Parallel worlds: 4 places to find Bangkok in Singapore
Is Singapore's Little India just like Bangkok's Khao San Road? You be the judge.It's Bangkok Week on CNNGo, and that got us thinking -- are there places in Singapore with a Thai parallel? It’s one of the perks of working online. We get to come up with wacky ideas, some of them actually get the okay, and even if they suck they'll be replaced by something else next day. Like the grossest foods in Singapore, or badgering expats such as TV celebrity Utt for their favorite hangouts.
With that same Indiana Jones spirit, we threw a few darts at a map of Singapore until we found four places that give all of us stuck here a little taste of what it's like 1,500km further north.
Clarke, Boat, or Robertson Quay
The Thai parallel: Royal City Avenue (RCA)
Where: Along Singapore River
A large area of clubs and bars. Check. Music type: Disco, house, R&B, and pop. Check. Plenty of alcohol and local people. Check. The difference? RCA’s landlocked, while the clubs in Singapore’s quays follow the river’s bends. A trifling thing, we’re sure.
Our picks:
- Zirca for its thump-thumping club atmosphere and quality DJ acts. #01-02 to #01-05/#02-01, Clarke Quay 3C River Valley Road, Singapore. Opens Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9.30pm to 3am. tel +65 6235 2292. www.zirca.sg
- Coffee Bar K for their endless variety of cocktails. #01-076 UE Square, 205 River Valley Road, Singapore. Opens Sunday to Friday from 6pm to 3am and Saturday and public holidays from 6pm to 4am. tel +65 6720 5040. www.coffeebark.co.jp
- The Penny Black for a good pint of Guinness and hobnobbing with suits. 26/27 Boat Quay, Singapore. Opens Monday to Thursday from 11am to 1am, Friday & Saturday from 11am to 2am and Sunday from 11am to midnight. tel: + 65 6538 2300. www.pennyblack.com.sg
Far East Plaza
The Thai parallel: Platinum Plaza
Where: 14 Scotts Road, Singapore. tel: +65 6235 2411. www.fareast.com.sg
Far East Plaza might be the grottiest mall along Orchard Road, but it’s where youth fashion and entrepreneurs meet. Its five floors of tiny shops are like Platinum Plaza in Bangkok. You can find local designs, fake branded goods, and the clincher -- fashion and accessories imported from Bangkok.
Our picks:
- It's Hairy, the colorful hair salon for the cartoon characters on the shop windows and Rastafarian dreadlocks. Unit #04-100. Opens Monday to Friday from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from 11am to 7pm. tel: +65 6733 0976.
- The Black Chamber, for funky limited edition sneakers and streetwear. Unit #04-30. Opens daily from noon to 9pm. tel +65 9145 0129. www.theblackchamber.com.
- The maze of little shops and hole-in-the-wall stores at basement one, where it’s almost like a Chatuchak of women’s wear and funky fashion.
Little India
The Thai parallel: Khao San Road
Where: Dunlop Street and its surroundings
Backpacker-friendly Little India is full of tiny shops, their innards spilling onto the five foot way, hippy and too-young backpackers, and a buzzy vibe that never stops. It’s like Khao San Road with an Indian twist. For more information check out our Little India Walking Guide.
Our picks:
- Prince of Wales, the fun Aussie-style backpacker’s inn with a nice alfresco bar and rotating bands who perform weekly. Remember to say hi to Jess, the resident canine mascot. 101 Dunlop Street, Singapore. Opens 24 hours. tel +65 6299 0130. www.pow.com.sg.
- Black Sheep café, for the mean Duck Confit. Good for a respite from the land of curries, dhaal and chapattis. 35 Mayo Street, Singapore. Opens Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 3pm, and 6.30pm to 11pm. tel +65 9272 1842.
- Banana Leaf Apolo, one of the stalwarts of authentic Indian foods along Racecourse Road. The Fish head Curry should not be missed. 54 Race Course Road Singapore. Opens daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm. tel +65 6297 1595. www.thebananaleafapolo.com.
Orchard Towers
The Thai parallel: Patpong
Where: 400 Orchard Road Singapore
This is as close as you can get to Patpong’s go-go bars, night markets, and food. When evening hits, the place is abuzz with scantily-clad women loitering around the corridors or wriggling suggestively on the poles in the bars. If they’re not your thing, check out Kumar’s stand-up comedy act at 3 Monkeys Café.
Our picks:
- Ipanema World Music Bar, for great live music and Orchard Towers’ meat market. Unit #02-43. Opens Mondays to Thursdays from 7pm to 5am, Fridays to Saturdays from 7pm to 6am, and Sundays from 1pm to 4am. tel +65 6738 8548.
- 3 Monkeys Café, to knock back laughs with Kumar, Singapore's most famous drag queen comedy act. Unit #01-20, Opens daily from 11am to 5am. tel +65 6735 3707.
- Café Supunsa, for authentic Thai food that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Unit #02-36, Opens daily from 11am to 6am. tel +65 6737 0223.
Know of other places that remind you of Thailand? Drop us a line.
