Tiger Tales

Bangkok

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September 2011 | Words GREG LOWE

• INSIDER TIP

  Navaratree Festival

  It’s hard to beat the colour and atmosphere of the Hindu community’s Navaratree Festival. The nine-day event starts on 28 September, with the festivities taking place at Maha Uma Devi Temple on Silom Road.

• SHOP TALK

  Gasoline and Garage

  Emo rockers and indie kids should head to Gasoline and Garage, home to Thai designer Thanarad Mayteedol’s line of drainpipe jeans – in a kaleidoscope of colours.

• CHEAP EATS

  Dragon Café

  Discover the unique fusion of Chinese and Indian fl avours on offer at Dragon Café, which takes an innovative approach to some of the world’s favourite fast foods. The vegetarian Manchurian and kung pao chicken are musttries.

• TOP TABLES

  Salt

  Thanks to its relaxed garden seating and secluded rooms in a refurbished wooden house out back, Salt has become one of the hottest hangouts in the Soi Aree area.

• AT YOUR LEISURE

  The Reading Room

  Tap into the local creative scene by dropping in at The Reading Room, a hotbed of film screenings, culture talks and hot debates on the world of art.

• LATE & LIVELY

  Clouds

  The ancient tree centrepiece, “cloud machine” and acrylic bar at Clouds create a futuristic, eco-friendly aesthetic. Superb wine and vodka cocktails, too.

• OVERNIGHT

  Lub D Silom

  With its cartographic-inspired interiors, Bangkok street signs and communal spaces designed to create a friendly and inclusive environment, Lub D Silom – which takes its name from the Thai word for a “good night’s sleep” – has reinvented the backpacker hostel. Choose from dorms or private rooms.