I’d normally say something like “wanna see some Thai food?” Except here they just call it “food”.
First meal of the day was at a food court in one of the local malls. Food courts here (and in most parts of Asia) dun have the stigma that food courts have back in the US (especially San Francisco). There’s no Panda Express here! The food is cheap, safe, local and accessible. Check out this big ass wok at this pork noodle stand.
The food court works on a voucher system. You exchange baht for vouchers of equivilent value.
You spend the vouchers at the stalls. All prices are in increments of five so they dun have to worry about making change. You return for refund the ones you don’t use ON THE SAME DAY, OTW you lose it.
I ordered Tom Yum and it was hot and spicy and YUM-my.
Yes, I had to throw in the pun there. Sue me.
Cost: 50 baht + 15 baht for a Coke = 65 baht.
After the “death march” through old Bangkok (cuz of my known aversion to heat, humidity and sweat), we arrived near the Rama VIII bridge on the banks of the Chao Phraya.
The Rama VIII bridge is a concrete cable-stayed design that has become a local landmark and is the northern boundary of the old city. Kinda like what the bridge in Boston is supposed to be. Death march entry comes later on.
Wound up at a restaurant on the pier with fans above and catfish below.
Ordered lunch and beer. This was a wonderful dish with crispy basil leaves, kinda like chicken chow fun, except I forgot what it’s called in Thai.
Cost: 50 baht.
Dinner was at a yupster expat “farang friendly” place. Means high price, VAT and Service Charge (grrrr). Nevertheless, the food was good.
Duker ordered some pad thai and spring rolls. I ordered veggie curry and fish cake appitizers along with a Singha (BKK tip: meat dishes jack up the price, as does iced beverages, thx Duker!). First real meal in Thailand.
Have you ever seen so many veggies in curry? There’s tofu in there somewhere too.
Cost: 1025 baht each.
Go here to see how much a baht is worth. Then leave snide comments.