Crazy Hotel History?

you're talking about the royal orchid sheraton right? they did a full renovation in the early 2000s so most of the original stuff from the 60s and 70s is gone. but the old wing still has those weirdly shaped rooms with the original wooden window frames if you ask for a river view suite on the lower floors. the rattan furniture in the lobby bar is original though, i've seen photos from the 70s with the exact same chairs

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the oriental's authors wing is where you wanna look for original stuff, not the main building. some of the suites still have those massive teak desks and the old brass light fixtures from the 60s. but honestly the coolest original piece is in the bamboo bar - that giant carved elephant tusk by the entrance has been there since the 50s, i used to work there and the manager told me it survived like three renovations

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i think the real gem is the little museum they have downstairs near the spa, not the main lobby. theyve got a bunch of old room keys and guest books from the 60s with actual signatures from writers who stayed there, seen a joseph conrad one once

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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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