Let's be honest and admit that it was bound to happen. The second we got wind of a domestic case in Samut Sakhon, it was only a question of when things would be ordered to close. Granted, it may not be a hard lockdown like the first time around. However, as of the writing of this article, we're upwards of 10,000 cases now compared to the now-measly 1,000 or so we had the first time around so it's safe to say that things are a little worse than before. However, vaccines are set to arrive next month so there's a glimmer of hope. All we have to do is once again limit ourselves from going out in public unless absolutely necessary. I know the thought of having to once again lock ourselves at home is a drag, and that's why we've got this handy list for you. Here's how to thrive -- or at the very least, survive -- the second quarantine.
GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND EXERCISE
As tempting as it is to simply lounge about in our PJs on the couch while our laptop is on our lap as we "work", staying fit and healthy is essential. After all, there is a pandemic going on. No gym? No problem. Check out these two gyms to keep you fit and strong throughout this second wave.
PHYSIQUE 57
If you've ever watched one of Dwayne Johnson's finest films, The Tooth Fairy, then you'll know that the one thing that made The Rock fall on his knees was ballet. It's a no-brainer then that ballet barre training exists and that's what Physique 57 has brought to Bangkok. Though they've closed down because of the second wave, they're doing video workouts which they post on their FB page. Check their website for all their social media so you can follow them and be updated as to when their next workouts will be.
BASE BANGKOK
Base is one of the city's best gyms and has a number of programmes to help you achieve your fitness goals. Despite closing for the time being near the beginning of the year, they haven't let that stop them. They've held free online classes on Zoom that people signed up for and they're also offering an Online Training Starter Pack, which includes online one-on-one training and group classes for a price of B5,000. Check their website and social media for info on their online classes as well as any updates.
SHOP 'TIL YOU VIRTUALLY DROP
Online shopping has become more popular since the pandemic hit the world and with this second wave in full effect, we're probably going spend even more time browsing through the virtual shelves of more online stores. Popular apps like Shopee and Lazada are already a given so let's level up our online shopping experience this time around.
ETSY
Etsy could be considered the artisan equivalent of Shopee and Lazada. Everything being sold on Etsy is from independent creators, and while its stores and sellers are all over the globe, they also have some who are based right here in Thailand. You can find almost anything you're looking for from personalised gifts to cute decorations for your home.
LAMKA
Lamka is a store that's made local artisan products available to the rest of the world. Its name is derived from the Thai word that means "precious", which is what it aims to give to its customers, or "one of a kind, handmade, something to treasure" as its website describes. They've got a number of products like jewellery and even handmade adorable baby mobiles to hang up on cribs. Be sure to check in regularly to their store since there's a good possibility they'll add more items as they discover more local creators.
SIAMTIP
Siamtip sells a unique and stylish product: shoes. Reading that, it may not seem that mind-blowing, but a glance at the pictures of these one-of-a-kind shoes and you'll get what I mean. According to their FB page, all of the products are handmade and made from materials like hemp and batik. Each of their footwear is not just colourful and eye-catching in design but they're also varied in style: some are open-toed sandals while others have a more modern Vans-like aesthetic. Whatever style you prefer, they've probably got something to tickle your fancy.
THE JUNGLE EMPORIUM
The Jungle Emporium's name suggests a shop with a variety of things from various places, and it's exactly that. Its founder, Julianne Bailey, was inspired by her travels and decided to open a shop that sold various boutique items from all over the world. Despite being barely a year old, The Jungle Emporium already has a number of unique and fascinating items from tableware and cutlery to jewellery and fashion items. Some of their beautiful items include their coral-inspired candelabras which -- surprise, surprise -- come from Chiang Mai.
GET READING
You're probably spending every day with your eyes on a screen and while we do have recommendations on what to binge after this category, you might perhaps want to give your sight a break and just relax with a good book. OK, I admit that you're probably going to read these books on a screen too but at least you're not stressing your eyes out too much. And since everyone likes free stuff, here are some websites that give you freebies to read.
MANYBOOKS
Manybooks is exactly what its name implies, and they're not playing when they say "many". There are numerous free e-books ready for you to download and devour including a number of classics. They also offer you discounted prices on other books when you sign up for the site. You can browse through their selection and different genres on their website. They're bound to have a number of titles that will keep you occupied for weeks, perhaps even months.
BOOKBUB
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have your own editorial team that handpicks books for you according to your preference then wonder no more. Bookbub is a free service you can sign up for that will notify you about great deals on your favourite genres and authors on whatever device you read on whether it's a Kindle or on an Apple device using Apple Books. Aside from all the recommendations, they also notify you of free e-books that you can download daily. It's a great way to forego mindless browsing in a sea of titles that could overwhelm you. Think of it like the recommended titles on Netflix under "Because you watched so-and-so..."
COMIXOLOGY
Forego binging the whole MCU line-up or Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy for the umpteenth time and go to the source material instead. Comixology is arguably the best place to go for your digital graphic novel needs and has tonnes of titles for you to get into. I'll admit that its place on this list is a bit of a cheat because for you to fully access their whole library, you're going to have to pay a subscription. However, they do have a sizeable number of titles that are free, which at the time of writing this article include titles from DC and Marvel, as well as titles like The Umbrella Academy and The Walking Dead. So even if you're only going to go for the free titles, you've got enough there to possibly satisfy your graphic novel needs.
CONTINUE THE BINGE FEST
I know that this was probably all you did the last time we were in quarantine. There might even be some of you who are complaining you're "tired" of just binging shows and movies. But let's be honest: this is something you'll definitely do whether it's because there's new stuff to binge or you're just doing it out of sheer boredom. Here are some titles that you might fancy.
THE BOYS
Prime Video
This irreverent, violent and sometimes downright disturbing show is based on a popular comic series that turns the superhero genre on its head. Set in a world where superpowered beings are nothing new, the series follows the titular group as they set their eyes on taking down The Seven, a Justice League-esque group sponsored by the corporation giant, Vought, who are up to no good. The most dangerous of the Seven is the most revered by the unknowing public: Homelander, who's basically Superman if he was a big, maniacal d-bag. Two seasons are ready for you to binge so it should keep you occupied for a day or two depending on your binge-skills.
(Photo © Prime Video)
TED LASSO
Apple TV+
For something a little more light-hearted and comedic, the story of a genuinely kind-hearted coach in over his head is the way to go. Based on a character Jason Sudeikis used to play, Ted Lasso follows the titular character who makes his way across the pond to Britain to coach a football club despite not knowing anything about the sport. Hilarity ensues, of course, but while the players and the club's fans give him a hard time and call him an English slang that means "getting oneself off", he slowly but surely wins them over. Despite only being a season-long, it's one of the great shows Apple TV+ has produced since its release.
(Photo © Apple TV+)
LONG WAY UP
Apple TV+
If you prefer going on a real-life documentary that will take you to the most beautiful places in South and Central America, Long Way Up is a show you'll love binging. It's the third in the Long Way Series, the first two being Long Way Round and Long Way Down. This time around, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are starting from the very tip of South America and riding their bikes all the way up to Los Angeles. There's a major difference in their trip this time around though: they're riding prototype electric Harleys to reduce their carbon emissions, but as they soon find out, that makes things a little complicated. There are 11 45-minute episodes to keep you busy for at least a day.
(Photo © Apple TV+)
ARCHER
Netflix
Remember when "You still watch cartoons?" used to be an insult? Now we've got cartoons specifically tailored to adults because I guess there's nothing like feeling like a kid again despite the fact that an animated character is dropping f-bombs all over the place. Archer is one of the longest-running adult animated shows out there and follows the misadventures of narcissistic and sex-maniac Sterling Archer. He's the star agent of an intelligence agency called ISIS, which is led by none other than his mother, Malory, who employs a number of interesting characters: Lana, Sterling's ex; Cheryl, an assistant who seems to have mental issues; and Figgis, a shy, mild-mannered accountant. The show has a whopping 11 seasons so you're going to be pretty busy.
(Photo © Netflix)
COBRA KAI
Netflix
Set 34 years after the original Karate Kid, the show focuses on Johnny Lawrence and what has happened since he lost to Daniel LaRusso in the karate tournament all those years ago. Down and out, Johnny reopens the Cobra Kai dojo in an attempt to relive his glory days. Though he tries to revamp the principles of the dojo to be more honourable, which is what he teaches his students, this doesn't stop his old rivalry with Daniel, who is now living the life, from flaring up again. Not only are these middle-aged guys so caught up in the past, but they're now also affecting their own children and students. Three seasons are available for you to binge on, and with 10 episodes in each season, it should keep you occupied for a week or so.
(Photo © Netflix)
