In order to get new information about a city you're unfamiliar with that you won't find in a guidebook, you need the help of a local. For our special feature, "Why you should visit Bangkok now," we asked for the wisdom of our local coordinators as well as our Thai friends who live there. One of our "strategists" is Sand. He is the owner and barista of co-incidence.process.coffee, a cafe on Soi 49 in Sukhumvit, and was introduced on page 29 of this magazine.
With his looks and quiet personality reminiscent of a Thai monk, he introduced us to various places and people. At the start of each day in Bangkok, we visit Sando's shop, have a cup of his "Dirty" coffee, and ask him for recommendations on where to go. We then make a date to have dinner together. This is part of our daily routine.
Sand is incredibly meticulous. The interior of the shop is polished to perfection, and the way he carefully brews coffee is a pleasure to watch. And the cup he makes tastes just right to start your day.
In fact, in addition to his titles as cafe owner and barista, Sand is also an artist who draws illustrations and creates three-dimensional sculptures. He also makes bags for the brand PAVEMENT. Perhaps it is his sensibility that gives the neatly organized shop a creative atmosphere.
One day, while talking with Sand, he told me, "Thailand has many sois (alleys), and at the end of each one, new discoveries are hidden." His "strategist" was absolutely right. After drinking the last sip of "Dirty," we set off to explore a soi we hadn't seen before.
