The best places to spot a celebrity in Bangkok

Have you ever looked at one of the many advertisements graced with the handsome face of Thai movie star Ananda Everingham and wondered, "where does that man hang out?" No? Ok, maybe current 'it' actress Cris Horwang is more to your liking.

Either way, if you want to catch a glimpse of a Thai "dara" (star), upscale malls Paragon and Central World are always a safe bet on any given day. The Royal Bangkok Sports Club's Fallabella restaurant and Aqua at the Four Seasons are great too if you're willing to splash out major cash to mingle with Bangkok high society. But if you're game for a closer sighting in an unpretentious environment, check out these Bangkok venues:

Founded by the Stretis fashion sisters and a handful of their cool, young friends, you'd better believe Minibar Royale, a stylish brasserie with hints of New York and Paris, draws in the high society, stars and even some royals.

37/7 Citadines, Sukhumvit 23, BTS: Promphong. Tel +66 (0)2 261 5533

Maybe it's Sita Bar's inventive cocktails, the dim and disorienting strobe lights or its hidden-away location on the ground floor of the posh but obscure Tenface boutique hotel, but the royal motorcades are often seen nosing their way back to this small, chic lounge on a quiet Ruamrudee soi.

You have to pay attention though. The DJ can make it hard to hear and the bar's dimness and internal curtains make it easy to miss a VIP in your midst.

81 Soi Ruamrudee, Wireless Road, BTS: Ploenchit. Tel: +66 (0)2 695 4242

Popular among the Thai teen crowds that frequent Siam Square, this Isaarn restaurant gained even greater notoriety when it was featured in a pivotal scene of the much-loved teen romance flick, "Love in Siam." Photos of Krok's past celeb patrons are plastered on the wall as proof of its star-attracting charms.

Soi 2, Siam Square, BTS: Siam. Tel +66 (0)2 251 9916

Thong Lor and Ekamai could very well be the “Beverly Hills” of Bangkok. Stars often pop up at trendy, hi-so restaurants in these adjacent neighborhoods like Extra Virgin (Sukhumvit 53), Vanilla Garden (Ekamai Soi 12) and, of course, Greyhound (Thong Lor, J Avenue). For nightlife, try Funky Villa (Thong Lor Soi 10), which has its own cordoned-off VIP area, Muse or Shades of Retro to catch all those celebs that try to slip under the star-watcher's radar.

Where the dara goes to get street cred, Wong's is a late-night, hole-in-the-wall, drunk-to-the-point-of-no-return sort of place. Photographs on the wall capture VIPs and the common man, often past their points of return.

Off Soi Ngam Duphli, Rama I Road, 27/3 Soi Sri Bumphen, Lumpini, near Sathorn Soi 1, tel +66 (0)81 901 0235

Home to happening indie bar Happy Monday (owned by a member of Modern Dog and frequented by Gene Kasidit) and Small Room Records, you're bound to run into a young rocker or two at Ekamai Shopping Mall, on soi 10.

This nightclub is popular with stars of the small screen, but unless you're into Thai soap operas, chances are you won't know who the celebs at Inch Club are. Most of them are very good looking though, so who cares.

55/49-60 Ratchadapisek Road, Dindaeng. Tel +66 (0)2 641 2963

This park is a production site for lots of Thai advertisements, TV shows and films. Regular park-goers will eventually run/walk/cycle through a shoot at some point though early birds will see the most star-studded activity.

As an extra treat, come on the weekend and check out the dolled up wannabe stars. Rot Fai is a favorite for photography clubs; shooters frequently bring a model or two to pose sultry-style among the park's trees and babbling brooks.

Behind Jatujak Park, Kampaengphet 3 Road, BTS: Mochit