When in Bangkok Part Two

THE BITE

Spring and Summer
199 Soi Sukhumvit 49; 66-2-392-2747-8
SpringNSummer.com
Join the offspring of local elite in one of these two adjacent postwar residences, the fa?ades of which have been replaced with glass to form Spring, a contemporary Thai restaurant, and Summer, a chocolate caf?/bar. Or sit outside on the lawn for a leisurely drink.

Bed Supperclub
26 Soi Sukhumvit 11; 66-2-651-3537
BedSupperclub.com
Nibble on Thai fusion while lounging on sleek cushions in this all-white, ultra-mod cylindrical design marvel; stay past dessert when this multilevel space converts into a popular dance club that plays house and electronica.

THE THREADS

Playground!
818 Soi Sukhumvit 55; 66-2-714-7888
PlaygroundStore.co.th
This stark multilevel department store is ground zero for design and youth culture. Finely curated housewares, books, gifts and small furniture sit adjacent to hard-to-find independent fashion, including totes from Rotterdam's Vlieger & Vandam and vibrant threads from Paris' April77.

Siam Center/Discovery/Paragon
989 Rama 1 Rd.; 66-2-658-1000-19
SiamCenter.co.th
These new and renovated malls include the city's best boutiques, from Japanese gift shop Loft, bursting with anime-inspired wares, to the Zen-like Panta, selling modern eco-friendly decor in rattan, earthenware and silk.

THE KNEAD

Babylon
34 Soi Nandha, South Sathon Rd. Soi 1 ; 66-2-679-7984
BabylonBangkok.com
When queens reminisce about the opulent bathhouses of old, you can direct them here. Picture a four-star hotel instead of a seedy hole-in-the-wall. When was the last time you heard live jazz, ate a decent meal or saw an art exhibit before cruising the showers?

Originally published in OUT May 2008, issue 174

Part One | Part Two