New lifestyle video platform FLEEK tells us where to eat, drink, stay and play the next time you head to Bangkok
To say Sofie Chandra, Zouk’s marketing head and girl about town, is a travel junkie is a bit of an understatement. “I always have friends asking me for my itineraries,” says the nightlife maven. “They even joked that I should make travel planning a business!” So it’s hardly a surprise that Sofie has launched FLEEK, a video channel dedicated to travel, fashion and design.
For its debut, the FLEEK crew spotlights on a Singaporean favourite, Bangkok, and featured a handful of hip, alternative places to dine, have brunch, shop and play. We’re taking notes!
Tep Bar
Situated along cool street Soi Nana in Yaowarat, this industrial-meets-traditional-Thai bar in a restored old shophouse serves brilliant Thai small plates and serious cocktails made with local spirits and infusions. Samniang Tep, its resident live band, plays every night with – get this – traditional Thai instruments.
Tep Bar, 69 -71, Yi Sip Song Karakadakhom 4 Alley, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, p. +66 98 467 2944.
Rocket Coffeebar
Founded by the same Swedish mixologists behind the perpetually buzzing Hyde & Seek Gastrobar in Lumpini, the café-chain boasts an in-house bakery, which makes bread and pastries in the mornings and pretty desserts in the evenings, a stellar coffee service, and a collection of great European wines plus cocktails.
Rocket Coffeebar, 46/12 Sukhumvit Soi 49. (At Piman 49), Sukhumvit Road., Bangkok 10110, p. +66 2 635 0404.
R.E. 234 Bangkok
Strange name, but this King Rama V-themed restaurant pays tribute to a significant period in Thai history, from its name (R.E. is actually short for Rattanakosin Era, when King Rama I established Bangkok as the capital city) and the colonial-inspired décor to the Thai-European food.
R.E. 234 Bangkok, 45 Sukumwit 24 Klongton, Bangkok, p. +66 2 117 2829.
Talat Rod Fai
The second largest market behind Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak, Talat Rot Fai in Ratchada is a treasure trove of vintage tchotchkes, trendy threads, artisanal goodies and pet shops. Ready your camera (and your wallets): everything is asking to be Instagram-ed and bagged, whichever comes first.
Ratcadaphisek Road (close to Esplanade Shopping Mall)
Roku
Yep, the famous Scottish fold with “aerodynamic ears and silver fur” lives in Bangkok, in case you don’t already know, and you can try to score a little cuddle with the adorable Instagram star by emailing [email protected] for a visit. We dare you not to get green with envy of Sofie’s encounter with Roku in her video below!
Subscribe to FLEEK for more travel, fashion and design inspo! The above video is sponsored by Skyscanner and Airbnb.