Monocle's Thailand Handbook Highlights Seven Top Bars and Restaurants

Key facts

• Monocle published 'Thailand: The Monocle Handbook', a travel guide available for pre-order.
• The guide covers Thai cuisine's regional specialties: northern khao soi, central sticky jasmine rice and royal cuisine, southern seafood and curries.
• Charmkrung in Bangkok is a Thai tapas bar on Charoen Krung Road, sister to Charmgang and Charmkok, co-founded by Kiki Sontiyart.
• The Norm in Bangkok has three venues: The Main Hall, The Terrace spritz bar, and The Whispering Room speakeasy; founder is Sitthan 'Turk' Sa-Nguankun.
• Blackitch Artisan Kitchen in Chiang Mai is run by chef Phanuphol Bulsuwan (chef Black), serving a seasonal 10-course menu.
• Kaen in Khon Kaen is owned by Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat and Kanyarat 'Jib' Thanomsaeng, emphasizing local ingredients.
• Samut in Phuket offers a seafood tasting menu with banana shrimp, lobster, tiger prawns, razor clams, and tu bo dessert.
• Easterly in Chanthaburi is a café-bar founded by Khanapong Pumarin, with a social club concept and overnight rooms; his sister runs Cap across the street.
• House of Suzy on Koh Samui is a cocktail bar opened in 2021 by William Norbert-Munns, featuring dim sum and reinvented cocktails.