Bangkok with Pamara Chavanothai

Dear Customers,

We are heading east with this city guide, traveling with our kind and stylish customer Pam to her hometown Bangkok. Follow along and get to know all of the hidden gems in the buzzing capital of Thailand.

Pamara Chavanothai, 35 lives in Bangkok Thailand where she work at the furniture retailer Chanintr as the brand manager for brands such as Fredericia Furniture, Carl Hansen & Søn, PP møbler and many others

How does a day look like for you?

I always start the day with deep breathing and grounding. I prefer my morning routine in a quiet environment, then I’m off to a busy day. I do branding, content, communication, buying, merchandise, inventory and event organisation & creative direction at Chanintr, so every day is never the same! It usually ends with dinner with my family. For the weekend, I delay connecting to the internet as late as I can.

What’s your wardrobe staples for an everyday outfit?

Basic, timeless pieces in neutral colors that you can mix & match. I adore quality fabrics, something you can wear for years to come. As bangkok is warm, comfort is the key! An airy dress, relaxing pants or shorts with a breathable top.

Best spot for breakfast? And what are you ordering from the menu?

I normally eat breakfast at home but would go out for Café Craft, designed by Studio Daminato, in Thonglor area. With its beautiful interior and calm atmosphere, it’s a piece of peace from bustling Bangkok.

I like their Khao Tom set (a traditional Thai breakfast, boiled rice soup with sides of meat, fish and veggies), along with all the other Thai fare, fresh cold-pressed juice and a chocolate tart.

(the Khao Tom set) Yum!

What’s your go-to if you want to clear your head from thoughts?

A shower, washing away the stress and heaviness of thoughts from your body. Breathing. A cup of tea. A massage. A peaceful stroll at Wat Suthat. Listening to nature like the sound of the rain or birds chirping. Reconnecting with your inner self. Spending time with family and friends.

You’re heading out for dinner with your friends directly after work, what would you add to your workwear outfit to spice it up?

This depends on where dinner is — usually just anything comfortable, matching top and bottoms, a simple dress, sometimes with volume, adding some makeup and jewelry as a finishing touch. It’s rare but I sometimes go for a more defining silhouette.

Can you tell us your 2-3 favourite dining spots?

Perhaps the dinner place I‘ve frequented the most recently is Delia, a Mexican eatery that blends authentic Mexican tastes and dishes with some Thai ingredients. So many favorites on the menu. They really nailed it.

For northeastern Thai flavors, I like Zao Ekkamai’s papaya salad, grilled pork and grilled fish. Mangosteen salad in shrimp paste and pla-ra (Thai anchovy) sauce is my number one dish.

Another staple is Samrub Samrub Thai. Dining here feels like going on a culinary journey steeped in taste and tradition. Serving polished old-time and modern recipes from regions across Thailand in its seasonally changing course menu, they showcase an explosion of vibrant, essentially Thai flavors. You can taste the ingredients that make up a dish, on point and never overwhelming.

What book are you currently reading?

I’m halfway through 100 Whites by Hara Kenya, where he explains “white” as a color, a philosophical concept and its role in Japanese design, through everyday objects and notions like snow, white peach or silk. It’s such a sensory adventure even though you just read words on paper.

I’m also listening to a beautiful audible Braiding Sweetgrass by an indigenous scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer, where she reflects on nature, plants especially, and its generosity in gifts and in lessons for humans. The audible is recounted by the author in her silvery voice teeming with life. It calms my nerves and I can’t recommend it more.