Cars and Curves

On our last trip to Bangkok, Thailand my husband begged me to set aside time to do some car stuff. We penciled in a relaxed morning to visit Curvistan, a creative space that blends casual yet elegant café culture with automotive design. His friends had hyped up the venue as being the “it” place for car enthusiasts with an affinity for all things Porsche.

Getting there was easy – we took a short ride on the BTS Skytrain and got off at Thong Lo BTS Station, followed by a brief walk into the hip and stylish Thonglor neighborhood. Our country has much to learn from Bangkok’s infrastructure and its ease of use: even foreigners can easily navigate – or altogether avoid – Bangkok’s infamous traffic.

Curvistan itself feels more like a lifestyle gallery than a car showroom. The space is open, bright, and thoughtfully designed, making it a comfortable stop amid Bangkok’s busy pace. The structure itself is eye-catching: bold colors highlight a neutral grey and aluminum structure with a large glass window that allows soft natural light to illuminate the display area.

We started our visit at the café, ordering coffee and pastries before settling in to enjoy the atmosphere. The pastries were good, and the coffee was strong enough to energize our morning, but it was the overall atmosphere that truly put us at ease.

It was the perfect break from our work-related trip and the sightseeing — relaxed, unhurried, and easy to enjoy. A live DJ performance was providing the relaxing weekend beats to really get us in the right chill and relaxed mood.

From the café area, cars are displayed almost like art pieces rather than machines. This time the legendary Rothmans liveried Porsche 956 driven by Derek Bell and Jackie Ickx, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1982 served as the featured vehicle at Curvistan.

It’s on loan from the Porsche Museum in Germany. It is currently on tour across Asia as part of Porsche’s RaceBorn Series.

Beside the 956 in Curvistan were significant race components used in a variety of race-winning Porsche sports cars through the decades.

Alongside the bar stood a Rothmans-liveried Porsche 911, also visible from the street.

Out back is a modestly sized parking lot, ideal for impromptu car meets, not just for Porsche owners, but for all car enthusiasts.

The 956 was also a hero car of sorts for Botchi. According to him it was often featured prominently in various lifestyle magazines when tobacco advertising was accepted in media in the 1980s. Then and now, it looks fast even when standing still.

Botchi seeing the 956 in the metal was a larger than life moment, and one he could not get enough of, as evidenced by his countless photos of the Porsche, and with him in the frame beside it. I’ve always supported my husband’s passion just as he supports mine. I just couldn’t believe how low and compact the cabin was; racing drivers are truly a special breed. I especially could not imagine myself, let alone Botchi piloting one at full speed for hours on end.

Curvistan leans heavily toward the design and heritage of Porsche, but the presentation makes it interesting even for casual visitors. We spent time walking around, taking photos, and admiring the details — from the 956’s aerodynamically honed body lines and hidden details to the carefully designed lighting (a mix of accent lighting that complements the natural light) that makes every angle camera-ready.

After exploring the ground floor, we headed upstairs to see the exhibition and gallery space. The second floor offers a quieter experience, with rotating displays and museum-style exhibits that explore automotive design and culture.

Part of the showcase highlighted work from Porsche Design, demonstrating how automotive aesthetics influence watches, accessories, and lifestyle objects beyond cars.