Thailand for Two …

There’s some places in the world I’ve fallen madly in love with and Thailand is one of them . Our journey continues with our first stop; Bangkok then the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao .This time I wanted to take some cooking classes and we aimed to explore different areas of Bangkok such as Chinatown , Talat Noi , Ari and  Khlong Toei . We also found our way back to Chiang Mai for the night…. It wasn’t easy leaving Koh Samui! Getting a direct flight to Bangkok proved harder than we thought. We had to fly to Chiang Mai , stay the night, then fly to Bangkok . It was an incredible night and I can’t wait to tell you about the incredible hosts at our hotel (more like their family home ) and delicious dinner… Do book your flight leaving Koh Samui in advance! The summer months don’t have as many options and they book up fast. You could just stay on the islands , I mean that’s not the worst option either right ….

Back in Bangkok

We followed our exact itinerary from the previous trip staying in the Sukhumvit area . We stayed at Carlton Hotel  This is the best hotel – area to stay in Bangkok. You can’t beat the location , shopping area , food options, walkability, and proximity to the BTS Sky train. Since I packed lighter this trip I had a daily excuse to visit  EmQuartier luxury food and shopping mall. This hotel truly has everything and the service is impeccable. Our first night we got soaked in the rain walking to The Local

August in the Monsoon season in Thailand so one minute you’re running through the rain but after a few minutes the blazing sun dries you off !

Exploring Chinatown  

After a good nights sleep and workout we started exploring Chinatown .Bangkok’s Chinatown—known locally as Yaowarat—isn’t just a neighborhood. It’s an experience. Tucked into the heart of the city, it pulses with life day and night, offering a dense, high-energy mix of culture, food, and history. We loved walking through the Chaos.
Step onto Yaowarat Road and everything hits at once: the scent of sizzling woks, the crush of people moving with purpose, the red-and-gold shop signs stacked in layers above your head. It’s disorienting, but in the best way. The kind of place where wandering is the itinerary. Even in Crocs …

 

Side streets (called sois) split off from the main road like capillaries. Duck into one, and you’re in a maze of gold shops, fabric stalls, medicinal herb vendors, and back-alley restaurants with plastic stools and decades of loyal customers. We found ourself on those plastic stools two days in a row devouring tender chicken in perfectly seasoned rice noodles, tucked inside a fluffy egg omelette and washing it down with Singha Thai beer .. Divine ..If Bangkok is the street food capital of the world, Chinatown is its beating heart. Here, eating isn’t a task—it’s the reason we came . Paddy Doyle filmed a fantastic episode in Chinatown and featured a Dumpling lady I HAD to try. As fate would have it wandering through Talat Noi we found her! My husband saw her first and I rushed over to queue behind the local hungry dumpling seekers.When it was my turn she said “same same !” Yes and Spicy please! She did not disappoint , I took my six (shrimp- pork ) dumplings covered in thai red chili’s and friend shallots over to the Talat Noi Art street and devoured them while Alberto perused the local street art.

 

You’ll find skewers of grilled pork, crispy oyster omelets (hoy tod), roasted chestnuts, freshly rolled dim sum, and the famous guay jub—peppery rolled rice noodle soup with pork. Don’t skip the mango sticky rice stalls or the impossibly creamy Thai iced tea served in a plastic bag. Mango’s in Thailand are the best I’ve ever had! Juicy , perfectly sweet and paired with coconut sticky rice. It was a daily ritual so we clocked as many steps as we could before we’d flag down a Tuk-Tuk .. 

A few standout spots:

UMESHU -Delicious Tapas and Japanese wine bar . 

Lek & Rut Seafood – A sidewalk institution for chili crab and stir-fried morning glory.

Nai Ek Roll Noodles – Known for their rich pork broth and perfectly chewy rice noodles.

Sweet Time – A dessert stall offering everything from black sesame dumplings to coconut jelly.

Chinatown isn’t just about what’s current—it’s deeply rooted. The area dates back to the late 1700s when Chinese immigrants, mostly Teochew, settled here. Over time, they built businesses, shrines, and a legacy that still defines much of the area’s identity.

Temples like Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, the largest and most important Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok, add spiritual depth to the district. On quieter mornings, incense smoke drifts through the courtyards, and worshippers move calmly through the space. It’s a different Chinatown—quieter, slower, and deeply reflective. Evenings are prime time, especially if food is your focus. That night after dinner we found a “secret bar” called Widdershins located a few stories above Yaowarat Rd. The neon signs switch on, the street food stalls fire up, and the energy spikes. Another one worth mentioning is You Know Where BKK Mornings are underrated—less crowded, more local. You’ll see shopkeepers setting up, markets opening, and the neighborhood in its natural rhythm. THIS is when we get up and start wandering around . To see the sun rise and feel the cool fresh air all before the wonder chaos begins…

 

Chinatown isn’t polished. It’s messy, hot, loud, and alive. That’s its appeal. It doesn’t perform for tourists—it just keeps being what it is. If you’re willing to get a little lost in the chaos, you’ll come away with more than just great food photos—you’ll have stories worth telling. We loved every minute . 

“Spice, Skill, and Street Flavors: Cooking Thai Food in Bangkok

I’ve always wanted to take a Thai cooking class! Over the years I’ve honed my Thai cooking skills BUT you can always learn better techniques and since I love to cook I took advantage of all the wonderful options I had in Thailand to learn! Cooking with Poo was an incredible experience ! I booked her class here She’s such a warm , funny woman and her cooking class was a great opportunity to make and learn some new dishes .They also take you on a tour of the local wet market . It was pouring rain that day so it was WET  but so fun navigating this market with the other lovely women I met on this tour . If you’ve never been to a wet market it can be quite the experience seeing all of the live insects and animals but go . Learn about all the wonderful fresh variety and ingredients Thailand has to offer!

Poo’s cooking school is located in the Khlong Toei neighborhood of Bangkok and we stayed here The Fig Lobby . This hotel had brightly colored decor that wow’s you the moment you step in. It feels like your best friends home , if your best friend was an artist ?! There’s a lot of nice little amenities they offer and the neighborhood is walkable with great shops and food close by. We enjoyed some great Vietnamese food next door and the rooftop bar was fun with great cocktails . You will love this place .

Last Day in Bangkok 

On our last day in Bangkok , before flying home we wanted to eat a good breakfast , spa , and have the last mango sticky rice before boarding the long flight home..  We had breakfast here Not just Another Cup

Right across the street is the Onsen

I highly recommend the Onsen . It’s so soothing and a great way to revitalize your body . We LOVE  Bangkok so much ! There’s a lot to see , do and we’ve barely scratched the surface! Now onto the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao !! What’s your favorite part of Bangkok ? Leave me some of your favorite places to see and things to do so I can check them out on our next trip soon!  I appreciate your comments and suggestions always Xo Tera