Bangkok
Every Thai Times item for Bangkok, with sources.
Café
Factory Coffee, Phaya Thai
A small, serious brew bar a short walk from BTS Phaya Thai, which also makes it handy if you're on the Airport Rail Link. Its team has a long competition record, including a Top 2 World Espresso finish in 2022. The signature order is the "Phaya Thai", a Sicilian-style espresso drink served with lemon peel. Go for the coffee, not for a long brunch.
Sources: www.thefinestthai.com · www.localspecialtycoffee.com
Terroir.BKK, Song Wat
A bare-concrete shophouse in Bangkok's Song Wat and Chinatown area that puts the beans first. Expect single-origin filter, espresso, and occasional rare pours from Thailand, Panama, Ethiopia and other rotating origins. It's coffee-focused rather than a brunch spot, and weekdays are calmer than weekends.
Sources: www.filternotes.com
Roots, The Commons Thonglor
One of the pioneers of Bangkok's modern specialty coffee scene. Roots sources from Thai farmers and serves seasonal local lots, often traceable to a specific farm in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. The flagship is at The Commons in Thonglor, which makes a good start for a coffee crawl.
Sources: go2-thailand.com · roavara.com
Eat This
Boat noodles (kuay teow reua)
A strongly flavoured noodle soup made with pork or beef, dark soy and spices, served in small bowls, so people usually order several. The broth gets its rich, thick texture from blood mixed with salt and spices, which is good to know if you're squeamish.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Thailand News
Planned 45-baht fare cap across Bangkok rail lines
The Transport Ministry is aiming to launch a common ticketing system on Jan 1, 2027. You would pay one entry fee across lines, fares would be capped at 45 baht a trip, and you could tap a contactless (EMV) bank card. It's a plan for now, not in effect yet.
Sources: www.bangkokpost.com
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