Things to do in BANGKOK
Below are all the places we visited while in Bangkok:
Khao San Road, Phra Nakhon
Khao San Road is an extremely popular strip for tourists to visit. Its nightlife, exotic foods and cheap accommodation keeps tourists visiting time and time again. Be aware, you will be bombarded by reps, it is not the cheapest and it is not the nicest of areas, but if you fancy a night out and want to meet other backpackers, it is a great location to hang out.
Terminal 21 - Shopping Mall, Sukhumvit
10am-10pm
Terminal 21 is a shopping mall resembling an airport where each level is themed with a famous city. Although the decorations do not transport you to London or Tokyo, it does a good job of creating this illusion. With its many quirky shops, we were mainly drawn in by its food court. So much so, we ventured to Terminal 21 twice in one day.
Wat Suthat - Temple, Phra Nakhon
9am-6pm
100THB per person
Dress Code: Must have covered shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering the temple and place them on a shoe rack.
Wat Suthat is a beautiful temple situated in the old city. As with any other Buddhist temple, the architecture is mesmerising and there are plenty of Buddha images to view.
Surprisingly, this temple was a lot less crowded and nearby traffic could hardly be heard despite its busy location.
Benchakitti Park, Chatuchak
5am-8pm
Benchakitti Park is a public park that provides relief from the chaos of Bangkok life. You can spend a few hours enjoying the quiet, people watching and observing wildlife. Although there is nothing adventurous to do here, it is a great spot to slow down, get some rest from the sunshine and it's free!
MBK - Shopping Mall, Pathum Wan
10am-10pm
MBK is one of Bangkok’s largest shopping malls spanning over 8 levels. With 2000 shops offering electronics, fashion, accessories and more, you will struggle not to find what you are looking for. Once you have had a shop around, head to the 6th floor where you will be blessed with cheap and tasty food costing between 60-130 baht.
The Grand Palace - Temple, Riverside
8:30am-3:30pm
500TBH per person
Dress Code: Must have covered shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering the temple and place them on a shoe rack.
The Grand Palace is as it sounds, very grand. Built in 1782, its purpose was for both royal duties and state occasions. For us tourists, its selling point is not just its grandeur but its impressive size, intricate murals and ostentatious style. Although this complex is a bit pricey and crammed with people, it is one of the best attractions you will see in Bangkok and should not be missed.
Asiatique (The Riverfront) - Shopping Mall, Riverside
11am-12am
Dress Code: Smart/Casual
Asiatique is a night market and mall, and home to an array of restaurants. Situated on the riverfront with scenic views and a carnival atmosphere, this complex is a bit more pricey than traditional food court meals. Spending 1,483 baht here was a real treat for us. Please note Charlie accidentally agreed to buy a bucket of beer costing more than my meal! For reference, I would say this is Bangkok’s equivalent to Downtown Disney, Orlando, Florida.
Chinatown, Riverside
Chinatown is bustling with food stalls and people, and is home to one of Bangkok's many markets. With its tight alleys and hundreds of people, I would not recommend this to anyone with a fear of getting trampled on or anyone who has claustrophobia. But despite this flaw, it is quite an experience being among the madness of this area.
Chatuchak Weekend Market, Chatuchak
Wednesday&Thursday (plant section only) - 7am-6pm
Fridays (wholesale only) - 6pm-12am
Saturday&Sunday - 9am-6pm
Chatuchak Weekend Market or 'The Maze’ as I like to call it, is the world's largest weekend market with over 15,000 stalls and roughly 200,000 people visiting per weekend. It would be an understatement to say this market is huge. It is so huge that you could spend a whole day exploring and still not see it all. From food to clothes, to toys, it has it all.
Wat Pho - Temple, Riverside
8am-6pm
200THB per person
Dress Code: Must have covered shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering the temple and place them on a shoe rack.
Wat Pho is a short distance from The Grand Palace and at 200 baht you might as well give it a visit. This temple is notably known for housing thousands of Buddha images and an enormous reclining Buddha. Measuring 46 metres in length and 15 metres in height, this statue is spectacular. Unaware to us one of the most fascinating elements of this statue is the 108 Auspicious Symbols of Buddhist philosophy decorated on the bottom of its feet.
SUGGESTIONS
Below is something that we missed in Bangkok, that may be of interest to you:
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, Taling Chan
Weekends and public holidays only 8am-5pm
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is as the name states, a floating market. Well, sort of. The market is positioned on the outskirts of the canal with a handful of boats offering services. With stalls offering souvenirs and traditional Thai food, the area allows you the option to live like a local. If you want to see more of the market, you can pay for a small boat tour of around 100 baht per person.
Accommodation in BANGKOK
Below are three different accommodations we had the pleasure, or displeasure, to stay in:
Matchbox Hostel, Sukhumvit – AVOID IF POSSIBLE
Pros:
- Cheap as chips
- Great location
Cons:
- In desperate need of renovations
- Lack of personal space
= £7.94 per night
Boutique Poo-Yai Lee, Chatuchak - GREAT
Pros:
- Spacious room
- Short walk to laundromat
Cons:
- The location is best for the weekend market
- Expensive
= £27.76 per night
Yeast & Yawn Airbnb, Pom Prap Sattru Phai - GOOD
Pros:
- Easy access to coffee
- Spacious room
Cons:
- No windows
- Language barrier
= £23.56 per night
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