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Jul 25, 2018 • 4 min read
iBestTravel Local Micaela Marini Higgs moved to Bangkok and quickly fell in love with the city’s diverse culinary landscape, vibrant markets, and maze of sois (lanes). She spends her days wandering through the city’s neighborhoods snacking on street food and her nights sampling Thailand’s new offerings of craft beer.
When I have friends in town… we always skip the crowds at the Grand Palace and visit the Reclining Buddha at my favourite temple, Wat Pho, instead. The large complex serves as a fantastic introduction to Thai architecture and tradition. The nearby Pak Khlong Talat flower market, with sidewalks overflowing with vibrant blooms, creates picture-perfect memories.
The best market to shop is… Chatuchak Weekend Market. Popular among both tourists and locals, you can find absolutely everything here, including souvenirs, vintage clothing, the latest fashions, small art galleries, and plenty of t-shirts printed with humorously nonsensical English phrases.
For cheap eats… I eat on the street! Visiting areas with many office workers or big lunchtime crowds is an easy way to find Thai favorites for less than 100B. Moreover, it’s an excellent method for discovering new dishes. Areas like Phahonyothin 7 in Ari or Convent Road in Silom fill up with loyal regulars during lunch, but if you keep an eye out, you’ll find outdoor food courts tucked down alleys around the city. If nothing looks good or I’m in a hurry, I’ll duck into a 7-Eleven and grab a delicious and filling onigiri rice ball for 27B.
When picking a street stall… I always look at how clean the sauce and condiment containers are. This tip, learned from a friend when I first moved to Bangkok, has served me well. Although there isn’t a foolproof way to avoid food poisoning, this suggestion makes sense—if they’re diligent in keeping these containers clean, they’re likely also maintaining cleanliness in their food prep area.
When I want to splash out… I get drinks at Rabbit Hole, a ‘secret’ bar on Thong Lor. With no signage or windows and an exterior made of diagonal wood paneling, the bar can be easy to miss from the street. However, its exceptional cocktails are certainly not a secret. At around 400B per drink, it’s the kind of place to celebrate or treat yourself, and the affluent crowd makes for enjoyable people-watching. In a city where many bartenders stick to strict measurements, I also appreciate that the drinks here are boozy enough that you don’t have to order too many rounds.
When I’m up for a big night out… I head to Thong Lor! First, I grab a curry set at Congee & Curry, which fills me up before a night of drinking and is so reasonably priced that I almost don’t feel guilty about the bar tab I’m about to rack up. From there, I visit The Beer Cap, located on the ground floor of The Commons, for a few craft beers. After that, I head to either 12 x 12 or T-Rex, two nearby dives known for their relaxed atmospheres and alternative music selections, ranging from tropical groove to 80s pop.
When I want to get out of the city… I take a trip to Khao Yai, one of Thailand’s stunning national parks, only a few hours drive north of Bangkok. You can get a van here from Victory Monument, but ensure to rent a car or scooter for navigating Khao Yai since the attractions are spread out. While spotting the park’s large population of mischievous macaques is easy, it’s worth hiring a guide for the best elephant and wildlife spotting locations. Outside the park, bizarre recreations of European architecture, such as the tower of Pisa, await photo-op loving tourists.
One thing I dislike about Bangkok… is the traffic! Although the BTS Skytrain allows for quick travel around the city, venturing off the beaten path to discover local delights can lead to getting stuck in gridlock. Therefore, if you plan to visit Chinatown or the Old Town or will be on the road near rush hour, make sure to factor in significant traffic time.
What I love most about Bangkok… is that there is always more to discover. Even if you’re from Bangkok, staying on top of all the new openings and knowing the best spots in every neighborhood is nearly impossible, so I’m constantly uncovering new places worth recommending. Additionally, I adore the diversity—and quality—of Bangkok’s food offerings. One night I can indulge in phenomenal high-end Indian cuisine at one of my favourite restaurants, Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology, and the following day, I can feast on delicious Chinese food at another favorite, a no-nonsense hole-in-the-wall place called Sun Moon Restaurant.
One tip I’d give travelers… is to back away from the harem pants, otherwise known as ‘elephant pants’! While they’re incredibly comfortable, they’ve also become a major cliché, drawing attention to the fact that you’re new in town, which túk-túk scammers take advantage of. While you’re free to wear what you want, I always tell my visiting friends to save them as a souvenir to wear once they’re home instead.
