72 Hours in Bangkok: Street Food Pilgrimage, Som Tam Feelings, and Getting Lost on Purpose

11:58 PM

FINALLY I'M IN...........

Indonesia

(typing this while unpacking my personality).

This post is late because November tried to delete my camera roll and my will to live. I recovered some photos, which is enough for a Bangkok mini-love letter.

First impressions: Crowded, alive, and delicious

Bangkok is crowdead (macet energy), but in a lively way. Think Jakarta, then pivot the flavor dial. My sister knew the city (second time), so I wandered behind her like a confused duck with a DSLR.

I brought Millos (teddy bear). He lived in the suitcase. He’s fine.

Street food hits (a.k.a. salvation on a stick)

🐖 Moo Ping (หมูปิ้ง) pork skewers

Sweet-savory, smoky, softer than Balinese sate babi.

Different personality, same commitment.

Best with sticky rice.

I stood on the sidewalk and reconsidered my life choices (in a good way).

🦑 Squid on a stick

Chewy, glazed, perilous to eat gracefully, 10/10 would battle again.

Dipped in the mysterious Thai super sauce : sour + spicy + delicious.

(technical term: I didn’t ask, I just ate)

This is heaven...

I even thinking about Rupert Brooke's poem, the soldier but I change it

If I should die to think only this of me:

That's there some corner of street food

that is forever Bangkok, there shall be

In that rich foods, I might have died

Oh I might have died

In the land of food

Oh wait, I didn't read it like a poem, but I sing it like a song.

I might not get a job in poet's industry next time :(

💸 Prices I paid

Most skewers were ~THB 8–18 each (about IDR 3–6k).

Street food wins economics and my heart.

🥤 Drinks carts

Thai milk tea with robust tea and a LOT of ice (you can ask for less—if your Thai is better than mine).

Fresh orange juice that tastes like a clean decision.

(I didn’t meet the infamous insect skewers. I’m grateful; my brand is not “cricket couture.”)

Taste profile musings (don’t arrest me)

Thailand leans bright/sour (hello, tom yum brain), while a lot of Indonesian classics are bold/rich (hi, babi guling, santan everything). So whenever I taste something lively-sour now, my mouth goes: “oh, Thai.” If I vanish after this, assume I was detained by the Flavor Council.

Philosophy of Getting Lost™

“Getting lost is not fatal. Almost every time, it will make your world.” — Julien Smith

I don’t speak Thai beyond pointing and smiling. I walked anyway. When you don’t know where you’re going, life gets interesting. Just make sure you know how to get home.

Small temple, big pause

On a random corner we found a little shrine. Office workers slowed down, left flowers, and whispered prayers before hurrying off again. I stood there and felt… quiet. I like cities that make room for breath.

The people could buy the flower for the tribute, you could place it and pray

Bonus wandering: MBK & Platinum

We cruised MBK and Platinum for clothes and souvenirs. Sellers were kind; multiple people thought I was Thai and I glowed for six hours.

Som Tam (ส้มตำ) green papaya salad

Sour, salty, spicy, fish-saucey, not sweet (green papaya, so of course). If you’re Balinese, think of a distant cousin to rujak kuah pindang, but Bangkok-coded. Tourists love it; my sister is the founding member.

Quick guide (so you can copy my chaos)

Where to graze

Any busy corner with a grill and a line: moo ping + sticky rice
Squid or sausage stalls with a rainbow of sauces
Juice carts for orange juice; tea carts for Thai milk tea

What to pay

Skewers THB 8–18 (IDR 3–6k)
Drinks carts vary; still friendly to your wallet

How to order (survival Indonesian/English)

Point, smile, hold up fingers for quantity
Say “less ice” with polite hand waves (or learn “น้อยน้ำแข็ง” / nói nám-khɛ̌ng)

Pro tips

Bring wet wipes and small bills
Stand off to the side to eat. Sauce is ambitious
If it’s a shrine, be respectful; if offering flowers, watch locals and follow

ikkeru

Traveler in a Suitcase!