Bangkok Bucket List
It all begins with the warmth, followed by the sound, and the scent of charcoal, chili, jasmine, and exhaust fumes. This is not a city that believes in half-measures. Wats (temples) that echo with the sound of your own footsteps, frenetic markets piled high with neon-bright tropical fruit, and an almost electric nightlife that's something of a pilgrimage for food lovers - a must for anyone committed to the sensory overload of the travel experience. Subtle? Certainly not. Addictive? Absolutely.
Why Bangkok belongs on your bucket list
One of the most famous cities in the world. And it's true what they say about the food on the streets. The Pad Thai for 50 baht that you eat from a little wheelbarrow on Charoen Krung Road tastes better than the Pad Thai you paid twenty-five bucks for back in the states. It just does. And the wats! O. M. G. Hectares of gold, and ceramic tile, and colored glass gleaming in the tropical sun. And the prices! Insane. The best of everything for a quarter of the cost in Europe or America. It's like the city was designed to suck you back in. They say they're staying for four days, but they're really staying for three weeks.
When to go
The cool season runs from November to February (25-30C). Humidity is lower, there's no rain, and most travelers are in town (particularly in December and January), so book ahead. The hot season, from March to May, reaches a scorching 40C+ and hardly any rain. The wet season (June to October) sees incredibly humid months punctuated by short, tropical downpours that quickly refresh the air. The city turns a brilliant shade of green, and hotel rates are the lowest. The rainiest months are usually September and October. Songkran (mid-April) is the world's biggest water fight, with everything and everyone getting drenched.
Must-visit places in Bangkok
Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha
Gold is used excessively across everything; be it gold leaf, colored glass, or ceramic tile. The Emerald Buddha is made of jade, not emerald, though it's the most sacred Buddhist image in Thailand. People here take the formal dress code seriously; no shorts and tank tops, wear long pants, covered shoes, and closed-toe shoes. You can borrow sarongs from the entrance for free. Try to visit in the morning; after 10:00 a.m. you won't even be able to move as it gets way too crowded and hot.
Wat Pho
The reclining Buddha is massive. You won’t believe how big until you see it. But take a moment to notice the details as well. The feet are 3 meters high and 4,5 meters long and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. There are 108 signs of true knowledge on the feet and the interioer walls are painted with murals. Note the numbering on the stones outside the complex, as they fit perfectly in your hand when you walk over them. Watch out for lousy scammers offering a ten-baht scam ticket on your way to the temple.
Wat Arun
The view is perfect. Up close, the spires are even more impressive, encrusted with colorful porcelain and seashell fragments that glitter in the sun. Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, was built in the early 19th century during the reign of King Rama II. Climb partway up the central prang for sweeping views over the Chao Phraya River. The ferry across from Tha Tien pier runs until around 8pm, so come for sunset when the temple glows gold and pink against the sky.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Get lost in the sprawling maze of stalls that make up Chatuchak Weekend Market. Climb the stairs for a bird's eye view over the endless rows of vendors below. Grab a coffee and take a break if you're shopping with a small group. Look for the stall selling pots to get your bearings. The friendliest sellers, the most unique finds, the best-hidden corners, the most fragrant spice stands? They're all here.
Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Yaowarat Road comes alive with its vibrant street food scene after sunset which is unmatched anywhere in the world. With neon lights shining brightly above, grills and woks firing up on all sides, this is an experience you will not forget. Try the roasted duck at Prachak, the crab omelette at T&K Seafood, and the mango sticky rice from any vendor as they are all fantastic. Coupled with the old shophouse designs, the gold merchants, and the temples, this is truly a scene from a book. Don’t forget your camera and your hunger!
Khao San Road
You may love or hate Khao San Road. It's fine during the day. By night, it's one enormous backpacker party, neon lights, cheap buckets, and a chaotic mix of travelers from every corner of the globe. Even the pad Thai vendors here aren't half bad. But if you want to escape, duck into the quieter side streets branching off Khao San. You'll find tastier, more authentic Thai food at real Thai prices, just a few steps from the backpacker chaos.
Jay Fai
Picture a septuagenarian grandmother, ski goggles on to shield her eyes from the searing wok flames, working tirelessly to produce some of the most iconic street food in the world. There's a reason the crab omelet and Michelin-starred tom yum goong noodles at Jay Fai cost more than 1,000 baht, a steep price for street food anywhere else in Bangkok. But one bite in, you'll understand why. The queue forms well before the 2 p.m. opening, so come early and be ready to wait, since part of the magic is eating the food hot and fresh straight from the wok.
Thipsamai
This restaurant has served the same menu since it opened 54 years ago: pad Thai wrapped in a thin egg crepe, made with tamarind, fish sauce, dried shrimp, chili, and sugar. The kitchen uses pork fat and shrimp oil for extra smoky sweetness. The dish is so popular that even on rainy days, you can expect a long line winding out the door.
Jim Thompson House
An enigmatic American silk merchant long rumored to have been a spy vanished in the Malaysian jungle in 1967. But before that, he was able to design and construct six immaculate traditional Thai houses along a small canal and fill them with exquisite art from across Southeast Asia. Take the guided tour for the full sordid tale, then poke around the lovingly restored teakwood mansions, which boast more Buddha images and rare pottery than one swinging spy can handle. The gardens are a delight.
Chao Phraya River
Skip the overpriced dinner cruises and hop onto the Chao Phraya Express Boat (only a few baht). You'll ride with Thais, the fast-moving river wind in your hair as you glide under the bridges Rama I built, past the Temple of Dawn, the Grand Palace, and the old trading houses of Chinatown. For food stalls, take the orange flag boat, blue flag if you want someone to point things out to you and narrate your ride. Try to do this as the sun sets. It's just magic with spires of temples pointing into an orange sky and the water and your skin cooling down in the evening breeze.
Bangkok insider tips
- BTS Skytrain: There is an extensive BTS (Elevated) and MRT (Underground) rail network within the city itself. The BTS won't drop you off right at every doorstep, but it's a convenient mode of transport. The MRT, being underground, is a comfortable escape from the tropical heat. Both lines cross at a station in the city center.
- Street Food Safety: If you see a long line of locals in Thailand waiting to eat somewhere, then you should definitely eat there too. The high turnover of food in popular street stalls ensures that everything is fresh and safe to eat, except for raw salad (which you shouldn’t be eating anyways) from that one not-so-popular stall.
- Tuk-Tuks: It's better to agree on a fare before you hop into a cab. They don't use meters. And if somebody tells you they want to give you a "complimentary tour", steer clear. They will bring you to gem stores and tailors and demand a commission. Use Grab, it's more convenient, with fair rates.
- Temple Etiquette: You must take off your shoes before entering a temple. Your shoulders and your knees should be covered. You should not point your feet at a Buddha. These are not suggestions. These are rules. Every time.
- Budget: Eating like a local at markets or non-touristy restaurants will cost you around 200 to 300 baht per meal. Air-conditioned taxis are cheap, though you'll rarely need the AC with the windows down and the breeze coming in. Best part? Fares are honest and hardly ever climb above 100 baht for a normal ride around town.
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