PHOTO ESSAY: BANGKOK FOOD 2012

By Ysabel Villaflor

I love Thai Food. It's packed with big bold flavors. My friends and I couldn't help but try something new everyday we were there.  However, there were days when you just want to try something familiar and comforting (it happens when you stay for longer periods of time at a strange place.)  But nonetheless, we were happy even with our "comfort food" choices in Bangkok.

While I was making this article (more so when I was watermarking the photos), it brought back many happy memories of an exotic place where the food is just as spicy and colorful as its people. The magic of food.

Crispy Catfish with Onions, Coriander Chilies and Peanuts in Lime Vinigrette
Indra Square, Pratunam 

Chicken in Green Curry with Asian Eggplants and Thai Basil
Indra Square, Pratunam

Roasted Chicken with Sesame Sweet Sauce
Indra Square, Pratunam

Tom Sum - Green Papaya Salad with Chilies and Fish Sauce Vinigrette
Indra Square, Pratunam

 

Thai Beef Noodles with Leeks, Garlic, Sprouts and Fish Balls
Rachada Soi 4

Take your pick! Must try: Strawberry Shake and the Salted Lime Shake
Chatuchak Weekend Market

Grilled Pork Belly with Coriander, Onions, Cilantro and Lettuce with Chili Dip
Chatuchak Weekend Market

Thai Barbeque
Chatuchak Weekend Market

Papaya Salad with Peanuts, Carrots, Onions and Lime sauce
Chatuchak Weekend Market

Kao Pad Moo - Pork Fried Rice with Egg, Sweet Thai Basil, Cucumber and Lime
Chatuchak Weekend Market

Double Fudge Chocolate Cupcake
Made By JellyJan, Siam Paragon Square 

Raspberry Currant Chocolate Cupcake and Oreo Cupcale
Made By JellyJan, Siam Paragon Square 

Beef Liver and Intestines with Brown Sauce and Fried Chili Fish
near Rajamangala Stadium

Chicken with Tomatoes and Rice Glass Noodles with Mixed Vegetables
near Rajamangala Stadium

Mushrooms with Fish Balls and Kang Kong, with Seafood broth Sauce
KC Place, Pratunam

Thai Scrambled Egg with Carrots, Scallion, Tomatoes and Sauteed Bamboo Shoot with Sweet Thai Basil in Thai Fish Sauce
near Rajamangala Stadium

Hungry after watching a football match. A typical scene when eating in the streets.
near Rajamangala Stadium

Drink of choice: Singha Beer
Apoteka, Sukhumvit Soi 11

Salmon Bruschetta with Thai Basil and Tomatoes in Olive Oil
Apoteka, Sukhumvit Soi 11

Dan Dan Noodles and Pancake
Din Tai Fung, Central World

Lamb Chelo with Naan Bread and Vegetable Curry
Uncle Ben's RCA, Bang Kapi

Sweet Sticky Rice with Ripe Mango
Floating Market

14 inch slice of Pizza - Canadian Pizza - Ham, Bacon Mozzarella Cheese
Pizza, Pizza by Yannee, Central World

Thai Fried Chicken with Chili Dipping Sauce
KC Place, Pratunam

Rice Flat Noodles with Bean Sprouts, Scallion, Garlic and Lettuce
KC Place, Pratunam

Samurai Pork Burger
McDonald's Platinum Fashion Mall

Spinach and Cheese Pie
McDonald's Platinum Fashion Mall

The first thing I ate and drank when we landed! Lays Sweet Basil Chips and Puriku White Tea
7-11 Convenience Store

My footy/foodie friends at a turo-turo (canteen) place.
I love this photo of us.

Thank you to:

Bob Guerrero

Andi Sia

Mica Tsuda 

for letting me use your photos :) 

SHOPPING HOT SPOT:  

PLATIINUM FASHION MALL,

PRATUNAM, BANGKOK

By Ysabel Villaflor

I love researching for places where locals shop.  For our recent trip to Bangkok, I was swamped with information.  Thailand is one of the most visited countries in South East Asia. It is known for its beaches, shopping and of course, the food.   So, imagine the wealth of information I came across when I started my research. Overwhelming.  Add to that, staying in Pratunam, a shopper’s heaven, we had our share of bargain worthy places to go to.

I took a mental note of Platinum when I came across it from one vlog but didn’t think much about it until we finally landed in Bangkok.

First thing we did when we landed was survey the area where our hotel was located, and I was very glad that Platinum was just a couple of minutes away. 

It did not disappoint.

Platinum housed many (5,000 or so I have been told) Thai designers and the occasional Korean stuff (which seems to show up EVERYWHERE nowadays).  And the best part – you can haggle since things can be sold whole sale. Yes, it has that tiangge (flea market) vibe Filipinos love.  Kind of like Greenhills or Shoppesville. Bargain hunters and fashionistas would love this place.

Apart from the fact that the selection is awesome, the building was very organized. The floors were organized according to categories: i.e. 1st floor Ladies wear, on the 2^nd floor—Men’s wear, on the 3^rd floor- Bags, 4^th –Shoes and lastly the 5^th floor was dedicated for Food.

We loved it so much, we did repeats to this place.  So, if ever you chance upon the Pratunam area, don’t miss this place.

Love,

Ysabs

Welcome to the Ladies' Wear Floor.

The aisles are comfy, well-lit and there is air-conditioning!

Dainty and Forward. The Fashion in Platinum is "out there " and sweet. 

Quirky, one of a kind items can be found here. 

Bargains are everywhere. Make sure you haggle - 50%-70% off the real price.

Cute bags in the Bag Floor

My friend Ida looking through Messenger Bags. Fell in love with one of them :)

The crowd gets thick around the afternoon. Visit while early.

-end- 

WG Ysabs's upcoming trip to Bangkok has finally moved me to put pen to paper, or at least put fingertip to keyboard, after months of silence in which I vowed to write a killer blog entry once every two weeks (as convenient excuses go, I've been busy!).

Bangkok has many attractions, least of all the astonishing mix of ethnicities you'll find there. It doesn't lack in age-old temples, new clubs, scrumptious street food and bargains.

Pick up a city map and don't be afraid to do some exploring on your own. I rode trains, ferries, cabs and tuk-tuks, those illustrious three-wheeled rickshaws, by myself without any trouble. I discourage getting a tour guide for touring Bangkok; maps and trains are still the cheapest way to get around.

Here are my favorite destinations in and near Bangkok:

1. Ayutthaya

Just a few hours outside of Bangkok, it's a must-see for ancient history buffs like me. Here you will find ruins of the trading kingdom of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the morbid staple of travel magazines -- a detached head of a stone Buddha. Best stops are Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chaimongkol (a giant reclining Buddha set in stone).

Wat Mahathat

 

Monk ambush, Wat Arun

2. Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn

My favorite stop within the city limits. This temple will beguile you with walls of gold luster and semiprecious gems, of antique porcelain etched with every paisley and floral print imaginable. I enjoyed scaling the steep stairs to the temple's peak and writing on the prayer wall, while exchanging pleasantries with a monk who very kindly offered to pose in a photo with me (whee!). The temple complex offers endless opportunities for viewing Buddhist art. Mandatory attire: Covered legs. Entrance fee: THB50.

3. That Massage Place on Soi Kasemsan 2

On my way back from Jim Thompson's house, I passed by this massage place on Soi Kasemsan 2. Immediately, my eyes darted to the blackboard in front advertising two-hour massages for THB400 (or somewhere near that price) and I went in. After two hours of equal parts painful and delicious ministerings from the masseuse who put us both in awkward positions no two women had business being in, I was in heaven and I floated back to the hotel on a cloud.

4. The grounds of Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Golden Buddha

While the massive golden Buddha is itself a draw, the temple complex is a revelation. The complex is surprisingly wide with a smattering of temples, hallways, statues and turrets of tinted porcelain. If you're lucky like me, you might even catch some quiet time in a secluded spot. Entrance fee: THB100.

5. The evening stalls on Rajdamri Road

Everyday at 5pm I hung out on the porch of our hotel on Rajdamri Road, and waited for the storekeepers to appear like clockwork and start setting up their stalls and peddling their wares. I bought my undeniably red, heart-shaped rug here. An open letter to the noodle vendors on Rajdamari: When we say 'a bit spicy,' we don't mean 'let loose an arsonist inside our mouths.'

6. Damnoensaduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi

How can I avoid talking about this tourist trap. I can't. I imagined this to be an authentic piece of Thai culture, but reality came crashing down with masses of foreigners on canoes and OTT prices. If there is a floating market somewhere where locals actually come to buy -- I want to see it! A tip: don't make purchases while on a canoe because your driver gets a cut from the profit; you can always walk around later.

7. Marble Temple

A thing of beauty.

8. The Long Table

 

For nights when you want to just kick back and relax (or as we say it in Manila, chillax), the Long Table is a good option. The more laidback cousin of Vertigo & Moon Bar and Lebua Sky Bar, the Long Table offers stunning views of Bangkok with the added distinction of having the longest table in Bangkok at 25 meters long. Yup, like you'd want to hang out somewhere because they have the longest table.

9. Sukhumvit Soi 38 Food Stalls

This guy makes the best pad thai in the city

First off, Bangkok has the best streetfood in the world (or what I've seen of it so far). Come to think of it, their street food is better than their restaurant food. In Soi 38, you'll find the best passion fruit shakes and pad thai in the city.

10. Chao Phraya River Cruise

Get a glimpse of rural Thailand. The buffet lunch/dinner's not bad either. It's best do this on the way back from Ayutthaya. Go up on the deck and enjoy the view! Best done in the evening.

Runners-Up

Maeklong Train Market (missed this one, oh the horror!)

Wat Intharawihan

Mom and I at Wat Intharawihan

This temple features a standing golden Buddha, the tallest in Bangkok at 32 meters high.

Bargain hunting at Chatuchak (weekends only) and Pratunam Markets

Not a fan! There's nothing like my native Manila when it comes to shopping deals.

Lebua at State Tower Hotel 

For that Hangover 2 experience. =P

Elephant Village, Ayutthaya

Please don't support animal cruelty.

Jim Thompson's House & Museum

A.k.a. how my future house will look like. Their website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com

Bang Pa-In Palace

The King's summer palace that the King never spends his summers in, or so the tour guide says. Enjoy the scenery and the animal-shaped hedges. Mandatory attire: Covered arms and legs.

 Khao San Road

Missed seeing this! My Thai friends were leery about taking me there. I heard it's a backpacker's paradise with cheap accommodations, bars and some disreputable sections.

 And last but not the least, No-prescription Pharmacies

Buy every restricted drug without a prescription to your heart's desire!

Have other recommendations? Feel free to leave a comment.