Move over Singapore. Bangkok has its own Clarke Quay now—only better. Unveiled recently, Asiatique, a riparian entertainment complex on the Chao Phraya, mirrors the Quay on a few obvious fronts: they are both built in and around old warehouses on the waterfront, yet unlike a traditional pier, are packed to the gills with eclectic restaurants, bars and pubs. The Thais take it a notch higher with a thousand shops, spas and performance theatres for puppetry, music and ladyboy cabaret shows. A shot in the arm for the river and for the local tourism industry rocked by the floods last year, all roads to Asiatique are already jammed every night. For only the smart punters hit the high road (or should that be the high waters?); they take the free shuttle boats that ply from BTS Thaksin Pier to this new landmark on Charoenkrung Road. Some hotels by the river are also ferrying their guests to the attraction. Open from 5pm to midnight; asiatiquethailand.com.
5 Places To Eat In Bangkok
1. Bang Rak Market If you have one meal on the streets of Bangkok, it had better be here—between the Taksin BTS station and the junction of Charoen Krung and Silom Road. Try the fried mussel pancakes.
2. Chinatown When it comes to food, a Chinatown in any continent rarely disappoints. This one certainly doesn’t. Explore the warren of neon-lit sois (streets) in Yaowarat for a very rewarding Cantonese meal.
3. Nang Loeng Market Save space for deserts at the atmospheric, hundred-year-old quarters of Nang Loeng Market. Don’t miss the coconut puddings and mango and sticky rice.
4. Nahm Notwithstanding the fallen (Michelin) stars of its London counterpart, David Thompson’s Nahm is still among the best Thai-style fine dining restaurants in Bangkok (res.bkk@nahm.como.bz)
5. La Table de Tee No two meals are the same at La Table. The only ‘chef’s table’ in town, Tee Kachonklin dreams up new Franco-Thai tasting menus every night (latabledetee.com).