US E-sim provider recommendation ?

if your bank is being picky about voip numbers, you might want to look at google fi. it's not the cheapest at $20/month for the basic plan but it's a real t-mobile number that most banks won't flag. you can activate it while sitting at a cafe on thong lor and just keep it on wifi calling with data turned off to avoid extra charges. downside is you need to be in the us to start the service, so you'd need a friend or family back home to order the sim and mail it to you

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I'd go with Ultra Mobile instead of the usual Tello suggestion. Their pay-as-you-go eSIM is around $3 a month and you can top up with a US credit card while sitting at the 7-11 on Sukhumvit 11 if you want. The main difference is Ultra uses T-Mobile's network which has better international roaming agreements, so if you ever travel back to the US it'll work seamlessly. Just set it up with wifi at your condo and you'll have the number active within an hour for those bank 2FA codes.

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honestly just get a Tello eSIM, they have a $5/month plan with unlimited texts which is perfect for 2FA. you can set it up entirely online while sitting at a cafe in Siam Square, no need to go through any verification calls or anything. just make sure you turn off data roaming on that line so you don't accidentally get charged for data you aren't using. the number will work straight away for your bank apps too, I've been using one for my US bank for like 2 years now without issues

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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