Ari

Bangkok seems to be doing very well economically – lots of new office buildings, condos, and hotels going up all over the city. And, there are also lots of “old” areas being gentrified. One of these areas is called Ari, which I had read about in “The Big Chilli” – a monthly magazine for expats in Bangkok. They did an article on Ari and on Thong Lor recently, so I decided to spend a little bit of time in Ari this past Saturday afternoon.

Honestly, Ari wasn’t all that and more. Or, maybe it will be but it’s not there yet – there were a number of shops and restaurants still under construction. And maybe Saturday afternoon isn’t the best time to scout out an “up and coming” area. But, it’s no Thong Lor, let me tell you.

But what was interesting about the area is that it was obviously predominantly residential at one time and there are still a number of individual homes, with yards. You don’t see that very often in Bangkok.

Though there were a few high-rises, one a little more current than the other. The glass-and-steel one is named “BaanNueng”- which means “House One.” So trendy.

I did manage to find the Aree Garden – a new building with some restaurants and a bar and the Polka Dot Bakery, where I had some very tasty “American” cookies – peanut butter, and cashew/coconut. No Starbucks yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

And it’s certainly a neighborhood in transition – as you can tell by this photo. You can't read it in the photo, but one of the signs on the building read "Move In Ready." I’m hoping that the sign was referring to another property nearby and not this one.

One last photo. I liked this sign – guess if they can’t make you look good, no one can.