Lost in 71's Labyrinth

the ping pong tables are actually tucked behind the boxing ring area, past the lockers on the left. if u walk past the muay thai session u were watching and keep going toward the back wall, there's a narrow hallway with a sign that's easy to miss. honestly 71 is just a labyrinth and even staff get turned around sometimes, i'd just ask a cleaner they know every corner better than the front desk people

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tbh the trick is to just pick a floor and stick to it until youve seen everything there. the muay thai is on the ground floor near the river side, but the ping pong tables are up on the second floor in the back corner by the window overlooking the street. if you find the big mural of rama on the wall, take the stairs right next to it and youll be like two turns away

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I'd say skip trying to memorize the layout and just use the river view as your anchor. The main walkway along the Chao Phraya side connects most of the big sections, so if you keep the water on your left or right you can at least figure out which wing you're in. The ping pong tables are actually on the third floor near the snooker area, not with the karaoke or the ring. There's a hidden elevator behind the Thai restaurant that'll drop you right there, saves you climbing all those stairs.

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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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