By Sebastian Chia
Bangkok has always been a favourite travel destination for Singaporeans. To many, it is a shopping and food paradise, offering a huge range of choices for visitors of varying tastes. For culture lovers, it boasts traditional Thai art and architecture. The elegant and graceful Grand Palace, the serene and beautiful Wat Arun, the exquisite art collection at the Jim Thompson House Museum… the list goes on.
With increasing awareness in mindfulness, wellbeing and creativity, the city is now blooming with many trendy and innovative spots as well. Let’s explore a few creative gems in Bangkok.
Chang Chui
When the lifestyle market Artbox Thailand came to Singapore in 2017 and 2018, there were so many visitors that it hit headlines. Artbox is one of the many players in Bangkok’s thriving creative markets industry: TGIF Market, The Knack Market, The Great Outdoor Market, Made by Legacy, and Noise Market, to name a few. Placed on Time magazine’s 2018 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places, Chang Chui is an up-and-coming market that has garnered increasing attention from locals and overseas tourists.
Chang Chui is also known as Chang Chui Plane Market, after the market’s centerpiece – a full-size decommissioned Airbus. The plane is visually stunning and breathtaking, and it’s an experience sitting in the shade of its wings while savouring Thai street food.
The market exudes an artistic vibe through urban art pieces, art studios and local indie shops. With a little digging, you can find offbeat souvenirs, authentic handmade crafts, and one-of-a-kind products created by local designers. Each shop emanates a hint of personality, a flash of creativity, and a sense of style.
Chang Chui
460/8 Sirindhorn Road
Bangplad
Bangkok, Thailand
Open House Bookshop by Hardcover
Crowned “The Most Beautiful Bookstore” by The Asian Bookstore Forum, the Open House Bookshop by Hardcover is no ordinary bookstore. Not only does it showcase a brilliantly curated collection of books, it has an art gallery, co-working spaces, restaurants, cafés, and even a small playground for children. The book selection is wide-ranging, and includes art, design, photography, travel, fiction, cooking and lifestyle books. For art and design lovers, do check out their lovely section of rare and out-of-print books on the upper level.
The bookstore pays special attention to providing a relaxing reading environment: comfortable sofas are scattered throughout the open-space store, and natural sunlight streams in through the glass ceiling. Celebrating mindfulness and slow living, this concept bookstore is definitely a breath of fresh air in bustling Bangkok.
Open House Bookshop by Hardcover
Level 6, Central Embassy
1031 Ploenchi Road
Bangkok, Thailand
The Jam Factory and Warehouse 30
In recent years, Bangrak and Klongsan have undergone a neighbourhood revival and seen a rise in innovative entities. These two riverside districts along the Chaophraya River have now collectively become the Creative District. Two projects in particular have been the talk of the town: the Jam Factory and Warehouse 30. Both were developed by the prominent Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag.
Breathing new life into otherwise disused warehouses, Duangrit transformed them into mixed-use community spaces with art galleries, lifestyle shops, bookstore, work space, cafes and restaurants. The warehouses are originally from the World War II period. Through careful conservation, many of the initial architectural details are preserved and add authenticity to the buildings’ industrial-chic facade.
They are popular weekend destinations too. They host different kinds of pop-up events like The Knack Market, TEDxCharoenkrung, and Farmers’ Market. Visitors can enjoy live music, arts, street food, fun designs and interesting crafts on sale.
The Jam Factory
41/1-5 Charoennakorn Road
Khlong San
Bangkok, Thailand
Warehouse 30
Charoenkrung 30 Road
Bangkok, Thailand
Warehouse 30 (Credit: Epoch Times)
The Thai government’s active support of the creative industry has been instrumental in nurturing this buzzing creative scene, beginning with the establishment of the Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC) in 2004. The Creative Thailand Policy was introduced in 2009 to further promote and support the creative industry. Artists, designers, crafters, and local small and medium enterprises have responded and helped fill this ancient capital with sparks of innovation.
Bangkok has a long and rich history of culture. It is interesting to see the new creative activities reinvigorate the city. In your next trip, do explore this vibrant city of art and culture – both traditional and contemporary.
