Bangkok Covid Trip Report

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I lived in lower Sukhumvit for seven years, until early this year.  Hadn't been back for four months.  It's a bit different, first things you notice now is the uncongestion and the clean air.  There's social distancing everywhere, in the malls and restaurants.  I always felt cramped living here because things were sized for Thais, but now I can enjoy my space.  Even had a free seat next to me on the bus coming in and out of town and didn't have to pay for it.

Gateway Mall

 

I booked the Rembrandt Hotel on Soi 18 for half the regular price, there are some excellent domestic travel deals now, it's a 4-star hotel.  They closed down the Rembrandt but put me in the Rembrandt Suites Hotel next door, facing Soi 20, it's newer and the price was less than the Nana Hotel.  Hardly any guests were present.

 

 

An exercise room but I had surgery last month and it's too soon to start working out, would be easy to rupture a tendon after all the antibiotics.

 

 

Didn't stop me from taking a dip in the pool since they repaired my hernias.  Perhapes I'll start weight lifting again in another 6 months or so, if I wish to turn my abdominal wall into swiss cheese again.

 

 

The hotel had a breakfast buffet for 473 baht, but for the same price I walked over to Chu's at the Exchange Tower for a Norwegian Scramble with a cappuccino.  The scramble featured smoked salmon on sourdough toast and the coffee included a small chocolate disk with Chu's stamped into it.

 

 

I hadn't stayed on Soi 20 since 2003, then at the Windsor Suites, recently closed.  At that time I would eat at the German restaurant Bei Otto, so I stopped there for breakfast, the farmers breakfast for 295.

 

 

I had lunch at nearby Terminal 21, steamed crab in black pepper at the Thai Terrace restaurant

 

 

I also had lunch in the food court, duck with sesame noodles for 40 baht.

 

The biggest change I saw in the 'hood was the extension of the BTS sky walk at Asoke, now all the way to the Sofitel Hotel, with the Art Box on the south side.  If they extend it another half-block, to the Hyatt Regency, you'll be able to take the sky walk between the Asoke and Nana BTS stations.

Amazing how uncrowded Sukhumvit was in the mid afternoon on a weekday, here at the Asoke intersection.

 

 

The first order of business was a haircut, it had been four months, so visited my regular barber on Soi 23.  Crazy House was 'open', in a sense.  Airing it out for an anticipated re-opening on Wednesday, I guess.

 

 

Soi Cowboy had the usual food vendors in the afternoon.

 

I visited my regular massage girl, she's talented and pretty but too shy for a photo, and headed over to the Art Box for dinner.  Most places were closed and attendance was sparse, but I managed a small chicken burrito with a bottle of water at the Margarita Storm kiosk for 200, and Axe throwing was still in progress, but no bands were performing.

 

 

Light traffic on Sukhumvit for an early evening

 

 

Over on Soi 11 it was even more empty, quite a contrast to the days with the VW cocktail buses when every night was a block party.  This was at 8:30 PM and nearly deserted.

 

 

They've now opened a 24 hour Taco Bell to compete with Margarita Storm, just a block from where I used to live. 

 

 

I ordered Beef Taco Supremes for 208 baht, not cheap, and I had to pay 60 baht extra for the beef, with was runny.  I should have stayed with the chicken, the best things were the sour cream and crunchy shells.

 

If you consider Taco Bell as Mexican food, that's 9 Mexican restaurants within a kilometer, 10 if you include the Margarita Storm kiosk at the Art Box.  The others:

1. Mexicano at the Rembrandt, Soi 20
2. Margarita Storm, Soi 13
3. Slanted Taco, Soi 23
4. The Mexican, next to formerly Annies Massage on Soi 2
5. Tacos & Salsa, Soi 18
6. Sunrise Taco, Terminal 21
7. Cali-Mex Bar & Grill, Soi 11
8. La Monita Taqueria, Mahatun Plaza

I lived in California long time, so enjoy Mexican.

The Ambassador, looks like only three floors populated in the tower at right.  The string of massage shops that used to be in the alley leading to Soi 13 have been replaced by restaurants.

Ole German Beerhaus on Soi 13 but without many customers

 

On the third and last day it was time for my photo shoot with Ammy

 

Then, over to Soi 8 for dinner at Monsoon, this was as far west I went, never made it to Soi Nana, and Lolitas BJ off Soi 8 was closed.

 

 

Had some Penne Seafood Pasta with a blueberry shake for 480.  The Monsoon also serves Mexican, BTW, I've tried their taco salad.  One of my favorite restaurants in lower Sukhumvit, good fusion food and not expensive.

 

 

A very relaxing three days and two nights, and now it's time to head home.  I'll be back next month when Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza re-open.

 

[BigusDicus 9,878]

I could not possibly imagine Bangkok so empty.....Excellent report and pics RT.  Thank you.

[jacko 8,815]

Much appreciated pic report. You mentioned a few places I am familiar with.... no more Windsor Suites for me eh? The pic of your hat, sitting on a stuffed elephant, well I will not say what it looked like at first glance!

[jacko 8,815]

How often are the Ekamai buses running? Might do a few days myself.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

41 minutes ago, jacko said:

How often are the Ekamai buses running? Might do a few days myself.

Quite frequently, since they have to be half empty, but customers pay the same price.  On my last visit to Bangkok in late February, I missed my last bus by 10 minutes, so hung out at Soi Cowboy until closing at 3:00, went to Margarita Storm for a taco salad, then caught the early bus at 5:00 A.M. Worked out well.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

BTW, they had beer ?  on the menu at Taco Bell on Soi 11, I don’t think they have it at the Phloen Chit location.

[4wheels 119]

12 hours ago, RhinoTusk said:

I lived in lower Sukhumvit for seven years, until early this year.  Hadn't been back for four months.  It's a bit different, first things you notice now is the uncongestion and the clean air.  There's social distancing everywhere, in the malls and restaurants.  I always felt cramped living here because things were sized for Thais, but now I can enjoy my space.  Even had a free seat next to me on the bus coming in and out of town and didn't have to pay for it.

Gateway Mall

 

I booked the Rembrandt Hotel on Soi 18 for half the regular price, there are some excellent domestic travel deals now, it's a 4-star hotel.  They closed down the Rembrandt but put me in the Rembrandt Suites Hotel next door, facing Soi 20, it's newer and the price was less than the Nana Hotel.  Hardly any guests were present.

 

 

An exercise room but I had surgery last month and it's too soon to start working out, would be easy to rupture a tendon after all the antibiotics.

 

 

Didn't stop me from taking a dip in the pool since they repaired my hernias.  Perhapes I'll start weight lifting again in another 6 months or so, if I wish to turn my abdominal wall into swiss cheese again.

 

 

The hotel had a breakfast buffet for 473 baht, but for the same price I walked over to Chu's at the Exchange Tower for a Norwegian Scramble with a cappuccino.  The scramble featured smoked salmon on sourdough toast and the coffee included a small chocolate disk with Chu's stamped into it.

 

 

I hadn't stayed on Soi 20 since 2003, then at the Windsor Suites, recently closed.  At that time I would eat at the German restaurant Bei Otto, so I stopped there for breakfast, the farmers breakfast for 295.

 

 

I had lunch at nearby Terminal 21, steamed crab in black pepper at the Thai Terrace restaurant

 

 

I also had lunch in the food court, duck with sesame noodles for 40 baht.

 

The biggest change I saw in the 'hood was the extension of the BTS sky walk at Asoke, now all the way to the Sofitel Hotel, with the Art Box on the south side.  If they extend it another half-block, to the Hyatt Regency, you'll be able to take the sky walk between the Asoke and Nana BTS stations.

Amazing how uncrowded Sukhumvit was in the mid afternoon on a weekday, here at the Asoke intersection.

 

 

The first order of business was a haircut, it had been four months, so visited my regular barber on Soi 23.  Crazy House was 'open', in a sense.  Airing it out for an anticipated re-opening on Wednesday, I guess.

 

 

Soi Cowboy had the usual food vendors in the afternoon.

 

I visited my regular massage girl, she's talented and pretty but too shy for a photo, and headed over to the Art Box for dinner.  Most places were closed and attendance was sparse, but I managed a small chicken burrito with a bottle of water at the Margarita Storm kiosk for 200, and Axe throwing was still in progress, but no bands were performing.

 

 

Light traffic on Sukhumvit for an early evening

 

 

Over on Soi 11 it was even more empty, quite a contrast to the days with the VW cocktail buses when every night was a block party.  This was at 8:30 PM and nearly deserted.

 

 

They've now opened a 24 hour Taco Bell to compete with Margarita Storm, just a block from where I used to live. 

 

 

I ordered Beef Taco Supremes for 208 baht, not cheap, and I had to pay 60 baht extra for the beef, with was runny.  I should have stayed with the chicken, the best things were the sour cream and crunchy shells.

 

If you consider Taco Bell as Mexican food, that's 9 Mexican restaurants within a kilometer, 10 if you include the Margarita Storm kiosk at the Art Box.  The others:

1. Mexicano at the Rembrandt, Soi 20
2. Margarita Storm, Soi 13
3. Slanted Taco, Soi 23
4. The Mexican, next to formerly Annies Massage on Soi 2
5. Tacos & Salsa, Soi 18
6. Sunrise Taco, Terminal 21
7. Cali-Mex Bar & Grill, Soi 11
8. La Monita Taqueria, Mahatun Plaza

I lived in California long time, so enjoy Mexican.

The Ambassador, looks like only three floors populated in the tower at right.  The string of massage shops that used to be in the alley leading to Soi 13 have been replaced by restaurants.

Ole German Beerhaus on Soi 13 but without many customers

 

On the third and last day it was time for my photo shoot with Ammy

 

Then, over to Soi 8 for dinner at Monsoon, this was as far west I went, never made it to Soi Nana, and Lolitas BJ off Soi 8 was closed.

 

 

Had some Penne Seafood Pasta with a blueberry shake for 480.  The Monsoon also serves Mexican, BTW, I've tried their taco salad.  One of my favorite restaurants in lower Sukhumvit, good fusion food and not expensive.

 

 

A very relaxing three days and two nights, and now it's time to head home.  I'll be back next month when Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza re-open.

 

So great to see a TR! Thanks for sharing and taking the time to do it. Did you book the Rembrandt on their website?

Edited June 28, 2020 by 4wheels
hotel

[teelack 9,640]

Thanks for taking the time and effort with this TR. While its a bit sad seeing Bangkok as it is now it did bring back memories. The Soi 20 area including the Rembrandt are all part of my history in the place, not forgetting the Crazy House as well. It does also show that even in these strange times an interesting trip report is always possible especially when you are stuck at home without an actual date to return. 

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

5 hours ago, 4wheels said:

So great to see a TR! Thanks for sharing and taking the time to do it. Did you book the Rembrandt on their website?

I booked on agoda.com. Looks like it’s still available, I see about 1165/night for next month.

Edited June 28, 2020 by RhinoTusk

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Fantastic TR . Thanks!

The Mexican on soi 2 is my daughter and my favourite eating place in Bangers. A fantastic choice of tequilas in there..!!

The shots of the near empty roads by the BTS are unbelievably quiet compared to the days when I was a field engineer for TAC in 96/97 when the BTS was still undergoing major construction work! 

Thank You!!

[yorta2 693]

Fantastic photos. Can hardly believe Sukhumvit Road can be that quiet as far as traffic goes, Even at 5am it is generally still insanely busy. I will now sit and dream about that Black Chilli Crab at such a price.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

1 hour ago, yorta2 said:

Fantastic photos. Can hardly believe Sukhumvit Road can be that quiet as far as traffic goes, Even at 5am it is generally still insanely busy. I will now sit and dream about that Black Chilli Crab at such a price.

They didn’t have any crab crackers!  The crab was a special generally not on the menu at the Thai Terrace restaurant, I usually go there for the khao soi. 

[la8rat 1,012]

Thanks Rhino. Great photos and report. Thoroughly enjoyed that. ?

[Jack Scagnetti 502]

Great pictures, Thank You