Any expats or Aussies living around thong lor?

Friday nights in Thong Lor skew heavy toward weekend visitors, so the regulars tend to surface on weeknights instead. If you're set on the area, Tuesday or Wednesday at a spot like Soul Food Mahanakorn or one of the smaller Soi 55 bars is where you'll actually run into people who live here year round. The other thing worth knowing is that a lot of long term expats in that zone are tied into hobby or sport groups rather than the bar scene, so joining a Hash House Harriers run or a casual footy club will get you further than showing up solo on a Friday.

arrow_drop_up 19 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Thong Lor's tricky for that tbh, half the people you meet at places like Iron Fairies or Rabbit Hole are just passing through. If you want actual long-term residents, try the sports bars on Sukhumvit soi 23 or the Aussie pub down in Phrom Phong, that crowd tends to stick around. Friday nights at The Game on soi 23 are usually packed with teachers and remote workers who've been here years, decent spot for a feed and a few beers.

arrow_drop_up 15 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Soi 55 has a few spots that fly under the radar for this, like the little wine bar near J Avenue where the same faces turn up most weeks. What worked for me was picking one place and becoming a regular rather than bar hopping, since the staff start introducing you to the other regulars after a few visits. Also worth checking the Climbing Gym at Racquet Club or the pool leagues around Ekkamai, the crowd there tends to be people who've actually settled here rather than passing through.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply