Twice a year I make a trip to Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, usually staying for a week. I don’t go there for business. And I don’t go there for leisure. I just go to KL to eat.
Kuala Lumpur is a easy 2 hours flight from Bangkok, Thailand. With another 30 minutes worth of travel time on the fast train from KLCC2 international airport. Tack on another 10 minutes on the KL Monorail and I’m in the heart of a culinary bliss just in time when my hunger pangs set in.
Chilli Pan Mee at Restaurant Kin Kin: Ground Floor, No. 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, 51200
Kuala Lumpur is a haven for top Eurasian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Their roots harken back to the days when Malays, Indians and the Chinese began coexisting when the city began booming on the tin trade.
In KL there’s no such a thing as fusion food. There’s ethnic Chinese, Indian and then there’s Malay. And although one culture may have influence over the other the locals look to their cuisine as one and uniquely their own. As a result there’s nothing but pure magic.
Kl has an eclectic variety of food in each and every neighborhood of KL, especially in Bukit Bintang…
But if you’re looking for genuine authentic Maly, Indian and Chinese food you won’t be disappointed.
Roti paratha, chicken curry and hot ginger tea with milk. I ate this every morning and never got sick of it…
Kuala Lumpur is the original melting pot even before my hometown New York City even heard of the phrase melting pot.
Sadly, it’s not all good news on this most recent trip to KL. Two of my favorite cafés shuttered their doors. Coffea Coffee’s Pavilion Mall location and Espresso Labs Plaza Low Yat branch were out of business. Probably due to the huge rent and Starbucks.
Starbucks branches in KL are the worst and I’ve been to more than a few branches.
With a little bit of googling I found out this branch of Jamaica Blue Coffee at Low Yat Plaza…
Luckily I found Jamaica Blue also located in Plaza Low Yat. So I still have a place to drink some fine coffee and suck up Wi-Fi internet juice for hours.
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is conveniently right across from my lunch place! Can’t get any better than that…
Watching Bukit Bintang Change Before My Eyes
Bukit Bintang is like the Times Square of New York City or the Piccadilly Circus of London. There are huge LED screens and billboards displaying advertisements. Though Bukit Bintang is not as huge or even as gaudy believe you me it’ll probably get there in a few years.
Aside from enjoying my daily meals like a gleeful school kid every year in KL I can’t help but notice that buildings are getting taller and taller as construction projects all over the city begin to take shape.
A future residential building with no doubt spaces for commercial spaces…
Same spot as the photo above, but taken the year before…
I usually stay at hotels around Bukit Bintang, which is the main tourists hub of KL. Like most tourists centers around major cities you’ll find lots of restaurants, shopping centers and of course hotels. Plus nearby train stations as well for convenience.
The recently renamed Air Asia Bukit Bintang station…
As of writing Bukit Bintang only has the KL Monorail station which starts at KL Sentral, winding its way through the edge of Little India, Chinatown and onwards to Chow Kit with a stop at Air Asia Bukit Bintang station.
Jalan Bukit Bintang Intersection..
Today there is major construction underway for a brand new MRT subway line complete with station stops in Bukit Bintang.
The completion of Bukit Bintang’s subway line could be years from now…
I’ve only used the city’s subway lines once or twice in all the years I’ve been visiting KL. When the subway trains are up and running it’ll be a great way for me to explore more of Malaysia and find more good eats.
Every year I travel around I begin to see remarkable similarities between my home town of New York and many other major cities around the world. If a city is not expanding, it’s rebuilding and renovating. It’s as if a city is actually alive, not only to thrive but to survive.
The heart of Bukit Bintang’s tourists district…
In a way Kuala Lumpur to me is trying to reinvent itself as many ASEAN members are doing the same. And the city has come a long way from the days when it was just a tin mining town with people from neighboring countries flooding in for the hope of a better life and opportunities.
With a Short Trip to One of My Most Favorite Spots in the World… Arashiyama!
King crabs are a popular delicacy in Osaka…
After staying a week in Kuala Lumpur and then back to Bangkok, a good buddy of mine I knew from my government contract days asked if I wanted to head over to Osaka for sushi. Why not?
Osaka has a special place in my heart. After living in Osaka for 3 months my fondness for the city by the bay grew with everyday I spent living there. I enjoyed mingling with the friendly and hospitable people the most. Working and staying in Japan for me was a real privilege. And a relief from my official duties back in the days.
But before the big sushi dinner I had to make a stop at one of the most magical places on this earth, Arashiyama!
How to Go to Arashiyama from Osaka
At Osaka Station take the JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line 新快速towards Yasu to Kyoto Station
At Kyoto Station take the JR San-In Line 各停towards Sonobe and stop at Saga-Arashiyama Station
At Saga-Arashiyama take the train to Arashiyama Station
Even in early September you can start to see the leaves getting ready to turn to its Autumn colors…
But there is another place I enjoy and you will too just an 1 hour and 40 minutes away called Arashiyama, which is a district of Kyoto City. The train fare from Osaka to Arashiyama cost ¥970.
The best way to get around Arashiyama is by bicycle. And there are a few places near the train station where you can rent a bicycle for ¥800 a day.
But there’s one area where you can’t really bike all the way up to. And that’s Mount Arashiyama! And you can only get up there the old fashioned way.
After walking up Mount Arashiyama I got hungry. It’s a pretty steep climb up a lot of man made steps. But when you get up there the view is so well worth it!
After spending an hour enjoying the splendid view of Kyoto, it was time to get back down and get on that train heading back to Osaka and chow down on some of the best sushi this side of Japan.
Osaka, Day or Night?
Osaka at night is magical. The day was warm but the evening got cooler. Which is why I decided on a day trip in Arashiyama before meeting my friends for that special sushi dinner.
We went to the same old sushi restaurant we’ve always been to when we had long days of intense planning and meetings. Can’t believe it’s still open after all these years!
I forget how many pieces of sushi I’ve downed and how many sake I’ve guzzled but it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.
The Izumi Hotel – Just One of Many Two Star Budget Hotels in KL
I’ve come across the Izumi Hotel name quite a few times while searching for budget 2 star hotels in the Bukit Bintang neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur.
So this time I decided to book a room at the Izumi for a couple of nights so I could do this review.
Bukit Bintang has tons of budget hotels and guest houses. But the Izumi is in a pretty good location. Just a short 5 to 10 minute walk from Air-Asia Bukit Bintang KL Monorail station.
And there are so many shopping centers, restaurants, and nightlife to enjoy also within walking distance near Izumi Hotel.
The Izumi Hotel is not far from Air Asia Bukit Bintang KL Monorail station…
Bukit Bintang’s famous Jalan Alor food street is about a 10 minute walk and you’ll also find many bars and pubs as the area is quite popular mostly with tourists.
I always tell fellow travelers that Bukit Bintang is a good choice for budget hotels and the Izumi Hotel is a perfect example.
Two Stars But Nothing More
The Izumi Hotel is a 2 star rated hotel at most. On some hotel booking websites, I see it rated as 3 star hotel. Not sure where that extra star came from but whatever.
There is nothing wrong with 2 star hotels in my opinion as long as they’re clean and comfortable.
I stayed in a standard no window room. Having no windows is not as bad as you might think…
As in the case of Izumi Hotel, I like it because it’s clean, comfortable and modern. The hotel is relatively new because the Izumi Hotel was built in 2014.
Like many other budget hotels in KL, showers have no curtains or partitions…
That said, you’re always going to find minor faults at any budget hotel in KL. In the instance of Izumi, there were small reddish brown stains on bed linen. Some of the bathroom fixtures looked as if it needed some screw tightening.
Pretty much every budget hotel I’ve ever stayed in KL has some sort of room maintenance issue and stains on bed sheets. It just comes with the territory I suppose.
Take a look at my reviews for Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang and Hotel Capitol which are all in the vicinity of Izumi Hotel. All have the same particular faults but not a big deal really.
Izumi Hotel is right behind Jalan Alor, a very popular night market known for food…
Location, Location, Location
I can easily recommend the Izumi Hotel to anyone visiting Bukit Bintang. It’s at a great location near KL monorail stations. Plenty of food options from Indian, Malaysian, and Arab. Lots of shopping centers if that’s what you’re into.
What I do like is a good massage and there are plenty of massage shops near the Izumi Hotel.
Nothing like a nice foot massage after dinner…
And I paid about $40USD including taxes for the night. No breakfast. But the free Wi-Fi worked pretty well and the air con kept me chilly. And the bed was comfortable as long as I stayed away from the side with the stains.
Overall I can easily recommend the Izumi Hotel as one of the better budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
Getting The Best Manicures, Pedicures, and Nail Art in Bangkok
Small cozy local nail salon in Bangkok
So how would I know which is the best nail salon in Bangkok? Okay, so if you don’t already know by now I’m a guy. And I know nothing about nail salons. Or what the difference is between gel color manicures and regular color pedicures.
The answer is the same way I researched for this post on where to find the best stinkiest durian in Bangkok even though I despise durian.
And who would know where to find the best nail salon for manicures and pedicures in Bangkok compared to Thai locals who work and live in Bangkok?
I asked my wife and her Thai friends and friends of friends which nail salons they go to because locals know best.
I know a fair share of my blog readers are females. So I have been getting emails asking where they can find an inexpensive salon with nail spa services in Bangkok.
But the catch is they also want to know which salon has talented nail artists who don’t charge crazy prices.
So what did I learn from my Thai friends?
They tell me one of the top five best budget nail salons in Bangkok with a reputation for fine nail art skills is a small little shop called Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon(2022 Update they moved to a new location in Huai Kwang, not far from central Bangkok). And they do a pretty good job on gel manicures and gel pedicures too as I learned (psstt… I finally found out what the difference is).
I checked out their Facebook business page and saw they have 13,000 likes. They have four salon branches. That’s quite impressive. But I can’t rely on Facebook for my first-ever nail salon review for Bangkok.
And I’m sure as hell not going to get my nails painted for the sake of this blog.
Thankfully, two of my wife’s best friends recently wanted their nails done at Glamour Girls. My wife and I tagged along to check out the nail salon and snap some photos.
They can do intricate nail art designs
The Best Nail Salon in Bangkok (With reasonable rates you won’t find in major tourist areas)
Bangkok is a huge city and nail salons with manicure and pedicure spa services are plenty. So I primarily focused on an area that I’m very familiar with and one that is super easy for foreign tourists to get to.
You can easily travel to their location by train, which is super important.
Also, I know that the best nail salon in Bangkok I recommend to my blog audience also has staff on site who can speak and understand English.
The fact is if you don’t want to pay a lot of money. But want fantastic-looking nails for 250THB by skilled nail technicians in central Bangkok, you will have to get out of the main tourist areas of Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Thonglor, and Pratunam, where tons of expensive nail salon businesses can be found.
Even MBK Mall which has many nail salons charges expensive prices. I’ve been told most of the customers inside MBK nail salons aren’t even locals but practically all tourists.
My Thai lady friends recommended I write a blog review about Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon located in Huai Khwang near central Bangkok and the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. Out of the four GG nail salons in Bangkok, the Huai Khwang branch is the easiest for tourists to reach as it’s close to Huai Khwang MRT subway station.
Glamour Girls is a tourist-friendly shop because it’s easy to find, has plenty of nail polish colors, and a large selection of glitters, nail accessories, and charms. They usually have someone who can speak English on site.
However, from what I’ve gathered out of all the nail shops in the area, Glamour Girls has a reputation for nail artistry as tattoo artists pride themselves on their specialized craft.
Plus Glamour Girls has a popular hand and foot spa package for 1050THB. A popular service for many customers before getting colors painted on their nails. And yes they do provide spa mani and pedi service for men.
Nail Spa Chairs
Top Five Reasons Why My Thai Friends Recommend Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon to Tourists
For a budget nail salon in Bangkok, Glamour Girls Nail Art has strict hygiene guidelines.
They pay a higher than standard industry salary to attract the best nail technicians and artists.
Just like a tattoo parlor, this nail salon specializes in creative one-of-a-kind nail art.
They have one English-speaking staff on the premises.
Glamour Girls uses genuine branded nail polish products only. I learned that a lot of small-budget nail salons in Bangkok use fake knockoffs or inferior nail polish products that won’t last long.
Glamour Girls’ nail technicians also specialize in acrylic extensions and gel extensions. As a man, I’m not going to pretend I know what those are. I just thought nail salons paint nails on fingers and toes.
But if you’re reading this and enjoy getting your nails done all pretty then you know what I’m talking about.
Glamour Girls Nail Salon is Best Known for Acrylic Extension and Gel Extension Nail Services in Bangkok
Also one of the primary reasons Thai locals go to Glamour Girls Nail Salon for acrylic and gel nail extensions is because one or two of their salon technicians won nail competitions.
It’s like you can win anything for doing anything today. I’m still waiting for my Blogger of the Decade award…
Beautifully shaped nail extensions with simple but elegant polish
Glamour Girls is well known in the Huai Khwang area as the best nail salon in Bangkok to get your acrylic extensions and gel extensions done professionally at reasonable prices.
I’ve been informed if you do the same services in central tourist areas you’ll be paying 2 to 3 times more. And that’s without polish and the extras.
How Much They Charge: Mani and Pedi Prices
You can check out their website to see how much they charge for their nail salon services. But here is the basic rate for their most common services:
Regular Color – 200THB
Gel Color Polish – 250THB/300THB/400THB/450THB (Price depends on which brand of nail polish you choose)
PVC Extensions – 350THB for glue on and 450B for UV
Acrylic Extension – 1300THB full set. They use OPI products. I don’t know what OPI is but somehow my wife says it’s important to note. And I always listen to my wife.
Gel Extension – 1600THB with no gel polish color included. They use CND products for gel extensions.
They only charge 50THB for removing old colors.
Going to Glamour Girls
We got to Glamour Girls on a Sunday afternoon, and they were busy with customers. Our friends had to wait in line, but the wait wasn’t too long because the nail technicians worked fast, and customers looked happy as they left.
The nail salon is small. Only two tables for mani and 2 spa sofa chairs for mani and pedi. They want to keep it small and cozy.
Spa pedicure for men 650B
Attention all ladies. Does your man have horrible foot hygiene? Glamour Girls took care of my problem. Ahem, I mean they can take care of your man’s problems. While the ladies’ nails were getting their loving care, I got my gnarly toenails buffed and smooth like butter.
I already said in the beginning no way I’m getting my nails painted. But some personal foot care so my wife is happy earns me brownie points. I need a lot of brownie points.
My wife’s friends are already familiar with Glamour Girl’s salon technicians so they knew which nail polish products they liked. They picked a nail polish brand called Gelly Fit.
The Ladies Loved It!
My friends were so happy with the finished work. Who knew shiny nails could put such a huge smile on a lady’s face? Women…
Next time I do something stupid to my wife I’ll just take her to Glamour Girls. Just kidding. Even for a guy I have to admit hand-painted nail art looks pretty cool.
So for a guy who doesn’t know anything about nail salons, Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon seems like a decent place to get your nails done.
Are there any other places that can do it cheaper and better? My Thai lady friends say today many nail salons charge way too cheap. Because they use inferior products or the staff are inexperienced. Maybe even both reasons.
So they go there because they know their gel polishes will last long because they use top-quality products applied by experienced nail technicians.
I saw a lot of happy faces walking out of that shop so they must be doing something right. This is why many Thais say Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon is one of the best nail salons in Bangkok.
The Best Nail Salon in Bangkok Known for Nail Art
At Glamour Girls they mainly focus on nail art. Inside the shop, customers can browse through photo albums, books, and magazines for examples of cool unique nail art. Just point which one you like and they’ll paint it on your nails.
Glamour Girls has tons of nail polish to pick and choose from including nail art samples…
If you see a particular nail art photo on Instagram or anywhere else on the internet, just show it to a Glamour Girls Nail technician, and they’ll be able to reproduce it on your nails, too.
Prices aren’t that expensive for nail art but obviously the more difficult the nail art the more they charge for the time and material used.
That’s about it. I’ve learned more about the nail salon business than I have ever wanted.
I’m going to get a beer. Watch some basketball and find something manly to do. Chop wood and barbecue meat.
How to Find Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon
The best way to get there is to ride the MRT subway train to MRT Huai Khwang subway station.
Once out of the train, find Exit #1, the exit for Pracharat Bamphen Road.
Walk 300 meters to Pracharat Bamphen Road Soi 7 and turn left. Continue walking down Soi 7 for another 300 meters, their salon is opposite MeStyle Garage Hotel
Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon is a storefront so you can’t miss them. They are directly opposite MeStyle Garage Hotel.
And by the way, the amazing Chatuchak Weekend Market is just six stations from Huai Khwang MRT subway station.
Service menu outside their salonTheir nail extension services are highly recommended
Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon accepts credit cards. I’m assuming Master Cards and Visas only.
Seoul is the best and easiest city to explore on foot. I have been visiting Seoul once every year for the past 5 years. It’s my favorite city for stopover whenever I fly Korean Air from Bangkok to New York.
Though to me, it’s not just any old stopover anymore. The word stopover in Seoul doesn’t do the capital city of South Korea any justice.
I look at visiting Seoul as a real treat. The cherry on top before heading back to New York on that 14 hour journey back to New York.
Seoul is one of the best cities to walk around and explore on foot…
Whenever I visit Seoul I get a chance to reflect back on the months I’ve spent in Thailand and the other countries I’ve visited in Asia. Seoul is sort of like a time marker for me. A bookend to mark my journey for the year before heading back to New York City.
A Time for “Soul” Searching
Seoul has an incredible amount of green open space. For a city of 10 million inhabitants there is a surprising amount of places where you can feel absolutely at peace! I love to sit around one of Seoul’s palace grounds and just relax and unwind.
These two young ladies have got the right idea. Spending a beautiful day talking to a friend is a great way to spend time…
And you can see many Koreans doing just the same. When the weather and temperature is just right it is pure bliss and joy to walk around Seoul or just sit somewhere and let your world’s worries melt away.
A crossroad near Gangnam District…
Top 5 Reasons Why I love Walking Around Seoul
Seoul is very clean with low pollution.
No need to rely on taxis and public transportation to get to most major tourists attractions.
Seoul is very safe with low crime. Walking around the city at night is just as fun!
Seoul has a lot of green space and for a big city it doesn’t feel cramped. You’ll never feel claustrophobic in Seoul.
Korean street food!
Because Seoul is simply one of the best cities in Asia to walk around, explore and just get lost for a few hours wandering around quiet alleyways and major thoroughfares.
Seoul Plaza, the cities streets are wide with plenty of pedestrian walkways…
Seoul’s pedestrian sidewalks are wide, open and well paved. And Korean motorists obey traffic lights and recognize pedestrian right of way.
It’s also a very safe city to walk around especially at night. The city’s police presence is very active since the country is still technically at war with the North.
Seoul’s Subway Train System is Awesome! But You Don’t Really Need It…
As of writing I’m in my early 40’s. Even though I can stand to lose about 15 pounds of weight I am capable of walking around Seoul to get from one tourists attraction to the next.
Injeongheon Hall 인정전, the main throne hall of Changdeokgung Palace 창덕궁 in Seoul, South Korea
For example Seoul’s biggest attractions are its magnificent grand palaces. In between those grand palaces are serene temples, spacious parks and historical landmarks. Even though most attractions have train stations nearby, I highly recommend walking from one to the other. Seoul really is a wonderful city and worthy of exploring every single nook and cranny.
Map of Seoul’s 5 Grand Palaces, train stations and other landmarks…
I also discovered that when you use the subway trains you often have to change train lines. And when you do, you usually have to walk quite far to make a train transfer. If you’re going to be walking anyways, why not walk above ground, especially when the weather is wonderful!
Don’t miss out on the wonderful landmarks dotting the city. Would you rather be outside walking around and taking pictures and selfies? Or slugging it through a tunnel to catch a subway train?
Here’s an Excellent Video That Will Give You An Idea What it is Like to Walk the Five Palaces of Seoul!
Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces (In the Order You Should Visit)
Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon(창덕궁과 후원) [UNESCO World Heritage] (Closed Mondays; Tickets 3000 won, Under 24 years Free) / (Huwon Secret Garden Tour Ticket 5000 won)
Seoul’s 5 palaces all open at 9am. Though all usually close around 6pm but depending on the month and season certain palaces close a half hour earlier or a half hour later.
And the ticket prices I noted above are for adults. For teenagers it’s usually half the price and I believe children 6 and under enter for free. Seniors aged 65+ can also enter for free.
You can take a guided tour inside Huwon Secret Garden which last 90 minutes…
Now it is very possible to visit all five palaces in a day. But you’d probably have to hurry a little. Some of the palaces are bigger than others, particularly Gyeongbokgung Palace andChangdeokgung Palace and Huwon. Huwon has a guided secret garden tour which in itself last 90 minutes.
Gyeongbokgung Palace also has a National Korean Museum that warrants a visit. So there are bits of side trips at almost every palace.
Purchasing this packet of tickets saves you 4000 won…
Planning to stay in Seoul a Little While Longer?
What I recommend if you are planning to visit all 5 Seoul Palaces is to break up your visits into two or three days if time permitting.
If that’s your plan you should purchase the Combination Ticket for Palaces. The price is 10000 won which includes ticket price to Jongmyo Shrine (종묘) another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A throne fit for a Korean King at Gyeongbokgung Palace…
This packet of tickets saves you 4000 won so if you’re planning on visiting all 4 of the 5 palaces (because Gyeonghuigung Palace has free admission) and Jongmyo Shrine you might as well purchase this integrated Royal Palaces combination ticket pack.
And the integrated tickets are valid up to a month from date of purchase. So you can enjoy visiting your favorite Seoul Palaces as much as you want before the 1 month expiration date.
Ticket offices are found at all palace entrances (except Gyeonghuigung Palace because it’s free)…
You can purchase the integrated tickets packet at any of the grand palaces ticket booths except Gyeonghuigung Palace because that’s the only admissions free palace in Seoul.
Need to upload your fresh selfies and photos to Facebook or Instagram? You can get free Wi-Fi internet access near the ticket booths. It’s just one of the free internet Wi-Fi hotspots in Seoul for tourists to get connected and share their holiday photos on the spot.
There are free english guided tours at Jongymo Shrine as well as other Seoul’s Grand Palaces…
More Strolling Around Seoul Tips
If your goal is to visit the palaces in multiple days, you can also visit Cheonggyecheon Stream, another popular and beautiful spot in the heart of Seoul’s commercial business district.
While in Seoul, be sure to visit Cheonggyecheon Stream!…
Cheonggyecheon Stream is right across from Deoksugung Palace which is my first suggested palace to visit if you plan on squeezing a visit to all five palaces.
You’re also going to want to visit Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) which is about a 10 minute walk from the eastern gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Bukchon Hanok Village is still a residential area. There are some very lucky folks living in some very nice homes…
It’s a very trendy area and quite extensive as well with some steep but paved roads. There is an area famous for traditional Korean homes called “Hanok” and is still a residential area so you’ll find many signs requesting visitors to respect the home owners’ properties.
Don’t Forget to Check Out Insadong Too
While you’re doing research on visiting Seoul I’m sure you’ve come across Insadong too. It’s a popular tourists shopping strip full of souvenir shops, traditional Korean restaurants as well as Korean snack vendors and street food!
The Best Area for Budget Hotels in Seoul
The city of Seoul is big. And the magnificent Han River cuts right through the middle. Seoul’s five grand palaces are located on the north side of the Han River. And there are many more other landmarks and tourists attractions located on the north side of the Han River as well.
I usually stay at the Seoul City Hotel when I want to explore the grand palaces, Namsan Tower, Dongdaemun Market and Namedemeun Market…
If you’re looking for budget hotels and plan on visiting all 5 great palaces in Seoul here are two areas to take a look at for your hotel options:
Namdaemun and Dongdaemun are near each other. When I want to visit the palaces I usually stay at Seoul City Hotel in Namdaemun. At that hotel I can walk to Deoksugung Palace, in about 15 minutes at a leisure walking pace.
At both of those recommended locations for budget hotels in Seoul you can get a 2 star hotel room for between $30USD to $60USD a night. Many hostels are also located in both areas as well.
Both recommended locations also have train stations nearby too.
I’ve Got Nothing Against Seoul’s Subway Trains
Seoul’s subway train system is excellent! And I only use it when I need to. For instance if I want to visit Hongdae which is a popular shopping/street market section of Seoul popular for young and always hip Koreans. But it’s too far to walk there so I just use the train.
And there’s the Itaewon district where the Korean War Museum is located. It’s just west of Namdaemun and easier to simply get there by train.
The first time I ever went to Gangnam District I was amazed at how big it was…
Plus who can forget the Gangnam District made famous by super K-Pop star Psy! Gangnam is located south of the Han River. Unless you can walk on water or swim like a dolphin this is the time when the subway train comes in handy too.
I’m Always Looking Forward to My Visits in Seoul
A view from Namsan Mountain where Seoul Tower is located…
Seoul has given me a first glimpse into Korean culture and life for the very first time 5 years ago. My first impressions and experiences in this wonderful city has left me yearning and excited for more future visits.
The city has it all. Great food, wonderful friendly people, amazing beautiful palaces and landmarks. But most importantly, Seoul is so easy and pleasurable to explore on my own two feet.
Coffee and pie after a nice stroll around Seoul is a must!…
But Wait There’s More…
Another excellent reason to wander around Seoul on foot. South Koreans love coffee so there are many cafés. Some are small and unique run by local Koreans and others are large coffee chains like Starbucks and Holly’s Coffee.
Me, I prefer the smaller cafés with a bakery section. Every year when I head back to Seoul I discover a nice little cozy café. Coffee and cake together. The best combination ever after a full day of strolling around Seoul.
If You’re Looking for Products to Buy and Sell Home, Go to Sampeng Market in Bangkok…
I enjoy reading blogs about living in Thailand. And I’ve come across some very interesting posts about how tourists can make money while traveling around Thailand.
But (and there always is a but) it’s not going to be easy. If it was, everyone would be doing it. However, there are frequent visitors to Thailand who do this for a living and do well.
One of the ways you can earn some cash from your travels around Thailand is by purchasing products that you can sell back home. Let’s face it, lots of stuff these days are made and produced from factories all over Southeast Asia. Even things from China end up in Sampeng at reasonable costs.
It’s a fact that many foreign travelers in Thailand buy all sorts of odds and ends with the purpose of resale back in their home country. It’s certainly not a new and modern concept. Think about Marco Polo and the Silk Road. Except you get to fly back home with suit cases full of goodies minus the horse and camel caravans.
3 Tips on Maximizing Your Profits on Buy and Selling Thai Products
Buy made in Thailand products for maximum profits.
Thai silk scarfs, flip flops, sandals and jewelry are just a few examples of high profit products manufactured in Thailand.
Focus on small items that yields a high profit margin. This way you can pack more into your luggage.
Where’s Sampeng and Why’s it So Special…
Sampeng Market is located right in Bangkok’s Chinatown on Soi Wanit 1. This is a long lane running about 400 meters up. But Sampeng Market itself is wide spread and encompasses northeast of Yaowarat Road which is Chinatown’s main avenue. In this area you’ll mostly find clothing including women’s shoes, hand bags, flip flops, towels, cosmetics beauty accessories and a lot more.
You’ll even find some electronics, audio components such as headphones, portable bluetooth speakers, portable battery chargers, selfie sticks and memory cards.
Then there is Sampeng Lane which is really just an extension of Sampeng Market. Although Sampeng Lane is mostly a wholesale fabrics market you can find the same items and accessories as Sampeng Market. Sampeng Lane is quite narrow and it can get claustrophobic especially in the mornings and weekends.
Sampeng has a deep historical significance with many Thai business owners with Chinese roots. Many of the business owners can speak Mandarin and retained their connections with mainland Chinese relatives.
When you walk around Sampeng Market and Sampeng Lane you will see a lot of really old buildings with signs that have Chinese characters. Many of the buildings have been renovated though look the same as when they were built back in the 1900s. Walking around the area after hours you can’t help but feel like you’ve been teleported back in time. Or at least to China.
The more you buy the lower the cost…
When it comes to Bangkok’s tourist market scene, Sampeng is not as big as Chatuchak Weekend Market or as famous.
However, many of the items, hand made goods and Chinese made products you find at Chatuchak probably passed through Sampeng, which is one of the most well known wholesale market in all of Bangkok.
Sampeng Hours of Operation and Best Time to Visit
Sampeng, both the Market and Lane opens early though there is no definitive set hours. It’s not a mall after all. Each and every shop have their own hours but it’s safe to say most shops open around 6am. Closing times vary as well but it’s safe to say most shops close around 7pm to 8pm.
A majority of stores and shops in Sampeng open 7 days a week though some shops like wholesale shoe stores close on Sundays. I have seen shops close during the Chinese Lunar New Years. Which makes a lot of sense since many shops are operated by Thai Chinese.
For me, the best time to visit Sampeng is before afternoon when the sun gets too hot. However, it’s packed pretty much throughout the day. Many Thai locals that purchase their inventory at Sampeng are just as wise and get there early to replenish their shop inventory while avoiding the hot and humid afternoon temperature.
Some shops though have air conditioning. And if you feel a bit over heated, don’t be shy, step into a shop with air conditioning and browse around.
Plenty of water, fresh fruit and fruit juice vendors are all over so there’s no reason not to get your fluids and stay hydrated. Might be a good idea to carry a hand towel too.
Making Money from Products Bought in Sampeng Market
One of the most convenient ways for tourists to make some cash profits is buying goods from one of the many wholesale markets found in Thailand and selling them back home. Bangkok is the city where you can find locally made Thai products and even products imported from China.
Sampeng Market located in Bangkok’s Chinatown is one area I think is the best place to find products and goods sold at wholesale prices.
Earrings and other inexpensive bling are not expensive at Sampeng when purchased in bulk…
Of course if you’re coming to Thailand for vacation you can’t really buy big and large ticket items like teak coffee tables. Good luck shoving one of those in your check in luggage.
Keep an Eye Out for Made in Thailand Products
Here’s the biggest and best advice I can give you and that is if you want maximum profits you should buy made in Thailand products.
Due to Thailand’s abundant natural resources that can be repurposed to make handmade goods as well as relative cheap labor, you’ll be surprised to find decent quality products that you can resell for a hefty profit margin.
For example I found Thai handmade flip flops made with Thai rubber with nice designs with good quality materials. Plenty of handmade jewelry like the ones mentioned below are also items of high profitability. Be on the lookout for small portable items that you can stuff into your luggage.
Small packable items that can yield maximum profits is what you should be focused on!
Sampeng Market is a Tchotchke Paradise
You’ll want to sell small ticket items, simple baubles and tchotchke. Stuff that fits neatly in your checked or carry on baggage. And Sampeng Market is just the right place to go for that.
The most popular items are inexpensive bead jewelry…
A Very Small Sampling of What You’ll Find in Sampeng Market:
Wrist Watches
Inexpensive Jewelry (beads, rings, ear rings, bracelets and necklaces etc…)
Non – Brand Name Women’s Cosmetics
Keychains
Cell Phone Cases
Hand Bags
Men, Women and Children Clothes
Tools
Small Electronics Accessories
House Hold Items
The first 5 listed items you can squeeze in to your luggage. There are many more items and products such as large rolls of fabrics and common plastic household goods sold in Sampeng too. But your goal is to find something small which you can sell at least 3x to 5x the cost and fits in your luggage.
Now I say it’s convenient to find items to sell. But I will tell you up front it won’t be easy to sell things online these days unless you have a physical shop location back home already or have a running profitable E-Commerce website or some other online selling presence such as eBay and Etsy etc.
But if you’re into selling at flea markets then you could do okay. You could also be a lot smarter than me and perhaps have better ideas on how to unload the goods for maximum profit.
Jewelry Items Found in Sampeng is Also the Best Product to Sell
The best product to buy from Sampeng in my most humble opinion is jewelry. You can find all sorts of inexpensive jewelry from real silver necklaces to rhodium or nickel plated ear rings and bracelets. I couldn’t really get photos of those kinds of jewelry and I tried but the owners don’t like having strangers taking photos of their products.
But you don’t have to buy precious metals like silver. You can buy beads and stones and even sea shell type jewelry. You can even find jewelry made from coconuts and other sorts of eco-friendly materials courtesy of mother nature.
I wanted to take some photos of such items but again, shop owners are quite strict when it comes to taking photos of their products.
But I plucked out some photos I found on eBay of inexpensive beaded necklaces you can find at Sampeng’s many shops.
The ones pictured above are listed for sale at around $20USD but at Sampeng you can buy them for around $4USD to $5USD each. Because Sampeng is one of Bangkok’s most popular wholesale market the more you purchase the more the cost per piece drops down. The more you buy the bigger the discount you get.
Wristwatches are Also Good Products to Sell…
Walk around Sampeng’s lanes and you will find many wristwatch shops with tons of variety and styles of watches. The degree of quality on wrist watches is something you should really examine while you’re at those shops. Now I don’t know anything about watches but I do know a few Thai locals who purchase wrist watches from Sampeng to be resold in their home towns outside of Bangkok. And they say the quality is decent. But then again they know about watches.
“I recommend buying cheap kid’s watches with cartoons. If it’s sold cheap enough usually parents won’t complain if it breaks or even if their child loses it.”
We all know how expensive eye glass frames are. At Sampeng you can buy boat loads and sell them back in your home country…
And from what they tell me it is best to stay away from watches that are too cheap and by cheap I mean by price. If you find watches in mid range prices those are probably the ones that are better in quality.
As I said I don’t know much about wristwatch quality and craftsmanship but not buying adult watches that are dirt cheap in prices is sound advice.
Sunglasses and Other Fashion Accessories are Good Too…
My suggestion in choosing products to sell from Sampeng is to figure out what would most likely sell in your local area. For example I know a guy from Florida and every time he visits Thailand he always brings back suit cases full of cheap sunglasses, baseball caps and beach hats back home.
He then sells everything at flea markets, to friends and even on eBay. It won’t make him rich but what he did sell the proceeds made up for half of his purchased plane ticket. And that’s not bad.
Figuring out what to sell is also one of the most difficult part of doing this sort of business. But picking the right and proper product for your locality could make selling just a bit easier.
How Much Money You’ll Need and How Much Money You Could Make (Possibly)…
This post is not a how to get rich quick type of blog post. Nothing comes easy especially when you’re selling inexpensive wristwatches, sunglasses and other knick knacks for the very first time. Plus you’ll be competing against every other guy and gal selling the same products either online or at local flea markets. And of course you’ll need money to make money.
I have asked around friends and acquaintances on how much they recommend for a purchasing budget. And the general consensus is $500USD minimum. Which equates to 15000THB (as of writing) and that is a decent budget.
Sampeng is definitely one market you need to haggle and bargain in. The better price you get the healthier your profit margin will be. I also recommend if a certain price does not fit your budget then don’t feel pressured to buy. Move on and find another shop selling the same products. You might get lucky and get a better price somewhere else in Sampeng.
Many Thai locals buy bulk from Sampeng for resale either in a physical store location and even on their personel Facebook account…
Few Tips as a Buyer at Sampeng Market
Focus on One or Two Items:
As I already mentioned, think about what would be the easiest for you to sell. If the area you live in has a flea market that is visited by many children then maybe buying a bunch of Hello Kitty items or inexpensive kid’s watches with current and popular cartoon themes would be a good idea.
All sorts of Hello Kitty items are sold in Sampeng Lane…
Don’t buy a bunch of odds and ends simply because you think they would all sell. If you want to sell Hello Kitty items it might not be a good idea to sell screw driver sets and headphones next to it. Focusing on a few items within the same product category makes it easier to keep track of inventory too.
Build Rapport with Shop Owners
Many shop owners or at least shop staff can speak some English or they’ll find some way to communicate. But a calculator is the best translator and they always have one available. One of the best ways to get a better discount or preferential treatment is to deal with the same vendor. A lot of shops carry the same products at about the same wholesale prices.
Not all the folks inside these shops will be over-friendly. That’s just their style and because you’re not the only customer they have to deal with. Because there are so many wholesalers in Sampeng you’ll find at least one you can form a good business relationship with.
Remember, if you travel to Thailand often and plan on bringing back products to sell, it’s a good idea to start building relationships with Sampeng’s shop vendors…
Shops love repeat buyers though. Ask for their names and remember their faces. Smile and be polite. Learn a few Thai phrases and speaking just a little bit of Thai can go a long way.
You can build rapport by going to a shop and make a purchase at a price that is reasonable to you the first day. Then, go back the next day and purchase some more. You might get a better price. But of course this only makes sense when time permits.
And this also only makes sense if you’re planning on becoming a repeat traveler to Thailand.
It won’t make you rich but it could be fun…
Remember, this Won’t Make You Rich…
Buying all sorts of products from Sampeng Market in Bangkok and selling them back home is not for everyone. The act of “selling” is not for everyone. You’d probably have to be an extrovert and being a natural sales person doesn’t hurt.
And it won’t take the place of a full time job if you’ve got one. Most casual travelers I’ve come across in Thailand that do this type of business sell on weekends with full time jobs during the weekdays. It’s just one way to supplement their income and save up for a return trip to Thailand.
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