SHOWCASE

/ ARTIST / 2026

ARTIST: Pong songsai
COUNTRY: Thailand
CONTACT: https://www.facebook.com/PongSongsai
https://www.instagram.com/songsai178/
illustrator / character design / watercolor /custom toy /wall painting

Uncle Art’s Coffee / Bangli Suphan Buri

There was a period when I had some free time,
so I wanted to take a leisurely trip.
I wandered over to Wat Phai Rong Wua
and continued exploring
until I stayed in Bang Li the quiet small town.
That’s where I came across Lung Art Coffe shop
(Uncle Art’s Coffee) “Art” is both the shop’s name
and the owner’s name.

As I walked toward the shop,
the first thing I heard was music
and a guitar solo sound being played by someone.
When I arrived, I saw the owner passionately jamming on
the guitar with his friend. Just the first impression was
enough to win me over. The drinks were also very delicious.
I loved that he said there was nothing special
just the usual menu like coffee and milk tea.
I really liked it. Uncle Art was so chill,
and the café’s atmosphere was just as relaxed.

He told me that one customer even liked the place so much
that they took a bus all the way from Bangkok
(from the Southern Bus Terminal to Bang Li by red bus line 68,
about 2 hours and 30 minutes) just to sit and have coffee at
the shop then returned afterward.

Chinese Shrine Making Shop / Phlap Phla Chai Rd

This is a shop I pass by quite often and really wanted to draw.
I walked past it so many times before I finally had the courage
to ask to take photos. When I did ask, the owner readily agreed.

The composition for the sketch draft was quite tricky,
so I had to adjust it several times and went back to the shop
multiple times to take more photos. On one of the later visits,
I caught one of the shop’s employee painting the shrine
that was a moment I really wanted to capture,
so I quickly asked to take a photo.

The cat sitting on the right is one
I’ve seen in front of the shop before.
What really caught my eye was its collar.
There were so many things hanging from it,
maybe seven or eight little bells,
all dangling together like a cluster of amulets.

Fruit Selling Uncle / Bang Khun Si Market

This is a fruit cart near my house with the shop owner that has
a unique signature fashion style. The uncle’s dressing style is
incredibly cool, he always dresses like this while selling.
His outfit even has a vibe reminiscent of Michael Jackson
in Smooth Criminal song.

His fruit cart is very clean and well-organized. He packs
the fruit into small bags. Each one is just 10 baht
and he has a lot of regular customers.

Som Tum Karaoke Shop / A Shop that moves from place to place

I heard loud Luk Thung (Thai country) music blasting
through the alley by my house and thought,
“Is there a temple fair today?” While walking to get some food,
I saw a Som Tam (Papaya Salad) cart blasting Luk Thung music,
with the owner singing along. I got so excited that I tried
to chase the motorbike cart, hoping that if it stopped
I could take photos of the shop.

The cart eventually stopped at Bang Khun Si Market,
and I bought some grilled chicken while asking
to take several photos. The owner didn’t mind at all
and was very accommodating. I loved this shop! It’s so cool
the seller was singing luk, making Som Tam,
and grilling chicken all at the same time.
Absolutely amazing (haha)!

Since that day, I’ve only ever seen it that one time.

Car Seat Repair Shop / Ban Chang Lo Road

I’ve seen this shop near my house many times,
but the uncle who runs it always looked really stern.
But like most owners I’ve met, once I actually talked to him,
he turned out to be really kind and easygoing.
He even let me take photos freely.
I asked him, “If I ever have questions about making seat cushions
for my drawings, can I come and ask you?” And he said, “Sure, sure!”

There was one time I happened to walk by and caught the moment
when he was working on a seat cushion, so I asked to take
a few more photos.

Fish Noodle Shop / MRT Hua Lamphong

“Hey, Glasses boy! Long time no see!
You don’t come to eat my noodles anymore, huh?
Forgot about me already?”

That’s the greeting the auntie always calls out whenever
I walk by to eat there (haha).

Several years ago, I had just graduated and started working.
I used to take the train and get off at Hua Lamphong,
and I’d stop by this noodles shop to eat every day
I got quite close to the auntie.
Lately, though, I only go once in a while since
I don’t get off at Hua Lamphong much anymore.
And if I show up after 7 p.m., she’s already sold out.

Pak Mor Dumpling Shop / Tamaka Kanchanaburi

This is one of my all-time favorite local restaurants I’ve been eating here
since I was a kid. Back then, the restaurant was run by the mother,
and now her daughter has carried it on.

The shop is truly unique. When you dine in, they serve the food
almost like a sushi omakase only five people can sit at a time.
They serve Khao Kriap Pak Mor (steamed rice-skin dumplings)
in batches of about 5–10 pieces per round,
depending on how much each customer wants.
They didn’t write down how many they’ve eaten
instead, they remember where each customer is sitting
and keep track that way. It’s amazing how accurately they
can recall exactly how many pieces each person has had.

At this shop, Khao Kriap Pak Mor isn’t treated as a snack
it’s a full meal. People usually eat at least 20–30 pieces
per one meal. My personal record is 80 pieces, and apparently,
the all-time record is around 110 pieces
(though I’m not entirely sure).

Another great thing is how the owner chats with you while
making Khao Kriap Pak Mor and still somehow remembers
exactly how many pieces they’ve served you.

Back in her mother’s generation, she was bold and lively
a real character. She knew everyone in the neighborhood,
always teasing passersby, loud and full of energy.
Now that her daughter’s running the shop, she’s exactly
the same cheerful, outspoken, and just as vibrant.
I love this shop so much. Every time I’m back in town,
I have to go eat there (haha).

Metal Welding Shop / Ban Chang Lo

This is one of the shops I’ve wanted to draw for a long time,
and I finally came across this old man’s shop.
He was cutting metal, and sparks were flying everywhere.
This scene made my hands and heart tremble.
I really wanted to draw this scene.
So I asked the uncle (the old man owne) if I could take
some photos,and he generously said I could take as
many as I wanted.

Local Grocery Store / Bang Pho

I chose this shop simply
because its visuals were so spectacular.
I really love it whenever
I come across something full of tiny,
intricate details.

When I asked to take photos, the auntie said
“Go ahead, take as many as you want,
great! hardworking”(haha)

Tai Crispy Pork Shop / M R T Yaek Fai Chai

This is my regular local restaurant, main protien ingredient is
crispy pork.I remember the first time I saw this shop open,
I’m afriad to try it because I thought it would be expensive.
But when I finally decided to try it, the price was cheaper
than I expected. Starting at just 50 baht, and the portions were
really big and delicious. The first dish I tried was crispy pork in
red curry over rice (Choo Chee Moo Krob).
I loved it at first bite and ended up going back like crazy (haha).

When they were about to move the restaurant back to the countryside,
I felt really bummed and wanted to preserve the memory of their
restaurant, so I asked to take some photos for my drawing.
A month later, I saw a sign of Kuk Tai Larn Moo Krob.
I wasn’t sure if they had actually come back? and yes!
They returned with bigger and more professional restaurant
than before, with prices slightly higher starting at 60 baht,
but still just as delicious. I was so happy the shop came back (haha).