Being a traveler has its perks. One of the best is meeting people along the way.
One of those travel friends was Glen. I met him back in 2016 when I joined a group for a weeklong trip around Bicol. We hadn’t seen each other since then. So when I traveled to Thailand and received a message from him saying he was already based there and working as a teacher, I knew we had to meet.
It was a chance to catch up. It was also our opportunity to see each other since I was traveling to Chiang Mai the following day. We decided to have dinner that night at a night market in Bangkok.
Before meeting Glen, I first explored the streets near my hostel. I was impressed by the lights illuminating the temples and nearby buildings. There were also people performing at the park, while others were selling food. It was a simple but memorable way to experience Bangkok at night. – CHECK THE BEST HOTELS IN BANGKOK
After walking around, I booked a GrabBike to our meeting place.
Our first destination was another night market, but there were just too many people. Glen suggested going somewhere more local instead, a place where residents usually eat and shop. That way, I could experience a more authentic Thai night market.
So we transferred to Huai Khwang Market.
Huai Khwang Market is perfect for anyone who loves local food and late-night exploring. The streets are lined with stalls selling everything from Thai snacks and desserts to clothes, accessories, and everyday items. It feels more local and less touristy than many of Bangkok’s famous markets, which makes the experience even more interesting.
We found a small local eatery by the road and decided to have dinner there.
It was nice catching up with Glen after not seeing him for years. We reminisced about our Bicol trip, talked about where life had taken us, and simply reconnected. It was also interesting to learn that he had already been living and working in Thailand as a teacher for several years.
That made me wonder, “Hmm… could I also apply as a teacher here?” Haha! It was just one of those random thoughts. Glen was generous enough to share his experience and explain how he started working in Thailand.
One thing people who don’t usually travel may not understand is how strong the bond can be between people who travel together.
With Glen and the rest of our group, it was only a five-day trip in Bicol, but the amount of time we spent together made it feel much longer. You travel together, wake up early together, eat together, and spend almost the entire day with the same people. Those shared experiences create a special kind of connection.
That’s why when you meet again years later, it can feel like the trip happened only yesterday. Nothing really changes.
For dinner, we ordered several local Thai dishes, including Khao Pad Talay, or Thai seafood fried rice with shrimp and squid, served with chili sauce. We also tried Nam Tok Moo, a spicy Thai pork salad.
But the most delicious dish for me was the soup: Tom Kha Gai, a creamy Thai coconut milk soup with chicken.
Thai food is really special because of its distinct herbs and spices. In the Philippines, many of our dishes use familiar ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves. In Thailand, however, they use a wider variety of herbs, giving the food layers of flavor that are fragrant, spicy, creamy, and refreshing all at once.
After dinner, it was time to walk around the night market. It was such a delight to see all the food, produce, clothing, and other goods being sold along the streets.
We also visited a temple in the area. I forgot to take note of its name, but here’s a photo. Based on my research, I think it’s The Phra Phikanet (Ganesha) Shrine.
We finished the night with dessert at Tian Mi Mi, a dessert shop in the area. There were plenty of options, but for me, it was the perfect chance to try Thailand’s famous mango sticky rice.
It was good, but there was one thing I noticed about the mango. It tasted quite different from the mangoes we have in the Philippines. Philippine mangoes have a richer flavor and a thicker, juicier texture, while the mango I tried in Thailand had a slightly different texture. To me, it almost felt like a combination of mango and papaya.
Well, it seems there’s at least one thing the Philippines may do better than Thailand: mangoes. Haha!
After dessert, I booked a Grab and said goodbye to Glen.
I was really thankful to him for showing me around and letting me experience a more authentic side of Bangkok’s night market scene. More than the food and the market itself, the best part of the evening was reconnecting with an old travel friend after so many years.
More of my Thailand series is coming in The Weekly. Keep an eye out for the next post as I continue exploring more food and places around Bangkok.
*A new The Weekly story is published every Thursday at 7:00 AM Philippine time.
