Welcome to The Bangkok Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Unique car parking culture in Thailand

• First ASEAN Jurassic World set to debut in Bangkok

• The Yankii Robatayaki & Bar experience

• The Little Prince-Universe @ICONSIAM

• And more…

Fun Fact

Unique car parking culture in Thailand

Thailand has mastered the art of creative parking! The trick? Cars are left in neutral without the parking brake, allowing them to be pushed around as needed. Instead of sticking to marked spaces, drivers can park perpendicular to spots or even in aisles, particularly in shopping centers.

The system works because everyone's in on it - if your car is blocking someone else's, they can simply gather a few people to gently push your car aside. It's a brilliant solution to limited parking space that relies on community trust and cooperation.

While this might sound chaotic to outsiders, it's become so effective that other countries like South Korea, France, Spain, and Italy have adopted similar practices in areas where parking is scarce. It's a perfect example of how a little flexibility and trust can solve everyday urban challenges!

Trivia

✅The Answer to your Trivia last week = B) Royal power and sacred status

Here’s your trivia question of the week! Think you know the answer? Find out if you’re right in next week’s newsletter. No cheating!

Bangkok's official Thai name starts with "Krung Thep". What does this mean?

A) Golden City

B) River City

C) City of Angels/ The Great City of Angels

D) Sacred Capital

News 📰

Bangkok's new art space at Museum Pier (Link)

Bangkok PM2.5 today at "orange" level across all 50 districts (Link)

First ASEAN Jurassic World set to debut in Bangkok (Link)

Lifestyle 🕶️

💪 Health & Wellness

Sustaina - A cozy Japanese restaurant that'll make your organic food dreams come true! The star of the show? Their unique mochi tofu with white sesame flavor that you literally can't find anywhere else. The portions are generous, the staff is super friendly, and the vibe is just chef's magic touch. (Link)

Crunch Your Meals - Finally, a meal prep service that actually gets it! They're not just about healthy food - they deliver perfectly balanced, nutritionist-approved meals right to your door. Everything's macro-counted, protein-packed, and comes in eco-friendly packaging. No more "is this really healthy?" moments!​ (Link)

Asana Yoga - Warning: you might just become a yoga addict here! The teachers are amazing at breaking down poses step-by-step, and they even hook you up with fancy yoga pose photos after class. The studio is spotless, the vibes are immaculate, and trust me - your body will thank you. (Link)

🍽️ Restaurants

Kuay Jab Mr. Joe - Hold onto your taste buds! This Michelin-starred noodle joint serves up the crispiest pork you'll ever taste, swimming in a pepper-packed broth that'll wake up every single one of your senses. If you're not ready for that pepper punch, consider yourself warned - but it's totally worth it! (Link)

Yankii Robatayaki & Bar - Ever wanted to ring a bell and challenge another table to a shot-drinking contest? Well, now you can! This rebel izakaya comes complete with a scoreboard and everything. Grab a seat at the chef's counter, try their BBQ sticks, and don't forget to use your complimentary coin for the candy machine at the end - because why not? (Link)

Mozza by Cocotte @ICONSIAM - If you're gonna try one thing here, make it the Truffle Bruschetta - it's basically heaven on toast. Throw in river views, killer seafood soup, and some of the best burrata in town, and you've got yourself a proper Italian feast with a Bangkok twist. (Link)

☕ Cafes

Schizzi Cafe - A plant-filled paradise that's serious about their coffee game. Everything's homemade, from their yogurt parfait to their tiramisu, and yes - their ham & cheese toastie is worth writing home about. Just remember to bring cash! (Link)

The Little Prince Café Bangkok - This isn't just a cafe, it's a whole vibe! Think cozy corners, art everywhere, and their signature crème brûlée coffee that'll make you question all other coffees you've ever had. Perfect for when you need to escape the city chaos. (Link)

🍹 Bar & Rooftop Bars

Urban Music Bar - Looking for where the local Thai crowd gets down to hip-hop? This is your spot! Even on a Tuesday night, this place is bumping. No fancy frills, just good music and good vibes. (Link)

Nowhere - Plot twist: this rooftop bar is definitely somewhere worth finding! Tucked away in Ekkamai Soi 6, it serves up 180-degree views along with solid steaks and pizzas. Weekend bonus: live music to go with your sunset drinks. (Link)

👫 Activities

January 24th to May 11th I 10:30 - 20:30 I The Little Prince-Universe @ICONSIAM - Running until May 11th, this isn't your average exhibition - it's a full-on adventure through 14 different magical experiences spread across 2,000 square meters. From infinity rooms to interactive digital displays, it's an Instagram heaven meets childhood nostalgia. (Link)

💎 Hidden Gems

Caturday Cat Cafe - Cat lovers, unite! For 200 Baht, you get to sip great smoothies while hanging with some seriously pampered felines, including adorable munchkin cats. Don't worry - the cats aren't forced to socialize if they're not feeling it, and the place is kept super clean. Plus, the food is actually really good (which isn't always the case at animal cafes)! (Link)

Social 👥

🥳 Social Events & Networking

February 18th I 19:00 - 23:00 I Board Games & Social (Link)

February 19th I 19:30 - 22:30 I Wednesday Night Bangkok Social! (Link)

February 20th I 13:00 - 14:30 I Entrepreneur talks. (Link)

February 20th I 18:30 - 23:00 I Weekly Bangkok Digital Nomads Meetup @ The Gardens of Dinsor Palace (Ekkamai) (Link)

February 21st I 20:00 - 23:00 I Make new friends in Bangkok new bar ( Rodeo ) (Link)

February 22nd I 14:00 - 16:00 I Read Reflect Connect (Link)

February 22nd I 20:00 - 23:00 I Make new friends international friends & Local friends (Link)

🌏 Exhibitions & Expos

February 21st to March 2nd I 10:00 - 22:00 I THAIWATSADU x BnB home EXPO 2025 @BITEC - EH101-104 (Link)

Today’s Expat Story 🗺️

Eva’s Story

Eva joined a Thai-Danish research initiative on urban pollution. She spends her days studying PM2.5 data and her evenings jogging along Sukhumvit. Her best memory is collaborating with local college students for an air-quality awareness campaign, culminating in a lively street festival with homemade air filters. “Bangkok is a fascinating lab,” she observes. “Challenges here spark solutions, and everyone plays a role.”

Thailand: Culture & History 🇹🇭

The White Elephant on Thailand's former flag

The white elephant or "chang phueak" in Thai holds a deeply significant place in Thai culture and royal symbolism. These aren't actually albino elephants, but rather extremely rare elephants with lighter-colored skin, making them appear whitish or pinkish.

In Thai culture, these magnificent creatures were seen as the ultimate gift for the monarch, symbolizing:

• Royal power and divine kingship

• Prosperity and good fortune

• Sacred status in Buddhism

• The nation's strength and stability

When they appeared on Thailand's national flags, the white elephant served as a powerful representation of both the monarchy and the Thai kingdom itself. The presence of this majestic creature on the flag reflected Thailand's pride in its royal heritage and Buddhist traditions.

It's particularly interesting that while many nations chose fierce predators like lions or eagles for their national symbols, Thailand selected the elephant - an animal known for its intelligence, gentle nature, and strength. This choice perfectly captures Thai cultural values that emphasize both power and grace.

This symbol continues to be deeply respected in Thai culture today, even though it no longer appears on the current national flag. You can still see white elephant imagery in many official contexts and royal ceremonies throughout Thailand.

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❤️ Simeon & Nat

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