Thinking Ahead in Thong Lor

On Friday, I decided to spend some time checking out the Thong Lor area of Bangkok. It’s not that far from home/work here – just two Skytrain stops away. My plan was to wander around a bit and then go to “Face” on Soi 38 – a restaurant I had read about recently. Face is actually a group of small old teak buildings that have been linked with walkways and staircases and turned into a restaurant. But when I got there, it was closed for a private party – what are the odds? But I did take a quick look around – sort of old-school Thai décor, with lots of carved wood, candles, and Buddha statues – and Thai and Indian food on the menu. Will have to go back at some point.

Thong Lor is an interesting area – sort of like the Lower East Side in that sense of having new, high-end clothing and furniture stores next to old time, Mom-and-Pop hardware stores and markets. Even a bakery – called Sparkles, of all things – selling cookies and cupcakes. (Guess the cupcake craze continues even here.) While I was walking around, I came across this guy. Not sure what he was selling, because the store behind him was shut, but he obviously had had a long day. But you’ve got to give him credit for having thought to bring along a roll of toilet paper as a headrest.

Thong Lor also has some art galleries and bars (sometimes in the same location). This month’s BAM! (Bangkok Art Map!) listed a gallery (Akko Gallery) and another bar/gallery nearby. The Akko Gallery was having a group show. The gallery has been there for 20 years and they were celebrating that fact by exhibiting works from many of the artists who have shown there over the years. Most of it was not my style, but there was one artist – Kaz Orii – who had some beautiful paintings.

Then, went around the corner and down an alley and found “WTF” – a relatively new bar/gallery. Interesting space. Felt very much like being in New York – a long, narrow building, with a bar on the first floor and a gallery on the two floors above. It was also one of those “I’m definitely not in Boston” moments – drinking Australian wine in a Thai bar sitting next to some Japanese customers and listening to the Smiths sing “I Will Always Love You.” Here are few photos.