One Night in Bangkok? This Is How You Should Spend It

To help us plot a nightlife itinerary that would involve neither septuagenarian sexpats (common in the red-light district of Soi Cowboy) nor sloppy-drunk backpackers (the scourge of Khaosan Road), we turned to Jason Lang, a California photographer who has been living in Bangkok for two decades. In addition to shooting for Monocle, Saveur, and Condé Nast Traveler, Lang founded JUA Collection, an artisanal cookware company, and two eateries near Charoenkrung (the burger-slinging Little Market and yakitori joint JUA). What follows is his highly discerning, after-dark agenda for a rare night off.   

“Bangkok is absolutely massive, so it’s best to narrow your night out down to one area. Otherwise you’ll spend half of it riding on trains or arguing with taxi drivers. Some people prefer Sukhumvit; others like Sathorn or Ari. I like the laid-back vibe along the Chao Phraya River, from Taksin Pier to Chinatown, where a grip of new restaurants, bars, and galleries have opened recently.

Your ideal evening would kick off with dinner at 100 Mahaseth, Chef Chalee Kader’s temple to Thai nose-to-tail dining. You can feast on salt-cured pork chops while drinking yaa dong, a fiery Thai spirit, or an ice-cold Singha on tap.

Read more…