The lingering tales of Bangkokians

Kope Hya Tai Kee: The living room of the city with homely drinks.

Have a seat and enjoy traditional Thai coffee, or try thier all-day Thai light breakfast before continuing to explore other points of the city.

This coffee place is one of the most crowded in Bangkok old town. Let’s see if you can manage to find an empty table in the cafe. The service here will allows you to have an authentic Thai experience as it can gets super busy sometimes and the waiting time for the food and drinks can take up to 20 minutes.

Anyway, hope you could find the table and here are some guideline for you on how to order snacks and drinks here.

Here are some drinks we would love to recommend from the menu!

This cafe is well known for their menu called “Ko Feh Teh” (โคเฟ่เต้) which uses sugarcane, and milk as a sweetener, mixed alongside the Thai coffee beans which create a unique, Thai style coffee that you can not find anywhere else.

Another recommendation for you to order is Oh Liang (โอเลี้ยง) or a Thai style coffee! It is a type of Thai Black iced coffee that comes from a combination of not just coffee beans but also, various seeds and grains such as soybeans, corn, rice and sesame seeds! Oliang actually is a teochew dialect most commonly spoken by Thai Chinese, indicating that the drink itself comes from China. "Oh" means black, and "Liang" means cold.

Let's order! and here is how to order:

1. Take the menu, there are english explanation on the menu where it will be easier for you to choose.
2. When you are ready, walk to the counter and order.
3. The waiter will give you the table number then just patiently wait and listen carefully for your table number.
4. Once they call your table number, bring the table number back and get your drinks and snacks to your table.
5. You can take take cutlery and straw from the small station if you needed one and enjoy!

Kopi Hia Tai Kee café has been a beloved beverage and breakfast spot for Bangkokians for over 70 years, since 1952. Originally a grocery store selling both tea and coffee in a small corner, its popularity grew over time due to the cozy atmosphere, becoming a social hub for the community. Consequently, the shop transitioned into a breakfast restaurant. Today, visitors can still experience the old-school vibe, like a time machine transporting them back to Bangkok in the 1950s and 60s.

Among the most popular dishes are pan-fried eggs, known locally as Kai Kata (ไข่กระทะ), and traditional Thai coffee. Kopi Hia Tai Kee café has continued to evolve, developing new drink and food recipes to offer a variety of menu items that align with modern trends.

An art space featuring contemporary craftsmen offering unique souvenirs from Dinsor Road

Dinsor Art Gallery and Studio is an art shop that offers high-detail printing services. The studio has gathered a collection of contemporary Buddhist art pieces, which are cherished possessions for art enthusiasts interested in Buddhist art, all housed together in this space.

Dinsor Art Gallery & Studio is open daily from 09:00 to 19:00, except on Wednesdays. Anyone interested is welcome to visit and explore Buddhist art and enjoy the various artworks exhibited in the gallery at any time. If you wish to exhibit your artwork here, feel free to contact the store directly using the contact number provided on the storefront. Alternatively, if you would like to acquire some one-of-a-kind souvenirs from Thailand with a more crafted and stylish flair, you should not miss this small shophouse!

Do you know that this shop has revived the old shophouse? The intriguing aspect of Dinsor Art Gallery & Studio lies in the process of renovating this room. You can spot traces from the past, including the colors used, materials from different eras, decorations, lifestyles, and preferences of people, as well as the needs and suitability of each generation and business type. Just as challenges and issues arise during the renovation, it reflects the meticulousness and planning required when working with an old building, likened to handling a pencil where precision and courage are simultaneously employed to achieve success, as 'Dinsor' also means pencil in Thai. That is how Dinsor Art Gallery & studio has emerged.

A remembrance of the establishment of a constitutional monarchy following the Siamese coup d'état in 1932

"This monument will serve as the focal point of all progress. For instance, when traveling from various roads departing from Bangkok towards the city, this monument will mark the starting point. Ratchadamnoen Road, aligned with the monument, will be adorned with an elegant building that pays homage to our country."

The speech by Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram, Prime Minister at the time, during the opening ceremony of the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road on June 24, 1940, marked a significant day in the history of Thailand. It could be the first day when buildings or cultural objects from the People's Party era made their first official appearance after the revolution and change of government, marking eight years since the revolution in 1932.

Democracy Monument sits on a street called Ratchadamnoen.

Ratchadamnoen Road was initially constructed in 1899 during the absolute monarchy era. Its purpose was to serve as a royal route connecting the Grand Palace to Dusit Palace or the summer palace of King Rama V in the north. However, the significance of the road, which translates to 'The Royal Tour,' evolved after the 1932 change of government.

The People's Party government began a complete transformation of the landscape on Ratchadamnoen Road in 1937, starting with the removal of mahogany trees that had been planted since the reign of King Rama V. This transformation involved expanding roads, constructing commercial buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and erecting the Democracy Monument.

The monument was started on June 24, 1939, by Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram, designed by M.L. Pum Malakul and sculpted by Sitthidech Saenghirun. Professor Sin Pirasi (Corrado Feroci) who established a renowned Fine Art University; Silapakorn University, is the supervisor of constructing the monument. The monument officially opened on March 24, 1940.