Joanna James
Bangkok is one of those places that you will never get tired of visiting, as there will always be something to do there, a new site to explore, and new food to try out. This guide will show you the best things you could do in Bangkok, so you can have the best vacation of your life!
The Grand Palace, originally known as Phra Borom Maharatchawangit, was built in 1782 and used to be the official residence of the monarchy. The palace is now open for visitors and is usually the first thing on one's itinerary. Visitors only have access to a few of the buildings but be sure not to miss out on the Grand Palace Hall, a beautiful remnant of a bygone era.
Hiring a guide is highly recommended since they are ready to provide useful bits of information about the palace, so you can truly appreciate it.
The river flows right through the heart of Bangkok, enabling you to move around the city using a scenic route, all for 15 Baht. Bangkok earned the name "The Venice of the East" because of the Chao Phraya river snaking through the city, with ferry taxis and boats always available for you to hop on and go for a ride. Most important places in Bangkok usually have docks for you to be dropped off at too.
A popular option for tourists and budget travellers, this part of town has inexpensive hostels in abundance. It is also a great place from which to book tours to smaller Thai islands or even to Chiang Rai. You can find good street food for good value, as well as various other niche restaurants for great prices too.
Chinatown is a narrow street that is often packed to the brim with visitors and locals alike. Here you can discover various types of food for the adventurer in you, as well as various other goods on a mass scale. Toys, household items, electronics, and even beauty products, are all available at wholesale prices.
Yet another hectic market for you to shop at is the largest flower market in all of Thailand. Any restaurant or shop you see adorning flowers, has likely got them from this market. You can easily get to the market using the Chao Phraya River, and spend an afternoon in the fragrance of the most beautiful flowers in the world.
Thai cuisine is diverse and has influences from all over the world. Creating dishes with their own unique flavours is something the Thai excel at, and is an experience you should definitely not miss out on. Either enjoy some street food that Bangkok is famous for or get a bit fancy and have a great meal at a hotel like Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18.
Bangkok offers great cooking courses, take one so that next time you crave some Thai food (which will most probably be quite soon), you can whip out your newfound cooking knowledge and prepare a meal to satisfy your cravings! A cooking class will also help you decide how and what to order from street food stalls or other restaurants.
If there's one thing Bangkok is famous for other than its cuisine, it's the traditional Thai massage. It is arguably the most ideal form of relaxation, and massage parlours can be found sprinkled throughout the city. Cap off your relaxation spree with a night swim in a Bangkok hotel rooftop pool, overlooking the night lights of the bustling city.
Whether it is to visit a temple or do a bout of shopping, a tuk-tuk is the best form of transport through the busy streets of Bangkok. It is quite fascinating (if not a bit heart-stopping) to see tuk-tuk drivers veer through traffic with expert precision. A tuk-tuk ride can, however, be exhausting due to the constant motion, so use them sparingly.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
