they could stay connected and informed wherever they went.
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