I was born in Bangkok, I grew up there – and then I moved to Paris 17 years ago. Somehow, now, I’m a Parisian citizen; I’m living the life, I sometimes think like a Parisian. But every time I go back to Bangkok, I’m a local.
Bangkok is fast, big and there’s no centre. It’s almost like LA – one district has this, another has that. I grew up in the Old Town area on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, near where I go for massages at Original Watpo (it’s nothing fancy; if you know, you know). The area has become too popular now. Still, it’s worth a visit.
Rose Chalalai Singh at FV with Patipat “Best” Chaipukdee, owner of fashion brand Dry Clean Only © Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
Nai Lert Park Heritage Home © Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
My work is cooking and I’m always in my kitchen, so I’m not open-minded about where to go out to eat. I’m also not someone whose agenda is Michelin stars and the 50 Best Restaurants list. Instead I like places that are easy, where everyone can join. And I like going to places for one or two specific things. I go to Rongros in Phra Nakhon because I want to eat chicken wings, glass noodle salad and fried rice with bitter beans. There are millions of great restaurants in Bangkok, but nobody makes those dishes better. It’s Royal Thai cuisine, meaning lots of garnishes. The noodles are dry but not sticky. Delicious. Ma Maison makes wonderful coconut sorbet; I’ve been there with a suitcase before going to the airport. And for fish soup I go to Siang Ki Khao Tom Pla, a lady who cooks in her house in Chinatown and puts tables outside on the street. She has five assistants doing the prep around her, but the minute it’s about cooking – the mixing of the soup – she steps out of her chair and does it.
