Anastasia Sideraki

It’s 12.30am. You’ve been out on the town but now you don’t want another drink. You’re nowhere near ready for bed and somehow getting your nails done suddenly sounds like a great idea. Good news: you’re in Bangkok. Find Japanese snacks in the middle of the night, sing karaoke until 5am, wander through mountains of flowers before dawn and squeeze in a ridiculously late dinner somewhere along the way. Because Bangkok nightlife doesn’t begin and end with bars and clubs. In fact, some parts of the city get considerably more interesting once everyone else has gone to bed. So, whether you’re jet-lagged, naturally nocturnal or simply making questionable decisions after a few too many bevvies, here’s what you can actually do in Bangkok after midnight.

What is it? Flowers at 3am? Why not charm your date with a last minute rose? Pak Khlong Talat is Bangkok’s famous 24-hour flower market and, weirdly enough, the middle of the night is actually one of the best times to visit. Trucks start rolling in packed with roses, orchids, lotus flowers and marigolds, and while most of Bangkok is asleep, everyone here is already very much at work. Why we love it: Think a flower market would be pretty quiet at 3am? Cute. This is when Pak Khlong Talat really gets going. Trucks are squeezing through with huge deliveries, vendors are surrounded by mountains of flowers and everyone seems to have somewhere to be except you. Honestly, by 3am, the market is quite chaotic – but that’s half the fun. Have a wander, try not to get in anyone’s way and obviously buy yourself a bunch before you leave. You stayed awake until 3am – you’ve earned the flowers. Time Out tip: Aim to visit around 3-4am if you want to see the market in full flow. Just be wary that if you’re drunk, standing in the middle of everything trying to get the perfect picture – you may make some unwanted ‘friends’. Pak Khlong Talat, Phra Nakhon. Flower bundles start from around B50. Open 24 hours.

What is it? Who’s not hungry at 2am? 55 Pochana in Thonglor is a legendary, proper late-night Thai-Chinese spot that keeps the woks flaming until around 3.30am. There’s crab fried rice, seafood, curries, stir-fries and basically everything you want after a night out and about – especially when whatever you ate six hours ago isn’t cutting it anymore. Why we love it: There’s something about sitting down for a full-on feast at 2am that just feels very Bangkok. Drag a few inebriated friends over, order way too much for the table and worry about finishing it later. With so much to choose from, this is not the time to be sensible. Nor fussy. Plus, nobody here is going to judge you for ordering dinner when most people are already in bed. Your sleep schedule is already ruined anyway, you might as well make it worth it. Time Out tip: There can be a queue even late at night, but tables tend to turn over pretty quickly. If waiting around when you’re starving at 2am sounds like torture, call ahead and try to reserve a table or just order another beer – they sell those too.  55 Pochana, Sukhumvit Road, Thonglor. Dishes start from around B100, so you can eat well without spending much. Tel. 02 391 2021. 6.30pm-3.30am daily.

What is it? Still wide awake but don’t fancy another bar? Then head to Bamboo E-sport Center in Ekkamai. It stays open until 2am and is packed with PlayStations, racing simulators and plenty of games to keep you busy well past the midnight hour. Bring your competitive friend (you know the one) and it’ll be morning before you know it. Why we love it: Playing games after a night out is surprisingly good fun. Get a few friends together, pick out a party game and make it interesting: loser pays for the next drink. Sounds friendly enough, right? Give it 10 minutes and tensions will surely rise. But seriously, nothing brings a friendship together quite like absolutely refusing to let your mate win. Time Out tip: Coming with a crowd? Book the private gaming room, which fits up to 10 people and comes with two PS5s and a Nintendo Switch.  Bamboo E-sport Center, Ekkamai. Gaming starts at B150, with food and drinks available. 2pm–2am daily.

What is it? A manicure at an hour when most salons elsewhere would have been locked up for hours. This is Thonglor’s leading late night stop for all your fingernail needs. Nail House Bangkok keeps going late, but you’ll need to get in just before midnight to catch the last queue.  Why we love it: Forgot to book your nails before dinner? Suddenly hate the colour you chose last week? Or perhaps you’ve broken a nail while popping your second bottle of Champagne. This is one for the emergencies – and because they keep going until midnight, you can refresh your look well before you head home. Not only is it one of the few salons in the area to stay up so late, it’s also perfectly located in the heart of Thonglor, where good looking nails mean the difference between getting in and getting turned away. Or at least, that’s what it can feel like. And compared with just another night spent sitting at a bar, at least you’ll have something to show for this one tomorrow. Time Out tip: Book ahead if you’re going late rather than assuming there’ll be a chair waiting for you at 11.30pm. Nail House Bangkok, Thonglor soi 17. Starting at B1,200 for a full set of nails, cheaper for repairs. Book online or call 097 230 5301 in emergencies. 8.30am-midnight

Thailand’s roads could soon be getting a little more colourful. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is considering introducing blue licence plates for fully electric vehicles, and they want your opinion on the matter before moving ahead. Under the proposal, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) would be given reflective blue plates, making them easier to distinguish from petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles. Why, you ask? Well, the potential makeover isn’t just about looks.  One of the main reasons behind the proposal is safety. EVs containing high-voltage battery systems require different procedures following serious accidents or fires. By making them immediately identifiable, emergency responders can recognise what they’re dealing with more quickly and take the appropriate precautions.  Already driving an EV? There’s no need to start planning a plate swap just yet. Under the current proposal, EVs registered before the new rules take effect would be able to keep their existing plates, with a special identifying mark added instead. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles would not be included in the blue-plate scheme. Taxis, pickups and other vehicles that use coloured lettering would also maintain the colour, while the background swaps to blue – making for some crazy colour combinations, no doubt.   The DLT also says clearer identification could make it easier to introduce EV-specific measures in the future, including designated parking, toll privileges and access to low-emission zon