The teenager, known as Queue, planned the two-day trip for Oct. 2-3, giving his grandfather his first chance to travel abroad, The Tiger reported.
The pair departed from Nakhon Pathom Province in western Thailand, traveling by train to Su-ngai Kolok District in Narathiwat Province before crossing into Malaysia.
To keep expenses low, they chose third-class train tickets, the cheapest option available.
According to State Railway of Thailand fares, a ticket from Nakhon Pathom to Su-ngai Kolok costs about 230 baht (US$7) per person.
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A photo shared on social media shows Queue and his grandfather posing for photos near the iconic Merlion statue in Singapore. |
After entering Malaysia, they traveled by bus to Pasir Mas railway station in Kelantan state before taking a train to Johor Bahru, a city bordering Singapore. The train tickets cost around 390 baht per person, while the final bus ride into Singapore cost 50 baht each, Mothership reported.
According to online booking platforms, one-way flight tickets from Thailand to Singapore range from $77-99 while round-trip tickets cost from $162-207, depending on the airline and time of booking.
Although Queue had previously visited Singapore in 2022, his grandfather had never traveled overseas.
Queue took him to Merlion Park, where they posed for a commemorative photo in front of the iconic Merlion statue.
The pair further reduced expenses by spending the night in Johor Bahru instead of Singapore, AsiaOne reported.
Their room cost 2,000 baht, with Queue’s older brother helping pay for the accommodation.
Singapore is the world’s most expensive city for luxury living and high-net-worth individuals for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Julius Baer Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2026.
Many tourists have complained about high cost of living in Singapore and even claimed they only eat one meal a day to save costs.
However, Singapore’s safety, low crime rate and high quality of life continue making it an attractive destination.
Queue’s journey quickly gained traction online, with one of his posts attracting more than 792,000 likes and 4,000 comments.
Many users applauded his resourcefulness, independence and thoughtfulness in making his grandfather’s first overseas trip possible despite financial constraints.
“You are so lucky to have the chance to take your grandfather traveling,” a netizen wrote.
Another praised the teenager’s courage, saying that even traveling alone with everything prepared could be nerve-racking.
Following the story’s viral posts, several Singapore residents offered to host the pair or take them out for a meal.
However, Queue and his grandfather had already returned to Thailand.