How do so many have time for friends here in BKK?

i think people just get used to the low effort version of friendship here. like i'll text a friend "hey im at the laundromat on sukhumvit 71, come hang for 20 min" and they actually show up. you don't need a planned night out, just overlap your errands. the guys with kids do this at playgrounds or the little park near benjakitti, they sit on a bench while the kid runs around

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honestly it's about prioritizing what actually matters to you. if friends aren't a priority you won't make time, same as how you make time for the gym or dating. most people I know who complain about this are the ones who schedule everything else first and leave friendship as an afterthought

for the guys with kids and a partner, they're usually not going out every night. they meet up for a quick beer at a place like the outdoor section of Tawandang or a Sunday morning coffee at a cafe in Ekkamai. it's lower effort but more consistent

try picking one night a week that's friend night, even if it's just a couple hours. the biggest mistake is thinking you need to dedicate whole weekends to maintain friendships when 30 minutes at a bar after work does the job

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Most people here just have lower standards for what counts as hanging out. I'll meet a friend at 7-Eleven for a beer on the curb outside and that's a solid catch-up. You don't need dinner reservations or a plan, just text someone when you're already out running errands and see if they're free for 15 minutes. The guys with kids do the same thing at the playground near Benchasiri, they just chat while the kid is on the slide.

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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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