Fourteen hours after touch down, one local bus trip from On Nut to Klong Toey – made easy by the inside knowledge of our Bangkokian family, a brief wander through the outskirts of the market, and with the help of a local,  we found it: Munjai Cafe!

Watch for the banner on the corner! It’s distinctive but easy to miss because, being Bangkok, there is so much else going on.

This small, out of the way cafe, just off Rama 111, on Soi 78, is a new initiative from Helping Hands Bangkok , one I’ve followed on Facebook since it was launched earlier this year. I didn’t  really expect to get there, at least not until plans for this trip were hatched back in July.

The day we visited was the very last day  of the Klong Toey  Christmas craft fair, which was held at the cafe. There were handbags, jewellery, ornaments, Munjai coffee cups and many other items to choose from.

For those of you who know about my pink on pink bag and wallet problem – I solved it at Munjai!

Klong Toey handcrafts are expanding their outlets. Apparently, they’re coming to New Zealand. Look out for them, their products are well made.

On the cafe side of things, the trainee  staff were friendly and obliging, the cup of tea very much appreciated after our shopping, and it was just how I like it, not too strong! The coffees met with approval, too.

Munjai Cafe

In many ways this is a place that’s aimed at the expat market with lots of weekly activities for young families but if you happen to be in Bangkok it’s worth visiting. Buy a coffee, or a meal, and give a young person a hand up.