Mid autumn festival events in Bangkok?

Yaowarat Road will be packed tonight, that's for sure. The main thing is the lantern displays along the street near the Odeon Circle gate, plus a big mooncake market where the stalls are way cheaper than the hotel brands, try the ones with salted egg yolk from the old shops near Wat Traimit. For something a bit more traditional, head to the Guan Yu Shrine on Charoen Krung around 7pm, they do a small lantern lighting ceremony and you'll see locals offering pomelos and mooncakes, it's not a huge spectacle but it feels more authentic than the touristy stuff. Also, don't miss the dragon dance that comes through around 8pm, it usually starts near the main arch and snakes down the street, grab a spot early because the crowd gets thick fast.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

The Thian Fah Foundation on Charoen Krung Soi 20 does a pretty involved ceremony around sunset, with incense and paper offerings, and it's a lot less crowded than the main drag. The lantern displays near Odeon Circle are the flashy ones, but the older shophouses along Sampeng Lane have their own small paper lanterns hanging out front, more faded and handmade looking, which I actually find prettier. If you want to see the mooncake stalls without fighting the tourist surge, walk down Mangkon Road after 6pm when the vendors start setting up, the durian and taro fillings from the stalls near the Soi 8 intersection tend to be fresher than the ones right next to the arch.

arrow_drop_up 1 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