Overview Hotels Things to Do Restaurants Nightlife Itineraries Facts Explore Travel

Your First Time in Bangkok

Description:

Bangkok is a world unto itself and a trip here can cover a lot of ground in a short time period. Temples such as Wat Pho and its Reclining Buddha or the riverside Wat Arun shouldn't be missed. The ornate Grand Palace is required viewing and a stop at the National Museum helps make sense of it all. But the food, the people, the Thai ways and manners play an equal part in the experience. This guide aims to put a balance among all these elements and though you may leave vowing to come back, you will at least have a firm grip on what Bangkok is all about. The SkyTrain is a fabulous way to get around but taxis are also cheap and the three-wheeled tuktuks, though often a haggling endeavor, are worth at least one ride. A trip up the Chao Phraya river shouldn't be missed and the local ferry boats there cost but pocket change. Prepare yourself for a feast for all senses.

Author: Kevin

Day 1 - Bangkok

Some may have more interest in temples (wats) than others but the ones listed here are the quintessential stops. Fortunately they can be strung together in one route. Stop off at Wat Arun as you travel up the Chao Phraya river by boat from Central Pier, then cross over to Wat Pho. From there it is a short walk to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Spend some time at the National Museum, again within walking distance, to sense the depth of Thai history and culture. Markets are a big part of like in Bangkok -- from the colorful floating market outside the city to the streetside vendors in Chinatown and the flower market. Shoppers hit the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Muay Thai or Thai boxing is a sight to behold and the Patpong market somehow balances red light district with casual shopping almost suitable for families.

1

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
Rama IV Road
10500 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 251 4303

National Museum

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
Na Phrathat Road
Phra Nakhon
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 224 1404 / +66 2 224 1333

Patpong Night Market

Location:

view in google maps
Patpong Soi 1
Between Silom and Suriwong Rds
10500 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 225 7612(Tourist Information)

Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha)

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
Na Phralan Road
Phra Borommaharatchawong
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 222 0094 / +66 2 222 6889 / +66 2 222 2208

Wat Pho

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
2 Sanamchai Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 222 5910 / +66 2 226 2942 / +66 2 226 1743 / +66 2 225 9595

Grand Palace

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
East of the river, on Na Phra Lan Rd., near Sanam Luang
10500 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
Bang Phae-Damnoen Saduak Road
Samut Songkhram
70120 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 225 7612(Tourist Information)

Chinatown (Yaowarat)

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
Yaowarat Road
Sampanthawong District
10110 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 02 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Day 2 - Bangkok

Travel with your tongue. Thai food hits all the spicy notes and the variety is more than you ever imagined at your hometown Thai restaurant. Suda is a good cheap sit-down sampler with an expansive menu for exploration. Dining on the river is a treat as well and Supatra River House has the benefit of some traditional Thai dancing shows. Lemon Grass simply does it right and in Chinatown you can explore the menu with your feet. If there is one splurge for the trip, check out Sirocco. The rooftop open-air fine dining restaurant is memorable and if the price is too rich, perhaps just stop in for a drink. But what is not listed here but has no standard address is street food. Eat it wherever and whenever you can. No place does pushcarts and food stands like Thailand, from pad Thai and curries to grilled seafood and fruit smoothies.

1

Supatra River House

Location:

view in google maps
266 Soi Wat Rakhang, Arunamarin Road
Siriraj, Bangkoknoi
411-0305 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 411 0305

Suda

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
6-6/1 Soi 14, Sukhumvit Road
10110 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 229 4518

Sirocco

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
63rd floor, 1055/ 111 Silom Road
State Tower Bangkok
10500 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 (0)2 624 9576 / +66 (0)2 624 9555

Lemon Grass

user rating

Location:

view in google maps
5/1 Soi 24, Sukhumvit Road
Soi 24
10110 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 2258 8637

Chinatown

Location:

view in google maps
Yaowarat Road
Sampanthawong District
10110 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 02 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Day 3 - Bangkok

There is bar closing time and the time bars close and those two things can be quite different depending on the neighborhood police officers. Expect 1 or 2 a.m. or later at the hopping joints. Clubs such as the hi-so Curve enforce a dress code, while laid back live music venues such as Saxophone couldn't care less. RCA (Royal Crown Avenue) is a private road (pay a small change fee to enter) along Petchaburi Road where several popular clubs can be found including Route 66. But if the international DJ scene of the quirky Bed Supper Club is not your scene than maybe a relaxed beer garden and a cultural attraction is a better option. Thai puppetry is a dying art still being performed inside Suan Lum Night Bazaar and the street food here goes well with cold tap beers.

1

Saxophone Pub & Restaurant

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
3/8 Phayathai Rd
Victory Monument
10400 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 2 2246 5472

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
1875 Rama IV Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan
(opposite Lumpini Park)
10330 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 0 2 252 4776

Route 66

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
Royal City Avenue
Bangkok, Thailand

Joe Louis Theater

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
1875 Rama IV Road, Lumpini
Bangkok Suan-lum Night Bazaar
10330 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 2 252 9683

Curve

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
59/9 Ekkamai Road Soi 1
10110 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 0 2 714 2323

Bed Supperclub

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
26 Soi Sukhumvit 11
Sukhumvit Road Klongtoey-nua, Wattana
10110 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 2 651 3537

Day 4 - Bangkok

Five Important Temples to Learn More About Buddhism - While Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew may get much of the temple love, the lesser known or lesser visited wats have a lot to reveal about Thai culture and Buddhism. Buddhist relics in Yannawa, the massive gold Buddha and museums at Wat Traimit Wittayaram and the wisdom of meditation at Wat Mahathat offer a look into the spiritual side of Bangkok.

2