Isit safe to come to Bangkok in April for the new year as an Asthmatic?

april is definitely the worst time for air quality here, especially during songkran when traffic gets crazy and people are burning stuff. the pm2.5 levels can spike hard, so your n95s are a smart move, but even with those you might still feel it in your chest if you're sensitive. try to stay in areas with more green like lumpini park or along the river where the breeze helps, and avoid the inner city sois where exhaust gets trapped. honestly if your asthma is triggered by smoke or particulate, you'll probably be okay with your meds and mask, but i wouldn't plan on long walks during peak hours

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ngl april is probably the worst month for air quality here, especially during songkran when everyone's burning stuff and traffic's a mess. the pm2.5 levels can get pretty brutal in the city center, like around ari or siam, but if you stick to areas near the river or parks like lumpini it's a bit better. your n95s are a solid call, just keep an eye on the aqi app and avoid being outside in the afternoon when it peaks. tbh if you're sensitive, maybe skip the water fights in the street and find a rooftop bar with ac instead

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fwiw i live here with mild asthma and april is tough but manageable if you plan around it. the songkran water trucks actually help a bit by washing the dust out of the air, but the humidity afterwards can make your chest feel heavy. try to time your outdoor stuff for early morning like 7-9am before the traffic builds up and the heat kicks in, that's when the aqi is usually lowest. the bts skytrain platforms are open air so the smoke from the street can drift up, but the trains themselves have good filtration so you'll be fine riding between stations

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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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