4 Places to Meet Locals in Bangkok

Coco Walk is a great place to do some Thai-style bar-hopping in downtown Bangkok. It's very popular with university students so most people speak at least a bit of English. The covered walkway has around a dozen bars and restaurants, each offering its own unique flavor.

Check at the quirky Skate Café, which, true to its name, has a small skate ramp as well as some funky seating made out of old skateboards. Closer to the main road, you can find Retro Bar and Guts Bar, both of which provide some lively Thai music and cheap beer promos. Have a game of pool, or simply say “cheers” to the neighboring table to get the conversation flowing. Coco Walk is directly underneath the Ratchathewi BTS Skytrain Station (take exit 4).

Clinking drinks is not the only catalyst to make local friends in Bangkok. Another alternate to meet Thai people is to try your hand (and feet) at Muay Thai, the country’s famed version of kickboxing. There are plenty of camps around Bangkok where you can just go for a day or sign up for a whole month, and there’s often a good mix of both foreign and local students and trainers.

To give you an idea, Luktupfah Camp at On Nut charges 400 baht for a single session or 1,000 baht for a 2-day ‘immersive’ session that also includes accommodations.

Nung Len is probably the most Thai-style nightclub you’ll find in central Bangkok. Located on the corner on Thonglor Soi 10 and Ekkamai Road, the large 1-floor venue gets very packed every night, making it one of the most popular nightclubs in Bangkok.

A live band belts out pop and rock, while a DJ plays dance music in between and after. Make sure to secure a table by coming well before 11pm and ordering a bottle of spirit and mixers – you’ll feel out of place sipping a bottle of beer and having nowhere to stand anyway. If the ‘Thainess’ all becomes a bit too much, head to the opposite Escobar for more Western-friendly dance tunes and a lot more space.