Know of any private clubs with lap pools?

the pool at the W Bangkok is open to hotel guests but they have a private membership tier called the "Away" spa membership that gets you pool access too, think it's around 80k baht a year and the pool is 25m with underwater speakers. if you want something more lowkey, the pool at the sathorn private residence on sathorn soi 10 is residents only but you might be able to negotiate a membership with the management, it's never crowded and has a nice view of the city skyline

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honestly the pool at the Banyan Tree Bangkok is pretty solid for laps early in the morning, it's on the 21st floor and not a private club but the views make up for it. if you're set on a club vibe, check out The Club at the St. Regis, they've got a 20m lap pool that's usually quiet and members only. membership's a bit steep at around 150k baht a year last I checked but you get access to the spa too

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fwiw the pool at the Rembrandt Hotel on Sukhumvit 18 isnt a private club but they have a 25m lap pool on the 8th floor with a sauna and steam room, and if you grab their yearly "swim membership" its like 20k baht which is way cheaper than most club options. not as fancy as the St Regis but its quiet and they don't mind if you use the towels and lockers all day. also the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park has a 20m pool with a separate lap lane and they do a monthly pass for around 5k baht if you want something shorter term

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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