STRANGE OLD BANGKOK
with Barbara Woolsey, writer for Lonely Planet
Barbara on Kamala Beach in Phuket, 425 miles southwest of Bangkok
Looking for some unusual attractions in Bangkok, Thailand? Look no further.
In this episode, we talk to expert travel writer and house DJ Barbara Woolsey.
Barbara is a culture and travel writer who splits her time between Bangkok and Berlin. She has authored several Lonely Planet Thailand guides and covered the country for Atlas Obscura, Thrillist and more. Barbara is also as DJ (known as Babxi), playing house and disco in famous nightclubs in Europe and SE Asia.
In this episode you’ll find out…
How you can earn good karma by paying to release a captive animal
Where you’ll find a menu including duck in bile and pig brain with chilli
Why you shouldn’t go around touching people on the top of the head
…and so much more.
You’ll find all Barbara’s picks on the pod website: www.strangeoldworld.com
You can read Barbara’s latest travel articles at barbarawoolsey.com — or listen to Babxis’s music at soundcloud.com/babxi. She’s also on Facebook and Insta
Planning to travel to Thailand? Buy Barbara’s brand new Lonely Planet Thailand book (or wait for her Thailand’s Islands & Beaches book — it’s out this summer)
If you’re interested, this is the Pyongyang skyscraper Joe talked about in the ep
Follow Joe on X or Instagram or get in touch at info@juniorproductions.co.uk
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Picks of the pod
Here’s a list of all the Strange Old Bangkok suggestions of Barbara Woolsey. Attractions marked with an asterisk (*) are included on the map below.
Strange thing to see in Bangkok: Sathorn Unique Tower* and State Tower
Strange thing to do in Bangkok: Release an animal to make merit — try it at Wat Rakhang*
Strange festival in Bangkok: Wat Saket Temple Fair* (every November)
Strange food in Bangkok: Duck with bile — try it at 100 Mahaseth* (bonus shoutouts: pig brain with chilli paste, cow tongue, bone marrow)
Strange slice of history/legend in Bangkok: The miraculous Erawan Shrine*
Stranger Danger™ in Bangkok: Few in Bangkok — but when outside the city, avoid PDAs, don’t touch people on the head or never show the soles of your feet
Strange day trip from Bangkok: Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden* (bonus shoutout: Sanctuary of Truth)
Straight-up recommendations for Bangkok: People watch in Lumpini Park, check out music venues like Never Normal, stroll around ChangChui Creative Park
Why visit now/when to visit: Bangkok Pride 2024 (June), it’s easier and easier to get around and pay with card /November to February has the best weather but it’s busy; April is hot but you won’t notice — plus it’s cheaper and has Songkran New Year Festival; July to October is the rainy season but it’s not too rainy
Strange sight elsewhere in the world: The nightlife in Berlin — visit KitKatClub and Köpi squat
Joe’s end-of-pod pick: Cabbages & Condoms