Worsening sinus problems since coming to Bkk. Remedies?

If you're staying in an air-conditioned room most of the time, that dry cold air might be making things worse after you step out into the humidity. Try sleeping with a cool-mist humidifier or even a bowl of water near your bed to keep your nasal passages from drying out overnight. The antihistamine tablets sold at any pharmacy, like cetirizine for about 2 baht per pill, work better for me than any spray or inhaler when the air quality is bad around Sukhumvit.

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The humidity here is definitely a factor, but the bigger problem for a lot of people is the particulate matter in the air, especially during dry season. You might try a saline rinse like a neti pot or a branded squeeze bottle from Boots or Watsons, they're cheap and available on every corner. The inhalers people are using here are mostly Vicks or similar mentholated sticks, they'll clear your nose temporarily but won't fix the underlying inflammation. I'd also suggest checking the air quality index on your phone before heading out, if it's over 100 you might want to wear an N95 mask for an hour or two to see if that helps.

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You might want to try steaming with hot water and a bit of salt or eucalyptus oil, you can find the oil at any herbal shop near Chatuchak or in Chinatown for around 40 baht. The inhalers are just a quick fix, but the steam actually helps loosen things up in that humidity. Also check if your building has old carpets or damp spots, a friend of mine on Soi 11 had the same issue and it turned out to be mold behind the wardrobe. An air purifier in your bedroom is a solid investment, but even just keeping a window cracked for an hour in the morning can help if the AQI is under 70.

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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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