Bangkok Travels Must Knows
Bangkok, otherwise known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep in Thai, is an activity-packed city for a quick getaway or landing base for those visiting Thailand.
Be it as a long weekend escapade from other parts of Southeast Asia, or the start of an exciting backpacking trip across Southeast Asia, Bangkok has something in store for everyone.
I’ve visited Bangkok, the capital of Thailand in the central part of the country, several times, mostly on business trips with pockets of time before and after work for some exploration.
This post is my take on how you could spend three fulfilling days in Bangkok – cultural appreciation, shopping spree, or invigorating your senses! Let’s go!
My most recent visit to Bangkok was June 2024. This post contains affiliate links that cost nothing to you but support my blog! It may also be updated periodically. Cheers!
Immigration Matters
Around 90 countries are exempted from tourist visas for 30 days or more.
Countries like China and India used to require a visa on arrival, up to 15 days, but again, this can change, as shown here. VOA cost THB 2000.
The latest (May 2024) pdf of visa-exempt countries from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
Travelling into Bangkok
Needless to say, there are plenty of ways to travel to Bangkok internationally.
Flight
If coming from overseas, flying is the fastest and most convenient means of reaching Bangkok. Bangkok has two international airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).
DMK, which opened almost a century before BKK, serves budget low-cost carriers like Air Asia. Of all my travels and transits in Thailand, I’ve only been to DMK once while transiting to Shangri La in China on Air Asia. It was indeed retro-old.
BKK is a spacious modern airport operational in 2006 and relegated DMK to the second international airport in Bangkok.
Both airports are about 40 km away, taking anywhere from 45 – 60 mins on roads to travel from one to the other. Both are also supported by airport rail lines from different operators to central Bangkok – a life saviour for any budget backpacker!
Find your best flights into Bangkok here with me via Skyscanner.
Train
Hua Lamphong Railway Station used to handle all long-distance train services. But this ceased post-COVID in Jan 2023, when practically all long-distance train services were moved to the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.
The only international train service I could think of is from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok. There are no connecting rail lines from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The closest you could get to Laos from Bangkok would be Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse via bus. Aranyaprathet is the town next to the border north-west of Cambodia.
Thinking of where to buy your tickets? I usually compare prices in 12Go and BaoLau for my Southeast Asia travels.
Bus
You have more international options with buses, but the journey could take ages! For instance, an 8 hours bus ride from Bangkok to Siem Reap, Cambodia, or 16 hours ride to Vientiane, Laos!
I feel tired writing this section while reminiscing on the recent 4-hour ride from Cebu to Maya Port (and another hour ferry ride to Malapascua) and the 10-hour ride on dreadful roads to Kerinci in Indonesia!
Go for sleeper buses rather than cramped vans if possible!
Best Time to Visit Bangkok
There are three distinct seasons in Bangkok – summer, rainy and winter.
The holiday period of Dec and Jan tends to be the best time to visit Bangkok for a comfortable climate – less rain, dryer, and less hot. November – February is cool. It is known as the winter season.
Temperature increases as we approach the middle of the year. I visited in June 2024, and it was around 35 degrees C by noon, feeling like 40 degrees C. 2024 saw record-high temperatures in several parts of Thailand, including Bangkok. April – July is hot, hence the summer season
The monsoon season begins from July till October, with heavy downpours and storms almost every day. Sep tends to be the worst, and you may even expect floods in the metropolitan area of Bangkok. July – October is wet, hence the rainy season.
Money Matters
Cash is still king in Bangkok if you’re shopping in local markets. Some restaurants accept cards, sometimes with minimum value spent.
If you haven’t known yet, the Philippines and Thailand have the most expensive ATM withdrawal fees in Southeast Asia!
Even though extracting cash from an ATM with a Youtrip/ Wise/ Revolut/ Trust card has minimal – or none – withdrawal or foreign currency fees, the maximum withdrawal amount and cost incurred per withdrawal add up unfavourably in Thailand.
Most Thai ATMs have a limit of THB 20,000 and charge THB 200 per transaction. That’s 1% of the max amount withdrawn!
As with my travels in Cebu, I mostly paid in cash and used my Trust Credit Card whenever possible. Sign up for a trust card (for residents in Singapore) using promo code SURW9MK5. Youtrip is a money wallet or debit card. When the Trust card fails to withdraw cash from an ATM, like when I was in Laos, Youtrip saves the day.
Wifi/ Data Matters
Connectivity is needed for Google Maps to tell you where to go, apps to look for rides, and the browser to research cafes or eateries. And maybe social media to update friends and families back home.
Unless you are on a telco package that allows for free or prepaid auto-roaming overseas, data roaming charges can quickly add up. Not all malls have free wifi.
Pick up a pocket wifi from the airport when you’ve reached, or collect a sim card precharged with a generous package for your Bangkok adventures.
Travelling within Bangkok
Walk
I walk whenever possible in Bangkok because it is through walking that I get to see the streets and what others are up to. For instance, I spent half a day walking around the Grand Palace area, visiting the temples within 10 – 15 mins walk away, and noticing which eateries have the most people.
Walking in Bangkok is like walking in Kuala Lumpur, unlike noisier Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, or dustier Cebu City.
Ride Hailing/ Taxi
As with any Southeast Asian country, when walking becomes a chore under the hot punishing sun, ride-hailing or taxi comes to the rescue.
I’ve stopped getting taxi rides now unless they come registered under the ride-hailing apps. Don’t want to find myself caught with unexplainable high fees from a tampered taxi metre, especially when I don’t speak Thai.
Besides, it feels better to know what I’m paying for in advance, and the rides could be paid using a card for some companies through their apps. I could also leave a review or ask for help from the ride-hailing companies later if anything goes wrong.
Grab is still the most widely used ride-hailing company in Bangkok. Other companies include Bolt, Lineman, Cabb, Bonku, Muvmi and InDrive. They can be cheaper than Grab.
As with Vietnam, Grab has motor rides too. But unlike Vietnam, I felt more endangered being on one, as they do not provide a helmet to the passenger, and the motorbikes travel faster.
Metro
Taking the metro is the most affordable and convenient way to travel, especially during Bangkok’s notorious rush hour jams.
There are at least 10 lines, of which only three are of interest to travellers already in central Bangkok – MRT Blue Line, dark green BTS Silom and light green BTS Sukhumvit Lines. MRT lines are usually underground, while BTS are skytrains. More lines and stations are being added as we speak, making transport in Bangkok even more convenient in the coming future!
Instead of queuing and buying individual tokens for each segment of your travel, you could purchase an MRT EMV card and BTS Rabbit card for overall savings and convenience. Unfortunately, that’s still two cards instead of one.
For my latest trip in Bangkok in June 2024, I get by on the MRT Blue Line since they accept EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) contactless payment. Unfortunately BTS doesn’t as of now, so your best bet is to buy from their kiosk with your passport or from Klook if you don’t want to join the long queue to buy single-trip tokens.
As with the MRT system in Singapore, I tap in and out. Most importantly, this process saves me time from the insane queue of buying a single ticket or adding another foreign metro card to my collection.
Cost-wise, the only difference is the forex conversion and foreign charges. This is why Trust/ Youtrip/ etc is a traveller’s life saviour.
Bus
There are also buses plying along the roads of metropolitan Bangkok. But of all my travels in Bangkok thus far, I’ve only taken the bus once since buses are subjected to traffic jams too.
Two kinds of buses run the roads of Bangkok – air-conditioned blue and yellow buses, and fan-operated red and pink buses. I’ve seen the blue buses as I walk to work in the Lumpini area and have taken the red bus once years back on my first visit to Bangkok.
Purchase a ticket on board by paying the conductor. They’ll ask for your destination and let you know the fare. Learning to speak and understand a few Thai numerals helps.
Fares start from THB 8 on the regular fan-operated sweaty buses and THB 12 for blue buses. Have coins or small cash ready!
Boat
Bangkok is a metropolis with the nourishing Chao Phraya River at its side – needless to say, there will be water transportation!
Besides, travelling by river beats getting caught in traffic jams on land.
Chao Phraya Express Boat is the leading river transportation company in Bangkok. According to their website, there are five coloured lines with some lines having strategic stops next to MRT or BTS stations. Fare ranges for different lines, some starting at TH 14 and others at THB 30. I’ve read reviews saying this service accepts contactless payment via Rabbit cards too.
Their tourist boats tied with blue flags would be slightly more expensive but make sense for tourists with limited time. It costs about THB 150 for an all-day hop-on-hop-off pass.
Then there’s the newest green energy electric contender – MINE Smart Ferry – launched in 2020. It currently has three lines, with a flat fare of THB 20. Only contactless payment via EMV card, QR code or their HOP prepaid cards are accepted.
Attire Matters
Attire matters in Bangkok if you intend to visit temples and sacred sites. Some may rent long wrap-around. But you could bet that most don’t and will deny your entry.
Locals are dressed conservatively. For me, it’s a light quick-dry T-shirt to cover the shoulders, and long airy pants. Keeps me cool outdoors, and not that cold in air-conditioned freezing indoors.
Places to Visit
There’s plenty to do in Bangkok for people of all interests – temples, food, malls, massage, nightlife, whatever!
While I was there in June, it happened to be Pride Month and the malls and eateries were decorated with balloons and posters of assorted colours. This predominantly Buddhist capital city accepts everyone, as long as you are well-behaved!
Cultural Attractions
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace complex features several buildings and quite a lot of walking within. It took me about 2 hours to fully cover the area.
Built in 1782 when King Rama I decided to move the capital city to the left bank of the Chao Phraya River for strategic purposes, this Grand Palace is no longer a residential place for the royalties, but it is still a feast to explore.
Of the 218,000 square metres enclosed within the walls, only a small portion, perhaps ⅙, is of particular interest with beautiful gilded temples, stupas, statues, walls, and buddhas.
Ticket costs THB 500 per person – exorbitant, I know, but this is the price to pay to visit a palace and see the Emerald Buddha at The Phra Ubosot, also known as the convocation hall.
Of all the sparkly temples and grand buildings within, only the Emerald Buddha captures my interest. Having visited Vientiane, Laos and a temple that used to house the Emerald Buddha in 1565, I was especially intrigued by the travels of this Buddha.
Another interesting point is a museum within the Grand Palace housing monuments, trinkets and photos from bygone eras.
Linking back to the Emerald Buddha, they have a section showing the different attires the Emerald Buddha puts on at different seasons. If you were to visit Thailand in different seasons – summer, rainy or winter as I’ve mentioned under Best Time to Visit Bangkok – you’d see the Emerald Buddha in different robes made of gold and diamond embellishments!
Know that visiting the Grand Palace without a guide or a pre-read can make the visit challenging – at least that’s how I felt during mine. Book a guided tour to make your visit a learning journey!
The Grand Palace is open from 8.30 AM till 3.30 PM. Visit first thing in the morning to escape the afternoon heat!
I’ll probably be writing another post to explore the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha, and the other temples soon.
Location: Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand (walking distance from MRT Sanam Chai station)
Wat Pho
With the Grand Palace done, the next attraction is naturally Wat Pho, located next to it, separated by a street only!
As with the other temple complexes, several smaller stupas, temples, and Buddhas reside within. But what makes Wat Pho, known by its longer name Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, worth visiting is the giant golden reclining Buddha sleeping within.
A reclining Buddha illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nirvana – in short, the death of the Buddha.
It was believed that the first iteration of Wat Pho dated back to the 16th century. The monastery was later restored by King Rama I in 1788 after the king had moved the capital to Bangkok and completed the construction of the Grand Palace next door.
The King’s grandson, Rama III, added the reclining Buddha in 1848 and turned Wat Pho into Bangkok’s first public university. It is here that scholars congregate to preserve Thai cultural heritage for a decade from 1831, including Thai traditional medicine and massage.
I guess this partly explains why the massage services are offered at one end of the compound! They have a massage school that teaches basic courses on Thai massages.
The entry fee into Wat Pho costs THB 300. The temple is open everyday from 8.30 AM to 7.30 PM.
As with the Grand Palace, you could visit Wat Pho without a guide, but having someone to pinpoint the focal points and provide anecdotes would make the journey a lot more interesting.
Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand (below Grand Palace, walking distance from MRT Sanam Chai station)
Wat Arun
Across Chao Phraya River from Wat Pho stands the immaculate pointy roof of Wat Arun.
Wat Arun, or its long name Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, is also known as The Temple of Dawn, named after the Indian god of dawn, Arun.
It was mentioned that there used to be a smaller temple at the current site that became important when King Taksin of Ayutthaya sought refuge from the invading Burmese troops in 1767.
As the King came across the temple at sunrise, he made the site his palace temple and renamed it Wat Chaeng. This temple later housed the Emerald Buddha acquired from Vientiane, Laos, until it was moved into the Grand Palace complex a couple of decades later.
When Rama I decreed Bangkok as the new capital, his son Rama II later renamed the temple Wat Arun.
Entry fee for Wat Arun is THB 200, and the temple is open from 8 AM till 6 PM.
Unlike the other temples I’ve visited in Bangkok, Wat Arun stands out most for the endless crowd of traditional Thai-attire clad tourists! You’d get to see more photographers on stand-by for the visitors dressed as Thai royalties here.
Why and how come?
All these because of a Thai soap drama Love Destiny. Wat Arun was one of the backdrops in this widely popular romance drama. Pretty much like how tourists put on a Peranakan attire befitting the son or daughter of a wealthy Nyonya family in the Peranakan house museums of Penang or Malacca, following the Singapore soap drama The Little Nyonya.
That aside, Wat Arun is indeed a painfully beautiful temple for great photo shoots. You could rent attires and do selfies, or hire a professional to make your Thailand vacation all the more memorable.
Apart from taking charming photos at Wat Arun, you can feast on – literally and figuratively – the sight of Wat Arun at night when lights are up on a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River.
Pair your visit to Wat Pho and Wat Arun with a guided tour to make your visit worthwhile.
Location: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand (across the Chao Phraya River opposite Wat Pho, reachable by a THB 5 boat)
Wat Trai Mit
There are tons of temples in Bangkok. Aside from the first two famous ones around the Grand Palace, Wat Trai Mit in Chinatown should be on your list too.
Also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha, the facade of Wat Trai Mit located at the fringes of Chinatown within walking distance from Hua Lamphong MRT station doesn’t look that fancy compared to all the other temples I’ve mentioned above.
The colour palette is white and gold, and not the vibrant hues of the Grand Palace or the two Wat.
But within the publicly accessible part of the temple, sits the world’s biggest Golden Buddha – a 5.5-tonne solid pure gold Buddha!
It was said that the origin of this Buddha could be traced back to 700 years ago when Sukhothai was the capital of the Thai kingdom. But the Buddha was eventually covered in plaster during the Burmese invasion and then moved around the country.
In 1955, as the Buddha was being transported from a deserted temple to the current temple, bits of plaster broke off, revealing the glow of pure gold within!
I don’t know about you, but sharing the same breathing space with that much gold under a religious setting without strict security is incredible. You could take photos!
Maybe it’ll be stricter now that more sites are mentioning this temple! Heh heh.
Anyway, tickets cost THB 100 per person, and the temple is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. Given the lack of attention and the distance from other tourist landmarks, this temple is quieter. The staff here are more cheery and willing to strike up conversations, such as asking if I am a Thai.
Location: 661 Charoen Krung Road, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand (near MRT Hua Lamphong station)
Jim Thompson House Museum
Jim Thompson House Museum features the art collection of an American businessman and architect James Harrison Wilson Thompson, or Jim Thompson. He is also known as the ‘Thai Silk King’ for promoting Thai silk to the Western fashion world.
As with the house museums of Cebu, the house captures the life of an era gone with a mix of Western and Thai design, and retro handmade intricate furniture.
Tickets cost THB 200 per person, which comes with a guided tour of the house. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Visiting this house museum would be a good respite from the temple fatigue of Bangkok.
Location: 6 Kasem San 2 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (near BTS National Stadium station)
Bangkok National Museum
If you’d like to learn more about centuries-old Thai history, arts, culture and diversity, then hop over to the Bangkok National Museum, one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia.
Visitors typically spend 3 hours on average in this museum, so make sure you’re well-rested and fed before stepping in for some centuries-old Siamese treasures.
Tickets cost THB 200 per person, and the museum is open from 8.30 AM to 4 PM from Wednesday to Sunday.
Location: 4 Soi Na Phra That, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand (above Grand Palace)
Food & Shopping
Floating Markets
One of Thailand’s unique attractions is the floating markets. As its name implies you have stalls on boats (also known as khlongs) and the river or canal banks engaging in sales of food, flowers and merchandise.
Of the floating markets around Bangkok, two popular ones that still retain the traditions are Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Amphawa Floating Market, located on the outskirts of Bangkok city.
Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi is one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand. It is the longest and straightest canal in the country, and engages in sales every day, selling food like coconut ice cream, mango sticky rice and the like.
The canal was the brainchild of King Rama IV, who wanted to boost transport and trade by linking the Mae Klong river with farms and businesses inland.
Visiting Damnoen Saduak on a half-day tour, or a private car is recommended. Going by public bus from the Southern Bus Terminal of Bangkok may sound thrifty, but costs add up in the long run if the number of participants is small. Factor in the time and cost of getting there and renting a boat to float down the canal.
Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram is newer than Damnoen Saduak but with fewer shops and crowds. Unlike the former market, Amphawa is open only after afternoons to evenings. The market is popular for its fresh seafood offerings like grilled squid and scallops.
Most tours pair a visit to Amphawa with a firefly boat ride in the evenings, and a trip to Maeklong Railway Market. Like the train street of Hanoi, Maeklong Railway Market has stalls by the sides of the railway. Stallholders naturally move away from the rail lines at the sound of a whistle announcing the arrival of a train. It’s a spectacle to witness, and a good contrast from the Amphawa Floating Market.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as Jatujak or JJ Market, is the largest market in Thailand, and Asia, and might even be so for the rest of the world.
Visiting Chatuchak could take days if you intend to roam through all the aisles and browse through its endless stalls.
The market welcomes visitors every Friday from 6 PM till midnight, and from 9 AM till 6 PM on the weekends.
Of course, haggling is essential here if you’d like to hunt for Thai-style art, collectables, clothes, shoes, denim, tableware, books, silk, whatever! Remember to note the entrance and snap a photo of the map upon entering! There are 27 sections to navigate through if you intend to cover all.
Dessert shops, drink stalls, and small eateries are peppered within the market to refuel your shopping spree!
Location: 587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand (near MRT Kamphaeng Phet station)
Night Markets
How else to spend the nice cool evenings of Bangkok than to eat and shop at the night markets.
There are plenty of night markets to visit in Bangkok. As highlighted earlier, Chatuchak is one of them for Friday evenings.
I’ve visited Jodd Fair, one of the newer markets in town for my recent trip, as it is very accessible via MRT Rama 9 station. It mostly sells trendy clothes, and I spotted some stalls doing caricatures. At least 60% of the market is dedicated to food.
Other night markets to check out include the following (links to their Google Maps location):
- Srinagarindra Train Night Market. Known for vintage clothes. Has plenty of food options. Opens from 5 PM to 1 AM every Thu to Sun. Located near MRT Yellow Suan Luang Rama 9 station
- Ramkhamhaeng Night Market. Known for its halal food. Popular amongst the Muslim community. Opens from 3.30 till 10.30 PM every Mon, Thu – Sat. Not near any metro stations.
- The One Ratchada. Lots of food and shopping to do here too. Opens daily from 5 pm till midnight. Near MRT Thailand Cultural Centre.
- The Owl Market. This market is located quite far off central Bangkok. With that, you have a smaller crowd and more affordable prices. Still, it is accessible via MRT Purple Yaek Nonthaburi station. Opens from 5 PM till midnight every day.
- Pratunam Night Market. Located in the heart of Bangkok with Ratchaprarop station on the brown Airport Rail Link as the closest metro station. Opens from 5 PM till midnight every day.
- Chinatown Night Market. A must-visit if you’re a foodie. Also makes for some beautiful photos with glitzy neon boards jutting out into the streets just like in those old Hong Kong movies! MRT Wat Mangkon is the closest station to Chinatown. There isn’t really an opening hour per se, since the stalls operate by the roadside. Try visiting around dinnertime at dusk, as some eateries may close early.
Chinatown
If you don’t frequently indulge in Chinese food or visit Chinatowns in other Southeast Asia, then this will be a treat.
Empty your stomach and begin the feast! There’s plenty of street food to savour here at Yaowarat Road! Some examples include Kway Chap, Wanton Mee, Grilled seafood, satay, cockles, fragrant toast with butter, curry rice, etc.
To be honest, Chinatown doesn’t feel appealing to me, since it’s like Singapore of the olden days. I could get similar food from hawker stalls in Singapore or coffee shops in Malaysia, like Penang. Still, this is worth a visit if you don’t get to eat authentic and highly affordable wok hey-infused Chinese food from where you’re from. Could bring up some nostalgia~
Any Chinatown outside of China has its origin traced back to the first Chinese immigrants moving into the place. In the case of Bangkok, the Chinese were escaping famine. They had originally settled around the Grand Palace but were later forced to move to the new location, southeast of the palace.
Apart from eateries, Chinatown has temples, street art and old Chinese houses to visit that make for some nice photos.
Shopping Malls
I’m not a fan of the malls, but when outdoor Bangkok is so hot, malls are a respite from the heat.
Of all the malls I’ve visited in Bangkok, which isn’t a lot, I like the design of Terminal 21 at Asok. This mall has each level decorated to the theme of a place. For instance, the third floor is specially designed with colourful Turkish lamps and carpets, and shop alleys like the bazaars of Istanbul. One level down and there sits a mock-up of the iconic red London Bus with British-vibey street lamps.
Iconsiam is currently the largest mall in Bangkok. Built in 2018, the mall has over 7000 shops (!!!), 100s of restaurants, and even a floating market inside. How insane is that?
Located in the quieter Thonburi region west of central Bangkok, this mall is reachable by boat from Chao Phraya River, or Charoennakorn Station (Gold Line) from BTS Krung Thon Buri Station. And if you drive, there are 5000 parking lots within the mall – incredible!
Shows & Performances
Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium
If you enjoy combat sports, you should catch a Muay Thai fight at Rajadamnern Stadium!
Also known as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is a form of Thai martial arts and combat sports that dates back to ancient times when kings and soldiers were trained in The Art of 8 Limbs as a form of self-defence.
There’s a show every evening in Rajadamnern Stadium – something cultural to occupy one of your evenings if you’ve had enough shopping!
And if you’d like to try the art of Muay Thai, head to gyms offering Muay Thai classes to sweat it out!
Ladyboy Calypso Cabaret
Spending an evening at the Calypso Cabaret while you’re in Bangkok is another nice respite from the temples and shopping. At least you’d be entertained by the professional dancers dressed in glamour.
On stage since 1988, Calypso Cabaret features what conventional society defines as misfits – transgenders – confidently breaking stereotypes and entertaining the crowd for a memorable night.
Parks
Siam Amazing Park
Aside from spectating Muay Thai battles or enjoying a glamorous Cabaret show, and the usual shopping and the likes, Bangkok has an amusement park for those looking to experience adrenaline rides or tire their children out.
Located about 35 km east of central Bangkok, the Siam Amazing Park holds the record for the world’s largest wave pool at 13,600 sq m.
Did you know that the world’s longest water slide is also in Asia? The Escape Theme Park in Penang currently holds this title, together with the longest zip coaster.
SEA Life Aquarium
Conveniently located in the heart of Bangkok city next to BTS Siam in Siam Paragon, SEA Life is another fun place to hang out, away from the scorching sun or miserable downpours.
With over 400 marine species and 30,000 sea creatures spread over 14 attractions, SEA Life is the perfect place for parents with young children. Some commented that this aquarium is better than the one in Singapore!
Safari World
Aquarium aside, there’s also a safari park northeast of Bangkok for families or animal lovers – ahem, controversial – to spend a day away from the city.
Dress light and plan your visit as early as possible to beat the crowd and afternoon heat. The park has several animal shows and you can even bottle-feed a tiger cub.
Lumpini Park
Notice that all the parks mentioned above are ticketed attractions?
Well, Lumpini Park isn’t.
Situated amongst the busy roads in the middle of Bangkok city, Lumpini Park might not have exciting marine creatures or tigers, but it is Bangkok’s largest and most popular park.
Named after the Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal, Lumpini Park was originally reserved only for royalties. Rama IV later declared the park public in 1925. Since then, the park has been the best you can get to escape from the concrete jungle. With that, you’d see locals exercising early in the morning – either practising Tai Chi, dancing to music, or jogging, or families picnicking and enjoying their weekends.
An artificial lake within the park has swan paddle boats and rowing boats for rental.
Lumpini Park is easily accessible from MRT Silom or MRT Lumpini.
Not for kids
Raunchy Red Light District
Proclaimed as the world’s largest adult playground, Nana Plaza, one of Bangkok’s three notable red-light districts, is a three-storey complex that used to be a shopping mall. Bars eventually took over the mall, leading to a majority of go-go bars – bars with alcohol and dancers – or traditional beer bars.
The other two places are Soi Cowboy and Patpong. Patpong has the least number of go-go bars and is mostly a night market selling food and miscellany now, though in smaller quantities than those I’ve mentioned in a section above.
Most travellers of Bangkok who are of age and are very curious would probably have thought of or have ventured into this plaza conveniently located in the heart of Bangkok, accessible via BTS Nana.
There’s nothing worthwhile about visiting Nana Plaza in retrospect, apart from satisfying the curiosity, unless you’re looking for sex. Visits can be expensive as some bars charge entrance fees or exorbitant drinks that buy the patron 30 mins seating each.
Within the go-go bars are scantily dressed or half-nude women supposedly dancing but in reality, moving their arms and bodies aimlessly on the tabletop around poles. Some bars have a woman forever washing her body in a bathtub.
From what I heard, the shows get raunchier towards the dead of night with naked women dancing and performing stunts from their vaginas, like shooting ping pong balls, writing messages or blowing out a candle.
While I was there with a male friend, I was probably the only Asian female in the bars, and it was slightly unnerving.
Most of the patrons within the two or three bars during our visits were either small groups of young males, or single older Westerners or Asians. Then again, it was dim, so there could be couples seated behind, and my visit was fairly early at 9 PM. I later left at 10 PM.
Being a solo Asian girl visiting such an establishment can be wildly terrifying, especially when you look local and the predominantly male crowd gets a little tipsy. Note: Do not visit the bars if you are a solo female Asian!
Khao San Road
Another popular road like Yaowarat Road of Chinatown, except you have younger patrons – mostly backpackers – here and a lot more bars and nightclubs.
Dubbed ‘The Party Street’ with neon lights and loud music, you could shop for your meal, grab a beer and people watch at Thanon Khao San. Those who want to get drunk for cheap and dance the night away might love it. You could even buy cannabis, though this might change when the law reverts.
Rooftop bars
Enjoy the panoramic bird’s eye view of Bangkok city from Sky Beach Bangkok or Brewski Rooftop. Located on the rooftop of Mahanakhon Hotel and Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel respectively, both establishments claim to be the highest rooftop bars in Bangkok.
Other notable rooftop bars include ABar Rooftop, Bar.Yard, and The Loft.
Night Clubs
Route66 is one of the biggest and most well-known night clubs in Bangkok. The club has several levels and three to four dance zones. The club is also a main draw for young Thais looking to have fun and enjoy the evenings with friends. Entrance tickets are priced at THB 300.
Other clubs include Onyx Bangkok for its EDM selection and Sing Sing Theatre Bar which has a small central dance floor and aims to deliver a neo-chinoiserie and unique experience with local and international acts.
Massages
How can you visit Bangkok without experiencing a soothing – or punishing, depending on your pain threshold – Thai massage?
Perhaps it is a foot massage to soothe the feet from walking the entire day, or a full-body Thai/ oil/ aromatherapy massage to relieve the pain points from the body.
Several massage parlours are scattered all over Bangkok, but not all are clean establishments i.e. they offer happy endings. You could go for those if you’re looking for an exciting experience…
Family-friendly ones include One More Time Massage, located next to BTS Phrom Phong BTS Station, and Lek Massage, which has several convenient branches.
Relax in an onsen and follow up with a massage at Let’s Relax, or a deluxe self-pamper scrub, facial and massage treatment at Makkha Health at Asok.
The use of herbal balls is another facet of Thai Traditional Massage I love, which not many might know. This treatment incorporates a cloth ball of steamed herbs pressed onto the body during the massage. Somewhat like hot stones but better, since the potent herbs smell so nourishing and feel so great on the skin. Most esteemed massage parlours should have them.
Another unconventional massage of Thai tradition is the Dragon or Phoenix massage, where the masseur focuses on the genitals. This massage is meant to detox or rejuvenate the reproductive organs by massaging some acupressure points outside and inside the body. Spring Massage provides this service and is often over-subscribed.
There are also gay massages for the male clientele.
Trips Beyond Bangkok
Bangkok is a city. If you were to set Bangkok as a base, there are options under three hours beyond the city to escape the concrete jungle and explore somewhere new. Otherwise, a 2D1N to adjacent provinces could be an alternatives to exploring the countryside or coastal areas.
You could DIY and take buses and trains, join tours, rent a car or hire a private chauffeur.
Below are some suggestions outside of Bangkok City:
- Ayutthaya. You could make it a budget 2D1N trip by taking the train or bus and exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site yourself. Or join a one-day guided tour from Bangkok like what I did to save time and expenses while learning about this ancient capital. Ayutthaya is about an hour north of Bangkok.
- Ratchaburi. Famous for its floating markets, including the iconic Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. There are historical sights too. Ratchaburi is about two hours south-west of Bangkok.
- Kanchanaburi. Make a 2D1N trip to Kanchanaburi to learn about the atrocities of war, experience a ride on the Thai-Burma Death Railway, and visit Erawan Falls. There are one-day join-in tours for those short on time. Kanchanaburi is about two hours north-west of Bangkok.
- Pattaya. Visit the coastal city of Pattaya for sea activities, temples, floating markets and more. You could do it as a one-day trip from Bangkok, but making it at least 3D2N is desirable for snorkelling or diving, and the night markets. Pattaya is about two hours south-east of Bangkok.
- Khao Yai. Picturesque laid-back Khao Yai is known for its sunflower fields and national parks – which meant trekking! – and wineries. Travelling to Khao Yai via public transport is tricky. You could DIY with a driver from Bangkok, or do a road trip.
- Phetchaburi. I visited Phetchaburi in 2019 with friends for its gorgeous cave Tham Khao Luang, a summer palace Phra Nakhon Khiri, and what I thought was the largest reclining Buddha then. We took a train and returned to Bangkok by bus the next day. Maybe a post to reminisce about that trip someday! Phetchaburi is about three hours south-west of Bangkok.
- Hua Hin. Travel a little more south from Phetchaburi to the coastal town of Hua Hin, where there’s an elephant village, beautiful beaches, and hilly parks for trekking. Hua Hin is more family-friendly and less crowded than Pattaya or Phuket. It takes about three hours to reach Hua Hin from Bangkok.
Accommodations in Bangkok
What’s your budget and reason for being in Bangkok?
If you are a budget backpacker, hostels in central Bangkok include the Siam Subway Hostel next to MRT Sam Yot, On the Bed Hostel next to BTS Phloen Chit, and The Cube Hostel close to MRT Silom. I stayed in a female dorm of The Cube for one night just before my flight home, and the overall experience was great!
If you are mindful of your budget but want privacy, Siam Subway and On the Bed have single and double rooms. And if you’d like to stay away from hostels, check out Club Mahindra Mac Boutique Hotel close to BTS Nana. Choose rustic-vibey 103 – Bed and Brews or modernistic W22 to be close to Chinatown. K Home Asok has affordable single rooms and is close to Terminal 21!
For those travelling in larger groups or as families, 103 and K Home Asok has affordable family rooms with two double beds.
Luxurious splurge-worthy ones, you got to look at the views from ARUN Riverside Bangkok! Wat Arun greets you from the window at sunrise and sunset! I’ve stayed in Sheraton Grande at Sukhumvit next to Terminal 21 and the rooms are just spectacular! One can get trapped marvelling at the grand toilet. Millennium Hilton located on the banks of Chao Phraya, is another luxurious riverside contender right next to ICONSIAM!
Other special mentions include the quirky 5-star Phanakron Boutique Hotel. You’d feel like spending a night in a museum or antique shop!
Food to Try
The capital of Thailand has loads of flavourful food to feast on.
Having visited south Thailand (Hat Yai) for three weeks as a student, I can attest that food in the south tastes different from the central. Central Thailand’s food is more flavourful – spicier, sweeter, saltier. Or it might have been because I’m in Bangkok, a city, and not the countryside of central Thailand.
As for the cuisines of North Thailand, like Chiang Mai, which I’ve yet to visit but will do so in due time, I reckon it will be similar to northern Laos food like Khao Soi, and food from Yunnan, China.
Some examples:
- Som Tam. Refreshing and spicy green papaya salad with raw green beans, roasted peanuts, tomatoes, dried shrimp, drenched with fish sauce, sugar and lemon.
- Pad Thai. The ubiquitous stir fry flat rice vermicelli with egg, tofu or meats like prawns or pork. Often paired with raw bean sprouts, crushed peanuts and chilli flakes.
- Tom Yum. Spicy sour seafood broth that can be clear or milky.
- Nam Phrik. Thai chilli jam containing shrimp, tamarind and fish sauce, to name a few. Complicated but delicious. Usually as a dipping sauce for a platter of raw vegetables and herbs. My favourite!
- Khao kap some meat. Essentially rice (khao) paired (kap) with meats like pork (muu) or chicken (gai).
- Pad Krapow. Minced pork or chicken stir-fried with Thai basil and chilli, paired with rice and a sunny side up.
- Khanom Jeen. Fermented rice noodles paired with curry, spicy salad or soup.
- Curries. Traffic light colour of red, green or yellow.
- Hor Mok Pla. Delicious steamed curry fish cake packed in banana leaves.
- Mango Sticky Rice. A dessert consisting of mango and sweetened sticky rice with coconut cream topping.
- Coconut ice cream. You must have this! Especially refreshing on a hot day.
- Thai Milk Tea. There are other teas, but this fragrant milk tea is the most iconic.
Phrases to Remember
Important words and phrases to remember to get around Bangkok include greetings, numerals, and asking where the toilet is.
- Sa Wat Dii (f: kha/ m: khrup). Hello.
- Kob Khoon (f: kha/ m: khrup). Thank you.
- Mai Pen Rai. It’s okay. You’re welcome.
- Khor Thot. Excuse me. Sorry.
- Lah Gon. Goodbye.
- Dii Maak! Very good!
- Aroy Maak Maak! Very delicious!
- Soon. Zero.
- Neung. One.
- Song. Two.
- Saam. Three.
- See. Four.
- Ha. Five.
- Hok. Six.
- Jet. Seven.
- Pet. Eight.
- Kao. Nine.
- Sip. Ten.
- Phan. Thousand.
- Meng. Ten thousand.
- Hom Naam Yuu Thii Nai? Where’s the toilet?
- May Phaet. Not spicy.
- Phaet Nit Noy. A little spicy.
A Suggested 3 Days Itinerary
My visits to Bangkok have almost always been a business trip. Nonetheless, if this is your first time travelling to Bangkok, a 3-day itinerary may look like this.
Day 1: Land in Bangkok and visit the cultural places. If landing in the morning, tour the Grand Palace and the iconic temples. If you still feel strong after all that, take a sunset cruise down Chao Phraya River, visit a night market or ICONSIAM and do a foot massage.
Day 2: Also cultural in Bangkok but not temples. Join a floating market tour, and watch a Muay Thai fight, more night markets shopping, or visit Chinatown in the evening for street food.
Day 3: Join a day tour to Ayutthaya. If you’d like to know more about the ancient capital of Siam before it’s moved to Bangkok.
And if you have more days to spare, you could visit the remaining places I’ve mentioned above, or pamper yourself with a massage or spa package.
Conclusion/ Rambles
So how do you find this blog post? Is it comprehensive enough?
Frankly, I reckon there are more undiscovered lovely spots in Bangkok that only the residents would know. Plenty of delicious small eateries and cafes – the coffee from Northern Thailand is yummy! – to whirl away and people watch. Smaller temples with lesser crowds and more peace and quiet.
But this big post of mine should work out your appetite to plan and piece together a wonderful vacation in Bangkok city!
Bangkok is a great landing base before you branch out to other towns and the countryside of Thailand.
Most visitors would land in Bangkok and travel north to Chiang Mai, visiting the places around these two bases for a memorable two-week vacation. Those with a month to spare might start from the south at Hat Yai and move their way up.
I’ve visited Hat Yai and Southern Thailand as a student, and Bangkok and some parts of central Thailand several times as a young working adult.
Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, you’re next!
More Pointers for a Great Trip
- Take note of the seasons in Bangkok. There are three – winter, summer and rain.
- Take precautions during summer. It is terribly hot. Bring enough hydration and sun protection to ward off heat exhaustion.
- Cash is king. Mostly. Thailand is known to have one of the most expensive ATM charges.
- Book your accommodation early. If you’re travelling in peak periods – winter – or want boutique and fancy ones.
- Pick up a pocket wifi or SIM card. Wifi is not free in the malls, and only for some eateries. Need this to hail a private hire.
- Cover up. Dress conservatively with knees and shoulders covered for temples and religious sites.
- If taking a taxi. Check that the taxi metre is running okay and track your route via Google Maps, as I’ve encountered instances where they take longer journeys than necessary. Especially common if you don’t speak Thai.
- Use a visa or MasterCard for MRT, and buy a rabbit card for BTS. Skip the insane queue to buy a token for single trips!
- Haggle. When shopping in the night market. Slash by 50% and see how it goes. It’s all part of the fun in the market.
- Ask for less spicy food. Or be prepared to writhe in pain in the toilet next morning if you’re not a frequent chilli eater. Thais love the spicy bird-eye chilli.
