How friendly is Bangkok when it comes to foreigners using their toilets?

ngl you'll be fine, the real trick is knowing which malls have the best toilets. siam paragon and centralworld are basically luxury bathrooms, marble floors and everything. if ur in a pinch and see a temple, those are open to everyone and usually have squat toilets but they're spotless

arrow_drop_up 24 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

yeah department stores are the gold standard but if you're in a pinch, any big hotel lobby works too. just walk in like you belong, the restrooms off the lobby are usually spotless and nobody checks. marriott or sheraton sukhumvit ones are solid.

also the big c and lotus's hypermarkets have restrooms near the food courts that are fine. avoid the ones by the entrance, those get trashed fast. the deeper ones are usually cleaner.

if you're really desperate and near a street with street food, some of the bigger vendors have squat toilets out back. just buy a drink or something first and ask nicely. the thai phrase is "hong nam yoo tee nai krup" if you're a guy, just point and look urgent lol.

arrow_drop_up 17 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

imo the key is having a backup plan near the bts skytrain stations since theyre all over. the newer stations like udom suk or bang wa have family sized restrooms with western toilets and soap, not just the squat ones. also if you're near a big hotel like the one on sukhumvit soi 11 just walk in like you belong, the lobby bathrooms are always clean and nobody asks questions. grab some imodium from a pharmacy just in case, theyre cheap and open late

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply