A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List

Tripoto
5th Mar 2014
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 1/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
Bangkok view at Sirocco by kirainet
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 2/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
A small Soi in Bangkok
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 3/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
Lumphini Park can be so peaceful.
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 4/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
The Grand Palace
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 5/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
Calypso Cabaret by jscoke
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 6/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
I see this man EVERYtime I go to Bangkok!
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 7/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
A veggie seller in Chinatown
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 8/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
38 Sukhumvit Road Bangkok Thailand
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 9/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
Immigration Detention Center
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 10/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
The MBK
Photo of A Guide to Bangkok: My Bucket List 11/11 by Pamela Macnaughtan
Thai Samai Noodle Shop

Does it sound weird? Yes. Does it sound creepy? Yes! But despite everything I’ve heard about fetis’ in formaldehyde, and other gruesome things – I promise you, I’m not a sociopath. It just sounds weird, and well, you know me, I like to check out weird things; even if it means freaking myself out.

Photo of Museum of Forensic Science Bangkok Thailand by Pamela Macnaughtan

Some of the BEST street eats can be found at Sukhumvit Soi 38 (Thong Lor BTS stop). Go hungry, and try as many things as you possibly can, then go back and eat some more.

Photo of 38 Sukhumvit Road Bangkok Thailand by Pamela Macnaughtan

Sure, you could pay some money to see Muay Thai fights in almost every city in Thailand, but if you’re on a budget I recommend going to MBK to watch the FREE outdoor showcase fights that take place every Wednesday night.

Photo of Mbk Phayathai Road Bangkok Thailand by Pamela Macnaughtan

There are a couple of NGOs in Bangkok that keep lists of refugees who have been arrested and placed in the Immigration Detention Center (IDC), and they can make arrangements for you to go to IDC and visit with a refugee (and if you can spare some cash, buy them some real food and supplies). This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something that means the world to those on the inside. If you want to go, contact me and I can put you in touch with the right people.

Photo of Immigration Detention Center, Bangkok by Pamela Macnaughtan

I was taken to this gem of a place on my last trip to Bangkok, and OMG! The Pad Thai is to die for, and an absolute must; especially late at night. Dishes cost about 60THB (roughly $1.75). Thip Samai is Mahachi Road between the Golden Mount and the Giant Swing. Oh, and it’s open until 3am. You. Are. Welcome.

Photo of Thai Samai Noodle Shop by Pamela Macnaughtan

I love Bangkok. It is a multifaceted city; then again most cities are. While many travellers decide to skip Bangkok, or only spend a day or two in the city, I like to stay awhile. Why? Because it is awesome, and there are still so many things I want to see/do/experience there (and share with you guys).

We’ll begin with a few markets. Rod Fai Market is one of those mysteriously cool places, that many travellers never find. Why? Well it’s only open on the weekends from 17:00 (5:00 pm) to midnight, and it’s is located on abandoned railroad tracks near Chatuchak Weekend Market.

If you love to shop, then plan to spend a few hours getting lost in Chatuchak Market. Chatuchak is a massive maze of stalls, so you may want to avoid splitting up; unless you’re with someone who knows the market well. I’ve been utterly lost in this market before.

A visit to Chinatown is a MUST in pretty much every city that has a Chinatown, but especially in Bangkok. Chinatown has a labyrinth of souvenir streets, which are even more crowded than you’d think. When you think another person could not possibly walk past, a scooter comes by. It’s a crazy hot mess and totally worth it.

It took me like 4 trips to Thailand before I decided to check out the Chao Phraya River, and man, I felt like a travel knob for not going sooner. Buying a tourist pass is worth it if you plan to spend a day taking the ferries up and down the river, stopping to visit Wats, markets, and Chinatown. Way better then taking a tuk tuk through the city!!

Yes, Tuk Tuk are a lot more expensive than Taxis and the BTS, but it’s something EVERYONE should experience in Bangkok. Keep your eyes open and enjoy the craziness.

A great place to go for a picnic, yoga, or just to relax is Lumphini Park, a lush oasis in the middle of Bangkok.

Although the Grand Palace is a must see, it is also a one time only type of site. There are several Wats that should be visited during your trip in Bangkok. I HIGHLY recommend visiting Wat Arun around sunset. As well as stops at Wat Pho, Wat Ratchanatdaram, and The Golden Mount (Wat Saket). I obviously need to do a Wat post when I return to Bangkok, complete with photos, locations, hours etc.

I’m a geek for cabaret; and Chinese Opera. Calypso is one thing I plan to finally check out when I return to Bangkok. It’s a cabaret show that is all ladyboys! Oh, and you can eat dinner there too if you like. Forget going to a bikini bar in Patpong and playing ‘Which one is a dude?’

Also, if you’re in Bangkok, there are some great eateries to check out. You NEED TO EAT SHWARMA! I am obsessed with Shwarma in Bangkok. In fact, if you ask my friends in Bangkok about what I’ll do as soon as I get back, they will probably tell you I’ll go see my Shwarma guy.

I was also taken to this gem of a place on my last trip to Bangkok, and OMG! The Pad Thai is to die for, and an absolute must, especially late at night. Dishes cost about 60THB (roughly $1.75). Thip Samai is Mahachi Road between the Golden Mount and the Giant Swing. Oh, and it’s open until 3am. You. Are. Welcome.

Sirocco has one of the BEST views of Bangkok. Dinner and cocktails at Sirocco is a bit of a splurge, but totally worth it. However, if you just want to check out the view, you can buy one cocktail for 350 THB (mandatory minimum charge to get into Sirocco). I also suggest checking out the view from Vertigo and Moon Bar.

This post barely scratches the surface of Bangkok. When I return I plan to write more detail guides on where to shop, the best places for street food, Wats and other sacred sites, Funky bars, and quirky/weird sites to visit.

In the markets, be sure to hide your money and valuables, and come back after dark to eat at the Night Market! In the Tuk Tuks, if you’re worried about pollution, wear a mask. I recommend shooting a little video, or snapping some photos.

Frequent searches leading to this page:-

Top Thailand tour packages with price, Thailand tourism best places to visit, Thailand tourism packages from India, Thailand tourism best time to visit, Thailand tour package for family