Bangkok-based typography artist and founder of The Only Market Bangkok, Maan Sriluansoi, is on a mission to shine a spotlight on life in the Thai capital. Driven by nostalgia, Sriluansoi has upended everyday objects into mementos for locals and in-the-know tourists, such as T-shirts emblazoned with ‘Bangkok Tourist’ and old-school enamel dinner sets. Using traditional Thai topography in his work, Sriluansoi recreates and embeds the ancient script in fresh new ways.
Here, Sriluansoi describes his ideal 48 hours in Bangkok, from walks in the Old Town and flower arranging to his favorite antique shops.
Street food, bars, and restaurants
One of Sriluansoi’s favorite spots for a Thai breakfast is Ega, located in an eclectically decorated Thai house from the 1950s in Sathorn Soi 12. “What I really like about it is that it looks fancy, but the prices are local.” Open from breakfast through to dinner, it specializes in traditional Thai food from various provinces, and Sriluansoi loves the rice and traditional northeast sausage for breakfast. “In Thailand, when we talk about sausage,” he says, “we aren’t talking about processed meat but proper minced meat with herbs and spices.” He also loves the “heavy but delicious” rice noodles with southern-style curry, and recommends the herbal tea: “It’s a very specific tea from the south served very simply in enamel cups. I love it.”
Another favourite is Odean Crab Wonton Noodle in Chinatown. “They cook the broth overnight and they also make the noodles and prepare the meat,” Sriluansoi says, “unlike a lot of other noodle shops who buy the ready-made parts and just assemble it.” There’s also a chicken rice shop, right in front of Sribumpen Apartments in Sathorn Soi 1, which he likes for casual meetings or during shoot breaks. He smiles as he says, “It becomes my guests’ favorite spot too.”
Chinatown, BangkokGetty Images