Former DJ Shareen Wong is back to share with you more travel tips, and she highlights some of the most happening places in Thong Lor, Bangkok
You may have been to Bangkok quite a few times now. Are you looking to experience some cool new places?
In Part 2 of our Thong Lor guide, I bring you more things to see and do.
Seenspace 13
This place is best described as the Bangkok equivalent of Holland Village but occupying a much smaller space. Hop on a motorcycle outside Exit 3 of the Thonglor BTS and it’s on your left once you turn into Soi 13.
The first thing that hits you is the open courtyard that’s shared by three to four restaurants and bars like Fat’R Gut’z, which is known for its fish and chips, and Clouds, which has an interesting cocktail menu and décor to match.
Head upstairs to one of my favourite brunch places – Roast. The menu is designed to resemble a newspaper and offers a good variety of yummy-looking items for lunch or dinner. The pulled pork burger and crab cakes are good and you’ll want to leave room for dessert.
The place has a nice, chill vibe with its mismatched chairs and sofas and a mixed crowd of expats and locals. Reservations are recommended.
Seenspace 13, Thonglor Soi 13
The Iron Fairies
A jazz bar inspired by a fairy tale book written by its owner? The Iron Fairies is easily Bangkok’s most intriguing (jazz) bar. You’re greeted by rows of medicine (or is it fairy dust?) bottles outside which don’t look like much. But once you’ve stepped into the dark, broody bar it does feel magical.
Owned by Ashley Sutton, a former Australian blacksmith, the bar is designed to look like an ironsmith’s workshop. Once your eyes get accustomed to the dark, you’ll start to admire the gargoyles, fiends and fairies hovering above you.
Come for the cocktails, the band and the experience. You might find yourself tempted by the massive burgers.
The Iron Fairies, 394 Soi Thonglor, Sukhumvit 55, Tel: +66 99 918 1600
Food Street Sukhumvit Soi 38
It might sound far off but Soi 38 actually is just across the road from Thong Lor BTS. Don’t expect a gathering of hawkers similar to Newton Circus or Lau Pa Sat in Singapore. Instead there are probably no more than 20 street vendors here serving up pretty tasty nosh.
At the start of the street to your right, down a little alleyway, look out for the “Pad Thai Champion of the World”! This guy has taken part in Pad Thai competitions and emerged champion, and you can taste why.
His dish is filled with fresh seafood, including chunks of crab meat, and his noodles are perfectly cooked. It’s also not too cloyingly sweet as most Pad Thais can be. Second to the Pad Thai are the ripe, juicy mangoes and sticky rice.
Stroll a little further down and you’ll find a porridge stall where you can customise your porridge anyway you like. I had mine with sliced pork, salted and century eggs (they give you whole eggs) and it was one of the best “chok”s I’ve had!
If you’re not too stuffed, walk a little further down and you’ll see a noodle cart serving Thai-style wanton mee with dumplings and crab meat!
Find a table and “tar pow” from the various stalls so that you get to sample a bit of everything. The stall owners won’t mind. It is best to go from 7pm onwards as some stalls open only later at night.
Shareen Wong is a travel-holic, foodie and former radio presenter. She’s floored by the sheer number of cool restaurants and bars in Thong Lor. And they keep popping up, so there’s a never-ending list of places to check out!
Shareen has caught the entrepreneurial bug and now travels the world curating pieces for her designer jewellery boutique – Embrace Jewellery. Follow her travels on Instagram: @shareenwong_
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