Bangkok is the thriving capital of Thailand that is full of bustling streets, peaceful parks, ornate Buddhist temples, and crazy night life. It has boomed into a hub for culture, art, fashion, and various forms of entertainment. There is always more to see and do in Bangkok and it has become one of my favorite major cities.
Bangkok had a major economic boom at the end of the 20th century and its infrastructure has not exactly followed this pace. Thus, the city can be considered quite the random jumble of tourist attractions, parks, congested streets, and back alleys that make it extremely entertaining to simply roam around aimlessly. However, if you aren’t one for goal-less meandering, here are some of my recommendations for visiting this incredibly vibrant city!
Learn about Thai History and Culture!
Thailand has a rich past that has created the modern, Eastern society we see today. Thailand was never colonized by a Western country (although it has been influenced by Western tradition) and so Bangkok is an inspiring melting pot of traditional, modern, and west-influenced Siamese art, architecture, culture, and community. You can learn about Thailand’s development at the Museum Siam, the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, or any of the other wonderful museums Bangkok has to offer.
Another aspect of Thai culture is their relationship to Buddhism. Thailand has over 40,000 Buddhist temples, or “Wats” and Bangkok has some pretty incredible ones. You definitely can’t miss visiting the massive reclining Buddha at Wat Pho or the ornate designs of Wat Arun. Near these as well is the stunning Grand Palace. The palace itself is incredible as the home of Thailand’s monarchy, however, to make the most of your 500 Baht ticket make sure you make it to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles as well!
Shop ‘Til You Drop!
If you need some retail therapy in your life then Bangkok is the place to go. The major city is famous for its iconic street vendors who sell their food or goods from carts on the side of the road. Although you will see these carts everywhere, there are specific markets where many will congregate and it feels like you have all the options in the world, even fried scorpions! The Chinatown Night Market and the Chatuchak Weekend Market are two of the largest options for this style of street market.
If the traditional style isn’t your vibe, then head to the shopping district for some of the biggest malls you will see in your life. MBK Center, Siam Discovery, and Siam Square will have your feet and wallet hurting by the end of however many hours you spent getting lost in them.
Find Spots to Relax!
Although bustling, crowded, and full of traffic and skyscrapers, it’s still possible to discover peace and quiet amongst all the chaos. Parks like Benchakitti Park, Lumphini Park, Saranrom Park or Wat Prayurawongsawa Worawihan can be peaceful escapes when overwhelmed by the constant traffic and noise. Additionally, the Chao Phraya River can be a relaxing piece of nature to come across. You can either catch a ferry along the river for a different perspective of the city, or you can settle on the Wat Pho Pier to watch the sun set above Wat Arun. Finally, I recommend taking a walk along Bangkok’s canal systems – often quite secluded, walking along one of the many canals can give you a glance into the everyday life of Thai people and get you away from the overwhelming roads.
Party the Night Away!
The iconic Khao San Road is the place to be if you’re looking for a tourist’s night out in Bangkok. The road is lined with clubs blasting music and offering giant bucket cocktails while street vendors sell kebabs and less than appropriate shirts and bracelets out on the street. This area is certainly more expensive for drinking, eating, and shopping as it is the tourist hub, but with good people it can be a fun night out.
I personally think it is a must-do to visit a Cabaret Show at some point in Thailand if not in Bangkok. Often raunchy, humorous, and entertaining, Cabarets in Thailand are something you do not want to miss – just make sure to tip!
NOTE: It is well known that sex-work and sex-tourism are big aspects of the nightlife in Thailand. Although technically illegal, certain areas like Bangkok and Pattaya tolerate sex-tourism. Something important to consider before hiring someone or even just visiting a ping pong show, is that it is not always ethically practiced – some people are not in the business willingly. So above all else, if you are partaking in this side of Bangkok’s nightlife, you should be treating all the women and kathoey (more colloquially referred to as ladyboys) with respect.
Take a Day Trip!
Slightly outside of Bangkok are the ruins of the old Siamese capital, Ayutthaya. Take a tour or motorbike yourself an hour north to explore the massive ruins of an entire city destroyed by Burma in 1767.
If you enjoyed the traditional markets of Bangkok then head out west for the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Talad Rom Hub Train Market. The Floating market is pretty touristy nowadays, however, it is a fascinating glance into Thailand’s past canal-dependent economy. The train market is also touristy, but honestly so cool. The entire market is spread out across train tracks and every hour the sellers pack up their shops so the train can pass through before re-setting it all up again!
If you’re not quite finished with the beautiful architecture within the city, head out of town for The Ancient City, The Erawan Museum, or Wat Sam Phran. Or a bit farther away is the beautiful, natural scene of Erawan Falls. I unfortunately did not get to any of these spots but they are certainly on my bucket list for my next time around Bangkok!
Where to Eat in Bangkok
Bangkok is huge and has an insane variety of restaurants, cafes, and street vendors. Here are some of my favorite cheap eats:
- Vi Ma Lin
- Thai Royal Kitchen
- Roasted Pork Nai Shoon
- Mae Pranom Original Thai Food
- Chinatown Street Vendors
- MBK Mall Food Court
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Near Khao San Road (Social) :
Revolution Khao San
Bed Station Hostel Khao San
Mad Monkey Bangkok
Near Khao San Road (Less-Social, but Comfy) :
NapPark Hostel at Khao San
Sloth Hostel Khao San
Comfy Bed Hostel
Convenient Location for Trains/Sightseeing :
Siam Subway Hostel and Cafe
Issara by D Hostel
How to get around Bangkok
Bangkok is a major city and many flights will fly you right to Suvarnabhumi Airport. From the airport you can hop on the train that goes directly into the city.
Bangkok’s trains are extremely comprehensive and the system is very organized. The token machines can even be turned to English so it’s really as easy as figuring out which station you need to get to, clicking that destination on the screen, and paying anywhere from 20-100 Baht ($1-3 USD).
The buses are also a great, extremely cheap option. It’s a bit trickier to figure out where you’re going, but Google Maps make life very easy in this sense. Simply wait at the bus stop, wave at the bus you need, and board when they stop – an attendant will come around at some point during your journey to collect your coin payment (usually only 8 Baht!)
A more fun experience to have in Bangkok is to take one of the many neon lit Tuk Tuks. Just be cautious because the tuk tuk drivers are sometimes pretty good scammers so ensure you feel confident in your driver and price you establish with them. Also quite fun and beautiful that I mentioned earlier in this post, is taking the ferry along the river. They are a very fun and cheap options for exploring Bangkok.
If the public transport is stressful for you, you can always download the apps Grab or Bolt which are Thailand’s versions of Uber. They are cheap and convenient options, especially if you are in a rush to get somewhere.
Don’t get scammed in Bangkok!
Although very safe and welcoming for tourists, Bangkok is still a major city with some common scams out there to watch out for. Here are my tips for avoiding scammers:
- Establish a price with any driver before getting into their vehicle – sometimes taxis will have meters but I honestly would avoid any metered transport
- Don’t get into a tuk tuk that approaches you. They are easy enough to flag down or find when needed and they should not be shouting at you and convincing you to take a ride while you are walking
- If someone tells you a popular attraction is closed but they can take you to similar attractions, do not believe them. Just say you are going to check if it’s actually closed yourself and more often than not it’ll be wide open
Bangkok is a bustling icon of Thailand that I completely fall in love with every time I land back there. With many different neighborhoods, activities, and things to see, it is difficult not to enjoy your time in this wonderful city!
Sylvia's Gap Year 