Bangkok, Thailand
BANGKOK TRAVEL GUIDE
Setting the scene for Bangkok...
Bangkok is an incredible city filled with a vibrant street life, rich cultural heritage, majestic temples and out-of-this-world food. Oh and let's not forget the shopping ladies!
I’ve been to Bangkok twice and have fallen in love with the city and can’t wait for my next visit.
Both times I was traveling solo.
So ignore the stories about Thailand and Bangkok being all about ladyboys, red light districts and sleaze....
And instead embrace this cultural wonderland.
So lets get started...
There is so much to see and do in Bangkok and I have barely scratched the surface in my visits so I’m just sharing with you places that I have personally visited.
Like any destination there are some basics that will make your visit a lot easier.
The Basics...
Currency
The Thai Baht (THB) is official currency of Thailand. But cash is preferred even in some shops in the malls. 711 will only accept credit cards if your purchase is over a certain amount.
ATMS are plentiful and I would recommend using the main Thai Bank ATMS includingg:
- Bangkok Bank
- Siam Commercial
- BankKrung
- Thai Bank
- Kasikornbank
You will almost always find ATMS outside a 711 store which are prolific in Thailand.
Climate
Ok Thailand is hot and humid and Bangkok sits on a river and is filled with canals. So you will have the full experience of heat bouncing off the buildings and the humidity off all that water.
So you really when to visit. The best time is December to March.
And do not underestimate the affect of the heat and humidity. A lot of people make the mistake that they can walk everywhere and do a lot more than they think they can in the heat.
Language
It’s always unsettling to be in a foreign country with a new language especially and Thailand has its own alphabet (characters).
The good news is that Bankgok is an international city and most signs are in English and Thai. And many people that you will interact with speak some English.
But do make an effort to learn a couple of basic phrases….
If you say them with a smile no matter how bad your pronunciation you will always receive a warm welcome.
This is my sum total extent of Thai and it has served me well spending 5 weeks in Thailand 🙂
Sawasdee (Krub/Ka): Hello (for males/females)
Khob khun (Krub/Ka): Thank you (for males/females)
Chai: Yes
Mai chai: No
Kob kun mak: Thank you very much
Power Plugs
Electricity in Thailand is 220 voltage vs. 120 voltage used in the US and Canada.
Power outlets usually feature two-prong round or flat sockets. You will need a plug adaptor and likely a power converter.
Airports
There are two airports in Bangkok so be sure to know which one you will be arriving and departing from.
I fly in and out of Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
This is a large airport and very well organized. There is a new satellite international terminal so which is connected to the main terminal by a light rail train.
Again this is easy to find with lots of good signage to direct you.
While I talk about ground transportation in a little bit,
I wanted to call out here that there is an excellent taxi service and system which I have used for both my visits arriving either late at night or very early in the morning.
Follow the signs to the taxi area. When you step outside you will line up in a queue depending on the time of day it can be long and busy or you might be the only person in line.
When you get to the end of the queue there are kiosks where you print a ticket which will tell you which parking spot your taxi is in.
There are staff to help if needed and the taxi drivers will also help you find your correct taxi and driver.
Ground Transportation
The one thing you will hear about Bangkok is that it is crazy when it comes to traffic and getting around the city.
People joke that Bangkok is a city that was built and then the city planners arrived afterwards to figure out how to connect it all together….
So be patient and don’t expect to get anywhere fast…
Instead sit back and enjoy the crazy chaotic scene as all part of your adventure.
There are plenty of taxis to get you around the city and they are brightly coloured so easy to spot. Just be sure to check that they have their meter and that it is running.
I have taken taxis with no meter but the Concierge at the hotel has negotiated the fare for me before I get in.
Now this is important there is NO Uber in Thailand at this time but…
Instead everyone uses the ride share GRAB.
There are two mass transit systems which at first can be confusing.
MRT is the Mass Rapid Transit system and the BTS Skytrain. Both are inexpensive and easy to work out how to get your tickets etc. But…
They are two systems and don’t seamlessly connect if you have to use both to get from Point A to Point B.
You might find yourself walking a block or two to make connections in the heat and humidity!
Last but certainly not least is the brightly coloured and instantly recognizable Tuk Tuk.
Tuk Tuk’s do not use a meter, you have to negotiate your fare before you get in and they typically travel short distances.
Take a moment to look at the driver, as you can see from the picture here it was a no brainer for me to ride with this woman and her beautiful children.
But also take a moment to check out what shape the vehicle is in!
Clothing
Have a hat or umbrella with you at all times you will be amazed at how much having one of those items will reduce the heat a life saving few degrees when walking around the city.
Hot tip purchase a small paper fan - another life saver!
The next thing is to think carefully about what shoes you are going to wear.
Your feet are going to burn up no matter what. Hint, hint, keep reading and don’t skip the section on massages.
You also want to be able to easily slip your shoes on and off if you to go inside temples.
Last but not least is wear loose clothes made of natural materials.
Linen is my favourite and yes it wrinkles like heck but you’ll see so many people around you also wearing linen looking equally crumpled but at least we are all a shade cooler and comfortable.
Thailand overall is a more conservative country when it comes to how they dress and you will definitely feel this in the city.
You will see most local woman wearing clothes with some kind of sleeve.
And to enter a temple you will need to cover your shoulders and knees so no denim cutoff shorts or spaghetti strap tops.
Accommodation
A lot of the big hotels are right on the river Chao Phraya.
However for each of my visits I have chosen to stay at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse in the Bang Rak area.
It’s a 5 minute Tuk Tuk ride from the river to catch a ferry including one that takes you directly across to the famous Icon Siam mall.
It’s also only a 10 minute taxi ride (depending on traffic) from the Terminal 21 Shopping Mall.
I love it for the following reasons:
- The staff are wonderful and the service amazing
- The location is centrally located
- The hotel has a wonderful character and ambience
- It has a drop dead gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant on the 33rd floor and…
- An infinity pool on the 18th floor
- And plenty of dine in options
- And taxi drivers know where to find it
Oh and did I mention they have full spa services :-)
Shopping
There is shopping galore in Bangkok and the malls are so huge that you can easily spend half a day to a day in them. The two that I have visited are Terminal 21 and Icon Siam.
The malls are not just about shopping they are an “experience”. They are as vibrant as the city streets.
At Icon Siam you can purchase your maserati, porsche or Lamborghini!
And if you do start to fade and need to rest both malls have literally 3 or more levels just of restaurants plus a Foodhall in the lower level.
Icon Siam is a great place to eat with some excellent restaurants including a handful with great patios overlooking the river.
Terminal 21 is a cool experience where each level of the mall represents a particular travel destination i.e., London, Rome, Paris New York etc.
And if you do start to fade and need to rest both malls have literally 3 or more levels just of restaurants plus a Food Hall in the lower level.
Icon Siam is a great place to eat with some excellent restaurants including a handful with great patios overlooking the river.
If you plan on eating on the patio you want to go at night (again that heat and humidity) and DO make a reservation.
I don’t know about you but wherever I travel in the world I like to know what the “go to” drugstore or local convenience store is.
Thailand including Bangkok are in love with 711, yes 711 convenience stores…
I swear there are more in Thailand than all of the US.
And they carry everything from food freshly brewed coffee, to meals to toiletries and so much more.
You will also see Big C which is similar to a 711.
And last but not least if you are at all interested in silk then I highly recommend shopping at a Jim Thompson store…
Their products are amazing and if you have time you can even visit the Jim Thompson Museum.
Unfortunately, on both my visits the museum has been on my list and I haven’t managed to make it yet urgh!
Eating
You will definitely not starve in Bangkok and in fact will be spoiled for choice…
And the great thing is the food is not only incredibly good but also inexpensive.
Now first up don’t be afraid to try street food its what Bangkok is known for.
Just line up at one where you see a lot of locals lined up.
But just a word of caution the dishes will be spicy so its handy to know these phrases:
No Spicy - Mâi pèt
Don’t add chili - Mâi sài prík
Add only one chili - Sài prík mét diao
You will also find so many regular type restaurants have great pictures of the dishes to make your selection easier.
If you’re a little unsure remember the shopping malls are filled with restaurants and a foodhall to eat in.
But if you’re looking for food and an experience even traveling solo don’t be afraid to check out one of the rooftop restaurants and bars.
As I mentioned above the Marriott Bangkok Hotel The Surawongse has a fabulous rooftop bar and restaurant and I felt very comfortable dining their on my own.
Private Guides & Tours
First off I highly recommend Hop On Hop Bus experiences for any city you visit.
They are a great way as a solo woman traveler to get oriented quickly and easily to a new city.
Its often the first thing I do when I arrive but…
I did something different with Bangkok, I hired a private guide!!!
This was the best investment that I made on my trip to Bangkok this time.
I’m going deep on a blog about exactly why, what and how to go about finding a great Private Guide when you visit a destination.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM!
But in the meantime I am giving a special shout out to my Bangkok Private Guides who also by the way do airport transfers.
Natti Arie:
https://www.facebook.com/NPezyGo
And her business partner…
Ply Venus:
https://www.facebook.com/ply.weena
Natti studied history so is just a fountain of knowledge and together they drove me around Bangkok and we visited places including tucked away out of the way places…
They helped me shop for a couple of things, encouraged me to have a Thai foot massage which was fantastic, more about that a little later.
And they even taught me how to barter when buying my items!
Ladies, having Natti and Ply take me around was way more than a Tour Guide experience it was like being out with a couple of your nieces.
I had a couple of things I really wanted to see but then we all flexed as the day went on. When they say how hot I was getting at one point walking they took me back to the car and we drove to the next location.
And the really cool thing is I had organized with Natti ahead of arriving in Bangkok and we communicated back and forth so I already felt like I knew her by the time she and Ply picked me up at the hotel.
And after showing me different places it built my confidence to venture out to do other activities that I might not have and felt safe doing so.
Things I Saw & DID
The activities, places etc. that I share in this section are ones that I have personally experienced. Some are the traditional things to do and see in Bangkok plus a couple of "off the beaten path" items.
In addition I have included one final section at the bottom of the page listing other activities and places to see.
Kudi Chin - The oldest Portuguese neighbourhood in Bangkok
This neighbourhood of wonderful little walking alleys, although watch out for scooters is right on the edge of the Chao Phraya River.
How to get there…
If going on your own I suggest you have the taxi take you to the Santa Cruz church.
Check out the Santa Cruz Church and then right behind the church you will see the river. You can sit and enjoy the river traffic going by, take a walk down the river boardwalk.
Between the church and the river on your left is a fabulous place to eat, very local only a few seats. Here’s the link:
Halo Nomsod https://www.facebook.com/halonomsodd?mibextid=2JQ9oc
But don’t forget to wander those narrow alleys. You will find a couple of marvelous Portuguese bakeries to pick up some freshly made cookies.
You will also find tucked down the alleys the Baan Kudichin Museum...
https://baankudichinmuseum.com/
It’s worth a visit to see a different side of history…
And they have a cute little gift shop with a whole chicken theme but also a little closed in courtyard cafe to sit and enjoy a coffee before you venture back out into the heat.
Thai Massage Salons
One thing you will find plenty of in Thailand is massage salons. You can pretty much walk down a street and you will pass a 711, restaurant then massage salon wherever you go.
My guides Natty and Ply introduced me to my first Thai foot massage.
We had been on the go for almost 7 hours and were in the Khaosan Road market area.
They saw that I was starting to fade in the heat and all the walking and suggested I stop for a massage...
That was the best advice ever!!!
I had a 30 minute foot massage in an air conditioned salon for $5 USD!!!
You will find many of the salons in the more touristy areas like Khaosan Road have massage chairs both outside and inside.
A Thai foot massage is to die for and the perfect pick me up when you start getting tired and overheated.
I learned quickly to go for a 60 minute massage which includes a foot massage up to your knees and then a wonderful neck and shoulder massage to end with.
There are many independent salons but also some chain salons.
I have found consistent service with the Urban Thai Massage & Spa salons both in Bangkok and on the island of Koh Samui.
https://www.spa-urbanthaispa.com/
I have included other things that you can see and do in Bangkok that I have not yet had the change to visit but will do on my next trip back.
The Flower Market Pak Khlong Talat
Having been disappointed with the flower market in Amsterdam I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
But I had no worries the Flower Market is a definite must.
It is a few blocks of flower shops lining the streets and the market is an open market so even though there is a roof cover it can still feel very warm.
So hot tip if you want to cool down just pop into one of the street flower shops as they are air conditioned.
🔥🔥🔥Now my really hot, hot tip is the Floral Cafe!!!🔥🔥🔥
I had read about this gem in my research so imagine my delight when I actually found it.
If you are a solo traveler or traveling with a girlfriend this is an absolute must.
The cafe is NOT at street level. You will see the sign and you walk into a very narrow little flower shop.
Just head to the back of the shop and you will see the equally narrow stairway that takes you up to the cafe.
I will guarantee you will not want to leave and… it is air conditioned.
Floral Cafe https://www.facebook.com/floralcafe.napasorn/
Hop On Hop Off River Cruise
This is one of the best ways to get oriented to the city and to many of the tourist attractions including the Flower Market, Temples, Grand Palace and Icon Siam.
Plus you get the cool breeze being out on the water and just get to take in the whole experience of being in Bangkok.
You’ll also have fun getting to see some crazy river traffic, the Chao Phraya river is incredibly busy.
And yes you can also take the local ferries which are even less expensive.
But seriously at the time I write this the cost of the Hop On Hop Off River Cruise was 130 THB which is less than $4 USD and valid for the entire day.
Chao Phraya River Hop On Hop Off River Cruise https://chaophrayatouristboat.com/
Temples
A trip to Thailand and Bangkok would not be complete without a visit to one or more temples.
Wat means temple in Thai so it is easy to find and recognize them.
Some temples charge a small fee for tourists but not locals and I’ve mentioned before that there are dress codes for entering a temple.
When visiting any of the large for well known temples in Bankgok I recommend its worth getting up early to beat the crowds and the heat.
My advice would also be not to try and hit every temple.
Just like visiting cathedrals and castles in Europe you can quickly become “templed” out which is such a disservice to the temples and their wonderful history.
With that in mind I only visited two temples:
Wat Arun the Temple of the Dawn and a smaller lesser known temple Wat Kalayanamit the friendship Temple.
Wat Arun is stunning during the day or night and is right on the Chao Phraya river.
The grounds building and temple are quite large so it is worth spending an hour there and while very busy you can find some quiet spots of contemplation near the river.
The other good thing is you can take the hop on hop off river cruise to get there which gives you another amazing view of the temple.
Wat Kalayanamit is also on the river and features the largest sitting Buddha in Bangkok.
It also has the largest bell in Thailand which if you strike it three times brings good luck.
This temple is not on the traditional tourist beat but is open to the public. You will be welcome but just be respectful of the monks praying and studying.
I found this temple very peaceful and tranquil given it is smaller and not the number of tourists and to be able to witness the monks going about their day.
Markets
I had a list of markets I have wanted to see on both my visits to Bangkok and fell short.
I did make it to the Khaosan Road Market. Its very popular with Western backpackers and tourists. So there is plenty of activity during the day and at night.
If traveling solo its a great place to sit down have something to drink or eat and do some people watching ;-)
Its really a series a lined with regular stores, restaurants, bars and market stands. It’s ideal to have the market experience before tackling something like the Chatuchak Market.
And you never quite know what you might discover. The night I was there I stumbled across a dance concert in the open between two streets!
I picked up a couple of sundresses for heading over to the island of Koh Samui. It’s also where I had my first Thai foot massage and pretty have become addicted to them.
Other Things To See And Do
I've put together a list below of some very popular places and activities to experience when visiting Bangkok.
Much to my chagrin I have not managed to visit these places yet even though I have already made two trips to Bangkok.
And there are also great day trips that you can take out of Bangkok
Floating Markets
Chatuchak Market
Asiatique Market
MBK Center
Grand Palace
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat Pho Temple – Reclining Buddha
Wat Saket and the Golden MountChinatown
Night Tuk Tuk Tour
Jim Thompson Museum
Tour canals on a longtail boat
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