This 1.2km-long street in Chinatown may be a short stroll, but it is worth a day of exploration
It’s a scorching afternoon in the hot Bangkok summer, the sun is blazing and Song Wat Road is buzzing. While the surrounding streets are quiet, waiting for sunset to come alive, Song Wat has been welcoming visitors to its many cafés, shops and restaurants since late morning.
At just 1.2km long, this historic street in Chinatown could easily be explored in 15 minutes, but doing so would take all the fun out of it. The goal here is not to rush through, but to linger.
The neighbourhood has a distinct charm, with old Chinese-style shophouses now enjoying a youthful energy while still paying tribute to the past.
What to explore
Song Wat was once a bustling commercial hub in Bangkok, with its proximity to the Chao Phraya River making it a key area for import and export.
Today, its nooks and alleyways reveal independent Thai businesses like Garçon Department, a store that sells a slick range of Thai brands. On the top storey, art exhibitions are regularly held, while the other floors display a range of fashion, stationery and other creative knick-knacks that make great souvenirs.
Next, stop by F.V for a cooling fruit juice or Thai dessert. F.V has taken a different approach to decor. Featuring a full-sized raised house from northern Thailand within its premises, the café serves traditional treats and local fruit. It also sells a range of souvenirs and products including locally produced honey, cookies and spices.
Meanwhile, the famed Song Wat Coffee Roasters nearby is perfect for a reviving caffeine shot. Known for taking their beans very seriously, you can expect a menu that combines traditional espresso drinks with more Thai-flavoured specialties.
If you intended to grab a full meal on Song Wat, settle into authentic Thai food at E_ga lab that has a plethora of options for anyone craving a Thai curry and beyond.
Burn calories by continuing your walk while enjoying the sight of youthful cafés and boutiques alongside traditional spice stores hawking star anise and dried ginger, until you come to Copenn – one of the many aesthetic local perfumeries to open in the area.
The brand sells a range of products, from traditional eau de parfum to scented stones and candles. Also worth checking out is Onest, whose fragrances lean lighter and airier. You’ll find this perfumery tucked away in a square for shopping enthusiasts.
Vintage stores like Khong Suay and Oyster and Things are perfect for discovering hidden treasures ranging from the sleek to the kitschy. Afterward, stop by family-run Wanjai Cafe House for its famed, no-frills mango sticky rice. Then, head to Tudi for sleek trendy sunglasses at affordable prices.
Where to stay
Just 20 minutes away by car, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok makes an excellent base for exploring the city. Discovering Song Wat’s hidden corners is made even easier through the hotel’s concierge-led tours, which blend local history with the neighbourhood’s latest openings.
While there, indulge in a traditional Thai treatment at the spa or join a Muay Thai class at the gym. Also worth experiencing is breakfast at Lily’s, where a custom-made waffle maker crafted in Belgium creates perfectly crisp Thai milk tea-infused waffles.
The hotel sits within the modern One Bangkok development, which is also worth exploring for the art installations scattered throughout the precinct. Be sure to drop by The Wireless House One Bangkok, a museum dedicated to Wireless Road and its historical place in the country as its first telegraph station.
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Bangkok, visit singaporeair.com.
