Tayme Thapthimthong, breakout star of the hit show The White Lotus, is proud of what Bangkok has to offer. “Once you understand Bangkok and learn how to navigate it, it’s the most fun city I’ve ever been to,” he says. Here are his top recommendations
Less“BASE is a gym that I helped start, and it feels like a home to me. I really have a passion for class-based gyms as it’s so much easier than working out solo and creating your own program. All classes at BASE are boot camp–based, so you always get in a good workout. The focus is on functional movements rather than a heavy-lifting regimen. Another bonus is that it’s an air-conditioned space with easy parking and showers, so it’s a really great boutique experience.”
“Having been in the Army and always working out in the heat outside, I think it’s nice to switch up indoor exercise. Benchakitti Park is perfect for that. It’s close to where I live, and I love going for runs there. Benchakitti is really three parks that are connected. The original park has a large lake with a great running track around it. It’s a beautiful setting. And if you get hungry, hit up the massive food hall under the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center that’s adjacent."
“My friend took me here before I headed out to L.A. for a White Lotus promo, and I was incredibly impressed. It’s a Japanese grill restaurant that specializes in chicken. While they serve other dishes too, their chicken preparation was what really drew me in. You can order any part or organ of the chicken you want, and they grill and season it to perfection. A side I’d recommend is grilled sweet potato with blue cheese. It’s heaven!”
"Bang Krachao is an amazing green space in the middle of Bangkok. We call it the ‘lungs’ of Bangkok. The best way is to take a ferry across the Chao Phraya River, and from there you can walk and explore, or you can rent a bike at the pier. It’s great to go and relax, but they also have local markets on the weekends where you can find traditional Thai food—tons of noodles and stuff like that. There are also lots of playgrounds, where I like to take my daughter.”
“One thing to know about Bangkok is that there’s a big mall lifestyle. Most people don’t enjoy the hot and humid climate too much, so the mall is the perfect place to hang out. There are days I’m just like, ‘I’m dressed kind of nicely today. I don’t really want to sweat, so I’m gonna go to the mall.’ Mega Bangna mall is the perfect place to spend a day. It has tons of stores, but also great free space to roam and a lot of kid activities, like piano classes and tae kwon do lessons.”
“I love rock climbing. I do a lot of calisthenic workouts, so bouldering is a great way for me to switch things up and get in a good workout. Stonegoat Climbing Gym is in the center of the city, and you can easily get there on the BTS Skytrain. It’s one of those gyms that’s just huge. It has loads of climbing walls for different levels. It’s not fully air-conditioned, and I like that because when you climb for a few hours it can get chilly. They rent shoes, and there’s a good smoothie bar.”
“Right next door to Stonegoat Climbing Gym is Training Ground, where I like to go for CrossFit. Most of the people who come here are expats, and they’re really into their CrossFit. Because it’s partly outdoors, you can drop weights and make as much noise as you want. The pace is nice and big, so you can actually do proper hundred-meter sprints up and down.”
“Emporium is part of a complex of three malls in central Bangkok that also includes EmQuartier and Emsphere. All three are connected with skywalks. Emporium has a quiet food court that I like going to. Inside EmQuartier, where you can find a trendy food hall and tons of bars, there’s also the Helix Quartier with a large spiral staircase that leads to Flamenco nightclub, known for its hip-hop nights on weekends. Perfect for tourists and expats looking for entertainment all day and night."
"Sababa is an izakaya that’s owned by a good friend. It’s in an old house that was turned into a restaurant, so you’re dining in the quiet garden that has a lovely pond as well. The food is delicious, all prepared by French expats who used to teach culinary school and who don’t take shortcuts. They have great steak and great wines. It’s very quiet and private; I like to take celebrity friends here who don’t want to be seen, and they love it.”