Thailand, in general, was my first adventure to Asia. I had absolutely no idea what to expect, and honestly, I do not know if a description would have done it justice or prepared me for the adventure The constant chaos, almost intolerable spicy food and smog gave the city its own personality. Here’s how Bangkok made me fall in love with a country completely outside my “travel” comfort zone.
Let’s be honest, Bangkok can easily be overwhelming. Especially if it’s your first time in Asia. It is a city that never sleeps. Scooters weaving out of traffic stacked four people deep, makeshift restaurants popping up in the alleys, scenes that would never play out in the States at every corner.
And I was hooked.
Thailand embodies the word “hospitality.” When walking in a restaurant in Europe you might find yourself feeling like the awkward tourist in the room (it has happened to all of us), however, here you’ll find yourself with endless conversations and about four extra dishes than you ordered magically appearing at your table. And don’t worry about the tears rolling down your face after forgetting to ask for “less spice” in your food, it’s a rite of passage.
If you do find yourself halfway across the world, in Bangkok, or if you’re wondering if you should take the trip halfway across the world, here’s my Quick Guide to Bangkok.
Tips & Tricks:
When touring the city, bring a jacket or layering piece. When entering temples, you will need to cover your shoulders as a sign of respect. The city itself will most likely be 96 degrees and full humidity, so I found it easier to carry the jacket in my bag, instead of wearing it all day.
With that, pack shoes that are easy to take on and off. In Thailand, you take off your shoes before entering most places as a sign of respect. I made the mistake of bringing my most stylish shoes… that happened to take five minutes to put on.
Getting around:
Since it was our honeymoon, we really did not want to put much effort into seeing the city on our own. We hired a private driver for the entire trip and I would do it again. We were able to get to any part of the city, at any time of the day on our schedule. With the temperatures in the constant 90s, working AC was a blessing.
The Metra and SkyTrain are efficient, easy to navigate and a cheap way to get around the city. I would recommend taking the SkyTrain to the Chatuchak Market for the full Bangkok experience.
The most entertaining way to get around the city? Tuk-tuk. Be sure to negotiate on a price before starting the trip, as this can turn into a very simple tourist scam.
Need to move around Thailand? Thai Airlines (a Star Alliance member) or Bangkok Air are reliable and convenient options. Both airlines have lounges for their passengers and serve full food service on ALL flights. Best part? Most flights around Thailand are less than one hour.
What to see:
There are numerous temples to see in Bangkok. My favorites? Be sure to put Wat Pho, the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and Wat Arun on your bucket list.
You can spend half of a day at the Grand Palace. Take note, the palace fills up quick, so be sure to arrive in the morning to avoid the crowds. They also have a super strict dress code; be sure to cover your knees and shoulders.
For a completely new experience, make a visit to one of the many floating markets. These can be found around an hour outside Bangkok; they make for a good day trip to escape the city.
Where to Stay:
I could not recommend the St. Regis Bangkok more. It was hands down, one of the best hotel experience I’ve ever had (read my full review here), from full butler service to the unbelievable rooftop pool. Want more options? There are numerous high end options in Bangkok which include Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, and Banyan Tree.
Eating in Bangkok:
Must try items? Add Jack fruit, Durian, Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup), and Tom Kha Gai (Chicken in Coconut Soup) to your list.
We did not scope out a lot of restaurants before our trip, instead we found ourselves wandering into various restaurants, getting recommendations from our hotel, and making the occasional stop at the street vendor for Pad Thai.
Make a reservation at the Skybar at the Lebua Hotel for drinks with incredible view of Bangkok. It is one of the highest open air restaurants and bars in the world. You might recognize this location from the movie, Hangover 2.
Where to Shop:
Thailand’s largest market is located in Bangkok. Make a day out of Chatuchak Market on either a Saturday or Sunday. With over 8,ooo vendors, you’ll be sure to find all the souvenirs for all your friends.
Wonder why Asia is known for their shopping malls? Head over to Siam Paragon to stroll one of the largest malls and most extravagant shopping centers in Thailand.
Next up, visit Pak Klong Talad, The Bangkok Flower Market, to add some color to your day. Coolest part? The market is open 24 hours and most popular in the middle of the night.
Still need to add to your agenda?
Make it a full Thai experience by going to see a Thai Boxing Match or ask your hotel concierge for a recommendation for an authentic Thai massage.
Have you been to Bangkok before? Do you have any recommendations for Bangkok?
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