Sumptuous temples, street food, markets, crazy nightlife, friendly places, tuk tuk, Chao Phraya river, massages, Chinatown… Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is a vibrant city mixing authenticity and modernity. A real crush!
In this article you will find the must-see in Bangkok and some tips to help you make the most of your stay in this fabulous “royal” megalopolis.
TIPS:
VISA: you do not need a “tourist visa” for a stay of less than 30 days in Thailand .
ACCOMODATION: if you are in a “rush” situation, I suggest you to stay north of Bangkok near the touristic district of Kho San Road in order to be close to the main temples and the “Grand Palace”. For your information: we stayed at the Lub D Silom hostel (south of the city) where we had a very good stay in a private room (about 18 euros per night). Good atmosphere, nice design and impeccable common sanitary facilities.
TRANSPORT: tuk tuk for short distances (negotiable prices) and for longer distances, I recommend the “sky line” and boat shuttles on the Chao Phraya river to avoid hallucinating traffic and exhaust pipes. You can also opt for a taxi in “off-peak hours” (cheaper than a tuk tuk); ask to activate the “meter” to have a price corresponding to the distance covered and not to your kind tourist head.
FOOD: if you are a fan of street food, the streets of Bangkok are a paradise! Special mention for Chinatown (go there in the evening), Kho San Road and finally Silom with the typical restaurant “Mama Mia” in Silom Road street: Soi Silom 20, Silom Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand +66 94 552 4226. The “boss” is a little woman who catches you on the street, makes you sit at one of her tables and makes sure that your experience is excellent.
NIGHT LIFE: very touristy and popular with backpackers but I have to admit that Kho San Road is crazy (don’t be afraid of crowds and decibels).
WHAT TO DO IN BANGKOK?
The “Royal Palace” and the “Wat Phra Kaew”
The “Wat Pho”: golden elongated Buddha over 40 meters long
The “Wat Arun”: at the end of the day to admire a mythical sunset
The “Royal barges” museum: located to the north of the city, you will discover these boats, more than 20 meters, meticulously prepared for special occasions.
Jim Thompson’s House: A collection of “Thai” statues and works of art owned by JT, an American entrepreneur and collector, expatriate and Thailand lover, who worked in the silk market and mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967.
The market of Chatuchak (weekends): clothes and objects of all kinds
Chinatown: very lively in the evening, perfect for all street food lovers
Kho San Road: the tourist district = street food, street shops, many bars, restaurants, massages…
Have a drink on a rooftop: Vertigo Bar, Skybar, Octave Rooftop Bar, Mode Sathorn Hotel).
Attend a Thai boxing match (all week long)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
For all visits to “sacred places” (temples, large palaces…) it is mandatory to have an appropriate outfit: legs covered for the bottom = minimum length below the knees / for the top the shoulders must be covered = at least a T-shirt, tank tops prohibited.
Don’t let yourself be trapped by a “canal tour” excursion in the south of the Chao Phraya River with a so-called floating market, fish farm… It’s clearly a scam! Well, we’ve been screwed, so I’d rather warn you. On the other hand, some taxi drivers will try to convince you to make this type of excursion at 1h30 from Bangkok, don’t let yourself be fooled!
Enjoy your trip.
Kathleen