Hidden Bangkok, and Coffee and AI with Ruchida
We had two meets on Bangkok recently. Ruchida join us from Bangkok to share her life as a young technology and coffee professional. Ruchida explained how she balances her dual careers, how she learns new things and where young Thai people hang out. We discussed interesting neighborhoods like Ari. Ruchida encouraged us to join tech events and meetups in Bangkok to connect with locals.
Notes from the “Hidden Bangkok” meetup
Neighbourhoods worth exploring
Ari: Youthful area with inexpensive food near the train station, and more classy places as you move away. Pretty cafes and good places to connect with people. Walk west from Ari station. Cheaper food is closer to the station. Ari 4 Fang Nua Alley has nice cafes and sharp people.
The food streets around Chulalongkorn university are also a good venue to find inexpensive food (some with live music) and talk to people. The mostly student crowd here are happy to discuss stuff with you. Try Banthat Thong road (South of Rama 1 road).
Nakhon Sawan Road: The books alley has many bookshops, mostly selling Thai books but good to observe what locals are reading.
New Chinatown in Huai Khwang: diverse mainland China food. This is where the new immigrants from China live. Walk east from Huai Khwang MRT along Pracha Rat Bamphen Road.
Deep alleys along Sukhumvit: Try alley 33 for the Tibetan and Georgian restaurants, more colourful naughty stuff further along the alley. Most parallel alleys are similar. The neighbourhood is also one of the Japanese parts of Bangkok.
The Arab Quarter: Besides Nana, BTS is one of the largest Arab towns in the world. Try food from North Africa and the Middle East.
Koreatown: Near Asok BTS, several Korean restaurants in one building.
Kudejeen - The Portuguese settlement in Bangkok (thanks to one of our participant for recommendation)
Connecting with locals
Ari is a good neighbourhood to connect with locals as most people here are younger and speak English. The cafe or eatery area around the universities also have English speaking people.
Some topics that interests people
- Technology stuffs: new gadgets, photography, AI etc
- Travel: Japan is a popular destination
- Music: Thai independent musicians
- Latest happening in Thailand: the young people are well informed about the politics and happenings in Thailand.
Spaces and events:
Bangkok has several meetups in English and probably the most diverse foreign population of young professionals anywhere in Asia. Try some of the books, philosophy, language exchange and Nomad meets. They are almost always held near a train station. Dasa Books near Phnom Phong BTS is the best pre-owned book store in South East Asia.
There are also event spaces such as Palette where local artists host exhibitions.
Caravanserai in Bangkok
We have also started meeting in Bangkok. We explore the ethnic areas of Bangkok and talk to interesting people. Go back to the main page to see if we have any upcoming meet in Bangkok.