Best / cheapest place to play pool?

if you're near ekkamai, check out the pool hall on the 3rd floor of gateway. it's part of that big complex so the ac works well and no smoke inside. green fee is like 80 baht an hour which is the cheapest i've seen in bangkok. the staff are fine but they won't play with you, it's more of a serious locals spot where guys bring their own cues. just bring a friend or be ready to challenge someone at the next table

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Try Slate on Sukhumvit 31, it's a bit tucked away but they've got decent tables and the green fee is only around 150 baht an hour. The bar staff there will actually rack and play a game with you if it's quiet and they're not slammed, no aunty situation. They keep the smoking out on the terrace so the main room stays pretty clean air-wise.

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For a non-smoky place with staff who'll actually play, check out The Rack on Soi 22. It's a small spot above a wine bar, not a dedicated pool hall, so the tables are just two but they're well-maintained and the green fee is 100 baht. The guys working there are Filipino and most of them grew up playing in pool halls, they'll jump in for a game if you buy them a drink after. Gets a bit of expat crowd on weekends but weeknights it's dead enough that you'll get their full attention.

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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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