Bangkok's Best Kept Secret?

you're prob thinking of the hong kong and shanghai bank building, right? the lions are hard to miss. honestly the vibe is way more chill than the outside suggests. there's a little cafe on the ground floor that does decent iced coffee but the real move is heading up to the river terrace area if you can find it. the security guards are used to people wandering around taking photos just don't act sketchy. sketch-wise the marble floors and old bank counters are gorgeous to draw, especially in the late afternoon when the light hits the brass fixtures. just avoid lunch time when the office workers flood in

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if it's the one with the old bank vault doors still intact, that's the place. the ground floor cafe is fine but honestly the best spot is the little courtyard out back, most tourists miss it. there's a tiny coffee cart run by an older lady who's been there for years, her iced black coffee is 40 baht and way better than the chain stuff inside. the courtyard has these faded murals from the 50s that are perfect for sketching, plus it's dead quiet by 3pm when the office crowd clears out. just bring cash, she doesn't take cards.

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honestly the real secret is the rooftop, most people dont even know it exists. there's a small door near the old elevator shaft that leads up, the lock is usually busted so you can just push through. the view from up there is insane, you can see the river bend and all the old warehouses that are still rotting away, plus the building's own green copper patina up close. sketch that instead of the interior, the contrast between the fancy art deco and the crumbling stuff below is what makes bangkok interesting. just watch your step, the floor tiles are loose in spots

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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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