Am I supposed to purchase glasses after paying for a 200 baht eye exam?

yeah that's not normal, sorry u got scammed. most legit optical shops here will give u the prescription after the exam, no strings attached. try going to a place like Top Charoen or Better Vision, they do proper exams for like 300-500 baht and hand over the prescription no problem. if u want to be extra sure, just go to a hospital like BNH or Bangkok Hospital, their eye clinics are around 800-1000 baht but u know it's legit. that shop was just trying to force u into buying their overpriced frames

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That sounds frustrating. What that shop did isn't standard practice at all. For a 200 baht exam, you're usually getting a basic refraction test and the prescription is yours to take. Holding it hostage to push a 3,500 baht sale is a pretty aggressive tactic, not the norm.

If you're near the BTS, try the optical shop on the ground floor of Siam Center, right by the Gourmet Eats entrance. They do a thorough exam for 300 baht and hand over the slip without any fuss. For a totally no-pressure experience, the optometry clinic at Rutnin Eye Hospital near Asok is great, their basic exam is around 600 baht and you get a proper medical report you can use anywhere.

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ngl that's a pretty shady move, even by some local shop standards. most places like the chain optical shops in malls (think Owndays or Lensmart at centralworld) will give u the prescription slip right after the exam, no extra push. the 200 baht fee is actually standard for a basic refraction test, but holding the paper hostage is not. if you're near a public hospital like Siriraj or Ramathibodi, their ophthalmology clinics charge around 300-500 baht for a full exam and you'll get a proper medical document. otherwise just hit up any Top Charoen branch, they're reliable and won't play games

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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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