By Day 2 Bangkok Art and Culture Center, MBK Center, Siam Square, Daddy and the Muscle Academy, Dosan Dalmatian, Jodd Fair, and Mod Kaew Wine Bar
On my second day in Bangkok, I got up early. I went for a walk to the nearby food center to get breakfast before getting ready for the day’s plans. The Bangkok Art and Culture Center on Rama Road was the first stop. It serves as a venue for showcasing to the public the works of both domestic and foreign artists. You can also visit a number of stores that sell works made by regional artists. The entrance is free.
We walked to the MBK Center and chose to eat lunch there after spending some time exploring BACC. The MBK Center is one of the most well-known malls in this area. After lunch, we walked around Siam Square to this really cute shop called Daddy and the Muscle. When we arrived, the store was bustling with customers purchasing everything from notebooks to t-shirts to keychains to pens to stickers. This shop is a must-visit for any fan of trendy, cute merchandise. It was very humid walking around Bangkok, so we decided to get some drinks and take a break at the Dosan Dalmatian, a three-level café with Instagrammable areas.
We showered and rested in our hotel rooms before heading to the Jodd Fairs Night Market in the Rama 9 area. There are numerous food, clothing, and accessory stalls throughout the compound. We also passed by stalls where you could get your nails done and your hair cut. We ate here before proceeding to our final stop for the night, the Mod Kaew Wine Bar. The unassuming bar can be found along a residential street in Soi Nai Loet. The vibe of the bar is moody, making it ideal for a nightcap. Wine is sold by the bottle only, so we had to pick a bottle from the selection they had out. It’s also a plus that they had a friendly wait staff who was knowledgeable about the wines on offer.
Day 3 Void BKK, Iconsiam, and Yoshibar
After our breakfast, we took a cab to Void BKK. The room’s lighting was rather subdued, giving the impression of late afternoon or early morning, when the sun has just risen enough to illuminate the area. In the center of the room is a huge sphere installation. They serve fermented mocktails at Void BKK so we tried some of them. I didn’t find the place to be particularly interesting but since my companions wanted to check it out, I did so as well. After passing by a coffee shop (Tangible Bangkok) and a cannabis and lifestyle shop (Happieland), we went to Iconsiam to have lunch. This mall situated adjacently the Chao Praya River is known for having an indoor floating market.
I had dinner and drinks planned with my longtime friend Pia and her son Jif, and we decided to meet at her friend’s sake bar and restaurant, Yoshibar. I took the BTS to Thong Lor station and walked through the Sukhumvit residential area to the bar. Yoshibar has a nice ambiance; it’s cozy and unassuming. Pia introduced me to the owners, a husband and wife Japanese couple who have been in Thailand for several years. Catching up with a friend, meeting her smart son (gaaaahhh, I feel so old!), and enjoying good food and drinks were the ideal activities to cap off my third day in Bangkok.
Denise J. Mallabo 