Naiise Travels: Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok has been at the top of many Singaporean’s get-away list due to the plethora of thrills that the city offers. Be it the delectable street food or the array of shopping options, there’s a piece of Bangkok for everyone to enjoy. This time on Naiise Travels, we have taken the liberty to share with you some tips that we have amassed during our recent buying trip to Bangkok!

Cafe, Bars and other Food

Fab Cafe

77/1 Soi Ari 1
Ratchakru Bangkok 10400
+66 83 619 9983
Mon: closed
Tue – Sun: 10:00 – 20:00

This eclectic cafe can make your designs come to life with the help of their laser cutting machines and 3D printers. Despite its limited culinary offerings, the surrounding greenery still makes for a laid-back environment to have a sandwich and a cuppa while we were waiting for our Naiise acrylics to be cut.

The Bloc

94 Ratchaphruek Rd, Taling Chan
Bangkok 10170, Thailand
+66 86 555 8789
Daily: 10:00 am - 12:00 am

This cafe also has a whimsical collective space meant as a platform for breeding ideas within the community. The Bloc hosts industrial container spaces that welcome anyone to take a moment or two to contemplate about life and all its encompassing richness or to be simply inspired. We all wish there was a place like that at home.

Everyday by KARMAKAMET

1/F, Yada Building, Silom Rd., 02-237-1148
+66 2 237 1148
Daily: 10am-9pm 
This intriguing Zakka-style retail shop cum cafe advocates slowing down your pace of life but also living it to the fullest. We love the branded space and the ambience that it entails. We're sure that you would stay here all day for brainstorming if you could! 

Iron Fairies Jazz Bar

402 Soi Thonglor, Sukhumvit 55 Rd., Bangkok, Thailand 10110
+66 099-918-1600 / +66 02-714-8875
Daily: 6:00 pm - 2:00 am 

For an enchanting night, head to this jazz bar called Iron Fairies which stocks intriguingly named fairy-related cocktails (we had absinthe cocktails. *hick*). The bar's in this shophouse with a dark and broody interior; bottles of glitter fairy dust decorates the place. In other words, this bar fits right into a Harry Potter movie. The main attraction will probably be its toilet which is an experience you cannot miss. Creepily looking like a cult prayer altar with lit candles sending cryptic messages above (or below) and monstrous figureheads boring into you while you sit on the toilet bowl.

Simple Day Ice cream 

Ratchaphruk, Bangkok
Thailand 10170
+66 085-370-6367
Mon-Fri: 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat-Sun: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Despite being located at the outskirts of bangkok, it's a trip worth making. As the name suggests, this homely ice cream parlour offers creamy decadent ice cream at wallet-friendly price. The little details within the interior of the cafe that stood out showcased the care and effort that the owners invested into the decor. 

Sab X2 / Soi 19 Wanton Mee 

4/32-33 Soi Petchburi 19, Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand
+66 2653 9618
Daily: 9am-3pm

Much raved about in some quarters, not so much in others. While some love the texture of their local noodle which pairs harmoniously with pork lard and Thai chilli, others feel that the bland and simple noodles does not live up to their expectations. Instead of assuming people’s review as your own judgement, why not give it a taste of your own to see if it suits your palette. You might end up falling in love with the unassuming noodle when you least expect it. Do head down early before the long line (full of Singaporeans unexpectedly) starts to form. 

Chatuchak Coconut Ice cream

Near entrance of Section 2, near Kamphaeng Phet MRT station
Only open on weekends

If it’s one thing that you can't leave the city without, it’s this! A (sometimes) gigantic scoop of goodness topped with add-ons of your fancy which range from blue sticky rice to steamed corn kernels. It’s the perfect foil for Bangkok’s hot and humid climate and a well-deserved treat for countless hours of shopping therapy. 

Noteworthy places

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Wed - Thurs (Plants & Flowers) 6.00 am - 6.00 pm.
Fri (Wholesale day) 6.00 am - 6.00 pm.
Sat - Sun (Miscellaneous) 6.00 am - 6.00 pm

This world-famous marketplace needs no further introduction. Heavily recommended and not without good reason. People from all over flock to this renowned weekend market for all sorts of needs which Chatuchak is sure to satisfy. You'll never be so spoilt for choice at another location! Do yourself a favour, head down an hour or so after the 'official' opening hours else you'll just run into rows after rows of unopened shops. Oh, and do get a map of the place beforehand. Trust us, you'll need it.

Emquartier

Sukhumvit 35, Bangkok, Thailand 10110
+66 02-269-1000
Daily: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

This is currently the place to be in in Bangkok now! Emquartier boasts South-East Asia's tallest man-made waterfall, with water cascading down from an impressive 40m height. Coupled with the rest of its architecture marvel, the place is simply grandeur. It was also a noteworthy point of our trip when we were pleasantly surprised by mobs of fangirls chasing after a celebrity within the mall.  

Night MarketsTalad Rot Fai night market

One of the best ways to hunt for bargains without having to melt from Bangkok’s heat is to head down to one of these night markets which their locals often frequent. There’s a myriad of options to choose from, with all of them hosting a multitude of toys and trinkets. Some even have local bands performing, serenading their audiences with native hits. Coupled with some spectacular vintage goods and antiques, these night markets make for some of the best vibes you can get in Bangkok. 

Asiatique

2194 Charoen Krung Rd, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem 
Bangkok 10120, Thailand
+66 2-108-4488
Daily: 17.00 - Midnight

Coupling the Ferris Wheel and the Chao Phraya River guarantees a breath-taking scenery, which is exactly what Asiatique promises. Bring your date here for upscale dining along the waterfront, get enchanted by covers from local artists, look at the wares that local vendors are paddling and end off the date with a romantic boat ride across the river. But no worries, there are tons of family and friends friendly activities here too! Bumper car rides assures a fun time for all involved and there’s this funky hexagonal spinning machine that is certainly attention grabbing. In between these activities, fill up your stomach with palatable finger food from stand-alone stalls in between each warehouse before embarking on your next adventure. There’s even sketch artists that can guarantee a portrait done up within a quarter of an hour if it’s to your fancy.

Others

Ride a Tuk Tuk

For the uninitiated, brace yourself for the ride of your life! Although wildly overpriced compared to the sedentary and unassuming taxis, it is sure to be a blast to ride in. Shaving minutes off your life is sure to be an understatement with the way that these experienced and impatient Tuk Tuk drivers navigate sharp corners and squeeze through impossible gaps. The wind in your face as you zip from street to street is definitely exhilarating. Please be forewarned that there are no seat belts on this ride, so hold on tight!

Mystic Place Rooms

224/5-9, 224/11-18 Pradipat Rd., Phayathai
Bangkok 10400, Thailand 
+66 02-270-3344

Normalcy or eccentric? Photo credits to: Mystic Places BKK

Looking for something other than an ordinary stay in Bangkok? Check out this hotel which promises excitement in every single room that they offer! Every room is individually crafted by a designing artist, guaranteeing an entirely different experience each time you check into the hotel. If you ask nicely, the management might even let you change your room (wink). 

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