Ultimate Guide to Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand is almost always a part of a traveler’s itinerary. For some it’s a stopover on their way in or out of the country. For others, it’s a big part of their adventure through Thailand. Bangkok is one of those places that people love or they hate. For me, it’s a love. Which is why I wanted to put together the Ultimate Guide to Bangkok, Thailand from someone who loves it dearly.

NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BANGKOK, THAILAND

LOCATION: Bangkok is located in Central Thailand just along the banks of the Chao Phraya River just before it meets the ocean. 
WHEN TO VISIT: November to March is often cited as the best times to visit Bangkok. This is when the temps and the normally-smothering humidity is down a notch or so. However, I’ve been in April, September and October, and the fall was still wonderful. It’s a bit of rainy season still, but the rains are often swift (although heavy) and then you can go about your day. However, April, was hot and smothering. 
BE RESPECTFUL: Thailand is a country where the majority of the country’s population is a follows Theravada Buddhism. Because of this it is not only culturally polite, but also the law, to be respectful of images of the Buddha in addition to monks. In fact, having a tattoo of the Buddha is illegal, so if you have one, keep that covered.
THEY DRIVE ON THE LEFT: This may seem like a silly thing to note, but as someone who comes from a country where we drive on the right, it’s so worth noting – even if you’re just walking. That way you look the correct way when crossing a street.
ABOUT BAHT: The local currency in Thailand is Baht. There are about 30 Baht to 1 USD. While you can use a card in many places, you’ll want to carry a decent amount of cash as well for street food + markets.
7-ELEVEN WILL FULFILL MANY OF YOUR NEEDS: 7-Eleven is king in Thailand and an essential part to any guide to Bangkok. You’ll see one on just about every block in Bangkok, as well as many other cities. Here you’ll be able to grab a cheap meal, a snack, a drink, bandaids, face masks and other small items you might need. Plus, they’re air conditioned, so they’re a great place to pop in on a super hot and humid day.

GETTING TO BANGKOK

Our Guide to Bangkok wouldn’t be complete without telling you the ways you can get to Bangkok, both from outside Southeast Asia and from within Southeast Asia.

BY PLANE: Bangkok is the most easily accessible city in Thailand to get by plane. Planes come in and out all the time from all over the world. In fact, this is why Bangkok is part of the itinerary of almost every trip to Thailand. Just know there are two airports BKK + DMK, so be sure you’re heading to the correct airport if you’re flying out. The is obviously the fastest mode of transport, but also the most expensive.
BY TRAIN: The train network in Thailand is pretty fantastic. So, it’s easy to get to Bangkok from many other cities within Thailand. Also, if you’re coming from Laos, the sleeper train from Vientiane is fantastic. I’ve done it twice, and had wonderful experiences both times. Plus, these rates are very reasonable and really comfortable, compared to the buses.
BY BUS: Like the train system, the bus system in Thailand, and all of southeast Asia is very well connected. This is often the cheapest method of getting around, but it can take a loooong time. Buses make a lot of stops. However, it’s a fantastic option if you’re traveling on a budget. I’ve taken a lot of these as well.

GUIDE TO BANGKOK, THAILAND – WHAT TO SEE

WAT PHO: Wat Pho’s famous reclining Buddha is one of the most famous things to see in Bangkok. However, Wat Pho is so much more than the 150-foot reclining Buddha. There are stunning tiled stupas, smaller temples and amazing things you can take part in like a Thai massage or a coin meditation. Helpful hint, try to get there right when it opens to avoid massive crowds.

GRAND PALACE: Bangkok’s Grand Palace was the royal residence for the Thai king until the early 1900’s. Now, it serves as the home of the royal ceremonies in addition to a museum and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Believe it or not, in the four times I’ve been to Bangkok, I’ve yet to visit the Grand Palace. We went one day, but it was closed to foreign visitors in remembrance of the late king. We planned to go the next visit and I ended up being unwell. But this is on my list for the next visit. (photo from Pixabay)

EAT ALL THE FOOD: Thailand is well-known for its decadent cuisine. To me, Thai cuisine is one of the ultimate mixes and balances of flavor. In one meal, even in one dish, you get a beautiful combination of flavors: sweet, salty, bitter and sour. In one dish you’ll find pork, fruit and garlic. In another you’ll find a spicy curry with prawns and coconut milk. Each bite is a pop of flavors. Another thing that makes Thai food even better is you can have an entire meal for only $1. Street food is king here in Thailand’s capital. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to connect with the local culture as well. Guide to Bangkok Bonus taking a street food tour, like this one, is a great way to discover some insane street food!

WAT ARUN: Wat Arun, often referred to as the sunrise temple, is a stunning, massive temple that sits across the river from other popular sites, like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Although it’s a Buddhist temple, it derives a lot of its symbolism from Hinduism – even the name Arun, comes from the Hindu god Aruna who is often represented as the rays of the sunrise. This temple’s massive pagoda that rises from the center of the structure is decorated withe porcelain and colorful tiles. (Photo from Pixabay)

SHOP IN A MARKET: There are literally dozens of markets in Bangkok: night markets, produce markets, a train market, a flower market, weekend markets, etc. You can find a market going at just about any given moment of every single day. You can find some that are geared more to tourists, some are like a flea market, some are like a craft fair, some have clothes… you get the picture. We had so much fun roaming markets. Sometimes we bought snacks + trinkets, but sometimes we just roamed through and took in the sights and sounds that surrounded us.

VISIT VARIOUS SMALLER TEMPLES: Of course, the big temples in Bangkok get a lot of the hype, but that’s not because the smaller ones aren’t worth visiting. These are often a significantly more intimate experience and you’re much more likely to be able to interact with locals. However, remember that these locals are in their place of worship, so be respectful. You’ll be just as mesmerized by paintings, Buddha figures and architecture in these temples as the bigger ones. My favorite of the smaller temples we visited is Wat Suthat (first photo).

TAKE A COOKING CLASS: While in Bangkok, we partnered with the Market Experience to take a cooking class. It was unforgettable. This class is held in the Flower Market and combines a tour of that market with cooking delicious Thai foods with a twist: using flowers. Come to this class hungry, though. We made two appetizers and three entrees for just the two of us, and our two amazing chefs, of course! Taking a cooking class is a great way to get even better acquainted with the local cuisine. You learn what a labor of love different dishes are and you get to take the recipes home with you!

HANG OUT IN A CITY PARK: We discovered the magic that is Bangkok’s city parks somewhat serendipitously. We were waiting for Wat Pho to open and popped over to the nearby park and fell in love! These parks are so beautifully cultivated and landscaped. People are gathered together to exercise, there are historical displays, skyline views orchid gardens and so much more! Each park has something different to offer and we enjoyed getting to know these areas where many locals spend part of their day and they’re a free and fun addition to any guide to Bangkok.

TAKE A WALK: Bangkok is huge. There are so many different things to see. The architecture goes from massive skyscrapers all the way to shanty towns built along railroad tracks. Taking a long walk will help you to get a feel for the dichotomy that lives in this city. You’ll discover street art, canals, beautiful facades, smaller temples and so much more that you’ll only discover upon taking a stroll through the city. It’s a simple but memorable essential to any guide to Bangkok, Thailand.

GET A THAI MASSAGE: There is nothing quite like a Thai massage. It’s like doing yoga, with a partner, who also happens to be a chiropractor and massage therapist. You’ll pop, bend and get rubbed down all for the low low cost of $10 for an hour – depending on where you go and ability to barter. (photo source: Pixabay.)

VISIT ONE (OR TWO, OR THREE…) OF THE MALLS IN BANGKOK: The malls in Bangkok are a site to behold. If they have a festival (like the Christmas festival of lights above at Central World) it’s all out. They’re massive, and they’re beautifully crafted. You can have access to a lot of your favorite Western chains, like Auntie Annes Pretzels. There’s even one mall, Terminal 21, that is themed. Each floor is decorated to reflect a specific city from around the world. One is San Francisco, complete with a Golden Gate Bridge. Another is London with Underground signs, a double decker bus and a red phone booth. With over 20 malls to choose from, you’re sure to find something that surprises you… and maybe something you need to buy.

VISIT BANGKOK’S CHINATOWN: Bangkok’s Chinatown is amazing. Not only does it feel like you’ve stopped right into a different culture, you’re going to find some amazing food through here. There are traditional Chinese foods and Chinese foods done with a Thai twist. We stopped here on a street food tour and I fell in love with sesame balls and ginger soup for dessert. Sounds a little weird, but try it! (Photo from Canva).

FIND OUT IF THERE’S A FESTIVAL GOING ON: Thailand is a country rich with festivals. Some ancient and sacred, some modern and borrowed. If you’re a lover of festivals a quick Google search will let you know what’s going on, or better yet, ask the person working at your hostel or accommodation if they know of anything going on. That’s how we found out Loi Krathong was going on. 

DIALOGUE IN THE DARK: Dialogue in the Dark is located on the 4th floor of Chamchuri Square. It’s a wonderful experience that takes you through Thai lifestyle experiences, but it’s with a twist… you’re in the dark. It’s an eye-opening-experience, no pun intended, but one that will leave an impact on you.

WHAT NOT TO DO IN BANGKOK

I believe in honesty about a destination, and my guide to Bangkok comes with an asterisk. Is Bangkok without flaws? Absolutely not. Just because I love Bangkok doesn’t mean that I love any and all of the activities that occur in Bangkok. Bangkok is well known for its sex tourism industry. It’s a terrible stain on this wonderful city. It can be easy to fall prey to curiosity when it comes to something like a Ping Pong Show. I get it, we walked out on one on our first visit to Bangkok after curiosity got the best of us. I’ve returned a handful of times since and refuse to even entertain the thought of attending a Ping Pong show or anything else that gives off the vibe of sex tourism.

GUIDE TO BANGKOK, THAILAND – WHERE TO STAY

There are so many options for different places to stay in Bangkok. You can have luxurious bliss, peaceful middle ground, comfortable + affordable or barebones budget. Bangkok is well-equipped to literally house any style of traveler. Below are the places we’ve stayed and loved.

PANPAN HOSTEL: We loved this hostel so much that we stayed here over and over again. We had a private room with shared bath and it was the perfect amount of space for the two of us. They have dorm rooms + private rooms. Their lobby has tables and couches perfect for eating a meal you grab from the street or to use as a workspace. The location is just down from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and near a wonderful morning market, a stellar street food market and walkable to just about any destination in town. The staff is incredibly helpful and they have a rooftop patio. It’s so wonderful. BOOK HERE!
AIM HOUSE BANGKOK: Aim House Bangkok is a beautiful hotel that sits just on the other side of the river from Bangkok’s Sky bar. While this may seem off-the-beaten-path it’s a super short, 8-minute walk from the BTS SkyTrain which can get you across the river in no time. The rooms here are spacious, super comfortable and a more traditional hotel room. BOOK HERE!

FIND THE BEST DEAL FOR YOUR OWN ADVENTURE IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

 

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Guide to Bangkok, Thailand – Detailed Posts From Bangkok

Because I have several weeks of experience traveling in Bangkok, I have a handful of detailed posts from that time. To read these, simply click on the photos.

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