Bangkok Life Hacks: The 1st Collection

With 6 years of experience living life in Thailand everyday, I hereby present you my list of life hacks in Bangkok, as presented on my IG feed (@strangerinbangkok) via the hashtag #bangkoklifehacks, minus the ones that are no longer that relevant, and grouped into 4 categories, guaranteed to make your life in this crazy city that teeny weeny bit better.

1. Battling Yucky Airport Food

Bangkok Life Hacks: Airport food. Pleasantly surprised to see Bon Chon at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday. I haven't tried this outlet myself, but you don't usually go wrong with Bon Chon in Bangkok. #bangkoklifehacks #airportfood #suvarnabhumi #bonchon #koreanfriedchicken #friedchicken #strangerinbangkok #bonchonchicken

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Mar 20, 2016 at 6:51pm PDT

Bangkok Life Hacks: Airport Food. Airport food is usually sucky and overpriced, especially after you clear the immigrations. But if you happen to be at the Domestic Terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport, rejoice because there's Yamagoya Ramen at the airport canteen. Springy noodles, nice egg, rich broth and a splash of garlic oil as the final X-Factor, it has to be the perfect meal before a plane ride. Now if they can just give me a proper pair of chopsticks...... #domesticterminal #internalflight #domesticflight #suvarnabhumi #bangkoklifehacks #ramen #yamagoya #yamagoyaramen #yummyinbangkok #airportfood #strangerinbangkok #strangernotinlaos

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Dec 14, 2015 at 10:00pm PST

Eddietor's Note: Not only my favourite noodle at the airport, but definitely one of my favourite in the whole of Bangkok.


2. Vegetarians look here!!

Bangkok Life Hacks: Vegetarian Food. Misoya serves a vegetarian ramen with soup as robust as any vegetarian soup can ever get. My father-in-law slurped up every drop. #bangkoklifehacks #vegetarian #vegan #ramen #vegetarianramen #misoya #misoyaramen #ramenporn #foodporn #instaramen #foodstagram #strangerinbangkok

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Jul 10, 2016 at 8:33pm PDT

Bangkok Life Hacks: Vegetarian Food Aside of the annual Vegetarian Festival, when an astounding array of vegetarian food lines the streets for the best part of 10 days, it is not that difficult to find solid vegetarian food on a normal day as long as you keep your eyes open. A good example is the pretty extensive vegetarian menu at Greyhound. This vegetarian lasagna salad is outstanding. #greyhound #vegetarianlasagna #lasagna #lasagnasalad #vegetarian #bangkoklifehacks #yummyinbangkok #strangerinbangkok #latergram #foodporn #instafood #foodstagram #greyhoundcafe

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Jan 8, 2016 at 11:26pm PST

Eddietor's Note: This is one of the dishes the non-vegetarian me orders most at Greyhound.


3. For you, the one residing long-term in Thailand

Bangkok Life Hacks: ATM machines If you see a row of ATM machines but don't see the one belonging to your bank, don't worry, because you can withdraw cash from EVERY SINGLE machine here. You have 3 or 4 free chances per month for interbank withdrawal, but even if you have exhausted these chances there will only be a small surcharge per subsequent transaction. There are people who have lived here for months but still do not know this! 😭 #bangkoklifehacks #atm #atmmachines #cashwithdrawal #interbank #convenience #strangerinbangkok

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Jan 20, 2016 at 1:19am PST

Stayed in Bangkok for quite a while but worrying every month end because you have exceeded your data limits? Introducing a life hack that could change your life forever! Direct link to blogpost on my IG profile page. #lifehack #wifi #freewifi #dataplan #livinginbangkok #noworries #ais #truemove #aiswifi #truewifi #dtac #dtacwifi #3bb #wifihotspot #strangerinbangkok #bangkoklifehacks

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Oct 19, 2015 at 6:28am PDT

Eddietor's Note: The COMPLETE game-changer, full post here.

Bangkok Life Hacks If you have a decent post-paid plan at any major telco like AIS, TRUE or DTAC, keep your eyes peeled because you might get some perks when you buy stuff, especially at various airports in Thailand. Look what I got for FREE this time from Black Canyon this afternoon. It doesn't take away the fact though, that their coffee is usually pretty horrid. #blackcanyon #bangkoklifehacks #bangkoklife #ais #aisserenade #freedrink #strangernotinlaos #perks #postpaid

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Dec 16, 2015 at 11:50pm PST

Eddietor's Note: No Black Canyon coffee please, no... no... NOOO!

4. Beat the Queue!!

Bangkok Life Hacks: The latest queueing craze in Bangkok has to be #croissanttaiyaki. But for all who are wondering when you can taste this snack if you don't want to join the ridiculous queues at #emquartier, look here. There's no one at #megabangna! #queue #noqueue #sabaisabai #croissanttaiyaki_th #newcraze #niceornot #strangerinbangkok #bangkok #bkkeats #bangkoklifehacks

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Jul 21, 2015 at 12:46pm PDT

Eddietor's Note: There's probably no more queue even at Emquartier now especially after Bake Cheese Tart's arrival.

Bangkok Life Hack: Tim Ho Wan Not a fan of queueing but don't mind their charsiew buns? Just go to the counter and ask for takeaway, these babies will be yours in 10 minutes. It's the only item available for takeaway, but the 1 that matters. #lifehack #bangkoklifehacks #timhowan #timhowanbangkok #dimsum #michelinstar #noneedtoqueue #salapao #charsiew #yummy #strangerinbangkok #wahlauehstampofapproval

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Oct 25, 2015 at 12:04am PDT

Eddietor's Note: One of my original Wah Lau Eh! items. Read here.

The flower pot from #audrey. It looks picture perfect, and tastes decent, my only problem is that it's impossible not to make a big mess eating this. Bangkok Life Hacks: If the Audrey at #emquartier is too crowded and you just want to have their desserts, the one at G Floor at #emporiumthailand is mostly empty. #potcake #buttercream #phromphong #emdistrict #bangkok #pictureperfect #strangerinbangkok #yummy #bangkokcafe #bangkokcafehopping #setheats #bangkoklifehacks

A photo posted by Eddie (@strangerinbangkok) on Jul 19, 2015 at 6:38pm PDT

Eddietor's Note: Emporium is the mall right opposite Emquartier.


What a great list!!

No? Tell me your Bangkok life hack then!

Gallery Pizza: Maybe the best pizza delivered to your doorstep in Bangkok

Safely-delivered to my apartment

I have said a lot about Gallery Pizza on my article on Aroimakmak.com, but I feel compelled to write about them from a completely different perspective as I know a lot of folks in Bangkok are reading this, and honestly, as much as we don't want to admit, too many of us have been reliant on Pizza Company for our delivery pizza fix over the last few years.

The New Yorker, Gallery Pizza's Signature flavour

Take nothing away from Pizza Company. They have done well in a pizza slugfest with Pizza Hut, Scoozi and Domino's in an extremely competitive market. Then again, if you are into more authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, Gallery Pizza presents itself as a legitimate alternative.

Having tasted many of their offerings at Sathorn 11 Art Space, I had to try out their delivery service before giving you a report of my experience.

1. The operator who received my call was a local who could speak decent English. She recorded my order and address with no issues and told me my order will take approximately 50 minutes to arrive.
   
   To my knowledge, Gallery Pizza's preferred delivery zone will be Sathorn and Sukhumvit Road up till On Nut (with 40THB surcharge), where they will usually promise arrival within 30 minutes. I live a short distance beyond On Nut, thus the longer delivery time and higher delivery charge (60THB). If you live in the suburbs, I will recommend you to call them to find out whether they deliver to you or not.
   
   
2. Delivery arrived on time, in roughly 45 minutes. More importantly, the correct flavours were sent.
   
   
3. The pizzas were warm. I would have wanted them to be hotter, but considering the distance they traveled, I can live with popping them into my own oven for a few minutes before tucking in.
   
   
4. I am extremely happy that they provide a choice of mixing 2 flavours into 1 pizza. It gives customers the opportunity to savour many flavours in a single order.
   
   
5. They deliver till as late as 4am!!
   
   
6. Last but not least, the current 499THB promotion for any 2 pizzas presents a seriously awesome deal for the quality we are getting.
   
   Unfortunately, I have no idea when the promotion ends, so do have a go while it lasts and check out their website for updates before ordering.

Pad Krapao on one side and Ham/Mushroom on the other

In this rainy season, meal delivery services often become life savers for city dwellers like us in Bangkok. Don't forget this article when the clouds start to build up, you will thank me for it.