Crazy Checkout Lines?

if it was the villa market on sukhumvit soi 15, that place is basically a sardine can on saturdays. i've started going to the big c extra on ratchada instead, it's huge and the self checkout has like 8 machines so even when it's busy you're not waiting forever. plus they stock the chaokoh coconut milk for like 35 baht which is half the price of the imported stuff

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honestly the trick is to go to the bigger Tesco Lotus or Big C at like 9pm on a weekday. way less chaos and the coconut milk brands are actually spread out so you dont have to fight for space. the self checkout at the one near Thong Lo is always broken tho so i just use the cashier lines, they move fast if you pick the right one

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tbh the time-lapse idea is solid but you gotta pick your location wisely. the self checkout at the gourmet market in emquartier is usually smooth, the machines actually work and they've got staff hovering to fix things fast. the coconut milk selection there is decent too, they have the good thai brands like chaokoh and aroy-d in the same spot so you don't have to shuffle between aisles. just avoid sunday afternoons when the whole family crowd shows up

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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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