Is it safe to visit now?

the paragon thing was a fluke, that guy had been off his meds for a while and security caught him within an hour. tourist kidnap rumors are mostly facebook fear mongering, the real risk here is getting overcharged for a tuk tuk not getting kidnapped. just stick to the usual stuff like avoiding walking alone drunk in dark sois past midnight and u'll be fine. i'd be more worried about the air quality in january tbh, bring N95s if u're sensitive

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you're overthinking it tbh. i live near Ari and my girlfriend walks home from the bts alone at 10pm regularly, never had an issue. the paragon shooter was a mentally unwell dude who targeted staff not random shoppers, and the taxi kidnap thing is like 3 reported cases in 10 years mostly involving drunk tourists at 3am refusing to get in a legit cab. if you're staying in central areas like Sukhumvit or Silom and using the bts or grab you're safer than most US cities at this point. honestly the biggest danger to your trip is the construction dust along Phloen Chit making you cough for a week

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You and your wife will be fine. The Paragon incident was shocking but it was an isolated situation, the kind that could happen anywhere. I live in Ekkamai and my family goes to Siam almost every weekend without a second thought now.

For taxis, the real trick is to just use the Grab app or the BTS. If you do flag one down on the street, make sure the driver turns the meter on before you get in. If they refuse, just get out and flag the next one, it's that simple.

Your biggest annoyance will probably be the same as always, the crowds at Siam and the constant construction noise. Just come and enjoy your trip like you always have, Bangkok hasn't changed that much.

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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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