During last year’s protests, the CentralWorld mall on Rajdamri Road was nearly burned to the ground. Eleven months later, it’s reopened, an air-conditioned symbol of Thais’ ability to cope with the occasional insanity of Thai life. Elle Thailand fashion writer Chalisa Viravan offers five places to shop, eat, and be entertained within.
1. Vickteerut
Cutting-edge womenswear from designer Teerut Wongwatanasin. “He’s very artistic. His stuff won’t sell in the mass market.”
2. 4x4 Man
A cool new men’s line from local designer Platt Srilalittsoi.
3. Miyatake Sushi Bar
“It’s really hard to find super-fresh sushi in Bangkok. Order the aburi engawa, lightly grilled flatfish.”
4. Kinokuniya (in Isetan department store)
“Still the best bookshop around,” with a great English-language section.
5. SF World Cinema
“One of the best theaters in Bangkok: great sound, good international film selection, yummy popcorn.”