Welcome to The Bangkok Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Bad luck to wear black to a Thai wedding?

• Bangkok at Risk from "Sleeping Giant" Fault Lines, Experts Warn

• Complete Muay Thai experience at Master Toddy Muay Thai

• PAPAYA Studio Thailand's Largest Antique vintage store

• And more…

Fun Fact

It's generally considered bad luck to wear black to a Thai wedding!

While you might rock that little black dress at Western weddings, in Thailand, black is strongly associated with mourning and funerals. Showing up in all-black attire might accidentally send the message that you're not exactly thrilled about the couple's union (awkward!).

That said, there's a bit of flexibility - black men's shoes or black trousers paired with a more colorful top can still be acceptable. Just avoid the full funeral-chic look when celebrating someone's special day.

Instead, opt for vibrant colors that match the joyful occasion! Thai weddings are typically colorful affairs filled with beautiful traditions, delicious food, and plenty of celebration – your outfit should match that festive energy.

Consider this your fashion public service announcement before you accidentally become the wedding guest everyone whispers about! 😅

Trivia

✅The Answer to your Trivia last week = C) 40,000 - 50,000

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 mythical creature is often represented in Thai temple roof decorations?

A) Dragon

B) Singha

C) Elephant

D) Naga

News 📰

Bangkok Governor quells drama, affirms full cooperation in collapsed building rescue effort (Link)

Bangkok at Risk from "Sleeping Giant" Fault Lines, Experts Warn (Link)

Condo buyers appraise developers following quake (Link)

Digital arrival cards required for visits to Thailand from May 1 (Link)

Lifestyle 🕶️

💪 Health & Wellness

Açai Story - serves up the perfect between-meals snack with their generous açai bowls. The Glow Bowl comes highly recommended, but the Nutty Bowl packed with açai, nuts, and banana delivers great taste and energy. The homemade baked nuts add a delicious crunch to these healthy treats. With both seating available and takeaway options, it's a popular spot during lunch and dinner hours. (Link)

SLOWBAR : Slow coffee & Juice bar - offers a relaxing escape from Bangkok's heat. Their amazing coffee pairs perfectly with healthy options like chia seed smoothie pudding and coconut passion fruit pineapple smoothies. The tasty waffles with ice cream make for a delightful treat. With its cozy atmosphere, good temperature control, and convenient online ordering through QR codes, SLOWBAR is ideal for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone who enjoys eating well while taking a break from sightseeing nearby attractions. (Link)

Master Toddy Muay Thai - delivers the complete Muay Thai experience, from professional training to accommodations. This legendary gym welcomes everyone interested in learning Muay Thai, whether for professional fighting, self-defense, or just fun skill-building. The friendly atmosphere, expert trainers, and additional perks like custom-sewn Muay Thai shorts with your name make this a must-visit for martial arts enthusiasts. The safe, peaceful surroundings and great service enhance the overall experience. (Link)

🍽️ Restaurants

Sotthep - Pot Rice, Krungthep Flair - offers an intimate dining experience with unique Thai-inspired dishes. The crispy oyster pancake and amazing steak are standout items, while the beef wrapped in perilla leaf with curry paste delivers unique flavors. Other highlights include the squid ink rice with crispy cod fish and the shredded stir-fried morning glory. The small, cozy space creates a private feel, but reservations are recommended due to limited seating. Be mindful of Bangkok's traffic if traveling from other areas! (Link)

kasnäsbkk - features Scandinavian-inspired interiors in a cozy, pet-friendly setting perfect for brunch or light meals. Menu favorites include their Dark Rye bread with whipped butter, Surf & Turf Burger with avocado slices and prawns, Rigatoni Bolognese, Roasted Chicken with quinoa salad, and the spicy Mentaiko Angel Hair pasta. For dessert, the Finnish Brita Cake and Chocolate Mud Cake offer pleasantly balanced sweetness. With great service, quick food delivery, and a pleasant ambiance ideal for family gatherings, kasnäsbkk delivers a delightful dining experience. (Link)

Sababa Mediterranean Izakaya - charms with its retro and artsy decor in a cozy yet stylish setting. The Mediterranean-inspired dishes like Pistachio Carbonara offer excellent flavors, though portions run small. Their BBQ oysters and crispy chicken skin come highly recommended. The excellent wine and cocktail selection pairs nicely with the meal, featuring a wine cellar with diverse options. With attentive, kind staff and a nice blend of indoor and outdoor seating, Sababa creates a perfect atmosphere for date nights—just note the limited parking (4-5 cars) and consider ordering multiple dishes if you're particularly hungry. (Link)

☕ Cafes

COME escape cafe - offers a relaxing garden setting perfect for enjoying their delicious coffee, tea, croissants, and homey desserts. The cozy backyard garden creates a perfect atmosphere for dates or quiet workdays, with bite-size cakes served in a lovely garden environment. While air-conditioned space is limited, the outdoor area remains comfortable to sit in. Dog-friendly with free parking, this café embodies the slow life philosophy, especially quiet on Mondays for those looking to work in peace. (Link)

Blue Chéri Cafe (Ploenchit) - delights coffee enthusiasts with high-quality brews and diverse drink options. Their Mayongchid espresso and yuzu espresso receive particular praise, while the coconut water espresso is worth trying. The café also offers bakery items, sandwiches, and bagels for quick bites or leisurely meals. Their warm banana chocolate muffin earns points for flavor, though some find the chocolate a bit sweet. With polite staff, attentive service, and a clean, pleasant decor, Blue Chéri creates an ideal environment for relaxation, work, or socializing. (Link)

🍹 Bar & Rooftop Bars

Blossom Thong Lor - brings fantastic live music to create the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing night out. Their live jazz, soul, and pop performances until 11 PM on Saturdays set an ideal vibe while enjoying excellent drinks. The classy yet cozy space strikes the right balance between relaxed and lively. With friendly staff and beautiful decorations, Blossom offers a perfect spot for unwinding with good music and good company. (Link)

WALK Rooftop Bar - impresses with its 360° views, delicious cocktails, and very fresh food. The reasonable prices and pre-7 PM happy hour add to its appeal. Unlike many rooftop venues, WALK maintains a less noisy, less crowded atmosphere where chairs are typically available and conversation remains possible. The live acoustic music plays at a pleasant volume that doesn't require shouting, making it ideal for relaxing and chatting against Bangkok's skyline backdrop. (Link)

👫 Activities

Bangkok’s Coin Museum - run by the Treasury Department, offers a fascinating journey through Thai currency history. For just 50 baht, visitors receive a one-hour guided tour through what initially appears to be a small exhibit but expands into hidden chambers filled with numismatic curiosities. The multimedia "Beginning of Currency" room emulates a prehistoric cave with 4D animation, while exhibits showcase diverse "primitive money" from around the world. The second floor features room after room focused on Thai currencies, including Sukhothai's "bullet money" and Chiang Mai's oyster-shaped "tok" ingots. With displays of coins from 174 countries, minting processes, and interactive panels, this lesser-known attraction provides a cool respite from Bangkok's heat and crowds. (Link)

💎 Hidden Gems

PAPAYA Studio Thailand's Largest Antique vintage store - impresses with its HUGE collection of vintage items and antiques. The clean environment and friendly, knowledgeable staff enhance the shopping experience. They offer free delivery and workshop services including repairs, making it convenient for collectors and project planners. While prices run slightly higher than average, the selection of US and EU antiques and vintage items is unmatched elsewhere at these prices. With free parking and a good café for coffee, meals, and snacks, PAPAYA Studio creates a complete experience for vintage enthusiasts looking to get refreshed and recharged while browsing this must-visit collection. (Link)

Social 👥

🥳 Social Events & Networking

April 22nd I 10:00 - 18:00 I Make New Friends and Connections with Social Coworking @ True Digital Park (Link)

April 22nd I 16:00 - 19:00 I Nonthaburi Walking Experience (Link)

April 23rd I 19:30 - 22:30 I Wednesday Night Bangkok Social! @ Allso Bar Bangkok (South Thonglor) (Link)

April 25th I 20:00 - 23:00 I 🥂 Ladies FREE Entry 🥂 : 🌆 Fashionable Tt Café @ Thonglor 🌆 (Link)

🌏 Exhibitions & Expos

April 22nd to April 24th I 10:00 - 18:00 I Where Asia Does Business - Money20/20 Asia 2025 @QSNCC - Exhibition Hall 1-4, Level G (Link)

April 23rd to April 26th I 10:00 - 18:00 I Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2025 (JGAB) @QSNCC - Exhibition Hall 5-7, Level LG (Link)

April 27th I UTO FEST GIRLS IN BANGKOK @QSNCC - Exhibition Hall 1-4, Level G (Link)

April 24th to April 26th I 10:00 - 19:00 I AGEING THAILAND 2025 @BITEC - EH101 (Link)

April 26th to April 27th I 9:00 - 17:00 I Dek-D’s TCAS Fair & Dek-D’s Study Abroad Fair 2025 @BITEC - EH98 (Link)

April 26th to May 4th I The Biggest Furniture Fair (Include: Electronics, Wedding Fair, food Fair, Fashion Fair and Garden Fair) @BITEC - EH102 - 104 (Link)

Today’s Expat Story 🗺️

Caroline’s Story (USA – Digital Nomad & Blogger)

Caroline left Silicon Valley to blog her way through Asia. Bangkok became her home base for its coworking spaces and lively expat community. She curates lists of hidden dessert cafes and offbeat attractions like the abandoned airplane graveyard. A highlight was discovering an underground speakeasy with live funk music. “You can reinvent yourself here,” she notes. “Bangkok constantly evolves - so can you.”

Thailand: Culture & History 🇹🇭

Thai Temple Architecture: Sacred Spaces Explained

Thai Buddhist temples (wats) follow consistent architectural principles that blend beauty with spiritual purpose. Each temple is divided into two main parts:

The Phutthawat: Buddha's Sacred Space

This area dedicated to Buddha typically contains:

• Chedi (Stupa): Bell-shaped towers often covered in gold leaf containing relics

• Ubosot (Bot): The most sacred ordination hall marked by eight sema stones

• Wihan: Shrine hall housing principal Buddha images and assembly area

• Mondop: Square ceremonial building that may hold relics or sacred scriptures

• Ho trai: Temple library for sacred texts

• Sala: Open pavilions offering shade and rest

• Ho rakhang: Bell tower for summoning monks to ceremonies

The buildings are often decorated with elegant details like chofas (curved ornaments) on rooftops.

The Sangkhawat: Monks' Living Quarters

This area contains:

• Kuti: Monks' living quarters (originally small structures on stilts)

• Functional buildings like kitchens

• Sometimes includes bell towers and sermon halls

Distinctive Roof Designs

Thai temples feature multiple roof tiers (usually 2-3, but royal temples may have 4) that create dynamic visual rhythms. These decorative tiers aren't just beautiful—they also visually lighten the appearance of large temple halls.

The roofs feature elegant decorations called lamyong (undulating, serpent-like shapes) along the edges, with hang hong (naga head) finials at the lower ends and chofah (bird-beak shaped) ornaments perched at the peaks.

These architectural elements combine to create Thailand's iconic temple silhouettes, forming sacred spaces that have served as community centers, educational institutions, and spiritual anchors for centuries.

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❤️ Simeon & Nat

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