Singapore’s ethnic malls: Golden Mile Complex (Thailand)
The Thai community in Singapore isn’t huge, especially when compared to other South-East Asian nations like the Philippines. But their social focal point is definitely worth a visit. Located on Beach Road, the Golden Mile Complex is where you want to be heading. There isn’t much gold but the place has its charm in its own right. As soon as you enter, you no longer feel you’re in Singapore but more as if you’re somewhere in Bangkok. The complex has the atmosphere of a parking garage built in the 80s, but that’s what makes it special somehow.
Main hall
If you’re looking for a job requiring Thai language skills, this is the place to go.
Everything is Thai. You can get Thai newspapers, Thai massages, Thai food, Thai groceries and even Thai toothpaste. You can spend an entire afternoon/night there, starting out with grocery/clothes shopping, continuing with a meal of top notch Thai food and ending the night in one of the Thai discos or karaoke places (some of the cheapest beer towers in town!).
I can only recommend a trip to Golden Mile. Even if you’re just going for the food, you’ll have a good time. Try to find the DVD shop with two big TV screens outside and ask yourself why one is always showing Thai boxing and the other monkeys dressed up as humans. Or get caught in a spontaneous water fight. Or attend a live music show.
One of our favorite eateries, Lucky Thai Food
Papaya Salad
Always good for a surprise: children having a water fight as part of the celebrations for Songkran festival (Thai New Year)
