The Roavi Blog
Stories from people who live there.
Travel tips, city guides, and local insights from the Roavi team.
453 articles
Food · Bangkok
Yaowarat Food Guide: Bangkok Chinatown at Night
Bangkok's Chinatown comes alive after dark. Here's exactly what to eat on Yaowarat Road, dish by dish, stall by stall.
Oscar Garcia··8 min read
Nightlife · Bangkok
Bangkok Rooftop Bars Locals Actually Go To
Skip Sky Bar. These are the Bangkok rooftop bars locals recommend — better views, better drinks, half the price.
Oscar Garcia··7 min read
City Guides · Bangkok
Chatuchak Market Guide: Local Tips to Not Get Lost
15,000 stalls. 35 acres. Here's how locals actually navigate Chatuchak Weekend Market without losing their minds.
Oscar Garcia··7 min read
City Guides · Bangkok
Ari Bangkok: The Neighborhood Tourists Always Miss
Bangkok's coolest local neighborhood. Craft coffee, vintage shops, zero tourists. Here's why Ari is worth your time.
Oscar Garcia··7 min read
City Guides · Bangkok
Bangkok Canal Boats: The $0.50 Ride Tourists Miss
Skip traffic. Ride Bangkok's canal boats like a local for $0.50. Routes, stops, and how to not fall in.
Oscar Garcia··7 min read
Safety · Bangkok
Bangkok Scams to Avoid in 2026: A Local's Warning
Grand Palace 'closed today,' fake tuk-tuk tours, QR sticker scams — here's every trick Bangkok scammers run on tourists, and how locals dodge them.
Oscar Garcia··8 min read
Travel Trends · Tokyo
Japan's Rental Friend Industry: How It Works, What It Costs & Why It's a $2B Market
Japan's 'rental friend' industry lets you hire a companion for $35–70/hour. Top performers earn $80,000+/year. Here's how the industry works, the real numbers behind it, and why it's spreading worldwide.
Oscar Garcia··11 min read
Travel Trends · Tokyo
อุตสาหกรรม 'เพื่อนให้เช่า' ในญี่ปุ่น: มันทำงานอย่างไร ค่าใช้จ่ายเท่าไหร่ และทำไมถึงเป็นตลาดมูลค่า 2 พันล้านดอลลาร์
อุตสาหกรรม 'เพื่อนให้เช่า' ในญี่ปุ่นเปิดให้คุณจ้างเพื่อนได้ในราคา $35-70 ต่อชั่วโมง คนเก่งสุดในโตเกียวรายได้เกิน $80,000 ต่อปี บทความนี้อธิบายว่ามันทำงานอย่างไร ตัวเลขจริงเบื้องหลัง และทำไมโมเดลนี้กำลังแพร่หลายไปทั่วโลก
Oscar Garcia··3 min read
Travel Tips · Bangkok
How Many Days in Bangkok? A Local's Honest Answer for 2026
3 days for the highlights, 4-5 to see it right, a week if you want to actually understand the city. A day-by-day breakdown from someone who lives here.
Oscar Garcia··4 min read
Travel Tips · Bangkok
Bangkok Layover Guide 2026: What to Do in 4, 6, 8 or 12 Hours
Suvarnabhumi to city is 30-45 minutes. Which means a 4-hour layover is enough for a real meal, 6 hours gets you a temple, and 8+ hours can cover the postcard version of Bangkok. Exactly what fits in each window.
Oscar Garcia··5 min read
Travel Guides · Bangkok
Bangkok in November 2026: The Best Month, and Why
November is the sweet spot: end of monsoon, start of dry season, cooler temperatures, Loy Krathong festival, and the tourist crowds haven't fully arrived yet. Real weather, prices, and events from a resident.
Oscar Garcia··4 min read
Comparisons · Bangkok
Bangkok vs Chiang Mai 2026: Which Should You Visit?
Chiang Mai is cheaper, calmer, cooler in winter, and better for slow travel. Bangkok is bigger, faster, deeper for food, and has 10x the international connections. Which fits your trip.
Oscar Garcia··5 min read