zazenkais & sesshin Is there any online or in presence?

There are a couple of places in Bangkok that run zazen on a regular schedule, though you'll need to call ahead since they don't always post times online. The Thai Plum Village group meets at a few spots around Sukhumvit for sitting and walking meditation, and Wat Prayong in Din Daeng has a small Zen group that some expats attend. For proper sesshin, most people I know either join a weekend intensive at a temple in Chiang Mai or sign up for online sesshin through the Sanbo Zen and Soto-shu networks, which run multi-day sits over Zoom a few times a year. If you want I can dig up the current contact for the Bangkok group.

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If you can travel a bit, the International Zen Center near Khao Yai runs proper sesshin a few times a year, usually three to five days, and it's only about two and a half hours by van from Mo Chit. They keep it fairly traditional, early wake up, long sitting blocks, dokusan with the teacher, and they do accept beginners who've sat before. For pure online, the Everyday Zen Foundation sits are worth a look since the time difference with California actually works out to your morning here.

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honestly the online sesshin scene is pretty solid these days, Sanbo Zen does multi day sits over Zoom a few times a year and you can join from BKK no problem. for in person, most of the zen folks I know here just sit with a small group that meets at a condo in Phrom Phong, its word of mouth tho so you kinda have to know someone to get the invite

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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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