Bangkok, also known as the ‘City of Angels’, has the largest population in Thailand with approximately 12 million people. It is located in Southeast Asia and welcomes over 22 million visitors each year. Bangkok is the city where most travelers start their journey through Thailand.
Bangkok is charming, buzzing, somewhat overwhelming capital of Thailand. With all the things to do in Bangkok, you can easily spend three to five days exploring the city and its surrounding areas.
GETTING AROUND BANGKOK
With its only one terminal, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia, and its ranked as 21st busiest airports in the world. BKK is the place where most international visitors fly into the Thai capital.
Public transportation in Thailand is not just safe and easy, but it’s super cheap. When it comes to public transportation in Bangkok, you’re going to have a wide range of options:
by Airport Rail Link
The Airport Rail Link is a cheap and reliable way to reach Bangkok city centre after arriving at the airport. It connects the airport with the BTS (Skytrain) and the MRT (Metro).
The BTS or MRT are the best and fastest way to get around in Bangkok. Every compartment is air-conditioned and extremely clean. The announcment are clearly made both in Thai and English languages.
by BTS Skytrain
The BTS Skytrain is the quickest and easiest way to get around central Bangkok. It runs on two lines – the Sukhumvit Line (light green) and Silom Line (dark green) – linking Bangkok’s central business districts and covering almost all of the central city.
by MRT Metro
The MRT is Bangkok’s second mass transit system. It covers the northern section of Bangkok and connects with the BTS Skytrain.
by TAXI
Most taxi drivers in Bangkok won’t speak English, so make sure you write down the name of your destination. Taxis are easy to find anywhere in the city. When you get in a taxi, always make sure the meter is turned on and running. Bangkok taxi drivers are notoriously mean. If you don’t know your destination, it’s probable they will try to rip you off.
by TUK-TUK
Tuk-Tuks are everywhere, and they’re generally safe. Tuk-Tuk drivers, however are infamous for quoting massively inflated prices, so make sure you agree on a fixed rate before you ride one. It can be a crazy experience, but I recommend riding the Tuk-Tuk at least once while you’re in Thailand.
While riding in a Tuk-Tuk can be a fun experience, it’s almost always safer, cheaper and easier to just take a metered taxi.
by BUS
Most buses in Thailand lack air-conditioning. They’re the cheapest option of getting around, but it can be very crowded and smelly, too. I would recomend getting around by Train instead.
by River and Canal Boats
Boats run along the city’s major canals, as well as the Chao Phraya River, making it easy to avoid the city’s infamous traffic jams. If you’re visiting Wat Pho, the Grand Palace or any other riverside attractions, take any o f the Chao Phraya Express Boats.
WHY IS BANGKOK SO POPULAR?
~ World’s best tourist destination!
For two years in the row, Bangkok was named the most visited city in the world, beating out great cities like Paris, London, Dubai, Singapore and New York City. Bangkok’s popularity as a tourist destination looks unlikely to wane any time soon, not just because of its spicy food, friendly people, and gorgeous temples, but mostly to its relatively cheap prices compared to those other destinations.
~ World’s best cuisine!
Bangkok has one of the best food in the world. This includes both its world renowned street food, as well as some of the best international restaurants in Asia. There are so many restaurants and street vendors selling Thai food that it can sometimes be difficult to spot the really good ones.
~ World’s best markets!
Bangkok has the most amazing markets in the world. While walking or driving around the city, try to keep an eye on some small streets where you suddenly can stumble upon a market. The markets in Bangkok are there in all flavors and sizes.
With over 15.000 stalls, the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market is a must see while in Bangkok. From simple food or flower markets, to beautiful floating markets you can find just about anything you wish for.
~ World’s best nightlife!
Bangkok is a city that never sleeps. It’s famous for its prostitution and red light districts, as well as having an abundance of massage parlours, and go go bars. Some of Asia’s biggest and most modern movie theaters and bowling alleys can be found in Bangkok too, so there is something here to satisfy any one’s nightlife crave.
BANGKOK HOTELS: WHERE TO STAY
From backpacker accommodations, cheap hostels to five-star hotels, Bangkok has a place for everyone. Ftom mid- to upper-level hotels, there are thousands of hotels to choose from in Bangkok with reasonable prices.
When choosing a hotel, however, you will need to look at each of Bangkok’s most popular areas, that would suit your taste and your budget.
If this is your first time in Bangkok you want to pick a location that is central and suits your travel style.
Best places to stay in Bangkok:
• Banglamphu: it’s close to the main attractions, best nightlife, great food, and plenty of budget options. Downside: not easily reached by public transport.
• Sukhumvit: mid-range and upscale hotels and international dining. It’s one of the best areas to stay in. Downside: lots of tourists!
• Chinatown: it’s close to Hua Lamphong, Bangkok’s main train station; lots of cheap to mid-range accommodation, excellent food spots. Downside: it’s noisy and polluted.
• Ratanakosin & Thonburi: right next to the city’s most famous sights, like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Downside: few budget options, and not easily reached by public transport.
• Riverside, Silom & Lumphini: high-end hotel options with river views and convenient Skytrain and Metro connections. Downside: very expensive.
• Siam Square, Pratunam, & Ratchathewi: lots of options if you want to be near the shops. Downside: doesn’t feel like “authentic” Bangkok.
• Khao San Road: it’s backpackers heaven – lots of cheap and budget hotels and hostels. Downside: too noisy, especially in the night.
• Suvarnabhumi International Airport: if you only have a one night stay, and you want to be close to the airport. Downside: a bit far from the city.
The hotel that I stayed in was Baiyoke Sky Hotel, located in the downtown area of Pratunam. It is just a 5-minute walk to Ratchaprarop train station.
Featuring panoramic views of Bangkok and beyond, Baiyoke Sky Hotel stands at 88-stories, making it Thailand’s tallest hotel. Take in marvelous vistas of Bangkok’s stunning skyline from the observation deck on the 77th floor. Prepare to be dazzled with an incredible 360-degree view of the city from the revolving viewpoint on the 84th floor. Take advantage of the many photo opportunities.
A Health and Fitness Club provides spa treatments and houses a fitness center. Located beside it is a beauty salon. Recreation facilities include an open-air golf range and outdoor rooftop pool.
FOOD IN BANGKOK: EAT LIKE A LOCAL
Bangkok produces some of the best food in the world. Thai food is demonstrating intricacy; texture; color; taste, and most importantly good flavor. Be prepared for a fantastic food experience.
Bangkok’s well-deserved reputation for 24-hour street food gets crazier with each corner. Find the best Thai food in the markets and at small food shops on the side of the road. Delicious curries, Pad Thai noodles, spicy green mango salad, and so many more choices.
Best Thai Dishes in Bangkok:
• Tom Yum
Tom Yum is the spiciest soup I’ve ever tried. Tom Yum is characterized by its distinct hot and sour flavors. The soup is also made with fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed red chili peppers. Extremely delicious, but super spicy.
• Tom Kha Kai
Tom Kha Kai (Thai Coconut Soup) is a related soup dish to Tom Yum. It contains similar ingredients, but less spicy, while creamy coconut milk is introduced and blends nicely with everything else. Tom Kha Kai could be the best choice for those who are not so keen on chili dishes.
• Pad Thai
One of my personal favorites, Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s specialities and it’s tremendously popular both amongst residents and travelers alike. This signature dish of Thailand, it can be found on every menu from high-end restaurants to any street stalls all over Bangkok.
• Khao Pad
Khao Pad (Thai Fried Rice) is a simple dish that you can find easily as it is served almost everywhere in Thailand. The ingredients include rice, egg, garlic, onion, and a form of protein, such as chicken, shrimp, or beef. Mix everything in a pan and stir-fry until everything has blended together. Khao Pad is a simple, yet very delicious dish.
• Nam Prik Gaeng Karee
Nam Prik Gaeng Karee (Yellow Curry Paste) has a mild, somewhat sweet taste with a little bit of spice. Yellow curry paste has a large proportion of turmeric and curry powder pounded together with coriander, cumin, lemongrass, galangal, shrimp paste, garlic, and shallots plus coconut cream in addition to coconut milk. This is a popular dish among people who prefer a mellow taste.
• Som Tum
Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad) is another tasty dish. The ingredients include: green papaya, tomatoes, carrots, beans, peanuts, garlic, chilies, palm sugar, lime juice, and fish sauce. Together, they provide five vibrant flavors: sweet, savory, spicy, salty, and sour.
BANGKOK SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Bangkok is everything you’d expect from the capital of Thailand: it’s noisy, crowded, colorful, and exciting. Bangkok can be overwhelming, but it’s also a fascinating city. There are temples, ancient sites, and other attractions to be visited, as well as street markets and modern shopping malls.
There is a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities, so you need at least 3 to 5 days to fully enjoy and discover what this iconic city has to offer.
Discover the best things to do in this bustling city with my list of the top 10 tourist attractions in Bangkok.
TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN BANGKOK
1. Grand Palace
No visit to Bangkok is complete without a proper tour of the Grand Palace, the former residence of kings and now an impressive museum. Built in 1782, the grand palace was the royal residence for generations and is still used for important ceremonies and accommodating heads of state.
Wat Pra Kaew preserves Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), a spiritual Buddha image diligently sculpted from a single block of emerald.
If you only visit one major historical tourist attraction in Bangkok, this should be the one. Dress modestly when visiting the Grand Palace, covering your arms and legs.
2. Wat Pho
Located immediately south of the Grand Palace, is Wat Pho, best known for the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple was built by King Rama I and is the oldest and largest in Bangkok. The statue is huge: 46 meters (151 feet) long and 15 meters (49 feet) high and all covered in gold leaf, which symbolizes purity and beauty.
There is more to Wat Pho than its massive reclining Buddha. This renowned temple harbors a remarkable collection of murals, engravings, and sculptures that explore numerous topics, from warfare to astronomy to archaeology. The large temple complex likewise includes a landscaped garden with remarkable stone sculptures.
Wat Pho has long been considered a place of healing. You can get a traditional Thai or foot massage here, but the prices are significantly higher than what you will find at massage parlors elsewhere in the city.
3. Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also know as the Temple of the Dawn, was built in the first half of the 19th century, symbolizing the birth of the Rattanakosin Duration and the starting of the brand new capital after the fall of Ayutthaya.
With a height over 75 meters (246 feet), Wat Arun is easy to spot from the opposite side of the Chao Praya River. It’s one of the most impressive temples in Bangkok, and if you manage to climb to the top, you can get a panoramic view of the river and the city below.
The excellent shape of Wat Arun’s towering spires is among the most acknowledged in Southeast Asia and it’s one of the most iconic sites in Bangkok.
4. Chatuchak Weekend Market
Bangkok’s sprawling weekend market is the largest in the world. With over 15,000 stalls, the Chatuchak Market offers just about anything you can dream of.
From delicious street food to Buddhist images and any souvenirs you might like, at a much cheaper price than anywhere else in Bangkok.
This is a great place to mingle with locals and immerse yourself in everyday Thai life. Haggling is motivated and welcomed here.
5. Bangkok Floating Markets
The popularity of floating markets once earned Bangkok the nickname “Venice of the East.”
For an even more interesting market experience, you can arrange a tour or head to one of Bangkok’s best know floating markets. Taling Chan, Bang Ku Wiang, Tha Kha, or Damnoen Saduak Markets are located just 1.5 or 2 hours outside Bangkok and can be easily reached by taxi or public transportation.
Find longtail boats stacked high with tropical vegetables and fruit, fresh, ready-to-drink coconut juice, and regional food prepared right on the boat. Visiting any of these floating markets is a must while in Bangkook.
6. Lumpini Park
At over 500,000 sq. meters Lumpini Park providers visitors with a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Hang out on one of several lawn areas, enjoy the shade of a Chinese pagoda, take part in all sorts of activities, even practice Yoga or Thai Chi, take a boat out on the lake, or simply relax.
Lumpini Park is a great place to spend an afternoon or an evening before sunset, enjoying the contrast of the tranquil park with the skyscrapers rising all around it.
7. Jim Thompson House
Located in central Bangkok, the historic home of Jim Thompson is a museum housing the art collection of American businessman and architect Jim Thompson.
Thompson, also know as “Thai Silk King” has became a major collector of Southeast Asian art, which at the time, was not well known internationally. The museum offers insights into his life and business, as well as the history of the city and the Thai silk industry.
Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, an important honor given to foreigners who have made significant contributions to Thailand.
While on vacation in Malaysia in 1967, Thompson mysteriously disappeared after leaving his cottage for a walk through jungle trails. His disappearance has been a mystery for half a century. Theories abound: he was kidnapped, or he was killed by a tiger, or he got lost and perished in the deep forest – No one knows.
8. Chinatown
Every major city has its own Chinatown, but Bangkok’s Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in the world. The China Gate at the western entrance is an ornate ceremonial gate. It provides plenty of photo opportunities, even during night time.
Bangkok Chinatown receives most of its fame for its mouthwatering street food and renowned temples. In addition, there are also a handful of museums and exhibitions you can visit while exploring this part of town. The two most famous temples located in Chinatown are: Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and Wat Traimit, which holds the largest gold Buddha in the world.
Packed full of street stalls and restaurants, the choice of places to eat in Chinatown it’s endless, nowhere else in Bangkok will you get to try as many kinds of Chinese food as you can find here. At night, Yaowarat Road – the major street of Chinatown – transforms into one of the largest street food spots in the world. Sampeng Lane is a long, narrow street full of goods, perfect to shop for souvenirs at a very cheap price.
9. Khao San Road
Khao San Road is one of Bangkok’s most popular nightlife areas for backpackers. It’s a crazy atmosphere, yet colorful and exciting. Khao San Road has a laid-back scene – there are bars with pumping tunes, live music, nightclubs to dance the night away, several massage parlors, food vendors, street stalls selling cheap clothing and souvenirs.
But there are more to Khao San Road than just the party atmosphere or the nightlife. There are plenty of other things you can do. You can visit the Bangkok’s National Gallery or visit the Ghost Tower; you can look around Wat Chana Songkhram, another Buddhist temple, which provides a perfect place for peace and quiet away from the surrounding busy streets.
Or you can just simply relax on one of the terraces at Khao San Road. Choose a nice restaurant or a bar and sit on the terrace, and enjoy everything that you see happening around you.
Moreover, if you really want to feel relaxed and pampered, have a thai massage. Traditional Thai massage is renowned all around the world. The experience of a Thai massage will give you a new lease of life whilst making you feel invigorated as well as balanced.
10. Safari World
Located just 35 km (22 miles) outside Bangkok, Safari World is a big favorite amongst families and kids. Opened in 1988, Safari World is not only a place for gathering knowledge about the ways and lives of wild animals, but it also offers a host of entertaining shows and other activities.
Safari World consists of two parks named Safari Park and Marine Park.
The tour starts at the open-air Safari Park, where you can enjoy an impressive 8 km (5 miles) long journey through an area where wild animals wander free. From zebras, camels, gazellas, rhinos, giraffes to tigers, lions, even black bears, you can marvel at a vast majority of species.
The main attractions of Safari World are located in Marine Park. Seven shows take place daily, including a bird, a dolpin, a sea lion, an orangutan boxing show, as well as everyone’s favorite: the elephant show.
Other attractions at the Marine Park included Jungle Cruise and Safari Terrace, where visitors could feed hundreds of giraffes with bananas and leaves. Another exhibit called Tiger Kingdom has enclosures for Bengal, White, and Siberian tigers.
There has been controversy about Safari World for its treatment of animals. Their operation came under international scrutiny when their treatment of animals, particularly orangutans and elephants.
Despite the contoversies, Safari World Bangkok remains one of Thailand’s most famous and iconic animal parks.
0 Comments