Marie Monde, Mange et Mode

By Marie Monde, Ramada’s Chief Eats Officer

Though only a mere few hours from Khao Lak, Bangkok is an entirely different world.  While Khao Lak is all about serenity and scenic ocean views, Bangkok is the city that never sleeps.  Having lived in big cities well known for their nightlife, such as Miami, Paris and New York City, I thought I’d be well prepared for Bangkok.  However, it turns out that nothing could have quite prepared me for Bangkok’s incredibly vibrant late-night scene.  Bangkok is truly in a league of its own, bursting with fantastic fashion, food and fun at all hours of the day. The infamous Red Bull energy drink was created in Bangkok, which now comes as no surprise.  I needed wings to rally and maximize every possible second of my time in the magical city. 

My hotel accommodations further added to the magic of the city, as I stayed at the Ramada by Wyndham Menam Riverside.  Located along the legendary Chao Phraya River, the luxurious hotel was pristine, yet personable, with exceptional staff complimenting the extraordinary property.  Riverside is particularly ideal for solo travel, as it is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and is amongst the nicest safest areas in Bangkok.  

My stay served as the perfect place to round out my final days in Asia as part of my foodie world tour as the Ramada Chief Eats Officer.  After several days of food and fun, I’ve curated a list of 10 Tips for Bangkok, Thailand.  Check them out below!

1. SAIL ALONG THE RIVERSIDE WITH RAMADA’S SHUTTLE BOAT 🚢

The utility of the Hotel’s shuttle boat cannot be understated! As the name suggests, the Ramada by Wyndham Menam Riverside is centrally located directly alongside Thailand’s main river, the Chao Phraya River.  With a name translation to “River of Kings”, the aptly named river is the city’s lifeline, taking boats of people to all things cultural, culinary and commerce.  If you plan to leave your hotel room and actually explore Bangkok’s magical metropolis, you simply must take advantage of hotel’s shuttle boat service!

Ramada’s complimentary shuttle boat runs from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM, transporting guests from the hotel’s private dock to the Sathorn riverside stop of Bangkok’s local transit hub, the BTS. From there, I was able to go virtually anywhere in the city! There are connecting boats for attractions like the Asiatique and IconSiam (See Tip 3), as well as any other public BTS stop.  There is also the option to walk up the steps to the Saphan Taksin, the local public tram. 

The Sathorn pier and surrounding areas are extremely well lit and bustling with people at all hours of the day.  There is also signage everywhere, which helped ensure that I did not get lost or accidentally take the wrong boat.  Ramada also has its shuttle times posted next to the shuttle boat seated waiting area.  As if this wasn’t enough, the Ramada boat crew also makes their presence known to ensure that guests do not miss the boat.  As the iconic Ramada Red sails up toward the dock, they call out “Ramada” several times, with the large red “Ramada” insignia visibly displayed on top of the boat and the large “Ramada by Wyndham Menam Riverside” flag flapping in the wind. 

As an adorable additional touch, the crew all wear tropical, brightly colored shirts with either tie-dye or bright floral prints.  At first I thought that it was a coincidence, but as the days went on, I noticed that the Ramada crew wear their “Hawaii tourist”-looking shirts all day, every day.  While waiting on the return boat each day, I got the chance to observe some of the other hotel shuttle boats and found that Ramada is the only hotel that wears these vibrant, vacation-themed shirts and is one of the only hotels that has themed or even uniform crew shirts.  I found this to be yet another adorable personal touch offered by Ramada.  Seeing the red boat sailing toward Sathorn with cute, tropically dressed crew quickly became a symbol of home…well, hotel “home”.  The shuttle was such a convenient mode of transportation that I ended up using it multiple times a day, heading back to the hotel to chance and/or nap between each of the days’ many activities.

While taxis and tuk tuks are available as well, the red Ramada shuttle boat should be at the top of the transportation list for anyone looking to travel along the riverside the right way, by sailing along the Chao Phraya. 

2. VISIT CHINA TOWN 🏮⛩

China Town is pretty much a foodie paradise.  The second I stepped out of the cab, I was immediately entranced by the enticing trail of tasty smells.  There is a distinct and glorious yet incredibly specific smell born from the abundance of traditional Chinese herbs and spices lining the streets.  In China Town, you can find all kinds of food EVERYWHERE.  Sure there are the usual suspects, like traditional brick and mortar restaurants, and even smaller hole-in-the-wall-eateries.  But in China Town, there are also 100s of food carts lining Yaowarat, the main road, all down each cross street and in dark, obscure alleys.  Also, I imagine that Bangkok’s China Town is likely one of the only places in the world where you can find late-night food carts that are Michelin-starred.  I could have easily spent a year just in China Town without ordering the same meal twice.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a year in Bangkok, so I had to make some tough executive decisions.  Being a Chief Eats Officer is hard work! While admiring the ambiance of the distinctly dazzling district, I was entranced by the enchanting music coming from a Chinese jazz bar.  The Shanghai Terrace jazz lounge and Red Rose restaurant work in tandem, (and are also collectively known as the Red Rose Restaurant and Jazz Lounge), providing guests with delicious dinner and a spectacular show. 

Though in Thailand, the open air terrace embodied the spirit of Shanghai, from the art and decor from wall to wall, to the front row view of the energetic Yaowarat Road. Housed inside the the Shanghai Mansion, guests are transported from modern-day Thai China Town, to the romantic, opulent and ever-so-seductive 1930s Shanghai.  The wondrous world is complete with red lanterns, a red bridge overlooking a coy fish pond,  and an abundance of stunning, mixed-media art. 

The menu had everything from dim sum and Peking duck to noodle dishes and mango pudding.  The first thing I ordered was a mesmerizing passion fruit cocktail called the “Bangkok Sunshine”.  The drink had a pleasant passion fruit and raspberry syrup taste, with a warm and mouthwatering hint of ginger to really bring the drink to life.  The sparkling mineral water further added to the liveliness of the drink, which paired perfectly with the lively jazz band that was playing in front of me.  The drink was topped with a caramelized passion fruit, which added both to its aesthetic and to the sweet, sugary flavor. 

By the time I ordered dinner, the kitchen was close to closing.  Since the menu was rather large and there was an abundance of meat-heavy dishes, I simply asked the waiter to put in his best recommendation for a meat-free, but filling noodle dish.  The man did not disappoint! He brought me a delightful noodle dish, full of veggies, marinated mushrooms and so much flavor! The noodles also came with a tantalizing crispy tempura tower on top, which added some excellent texture to the dish.

Whether you go for the food and drinks, the fantastic show, or a mix of the three, the Red Rose Jazz Lounge is a treat for all of your senses.  Even if you don’t get a chance to stop at the jazz lounge, be sure to visit China Town and let your inner foodie run free.  Your taste buds and tummy will certainly thank you!

3. VISIT ICON SIAMI!! 🛍🍴

Home to around 7,000 shops, 100 restaurants and even a floating market, Icon Siam is the premier destination for foodies and shopaholics alike.   And the best part?! Transportation is completely free! Simply take the free Ramada shuttle boat to the Saphan Taksin Sathorn Pier, followed by the ICONSIAM free shuttle.  The shuttle runs every ten minutes, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm daily.  I made sure to coordinate hotel and mall shuttle boat times ahead of time, so there was virtually no wait. 

I’ll be honest, I did not initially understand what all the buzz was about regarding the swarms of people swooning over a shopping mall.  However, I soon learned that it is not a shopping mall, it is the super mall. There are many things to love about the iconic Icon Siam.  I spent about 3 hours on the first floor alone!

The mall has 10 floors, with 500,000 square meters of mainstream retail and entertainment, a 25,000 square meters Luxury Wing, and 7 distinct dining zones.  One of my favorite areas in the mall was the SOOKSIAM.  After passing the Chanel, Gucci and Bottega signs upon entry into the mall and navigating the incredible indoor green space and art from floor to ceiling, I immediately felt like I’d been transported into a Thai artisan and food market.  The SookSiam area allowed me to get a crash course in Thai culture, combing art, crafts and provincial cuisine representative of the Thailand’s 77 provinces. For global gastronomes, such as myself, the IconSiam’s SookSiam is a foodie paradise! There is one portion that felt like a huge farmers market, with hundreds of food vendors serving street-food styled eats.  I spent at least 30 minutes just walking around and exploring my options.  I wanted to try EVERYTHING and knew I had to pace myself.

Of all the food I tried, there are a few items that completely stood out.  First, we have my inaugural taste of the famed Thai durian.  I went to a place called CP Fresh and ordered the gold crested daifuku durian. The dessert was only 99 Baht and came with an adorable presentation. Durian is known for it’s particularly foul smell, so I figured that disguising it in a dessert would help my senses to get past the initial sniff test.  It worked, as the first bite was incredible! The first bite was sweet and creamy, reminding me of a cheesecake almost.  The second bite…an entirely different story! I  think that I let my second bite linger a bit too long in my mouth, because a few seconds of bliss began to taste like a bite of sewage.  My olfactory senses tend to bias most cuisines, so I imagine that the lingering aromas from inside my mouth caused the taste to change from the first bite to the second.  I’d heard mixed views on durian, with people either loving or hating the diverse fruit.  In a way, I lucked out, as I was able to experience the intense joy and disdainful disgust of the durian fruit all in a matter of minutes.  Although my taste buds went on a bit of a roller coaster, I still strongly recommend the fruit.  You’ll never know how you feel about it until you try it!

While in the SookSiam area, I also tried some truly delicious delights.  One such delight was Thai Roti.  Living in the Netherlands, I became accustomed to Surinamese Roti, which is somewhat akin to a Dutch burrito, with meat and potatoes rolled into a tasty thin pancake.  Thai Roti was very different, but equally delicious! The two main flavors are chocolate, which is filled with Nutella and bananas, and cheese, which is fried with a cracked egg and cheese slices.  Both are flattened into a small, thin square and topped with condensed milk.  I opted for the cheese variety, which was incredible! All the joy of a grilled cheese with all the flare of Thai street food.  I complimented my roti with satay skewers and some refreshing coconut water. 

While in the SookSiam area, I also treated myself to my second dessert of the day: coconut ice cream.  This was easily the BEST coconut ice cream I’ve ever had. It was made purely of the cream of the coconut, without any added milk or sugar.  This made it incredibly fresh, luscious and delicious.  I topped it with mango, red rubies and sticky rice.  Red Rubies and sticky rice are the two toppings that I never knew my ice cream needed and now can’t like without.  Red rubies, known in Thai as “thapthim krop”, are boiled water chestnuts coated with tapioca.  They may not sound all that exciting, but the taste and texture are amazing! They are chewy on the outside by crispy and crunchy on the inside.  The rubies texture boost is further enhanced by sticky rice, which adds a nice soft chewiness and an extra hint of sweetness.  The Ice cream was served inside a mostly hollowed-out coconut, with little bits of shaved coconut meat left inside of the coconut to send the ice cream to the next level.  I am drooling while I type and reminisce on the coconut deliciousness. While in my food-inspired state of bliss, I shopped for several artisan crafted souvenirs. My three favorites were the adorable and engraved cartoon carry-all bag for my niece, my radiant jade ring and my magnificently detailed miniature blue and white china. I commemorated my successful shopping finds with a cup of chrysanthemum tea.

IconSiam’s Veranda area offered further culinary delights.  One such gem was my third dessert of the day at Siam Tara. The mango and passion fruit ice cream was truly delicious, but the ambiance was out of this world! The adorable floral oasis of a restaurant immediately caught my eye. On my way to the IconLuxe section of the mall for a round of shopping, I was stopped in my tracks by the stunning sea of orchids, lilly’s and roses. Truth be told, I was rather full after all of my other tasty treats. However, I couldn’t resist the urge to enter what appeared to be an enchanted indoor flower garden. It was magical! Both a foodie and a fashionista, I had a good deal of shopping still on the agenda and full stomach reaching maximum capacity. Thus, I couldn’t bring myself to order the extravagant afternoon tea spread that I really wanted and instead opted for a small, light bowl of ice cream. The luxurious garden was the perfect setting to conclude my culinary tour of IconSiam and embark on my adventure through the mall’s levels of luxury fashion and high end goods.

IconSiam serves as the world’s hub of brand names, with high end stores like Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton and Cartier, spreading across three levels of the riverside building. There are even several car dealerships inside the mall! At Icon Siam, patrons can get a matcha latte, a side of mochi, an MCM bag and a Maserati all in the same setting. While I did indulge in a 100% magnificent matcha from a cute cafe called % , a luxury sports car was slightly out of my budget for Bangkok. After picking up some perfume at Mark Francis Kurkdjian, me and my full belly went on our merry way. My afternoon at IconSiam was every bit as lovely as promised.

(Happy Hour spread in the Executive lounge)

(Afternoon Tea in the Executive Lounge)

(Another Afternoon Tea View)

(Another Happy Hour View)

4. ENJOY THE EXECUTIVE FLOOR AMENITIES 🏙

The only thing better than the Ramada by Wyndham Menam Riverside was staying on the Executive Floor of the Ramada by Wyndham Menam Riverside. The Executive Floor is even more elaborate than the general extravagance of the hotel and comes with its own set of perks.  Upon arrival at the hotel, I presented my passport to check-in at the downstairs arrivals area. The check-in representative searched my name, smiled, and swiftly handed me my passport. She then thanked me for being a Diamond Member and told me that I had an executive room and needed to check-in in the Executive Lounge. One of her colleagues then took my luggage and escorted me to the Executive Floor. While Jade, the Executive Lounge attendant checked me in, a waiter brought me a refreshing glass of juice, followed by a delicious cup of hot tea, all while I admired the incredible Bangkok skyline.

I was then greeted by Luciano, the General Manager. Luciano personally saw to it that I had a great stay.  Over tea, we discussed my intended itinerary while in Bangkok and he made recommendations and even had several maps printed so that I could best plan my commute. He even made a few restaurant recommendations, which, as a foodie, was especially appreciated.

This foodie also appreciated the daily afternoon tea offered in the Executive Lounge. Every day from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., the Lounge offers Executive Guests a complimentary tea service, complete with an impeccable spread of sweet and savory western and eastern tea snacks. There were a variety of cakes, pastries, steamed buns, fruit, sandwiches and even sushi!

After heading to my room to nap and change, it was time for Cocktail Hour in the Executive Lounge.  The Lounge also offers a daily complimentary Happy Hour from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The evening buffet spread is even larger than the afternoon tea spread, complete with salad, fruit and vegetable ides and salad toppings, roasted ham and turkey, sushi and a host of their dinner and dessert items. Happy Hour is also accompanied by a free flow of drinks.

The exquisite spread of sumptuous treats is served thrice each day. In addition to the exclusive afternoon tea and happy hour offered to executive level guests, the coveted 15th floor also has its own daily breakfast! (See Tip 5 for more on Breakfast).

As I write this, I can help but think about how much money I saved dining in the Executive Lounge. Although the breakfast, afternoon tea and happy hour are all complimentary for executive guests, no expense was spared in the preparation of the luxurious spreads. There was a day where I was in the Lounge alone for the entire time I was there for Happy Hour. However, the high end spread remained unchanged. I enjoyed a tasty mojito, a salad and three different kinds of immaculately crafted sushi. If I were to pay for a spread like that and unlimited delicious cocktails in New York, London or Dubai, I would’ve spent at least $100. Even in Bangkok, a high-end happy hour dining experience would cost around $50. The money I saved dining in the Lounge allowed me allocate my budget toward even more food and activities while in Bangkok.

The Executive Lounge also comes with its own Concierge Service. The entire team was friendly and helpful throughout my stay. During my stay, I interacted most with Jade, who offered lots of great activity recommendations, information on shuttle boat and connecting transportation services and gave candid advice regarding her experiences living as an expat in Thailand.

All in all, the Executive floor offers a plethora of perks throughout the day that further enhance the incredible experience that is the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside. In addition to the attentive personal touches, the floor is perfect for foodies that want to experience lounge-side luxury eats throughout the day. When booking your accommodations in Bangkok, treat yourself to the enhanced services you deserve by booking an Executive Room.

(Sushi for breakfast?! Don’t mind if I do!)

5. ENJOY FREE BREAKFAST IN BANGKOK  🍳

The Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside offers a beautiful breakfast spread with a wide variety of delicious buffet options both downstairs and in Executive Lounge.  In both locations, the breakfast spreads were extensive and international, catering to the diverse taste buds, morning preferences and traditions of the hotel’s international clientele.

I tried breakfast both in the Executive Lounge and downstairs at the Terrace and thoroughly enjoyed the options and ambiance of both locations.

If dining downstairs, I do recommend dining a bit early, as the downstairs dining option is available complimentary for all hotel guests. The spread is expansive and the seating is adequate to accommodate the many anticipated guests. The only downside of coming downstairs during the breakfast rush was that I’d dreamed of a picture perfect breakfast along the Riverside and all of the prime outdoor seating was taken by the time I finished making my plate.

Though my view was slightly obstructed,  my diverse palate couldn’t have been more satisfied! Biryani rice, aloo curry and lentil dosas satisfied my middle eastern and south Asian cravings, while my made-to-order veggie omelette and Belgian waffles gave a nice western flare to my plate. Thanks to the robust array of culinary options, I was able to round out my meal with some miso soup and soba noodles. The downstairs breakfast option is available to guests of all floors and offers a range of foods and flavors that is sure to satisfy any foodie.

My breakfast on the 15th floor was exceptional as well. In fact, the Executive Lounge breakfast was even more extensive and exquisite than expected. Upon walking into the lounge, my eyes were greeted by a delightful spread of well-plated breakfast items. True to form, the Executive Lounge options were a bit more upscale than their downstairs breakfast counterparts. I immediately noticed the cheese board, ham carving station and cereal, salad and sushi bars. My eyes were also drawn to the colorful glass juice carafes, filled with guava, cantaloupe, carrot and orange juice options.

As a sushi lover, I was more than content to have my plate of sushi for breakfast while deciding between pastry and salad options. While lifting my chopsticks and gazing out the window at the Bangkok skyline, I was greeted by a waiter who offered me a menu and some longan juice. I was shocked to say the least. In addition to a full spread, there was also a menu of made-to-order options.

Not wanting the waiters trip to my table to be in vain, I went ahead and ordered a vegetable omelette. It was plated with some yummy micro greens, a side salad and herbed toast. Rather than waiting at Terrace’s cooking station, I sat at the secluded comfort of my own table and was served personally. Oh, the perks of the Lounge life!

Rather you eat by the Riverside or with a 15th floor skyline view, you simply MUST take advantage of the complimentary breakfast at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Menam Riverside.

6. Try some street food! 🍢

No Thai tip list is complete without mentioning Bangkok street food. Bangkok has been dubbed by many as the street did capital of the world. This is likely because there are bunches of stalls with beautiful food just waiting to devoured all over the city. Bangkok truly is a foodie fantasy.

Two places that I most recommend for some cheap, delicious street food fare are Bangrak Bazaar and Yaowarat Road.

I discovered Bangrak by chance. My first night in Bangkok, I wanted to test out the Ramada shuttle boat and see where it led. I had every intention of simply taking the boat to its destination and straight back to the hotel, without getting off. But for some reason, perhaps some foodie intuition, I disembarked the boat and started to follow the crowd from Sapthorn Pier, down the Saphan Taksin station and down the street. Next thing I knew, I was entranced with the sweet smell of stir fry permeating the night air. The area was incredibly lively at night, which allowed me to feel safe navigating an unknown area alone at night.

The Bazaar was filled with stall upon stall of glorious street food. Some of the most popular items seemed to be the fresh cut fruit, roast duck, rice porridge with fish, and durian. Best part? I didn’t see anything with a price over 50 Baht ($1.38 USD).

Yaowarat Road is in China town. The street contains many of the Main Street food vendors in the area. You’ll know you’ve entered the area when you hit Odesa Circle, a former traffic circle at the beginning of Yaowarat Road, marked by the iconic Chinatown Gate. Although there are some solid food option in the area throughout the day, the foodies come out at night! The area is incredibly vibrant in the evening and serves as home to countless street food vendors. The stalls and satisfying street food aromas line the street and can be found in every nook and cranny of the area. As it is a bit far, I recommend taking a hot pink Thai taxi to and from the area. For more on Chinatown, see Tip 2.

As a general rule on street food,  I haven’t known anyone to get sick from eating it, but do use a general sense of caution and best judgement. For instance, be sure your meat is always cooked and stick fresh with fruits and vegetables that are peelable. Also, Although many stalls offer pre-cooked food, I’d recommend sticking to food that is cooked to order, or at least cooked in large batches in front of you to be safe.

As a note, it’s highly likely that you may only receive a spoon for your street food dishes. This is because the spoon is the main eating utensil in Thailand. It is used to sip and scoop food into the mouth, to cut food (like a knife) and to put food into the mouth (like a fork). While forks are sometimes given, they are used aid the spoon, by simply taking food on to the spoon.

So, embrace Thai culture and all the culinary delights it has to offer, served street food style!

7. DEVOUR A DISH (OR TWO) AT THE TERRACE @72 🥘

The Terrace @72 is the main restaurant at the Ramada by Wyndham Menam Riverside.  The restaurant boasts a modern menu of both Thai and Japanese fare.  I highly recommend the Gaeng Kiew Wan Gai.  Known in English as “Thai Green Curry”, the dish was warm, hearty and immensely flavorful.  Green Curry is one of my favorite Thai dishes.  Between the coconut milk base and the peppers and chillies, one can’t help but fall in love.  Kaffir lime leaves are essential to the dish and are hard to come by outside Asia, making this dish all the more necessary for any foodie visiting Thailand. The Thai  basil and coriander provide a unique, delicate flavoring as well. Green Curry was the perfect dish to enjoy while taking in the cool breeze and watching boats and ships pass along the Chao Phraya River at The Terrace @72 outdoor patio. 

In addition to delicious food, the restaurant also has the most impeccable process for left overs! I didn’t have a chance to finish my meal for fear that I was cutting into my time to explore Bangkok while the hotel shuttle boat was still running.  (See Tip 1 for more on the FREE Shuttle Boat).  Thus, I asked the waitress if I could have my food for “take-away”.  I had every intention of simply putting my to-go container in my bag and heading straight to the shuttle boat that was nearing its departure time.  However, when the waitress returned with my credit card and the receipt for my bill, she noted that my left overs had been prepared and would be delivered to my room.  I was SHOCKED that my food could be delivered and put in my room without me even having to ask or pay an additional fee.  I was also very grateful that I wouldn’t have to carry around my leftovers as I headed by boat to explore more of Bangkok’s Sathon and Bang Rak areas.

When I returned to my room, I noticed that my food was nowhere to be found.  After speaking to the concierge, I learned that my food was to be delivered to me.  Upon delivery, I was expecting a brown paper bag with my food in a paper or plastic container, as they were left overs after all.  But I forgot that Ramada by Wyndham Menam Riverside is home of the luxurious personal touch.  Instead of some cold, disposable container, my food was delivered room-service style, warmed up and served in a classic white plating, complete with a ceramic renge soup spoon.  I was impressed by the preemptive attentiveness to my needs.  Instead of drinking cold curry out of a plastic container while out and about, I was able to watch a movie in my robe and enjoy a nice, warm bowl of green curry goodness, from a proper ceramic bowl, using a renge soup spoon, as the chef intended. 

Thailand is known as “The Land of a Thousand Smiles” because of the warm, welcoming smiles of its citizens, and this night, I was all smiles as well.  Whether you enjoy a meal along the riverside or re-heated and ready for enjoyment while relaxing in your room, an order from Ramada’s Terrace @72 is guaranteed to have you all smiles as well!

8. STOCK UP ON SNACKS AT 7-ELEVEN 🍟

This tip is likely the shortest and most unorthodox of the list. However, the incredible options are not to be understated! 7-Eleven is open late, less than 5 minutes walk from the Sathorn Pier and exceptionally well-priced. When I went, all writing and communications were in Thai and I rarely heard any languages other than Thai spoken in the store, so I think it’s safe to say that it is an authentically local hot spot. You can’t eat your way through Thailand without eating what the locals eat. What better way to do that than through sticking up on local late night snack?!

As a foodie, I love learning about other cultures through culinary traditions and palate preferences. Thus, I always try to stop into at least one convent store to get a feel for the regional snacks, seasonings and popular flavors. Usually, the first thing I look for is the potato chips. I love seeing the flavors specificity created for the country’s cultural market. In Greece I love the tzatziki and oregano flavored Lays, in Dubai I loved the mango chutney chips and in Thailand, I fell in love with the Mieng Kam Krob Ros chip flavor. I was drawn to the lime and cashew graphics on the bag and enjoyed the chili and nori taste. The multi-faceted flavor is reminiscent of its Thai street food namesake. There were also a ton of other regionally-specific flavors like Hot Chili Squid, Sweet Basil and Nori Seaweed.  There were also some incredibly unexpected flavors, like Dunkin’ Donuts, Carbonara Danish Sandwich and Plant-Based Pork.

I also loaded up on some cool ramen flavors, like green curry and truffle lobster. I even snagged some awesome snacks for the plane, like Tamarind with apricot and Pad Khi Mao Broad Beans. These savory treats all captured the essence of Thai snacking, with bold flavors and low pricing.

I was perhaps most impressed by the abundance of plant milk options. The store had everything from boxed pistachio milk and oat milk to chilled tofu milk. I’d never even seen tofu milk before!

To compliment my late-night snacks, I also picked up a few beauty products while in the store. Korean beauty products are world renowned for their high quality and effectiveness and in Thailand, I was able to purchase a lot of popular items for only a few baht. I even got some adorable probiotic gummies that came individually wrapped and in the shape of a cute little teddy bear!

Bangkok is a foodie heaven for many reasons. While street food and restaurant dining are widely popular and practically essentials, snack food is an excellent way to explore Thai food as well.

9. TOUR THE TEMPLE AS WAT ARUN RATCHAWARARAM 🏭

Created in the 1700s, Wat Arun temple is large, ornate and one of the most photographed temple in Thailand. The Buddhist temple is located on the Thonburi West Bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is so massive that you can begin to see the temple from the water, making the boat ride to the temple particularly exciting as you inch near the temple’s boat shuttle stop. For the small fee of 100 Baht, I received a temple-themed water bottle and all-day admission into the beautiful

There are stunning sky high structures decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and porcelain, awe-inspiring golden sculptures and several meticulously-detailed sacred buildings.

Outside the temple area, lush greenery line the walk to a temple-run food stand. After admiring the dynamically designed temple, I was in a bit of a daring mood and in need of some refreshments. In addition to an iced tea, I decided to try my luck with durian one more time. This time, I opted for an Ete Thai Fruit Durian ice cream. The vegan ice cream had a coconut base and a smooth, creamy texture. My tastebuds were pleased, from my first lick to my last. I’m not sure if it was the coconut base or the blessed temple grounds, but I can surely say that my second durian experience was significantly better than my first.

Though I’d love to end on a culinary note, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention etiquette while on the temple topic. When dressing for the temple, be sure to respect the Buddhist culture and cover your knees and shoulders when entering a temple.  The modesty rule goes for both men and women. At War Arun, the ticket agents offer sarongs that can be wrapped around the waist to use as a skirt and put over the shoulders to use as a shall.   I opted to wear a long, airy summer dresses to Wat Arun and baggy, long linen pants to another Thai temple. I found both outfit options to be comfortable and convenient for both my temple tours and the Thai heat.

When leaving the temple, steer clear of any souvenirs containing the Buddha image! The Buddha is a sacred symbol in Thailand and it is considered highly offensive to purchase or possess items with the Buddha image. See a cute Buddha planter sold by a street vendor? Skip it! There is a Customs Act in Thailand that explicitly bans the export of Buddha bounty without written permission or a license. Any illegal Buddha-themed goods will be confiscated and accompanied with a fine and potentially imprisonment.

In short, the Wat Arun worth the visit! Just be sure to dress respectfully and bring some extra spending money to rehydrate with some temple-branded refreshments.

10. TRY A TUKTUK 🛞

A Tuk Tuk ride is something that I’d thought about, but never exactly planned. Instead, my inaugural Tuk Tuk ride was birthed by serendipity and a smile. On my second day in Bangkok, the main item on my agenda was the Wat Arun temple (see Tip 9). I had every intention of heading straight to the temple when I ran into a Ramada hotel clerk that recognized me as I disembarked the BTS. She said hello and commented that she and some of the other staff knew me from the hotel as “the girl that is always smiling”.  In the Land of a Thousand Smiles, my ever-smiley disposition was particularly appreciated.

While discussing our upcoming plans, I mentioned my day at the temple. She then recommended a host of other activities, such as a multi-stop fashion tour of the city. She wrote down several places and, after noticing the slight apprehension in my eyes about navigating all the stops, walked with me to negotiate a reasonable price for a TukTuk. Before I knew it, I was zooming around the city through congested traffic and along back roads in a compact, colorful, three-wheeled motor vehicle.

The lovely smile-loving hotel friend gave me a hand-drawn map overview of her three recommended stops: IFC, the Gem Market and the BTS station connecting to the wat Arun Temple shuttle boat. She also wrote down a price of 30 Baht while standing in front of my Tuk Tuk driver, to ensure that he agreed to take me to all three stops and wait for me while visiting the stops, all for a price of 30 Baht (about 0.80¢ USD) an hour.

My first stop was the IFC, the International Fashion Company. The large tailor store had an abundance of fine fabrics and fiery prints. When I walked inside, I received water and a look book, while waiting for a consultant who recommended several dress, suit and coat options based on my presumed style. I was then presented with a book full of fabric options, followed by a tour of the fabric section. After falling in love with several items, I was measured and assured that my custom-made tailor crafted items would be finished and hand delivered to my hotel by the end of the day.  All items were delivered on time and crafted to perfection. I’d like to think I’m one-of-a-kind. But even if I’m not, my new dresses made in Thailand are each certainly one of one.

My next stop on my serendipitous Tuk Tuk adventure was to a local gem factory called Gem Production Co..LTD. Although the word “gem” is in the name, the large shop only sold rubies, diamonds and the like on the first floor. The second floor served as home to one of the largest high-quality souvenir shops I’d ever seen in Bangkok. Everything from ceramics and cookware to clothes and colorful Knick -knacks, this place had it all! After some great shopping, I was back in the Tuk Tuk and ready for my next stop: The Temple!

For more Tips, Photos and More, Check out http://mariemondelavie.com ,WyndhamHotels.com/Ramada and https://www.ramadaplazabangkokriverside.com/ and Follow @Marie_Mange_Monde , @ramadabywyndham and @ramadaplazamenam on Instagram