Any Thai language school in Bangkapi district?

Something the others haven't touched on is the timing of enrollment. Thai language schools here run on terms that roughly follow the school calendar, so the big intakes are May and November, with a smaller one around August. If you show up mid-term to a decent place in Bangkapi you'll often be told to wait or squeezed into a class that's already halfway through the book. Ask specifically when the next term starts and whether they prorate, because a few of the smaller soi schools will let you join late and just catch up, while the more organized ones won't.

Also, don't sleep on the temple option. Wat Thepleela near Ramkhamhaeng Soi 39 has run informal Thai lessons on and off for years, mostly volunteer teachers and very cheap, though it's inconsistent and you have to ask in person since there's no website or English signup. It's not a visa solution, but if you just want to learn and you're already living here, it's worth a look before committing to a monthly package.

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Bangkapi is a big district so it depends where you are. Around Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24 there are a few small schools tucked into the office buildings near the university, mostly catering to people who need ED visa paperwork. I'd look at that cluster first because the teachers there actually deal with foreigners daily, unlike the mall-based places.

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Worth knowing that a lot of the "Thai language schools" in Bangkapi are really visa mills first and classrooms second, so ask to sit in on an actual lesson before handing over a term fee. A friend of mine signed up near Bang Kapi intersection, paid three months upfront, and ended up in a room with twelve people where the teacher spent most of the hour on paperwork for the ED renewals. The better-run ones tend to cap group classes at six or eight and will let you observe for free. Also check whether they teach with the Peace Corps style materials or their own photocopied sheets, that tells you a lot about how serious the instruction is.

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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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