Welcome to The Bangkok Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Thai Language: Not Just One Flavor!

• Dining adventure at Electric Sheep Restaurant

• Explore Kong Khong Market

• Thai Mythical Creatures

• And more…

Fun Fact

Thai Language: Not Just One Flavor!

Various regional dialects make Thailand a linguistic playground! Think you know Thai? Plot twist: there are actually 73 living languages across the kingdom!

While Central Thai reigns supreme in Bangkok classrooms and TV shows, it's only the first language for 33% of Thais. The other 55% who speak Thai? They're chatting away in regional dialects. When northern and southern Thais meet, they often need to switch to Central Thai just to understand each other! It's like having built-in language barriers at your family reunion.

Trivia

✅The Answer to your Trivia last week = None

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!

Which area of a Thai temple contains the monks' living quarters?

A) Phutthawat

B) Sangkhawat

C) Mondop

D) Kuti

News 📰

4 Chinese Men Try To "Remove" Documents From Bangkok Collapse Site, Detained (Link)

Casino bill 'a time-bomb' (Link)

Calls to spur tax-free shopping (Link)

Lifestyle 🕶️

💪 Health & Wellness

Ginger Farm Kitchen at 101 The Third Place - Organic Thai food with clean flavors in a tranquil setting. Try their no-noodle pad Thai and Isaan sausages. MSG-free with vegetarian options. (Link)

Absolute Fit Food Thailand - Premium meal prep delivery with 400+ clean dishes designed by dietitians. Fresh, organic ingredients and hormone-free meats for busy health enthusiasts. (Link)

ยกพวกยิง เลเซอร์เกมส์ - Yok Pok Ying Laser Games - Need to burn some calories while having fun? They offers an exhilarating laser tag experience across three sprawling floors. The three-floor laser tag adventure near Huai Kwang MRT. Friendly English-speaking staff often join smaller groups. Board games also available. (Link)

🍽️ Restaurants

Carmina Modern Latin Cuisine - brings a much-needed taste of Latin America to Bangkok, tucked away in the community mall opposite the Millennium Residence at Sukhumvit. Step through the imposing wooden doors to discover a vibrant interior featuring colorful chairs and an impressive display of glass bottles suspended above the bar. Try the Grilled Chicken Burrito or Smoky Chicken & Rice. Small portions but worth the splurge. (Link)

Cantina Italian Kitchen - Cozy Italian village atmosphere with outstanding wood-fired pizzas and perfect al dente pasta. Attentive staff and warm ambiance. (Link)

Electric Sheep Restaurant - For a truly unique dining adventure in Bangkok's Chinatown boldly fuses Thai cuisine with Mediterranean influences. The Duck Carbonara is so delicious that guests frequently consider ordering a second helping! Every dish showcases careful craftsmanship and surprising flavor combinations that continue to impress with each bite. (Link)

☕ Cafes

Lhong Tou Cafe at Yaowarat - Instagram-worthy Chinese comfort food served in bamboo steamers in Yaowarat. Try the breakfast rice porridge with traditional sides. Modern Chinese aesthetic. (Link)

Kin & Koff Café - offers a welcome air-conditioned haven near Wat Pho where travelers can escape the Bangkok heat while enjoying authentic Thai dishes.Their Pad Thai and green curry earn rave reviews. Affordable prices and helpful staff. (Link)

🍹 Bar & Rooftop Bars

Tropic City - Tropical paradise off Charoen Krung Road with vibrant décor. Artisanal cocktails (300-500 THB) showcasing exotic flavors. Cuban-inspired atmosphere with tropical beats. (Link)

Osca & Blanco Bar and Restaurant - Stunning riverside views opposite Icon Siam. Indoor and outdoor seating to watch boats on the Chao Phraya. Great cocktails, live music, and excellent food. (Link)

💎 Hidden Gems

Kong Khong Market (Bowing Market) - Traditional "Bowing Market" in Bang Pa-in District featuring vendors in Thai attire selling local delicacies and crafts. Open Thu-Sun, 9AM-4PM. Perfect day trip from Bangkok. (Link)

Social 👥

🥳 Social Events & Networking

May 2nd I 20:00 - 23:00 I 🥂 Ladies FREE Entry 🥂 : 🌆 Rooftop Bar Drinks @ Hyde & Seek Silom Edge 🌆 (Link)

May 3rd I 20:00 - 23:00 I Cocktails and Conversation — Saturday Social (Link)

May 4th I 14:00 - 16:00 I Basketball on Sunday (Link)

Today’s Expat Story 🗺️

Hiro’s Story (Japan – Retiree & Thai Culture Enthusiast) 

After retiring from a corporate job in Tokyo, Hiro chose to settle in Bangkok. He spends his mornings studying the Thai language at local temples and loves exploring Chinatown for authentic street eats. He recently visited the Grand Palace, finding parallels between Thai and Japanese reverence for tradition. His advice for fellow retirees: “Embrace the cultural activities. Age is just a number when Bangkok’s energy keeps you young.”

Thailand: Culture & History 🇹🇭

Thai Mythical Creatures: A Journey Through the Himmapan Forest

Origins and Significance

The Himmapan Forest represents more than just a mythical location—it embodies the Thai cultural perception of the Himalayas as an unreachable, mystical place. When Buddhism and Brahmanism arrived in Southeast Asia, these distant mountains captured the imagination of Thai people, who believed only divine beings could reach them by flying through the air. This perception gave birth to countless legends about extraordinary creatures dwelling within this magical realm.

Fascinating Creatures by Category

The elephant clan:

1. Karinta Paksa (Thai: กรินทปักษา) A black elephant with distinctive red ears and a bird's tail.

2. Chattan Hudtee (Thai: ฉัททันต์หัตถี) A white six-tusked elephant with red back ridge and the ability to fly.

3. Hem Hudtee (Thai: เหมหัตถี) A golden elephant possessing extraordinary strength.

4. Kunchon Waree (Thai: กุญชรวารี) An elephant-fish hybrid with a fish tail.

The lion clan:

1. Kraisorn Rajasri (Thai: ไกรสรราชสีห์) A majestic white lion with large eyes, spiral patterns and red claws.

2. Kala Sriha (Thai: กาฬสีหะ) A black herbivorous lion with cow-like features.

3. Tinna Sriha (Thai: ติณสีหะ) has a cow-like body.

4. Buntu Rajasri (Thai: บัณฑุราชสีห์) A yellow lion with tiger-like stripes and carnivorous habits.

The horse clan:

1. Durong Kraisorn (Thai: ดุรงค์ไกรสร) A regal red horse with a lion's head.

2. Hemara Ussadorn (Thai: เหมราอัศดร) A horse with a bird's head.

3. Durong Paksin (Thai: ดุรงค์ปักษิณ) A white horse with wings, bird tail and black neck and hooves.

4. Mah Nin Mungkorn (Thai: ม้านิลมังกร) A horse-dragon hybrid influenced by Chinese mythology qilin (Thai: กิเลน).

The bovine clan:

1. Ko U-Suparaj (Thai: โคอุสุภราช) is a noble black cow with some white areas on body, front legs, chest, tail, and hump.

2. Ko Prueksa Kawain (Thai:โคพฤกษกวาริน) A white cow with brown ridge and a tail of a fish.

3. Ko A-Supa Paksin (Thai:โคอศุภปักษิณ) A blue cow with white legs, wings and a blue bird tail.

4. Paksa Kawi (Thai: ปักษาคาวี) A cream colored cow with horns and a bird tail.

The bird clan:

1. Garuda, or Krut (Thai: ครุฑ), The powerful half-human, half-bird vehicle of Lord Vishnu.

2. Nok Hussadiling (Thai: นกหัสดีลิงค์) A massive bird with elephant-like trunk and tusks.

3. Kinnaree/Kinnanorn (Thai: กินรี /กินนร) Half-human, half-bird beings (the females are called Kinnaree and the males Kinnanorn). Their abode is on the Himmapan mountaintop known as Chanta Bunpot (Thai: จันทบรรพต).

4. Nok Tantima (Thai: นกทัณฑิมา) A bird-headed creature carrying a ceremonial staff. Tanta (Thai: ทัณฑ) means staff.

The marine clan:

1. Hae Ra (Thai: เหรา) has the body of naga with flame-like patterns kanok plaew (Thai:กนกเปลว) and legs, horns.

2. Naga, or Phaya Nak (Thai: พญานาค) A powerful shape-shifting serpent with with scales and a golden comb and four distinct naga families.

• Virupak (Thai: วิรูปักษ์) the golden naga.

• A-Ra Pata (Thai: เอราปถ) the green naga

• Chubpaya Putta (Thai: ฉัพพยาปุตตะ) the rainbow naga

• Kanha Kotama (Thai: กัณหาโคตมะ) the black naga

3. Mermaid, or nguek (Thai: เงือก) Human-fish hybrid, reflecting Western influences. Traditional Thai descriptions of ngueks are more serpentine in features.

4. Nak Paksa (Thai: นาคปักษา) A bird with a naga-like head and multi-colored feathers.

Others

1. Makalipon tree (Thai:มักกะลีผล ) A magical tree that bears beautiful women as fruits. They are mentioned in the Vessantara Jataka (Thai: เวสสันดรชาดก).

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