Why is Bangkok special to you?
Bangkok feels like part of who I am. My mum’s from Thailand, so growing up, family trips there were filled with crispy fried bananas and bread dipped in warm, sweet sang ka ya custard. Those are such vivid memories for me. Plus, my two kids were born there, so it’s not just special—it’s personal.
What are your favourite spots for a great feed?
Oh wow, so many. If I had to pick, Khua Kling Pak Sod in Thonglor Soi 5 is my absolute go-to for southern Thai food. Their crab and betel leaf curry is out of this world. I also have a soft spot for the countless fried chicken carts you’ll find all over the city. And you always need a local market recommendation. Mine is Khlong Lat Mayom floating market, about 40 minutes’ drive from the centre of Bangkok. Eat the spicy papaya salad, grilled fish, crispy pork and anything else you can fit in!
What's a core memory you have from your travels there?
I’ll never forget sitting at a little street cart on Sukhumvit soi 33 with Charlie, my 6-year-old at the time, eating pork noodle soup for breakfast. Just a quiet moment that meant so much because sitting down with a bowl of steaming street food soup is also what I’ve always loved to do with my own mum, Noi. A full circle moment.
Where should people eat, drink, stay and play?
Stay at The Standard Mahanakorn. Treat yourself to an incredible dinner at Aksorn, by the iconic chef, David Thompson. Drink at the Octave Rooftop Bar in Thonglor. And go for a run around the lake at Benchakitti Park with the locals early on a weekend morning.
What's the best meal you've ever had in Bangkok?
I couldn’t pick one ‘meal’. But the best category of meal for me would be gai yang (grilled chicken) and a super spicy papaya salad. One of my favs is from Sabaijai in Ekkami on Soi 3.
What's the best event on Bangkok’s cultural calendar?
I think the most popular event on the calendar is definitely Songkran. Thai New Year is one big water fight, but also about cleansing and starting fresh. It’s such a fun mix of tradition and chaos.
Looking for more Thailand travel inspo?
A First-Timer’s Guide To Koh Samui, Thailand
10 Of The Most Romantic Resorts In Thailand
The Best Resorts In Thailand To Book In 2025
Image Credit: Marion Grasby