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December 29, 2012 8:53 PM

Bangkok, New Year's Eve: idiot free destinations?

My boyfriend and I are adventurous 32 year old Americans in Bangkok for the first time looking for something to do on New Year's. We'd like some food, drinks, talking with strangers, seeing fireworks or however else Thais celebrate. All the foreigners we have run into are insufferable jerks who have told us about all-you-can drink parties full of gap year partiers. I didn't come here to dance to Spice Girls remixes while Australians chunder from cheap whiskey in the corner (apologies to the millions of Australians who are pleasant and kind and not drunk constantly). We do not speak Thai. Staying near Victory Monument BTS. Any recs?

posted by holyrood to travel & transportation around Bangkok, Thailand (9 answers total)

Looks like you could go to a MeFi meetup.
posted by threeants at 9:12 PM on December 29, 2012 [1 favorite]

Uh, yeah, that meetup is posted by my boyfriend... we're triangulating because no one reads metafilter IRL in my experience!
posted by holyrood at 9:27 PM on December 29, 2012

well this is awkward
posted by threeants at 9:43 PM on December 29, 2012 [7 favorites]

I'd head down to the ineffably awesome Adhere the 13th blues bar in Banglampoo. Run by the coolest couple in the city. Patronised by a mix of hip locals and quirky farangs. Super friendly atmos.
posted by dontjumplarry at 10:09 PM on December 29, 2012 [1 favorite]

Supposedly, the best fireworks are at CentralWorld. They do a big deal, with live music, beer garden, lights and a ton of people watching. It should be festive, but I don't know how enjoyable you would find hanging out at a giant shopping mall.

Personally, I would head down by the river. Maybe near the Phra Sumen fortress. There should be people and a view of the river and fireworks down there.

Another option would be to head over to Chinatown. It doesn't seem to get as much of the jaded ex-pats in Sukhumvit or the backpackers of Khao San Road.

I just sent an email to a Thai friend of mine who lives in Bangkok to see if he has any suggestions, but I have a feeling that he is a CentralWorld kind of guy.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:29 PM on December 29, 2012 [1 favorite]

I just heard back from him. He says that, apart from the malls, there will be fireworks at the Rama 8 Bridge.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:45 PM on December 29, 2012

Thanks, ActingTheGoat and dontjumplarry! No worries threeant, we had a bet going as to if anyone would put both posts together (I lost.) we'll be checking MeFi all day tomorrow so if folks have more info or want to meet up, we are all ears!
posted by holyrood at 3:23 AM on December 30, 2012

Hey Guys,

We normally hang out around the Thonglor/Ekamai area. That's east downtown BKK. Tends to be a younger 20s-30s crowd without the seediness of Sukhumvit or the grunginess of Khao San. Our regular NYE spot, WTF is closed this year.

I'd recommend Quince, which is normally vegetarian friendly in an Otto Lenghi way, but focusing on lamb this year for some reason. (Good for me, not for you guys.)

A few resources:
Where to celebrate NY 2013 in BKK. From BK magazine, probably the most respected of the weekly events magazines in the city. Breaks down a few options, including a few spots near Victory Monument.

The big one in terms of loud music and rooftop views with people in tight outfits would be here.

There's Sukhumvit Soi 11 which kind of straddles the line between scummy Sukhumvit dives and clubs packed with models. The above list will mention Bed Supper Club and and Above 11. That street is walkable and dense with non-girlie bars.

For vegetarian friendly partying, consider Indus on Sukhumvit 26. The price includes a modern indian buffet with all you can drink cocktails. It's a nice converted house with a laidback vibe.

Feel free to send me a private message if you have specific questions.
posted by Telf at 8:47 AM on December 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thanks, all! Just for the record, we were both feeling poorly and ended up staying at our cheap airbnb.com rented apartment balcony on a highrise on Ratchaprop road. Around 12, we could see about 6 official fireworks shows, including Central World's (AMAZING) and 30 or so ad hoc shows from neighborhood folks. Super excellent, and let me or klanklangston know if you want to rent the same place- I cannot recommend it enough.
posted by holyrood at 7:13 AM on January 1 [1 favorite]