OLD-SCHOOL THAI: Traditional design makes Banrie's stores instantly recognizable
Stumble upon the steep-roofed, wood-framed structure by Ekkamai Skytrain station on Bangkok's bustling Sukhumvit Road, and you could be forgiven for thinking that you had come across a temple. Set amid lush greenery and running water, the building looks like a sanctuary from the clamor of the Thai capital. But in this case, coffee drinking rather than meditation is the preferred mode of retreat. Welcome to Banrie, Thailand's answer to Starbucks. It's a flag-flier for local coffee culture and serves a selection of domestically grown brews prepared the Thai way with plenty of sugar and coconut...