When was the last time you felt this much buzz in Bangkok? Whether it's newfangled coffee shops, weekend gigs to attend or public screenings to catch. The best ones are the free ones along the city's walking streets and night bazaars. It's time to get out there and explore again. Here's a list of the up-and-coming (and reopening) ones, some of which have events, too.
Siam Square
If you were born in the 20th century, Siam Square would not be the same as you remember. The main road for vehicles was turned into a walking street, flanked by new, contemporary architecture. Not to mention, a few memories were erased, and yet the lifestyle district is buzzing even more with new shopping centres and rotating public events. Kinnaree-topped street lights aren't necessary here, as the flashy digital billboards and facade lighting lit up the main road at night. The alleyways of small boutiques also serve as a public gallery for selected street artists. We're not sure if that was their marketing strategy, but shops and boutiques have upped their design game. Whether it's the exteriors or interiors, it's a playground for Instagrammers of all ages.
I bet you will do a double-take at Siam Scape, wondering when this towering, appealing architecture was here. Replacing Bonanza Mall, the edifice stands out with its brick facade and a wrought iron arch, symbolising the gate to endless learning. Siam Scape covers all your lifestyle needs with retail stores, restaurants, beauty clinics, event spaces and learning centres. Immerse yourself in the mesmerising installation Illuscape, a double-ceiling glass chamber on the 4th floor, which looks stunning with countless glossy crystal sheets in black, copper and silver hanging from the walls. Or head up to the 10th floor, where you can indulge in the panoramic cityscape amid the greenery of the sky garden.
If you remember Hard Rock Cafe and its surrounding boutiques, the entire yard has transformed into a stand-alone shopping complex. The four-storey building tucked away on the main walking street is outstanding, with see-through storefront windows showcasing trendy fashion items. The fashion mecca is home to local labels like women's shoemaker SHU, multi-brand boutique SOS and King Power's lifestyle and beauty shop Firster.
What not to miss when visiting Siam Square, especially from Friday to Sunday, is the music walking street. The main street is enlivened by street performances, whether they're high-school brands or big-name artists. From July 21-23, catch the heartwarming, romantic Thai films Love Of Siam and Seasons Change at the Bangkok Film Festival for a nostalgic kick of your high-school love life.
Khlong Ong Ang
Apart from a lovely canal-side vibe to catch, strolling along Khlong Ong Ang is like taking a field trip back in Thai history. The street art illustrates the way of life of communities along the Ong Ang Canal, where you can take a selfie at every turn. Leafy trees are lined along the canal's pavements, with benches to stop by to catch some breath. Dating back 200 years, Khlong Ong Ang served as a moat around the palace and as a market where people sold goods in boats, which is no surprise to why Chinese and Indian cultural traits have dominated the area.
From MRT Sam Yot station, take a few steps along Charoen Krung Road towards Damrong Sathit Bridge, where there's an entrance to a canalside walking street. As soon as you enter, you will be immediately welcomed by the liveliness of this place, whether it's quintessential festival decorations like string lights and colourful flags or live performances by talented buskers. Many have said that food is the best way to understand a culture, right? Luckily, one of the Ong Ang Canal's strong suits is street food. From Friday to Sunday weekly, from 2-10pm, xenophiles can indulge in international cuisine at food stalls and restaurants tucked away along the 750m-long canal-side walking street. We recommend Indian food vendors, where you can try some quick bites like pani puri and samosa. Last but not least, another historical-lesson quest we would like you to conquer while visiting Khlong Ong Ang is to find decorative manhole covers depicting the history of the neighbourhood.
Ichiba Station
Do you long for Japan? Head over to Ichiba Station, where visitors can get in touch with Japanese culture on a budget. On Ram Intra Road (Kor Mor 9), a bit outside of downtown Bangkok, it's cheaper than a plane ticket and the place has all the Japanese vibes you need, especially for otakus. Get ready to be whisked off to a real-life Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away for a night. Remember the bustling night market in the Spirit Realm, where Chihiro's parents were allured by cursed street foods? The Japanese-inspired setting has pulled off that scene with its alleys of yatai, a Japanese food cart with an eating counter and stools, complete with chochin lanterns (a Japanese paper lantern) and koinobori (a colourful carb windsock).
Speaking of food, market-goers can grab Japanese street food or take a seat at restaurants like Sakae Izakaya, where you can have a night out painting the town red with a pint of beer and Japanese delights. People with a sweet tooth can get their sugar fix with ice cream crepe and kakigori, Japanese shaved ice with toppings. You can find some Thai night market fares here, as well. To scratch that itch about what you've missed in Japan, strike some poses with a replica of the famous Shibuya Crossing in a mini version. Or admire the blooming cherry blossom trees that are planted along the walkways, even though they're fake. Every Japanese getaway couldn't be completed without frittering your money away at Japanese arcades. Well, Ichiba Station has you covered with gashapon machines and claw cranes.
This Sunday, Street Doc, a YouTube channel for car enthusiasts, will take over Ichiba Station to host a flea market, Street Doc Market. Find everything about automobiles, including model cars, classic catalogues and pre-loved racing garments and accessories. Meet up with like-minded motorheads while taking your "wheel babies" out for a ride, where you can get them the photoshoot they deserve with an urban Japanese backdrop to replicate scenes from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Train Night Market
If you're an antique collector, Srinagarindra Train Night Market has come back. The "Train Market", or "Talad Rot Fai", got its name from being formally located along the railway tracks near Kamphaeng Phet station, neighboured by Chatuchak Weekend Market. They've relocated to Srinakarin 51, behind shopping mecca Seacon Square on Srinagarindra Road. People are here on treasure hunts, as the Train Night Market is a vintage favourite for an eclectic mix of retro goods. Classic car enthusiasts can pay a visit to Rod's Antique, a stand-alone museum/shop separated from the main area, to admire their favourite automobiles and some vintage home collections from the decades gone by.
The main market, which has open-air and indoor zones, stands out with its down-to-earth and funky atmosphere, evoking a glimpse of a classic train station with brick walls and arches. Along the alleyways of Talad Rot Fai, you'll find plenty of boutiques selling vintage collections from yesteryear. Here are a few recommendations: Joker Collector (fb.com/vintagedollsshop), for example, collects antique toys such as a series of Russ troll dolls, while bookworms can visit Vagabook (fb.com/TheVagabook) for highly-curated and rare books. Sankasi shop (fb.com/SUNGKASITrainNightMarket) is one of the must-visit shops for classic buffs as its interior definitely gives you a nostalgic vibe back to your childhood grocery shop or a chow huay shop. Looking for hip and affordable vintage home decorations? Dejanant Design has all your needs and wants. Visitors can come over to Train Night Market from Thursday to Sunday every week, where the place isn't only a favourite night bazaar for shopping but also for dining and drinking.
