My Bangkok Solo Journey in 2025 – Funding Moats

In October this yr, I made a decision to make a solo journey to Bangkok.

I really had a plan final yr to make a visit final yr. I’ve not determined upon whether or not I wished to go however I simply wished to go on a visit the place I’ve to deal with all the pieces by myself. No matter journeys that I went with prior to now, somebody helps me with one thing:

1. Somebody helps me e-book the air tickets.
2. Both me or somebody is reserving the accommodations.
3. All of us agree to satisfy on the airport at what time.
4. Within the airport, somebody is letting us know we have to go right here, then accumulate this, then by this time it’s important to be on the gantry.
5. That is the way you course of your self on the different airport.
6. Somebody already organize for a transport to the lodge. Or we’re determining what’s the method to go there.
7. What time to get up, the place to go.

Most of my journeys are fairly straightforward as a result of somebody has made the choice and the association. If one thing crops up, then all of us determine togther.

The uneasiness over time is whether or not if nobody helped, may I even survive or how properly would I do.

So I made a decision to make a visit to Bangkok to check the speculation that I’ll fxxk myself up in numerous methods.

Why Bangkok?

I been to Bangkok maybe in 2006, which is fxxk 19 years in the past. Time actually passes and I typically inform those who was not too way back. I selected Bangkok as a result of it’s close to, I been there so the psychological hurdle was not a lot.

Reserving the Air and Lodge Tickets

So I proceed to determine this out by myself:

1. They are saying can scout and e-book the tickets by Skyscanner, Journey or simply purchase direct from the airline, so I ended up shopping for it by Scoot.
2. Didn’t know if I’m going on the proper time, however October might be one of many few open home windows that I’ve.
3. I sort of should ask 蒋思涵 for her lodge strategies simply by the tons of time she went Bangkok. In the long run, I made a decision to e-book a distinct lodge (barely cheaper) from her goto strategies.

The Journey to Bangkok

I used to be lucky to nonetheless went someplace yearly as a consequence of our firm retreat so I nonetheless have some concept about arriving no less than 1-2 hours earlier than the flight.

The half that I used to battle is the verify in course of, whether or not to do it on the airport itself or that may I do it a day earlier.

That is one thing that perhaps 20 years in the past, it wasn’t like this.

In any case:

1. Checking in was completed a day earlier.
2. I occur to not have any baggage to verify in. If we talked about “error” this is able to be it as a result of I believed that I purchased the tickets that will give me some minimal verify in baggage. However I used to be incorrect. Fortunately most of my stuff are mild sufficient to satisfy the hand carry minimal.

Touring solo implies that I bought to consider being on the gate on time and never be too distracted by the great procuring in Changi Airport. Fortuitously, I’m not such an enormous procuring individual. I’d simply proceed to the gate and see if I can get some private coding work completed.

Seize Experience from Airport to Lodge

Earlier than the journey, I did attempt to analysis the way to get to my lodge.

I really wished to try to take their equal of the MRT to the airport. However after I see that its gonna take me like 2 hours (primarily based on Google), I made a decision to do the choice which is to go by taxi.

The taxi drivers may present costs anyhow after they flip off the meter so I believed the better method is to do Seize.

Most of us Singaporeans are conversant in Seize and I feel my doubt is whether or not my Smart card would work or I’ve to make use of one other Singapore bank card and whether or not there are any extra charges.

I used to be in a position to e-book a Seize experience from Suvarnabhumi Airport to my lodge. It was a 45-55 min journey.

The entire experience was THB 555 or SGD 22.

I’m not positive if that is the most affordable method to get to metropolis middle however the worth listed don’t appear to incorporate tolls. Reddit appear to place the value round 400-600 THB two years in the past.

I added my Smart bank card to Seize and use the cardboard to pay.

Utilizing Smart for Fee

I believed it was a good suggestion to make use of Smart for fee if Credit score Card Cashback and Miles just isn’t an enormous deal for me.

I’ve at all times use Smart as form of a pseudo:

1. United States account for some fee by some Funding Moats vendor.
2. Money deposit / money holdings in case of want (and earn comparatively respectable returns)
3. Convert cash from one foreign money to a different at an honest charge. For this, it’s essential to take a look at one among Smart’s strategic purpose, which is to develop in order that they scale back their take-rate, or the speed they cost you and me.
4. Be capable of settle for a comparatively great amount of funds and holdings.
5. Spend with bank cards abroad
   • Should you spend in a foreign money that you just already maintain in your Smart multi-currency account, it’s free by way of foreign-transaction surcharge.
   • You’ll get the mid-market trade charge, with out hidden mark-ups for the foreign money conversion (other than the small conversion charge)

Smart is the candy spot to deal with all these fairly properly.

For instance, I talked about my experience from airport to lodge costing THB555. You may see the corresponding costs on my Smart:

I prefunded the Thai Baht account by changing US$50 to THB1628 at a value of 0.54%.

Then there aren’t any extra extra costs.

I feel I’ll discuss my expertise with Smart in one other put up. Sadly, I didn’t handle to activate the Smart bank card for contactless fee. However I will pay for many issues by Google Pay not directly with Smart so you should not have any issues there.

Since you’re changing SGD to Baht by Smart at 0.54%, there aren’t any different charge for it.

The place did I Keep?

I stayed at this Samala Lodge Bangkok.

I used to be so unfamiliar with this new Bangkok that I’m not positive if I’m staying on the town or exterior of city. $95 per night time in Bangkok feels not low cost provided that in 2007, we stayed in a $70 per night time place.

In any case, most of my plan was to bunk within the lodge so I believed why not go for one which may not give me a lot frustrations?

Samala is okay.

It’s fairly new, the workers is pleasant, and if you’re okay with the value, it isn’t unhealthy. Breakfast is okay as properly.

Samala is about 15 minutes away from two stations Nana and Asok. For 5 days I been strolling to that station and I don’t suppose is that large of an issue but when the climate is simply too scorching, you may need to strive Seize experience as an alternative.

My reader, whom I met up with in Bangkok would journey primarily within the practice. It turned out Asok and Nana is STILL very touristy and had I notice the practice is that this handy, I would need to keep additional out.

The good factor about staying close to Asok is that there’s this fairly tall mall name Terminal 21 which is shut by. I heard it’s a favourite of Singaporeans.

You Can Use PromptPay through Singapore’s PayNow to Pay for BTS Ticket

Majority of my travelling is both strolling or on the MRT.

There may be like… 3 completely different sort of fast transit system and the funds, the tickets just isn’t totally built-in. This can be as a result of they’re all created by non-public firms. That explains issues.

One of many older transit/practice system in Thailand is the BTS and you can’t use your bank card to experience it. You have to to purchase a ticket. I be taught from my reader working in Bangkok there is no such thing as a distinction getting an extended tenure ticket versus only one.

It is advisable to purchase the ticket and you should utilize Thai Baht greenback payments to pay for them.

However there’s a QR code and you’ll scan the QR code with Your Singapore PayNow to pay with the Thailand model of PayNow known as PromptPay:

Now one factor we have to take notice is whether or not there are any charges or slippage within the conversion. In these two transactions the trade charge on XE is 25.217.

The 2 transactions labored out to be 24.615 and 24.475. That may be a unfold of two.4% and three.0% respectively.

Not low cost!

However on this case it’s S$0.03 and S$0.043 respectively. Is that this an enormous factor for you? You determine. Generally it won’t be for me personally.

What did I do there?

Since I’ve not been there, I spend time strolling alongside Sukhumvit Highway, which is the primary highway to get acquainted.

Simply spend time soaking within the folks’s faces, the tempo of life, who visits the procuring facilities, if anybody eats on the highway aspect, how the gang modifications as we transfer nearer to Siam (the primary procuring locations) and away from Asok.

On a regular basis begins off in a restaurant to get some private coding completed.

That is Aroon Cafe which is off Phrom Phong. Normally after I get in, there wasn’t so many individuals. There’s a resident cat to entertain visitor. The gross sales individual was fairly good to let me know that there’s free wifi and that can save me some information.

Within the first day its additionally to check drive how lengthy my laptop computer battery may final in precise work. Seems to be 3 hours. I personal a second hand Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 9, which is a contact display screen, mild weight enterprise class laptop computer launched in 2021. Sadly, this laptop computer comes with a battery with just a few cycles on it.

However it’s nonetheless ok for some work completed and when its working low on battery, I simply go sight seeing.

In my thoughts, if I end this journey with out some important headway in what I need to craft, I’d class this as a disappointing journey.

Fortunately there weren’t a lot hiccups. It’s not completed however I determine a large vital bulk of issues.

Espresso in Bangkok

Since i would like some place to do work, but I must stroll round, I spend sufficient time in espresso locations.

Thailand have through the years grown to be fairly good with their espresso in accordance with some.

As a layman to consuming espresso they simply felt stronger in style. That’s okay with me.

No marvel my reader mentioned when he got here again to Singapore, he felt our espresso just isn’t ok.

Listed here are some that you could be want to strive.

1. Cereasia Espresso Roasters
2. A Eager Home
3. Rise Espresso

This isn’t complete. There are loads that I missed out on.

Our head of investments Chye Hsern launched me to this Ceresia which is someplace off Phrom Phong BTS station:

It is sort of a espresso place in some extra landed property and it’s rattling cozy. I bought to this place early earlier than the gang got here and get to really feel the place earlier than folks comes.

Espresso in Bangkok… just isn’t precisely low cost. A cup value like $160-$180 baht, which is like $6.40 – $7.20. I’m like paying vacationer worth (which I’m!) and I discover myself questioning loads about whether or not it’s price it to pay this worth for espresso versus my S$1.60 espresso.

How Does This Way of life Look By the Eyes of Thai Individuals?

One of many ongoing themes going to Taipei, Da Nang, and now Bangkok is that every one the costs that I spend is principally as a result of I work in a very good job to have good disposable revenue for trip journeys like this.

At one level, I made a decision to enter lots of the procuring malls from nearer to Asok to all the way in which at On Nut to evaluate the affordability of the extra prosperous working folks there.

Individuals go vacation have a look at grand locations I am going see how a lot is their eggs and rooster drumsticks. In a method even when i’m going all the way in which to On Nut which is the place all of the property costs begins dropping, the costs are nonetheless… Singapore costs.

And I’m wondering how probably that the extra senior place employees are paid simply in addition to Singaporeans. Maybe it’s attainable as a result of if Kyith is okay with these sort of costs, is it probably somebody extra extremely paid in Bangkok has an equal wage as Kyith (who just isn’t working in a senior place regardless of my official title)?

I feel it’s attainable.

Then once more, On Nut could also be the place a variety of these expat select to remain at and these locations could have priced primarily based on expat’s affordability.

I’m wondering if there’s a hidden market the place you will get similar issues, maybe barely decrease grade that’s cheaper. I by no means bought round that and my reader who stayed there didn’t mentioned sufficient that made me suppose it’s extremely attainable.

My reader gave me a very good rule-of-thumb to evaluate how a lot a life-style that I’m acquainted in Singapore would value, within the eyes of the Thai folks.

I eat in just a few locations and the meals both comes as much as $60, $160, or $260 baht.

If I convert them utilizing an trade of $1 SGD to $25 baht, that will be $2.40, $6.40, $10.40 in SGD.

It’s affordable.

One of the best I can describe can be what value me $20 +++ in SG value like $10 SG over there.

But when i take the Thai worth divide by 10, I’d be capable to “really feel” whether it is reasonably priced within the eyes of the Thai Individuals.

So that will be $6, $16, $26.

So if my espresso value $16 in SGD would I really feel it’s price it. Hell no. Even good espresso in Singapore don’t value a lot. If the most affordable meals that I eat value me $6, its like our meals court docket costs however that’s as a result of I earn respectable in Singapore.

After that, each worth that I see in Bangkok, I divide by 10 and I simply get the identical feeling as after I go Taipei. How the fxxk do these folks afford these items?

The reply needs to be someplace in between.

I By chance Went Apartment Value Watching

As I used to be strolling alongside Sukhumvit Highway, I noticed some condos that have been subsequent to the BTS station.

And I bought curious how a lot they value.

For instance there may be this Rhythm that’s subsequent to a shopping mall, perhaps barely deeper to Ekkamai BTS station:

A 35 sqm (376 sqft) small place would value you want S$226,400.

If you’re not native you’ll be able to solely purchase rental’s like this.

Is $226k good for you?

I assume it’s essential to actually ponder what is that this to you. Are you getting it to subsequent time keep after you’re financially impartial or are you trying to flip. And if that is one thing so that you can keep, how do you are feeling about staying in Bangkok?

Provided that the value of stuff is like Singapore, is it to get your cash’s price?

Maybe the one arbitrage is promoting and liquidating your present Singapore residential property after which placing the cash in some fairness and stuck revenue portfolio so that you just get larger revenue.

Or really renting is best?

A much bigger unit (49sqm) rents for $32,000 baht a month or S$1,280 month-to-month.

You can lease out your HDB to pay for the lease right here?

I ended up strolling from EmQuarter at Phrom Phong station all the way in which to On Nut as a result of I bought interested in worth modifications. And I notice worth actually solely begin coming down after Phra Khanong station, which is one cease earlier than On Nut or when it’s nearer to the categorical method you see breaking the 2 purple arrows.

At On Nut, the identical 35 sqm residence would value S$171k and it will lease for S$860 month-to-month. These are freehold.

In a method, it’s extra of a tenant’s market and competitors for landlord is fairly intense in accordance with my reader.

If you’d like an expertise, maybe renting for a while make extra sense than succumbing to the Singaporean tendency of “Low-cost should purchase!”.

I Prayed for Constructive Sequence of Returns and Small Cap Worth Premium

I used to be on my method to Siam and handed by the well-known four-faced Buddha on the nook of Ratchadamri and Phloen Chit Roads. I remembered this for the reason that final time I got here right here.

Given the recent climate there have been lots of people praying.

Since I’m by myself I determine to expense $300 baht to wish for some cash luck:

Out of all of the issues folks would pray for, mine is the weirdest shit. I pray for a very good 50 yr optimistic sequence of return. The implicit that means is that we don’t have some extreme adverse drawdown within the subsequent 13 years (25% of fifty years), and likewise fairly manageable inflation.

This undoubtedly advantages those that want their portfolios for revenue, in all probability the worst for accumulators.

Nicely, you’ll be able to at all times override that by going to Bangkok and pray for adverse sequence of return.

I additionally pray that we see some extend proof of small cap worth premium.

I’m positive my colleague Isaac might be glad that that no less than I fulfilled one thing important for this journey.

What! No Meals?

I don’t know man. This can be why you shouldn’t simply get monetary savings and never take journeys if you find yourself youthful.

If you get to this semi-mature man standing, you can’t anyhow eat.

If the meals style good, most certainly a variety of sugar and salt, and that will contribute to insulin resistance, LDL ldl cholesterol and what not.

Should you do that in your 20s, you fxxk care these sort of stuff.

Most of my mates know that I eat to dwell as an alternative of consuming to dwell however…

This Rung Rueang Pork Noodles is dope. It’s simply fairly near Aroon Espresso.

I bought to thank Mr Banana from my Telegram chat for alerting me to this.

I used to be fairly full with breakfast from lodge so I take the small one however the non-spicy as a result of I don’t know if I may take it. $60 baht.

Lots of people however the turnover is okay.

I handed Phed Mark, which was co-founded by famouse meals vlooger mark Wiens:

It is a combination of rooster and greens however the extremely is that it’s suppose to be spicy which… just isn’t a spotlight for me. I determine to decide on medium spicy and solely get to take pleasure in it after practically died strolling alongside Sukhumvit to observe condos.

It was spicy however I can take it.

My reader took me to this Okinawa Japanese Restaurant Kinjo Japanese Restaurant:

Had I gone myself, it’s unlikely I’d journey to a deeper, darkish a part of Phra Khanong into this comparatively reasonably priced Japanese restaurant. This the meals for 2 of us. There’s a connecting bar subsequent and we spend the night time speaking about monetary independence, IT work, managing cash for others, protected withdrawal charges, portfolio constructions, value of dwelling.

Spoil Spectacles

Whereas heading to take a look at Siam, I fxxked up and spoil my Personal Days specs after I dropped it.

So I determine to go to an Personal Days to get a brand new pair:

It’s sort of barely cheaper than Singapore.

By proper, if I had journey insurance coverage, I ought to be capable to declare this.

By proper.

To my horror, I spotted that I went by the method of shopping for a journey insurance coverage however really didn’t paid for it!

That is in all probability the second boo boo.

It may have been worse than this had I not have journey insurance coverage. However, it’s a good factor this can be a comparatively reasonably priced mistake.

Taking the Rail to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

My reader corrected me that it ought to take lower than an hour to get to the airport through public transit. And so he was proper.

The problem is whether or not you’re conversant in the transit system to alter round.

Right here is the map of the place my lodge was close to Sukhumvit Highway:

You’d discover that apart from the Asok station on the BTS, there may be this Sukhumvit station marked with an M. That is principally their MRT station, personal by one other firm. So as an alternative of taking the BTS, the concept is to take one station to Phetchaburi.

I ought to then alight and stroll over to a different line or the Airport Rail Hyperlink.

Whereas the 2 stations look far on the map, the nice factor is that they’re linked by coated method.

Makkasan will get you to the airport in one other 25 minutes.

As you’ll be able to see, I’m not the one one doing this. That is such a well-liked medium to and from the airport.

This complete factor will value roughly 55 Baht, which is a lot completely different kind S$22 if I taken Seize.

The Closing Price for Journey

I listed what I spend in complete right here:

Reflections

Travelling alone is a bizarre expertise particularly for the primary time.

My thoughts wonders by a listing of issues that I would must do, earlier than mentally setting it apart, after which making an attempt to convey up the checklist once more, biking by the sequence many times. I assume if you’re the primary individual planning for your loved ones, you’d expertise the identical factor however your partner or buddy is perhaps there to double up for those who need assistance.

Not a lot assist whether it is one individual.

However the place I achieve is that I don’t should care for others emotions. It’s simply managing how I really feel in regards to the journey.

My colleague Eleanor went every week after me. Had I do know she was going, I would time my journey to go together with her. Her climate, every week after me, was a lot cooler! In a method she additionally went exploring a lot which I’m wondering if I’d most popular that.

I feel whichever method could have its professionals and cons.

I managed to get a number of the non-public questions that I need to deal with answered through the journey. In a method, there may be much less psychological boundaries to taking journeys and I can see that on the finish of the day, folks have an concept what an pleasing journey is for you however it’s essential to know what you take pleasure in and design one for you, factoring in that making an attempt new issues they steered empirically brings enjoyment.

However didn’t get some vital questions answered as a result of there wasn’t sufficient headspace for it, or when there may be, nothing got here out of it.

It’s good to be linked with Bangkok once more, although connecting with a spot within the forties is completely different evaluate to if you find yourself within the twenties.

I wish to thank my reader for taking time assembly up with me. The entire journey would have been much less fascinating with out him. I see Bangkok by a barely completely different lens with him. Even higher as a result of its with somebody who perceive the trail to monetary independence a lot.

Thanks for studying.

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