Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year from all over the world. There are so many reasons why this popular wallet-friendly destination became the world’s most visited city. A few definitely played a role, such as friendly people, great street food, temples, historical sites, shopping, nightlife, and traditional Thai culture.
Bangkok has two international airports, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Muang (DMK). Like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok also leads as a global air-travel hub. So it’s easy to find bargain air tickets to Bangkok from the major international destination. Also, tourists use Bangkok as a hub to travel to neighboring countries like Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and many more.
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Getting There
Like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok is globally recognized as an air-travel hub. With two international airports – Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Muang (DMK) – it’s easy to find bargain flight deals to Bangkok from most international destinations. Also, tourists use Bangkok as a hub to travel to neighboring countries like Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and many more.
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Getting Around In Bangkok
Getting around the city is cheap and easy, with plenty of metered taxis available almost everywhere. They are pretty reliable and affordable; all you need to do is make sure the meter is turned on. This elevated rapid transit is very popular among locals and foreigners alike.
BTS (Sky Train) is a great way to move around the city while avoiding Bangkok’s traffic. Just remember they can get very crowded during office rush hours.
The MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit) is Bangkok’s subway which consists of two main lines. Tickets are purchased in the form of tokens from machines at the stations. The subway is connected to the BTS (the sky trains) at Asok station.
For those willing to take a risk, there are Motorbike taxis available for hire. Often seen at each street corner, locals use them to go up and down the Soi (streets).
The iconic Tuk Tuks are widely seen in the city’s designated area, especially in the evening. They are very popular among tourists, so watch out for tourist trap pricing, and secure your valuables in these open-air vehicles at all times.
Getting to City Center From Bangkok Airport
The Bangkok Airport Rail Link that connects Suvarnabhumi International Airport to downtown Bangkok is a smart alternative to the airport’s express buses or taxis. The station is inside the main terminal. The ticket is maximum 45 baht (single trip per person) depending on where you are getting off and can be purchased from the machine or the ticket counter. The ride to Makkasan station (close to the Sukhumvit area) will take 25 minutes.
Metered taxi is also a reliable way to get to the city center from the airport. Just follow the sign to the taxi stand on the ground floor—a taxi ride from the airport to the city costs around 200 Baht. Sometimes I go to the departure level to flag down a taxi that saves me a 50 Baht Airport fee.
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Our Experience During Our Trip
Unless you enjoy sweating through all your clothes, the best time to visit Thailand is between November and early April. We visited in late December for a total of 12 days. There were slight temperature changes between the two regions. Chiang Mai was perfectly warm during the day and a bit chilly at night, whereas Bangkok and Phuket were much much hotter. Prepare to bring comfortable and breathable clothing, your best pair of walking shoes, and a hat to protect you from the sun.
In General Best Time to Visit
While planning a trip to Bangkok, the weather is possibly the most important thing to consider. Visiting during the wrong season could ruin your vacation. The best time to visit Bangkok is between November and February when the temperature and humidity are lowest. However, Thailand is a tropical country, so expect a temperature around 90 deg C on any given day regardless of the time of the year. Irrespective of the weather, good or bad, it’s always a wise idea to protect your trip by getting good travel insurance.
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Visa – No Visa Required
Foreigners from major countries entering Thailand falls under the Tourist Visa Exemption category so, 30 days visa-free stay is stamped at the port of entry. Provided your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into Thailand. Thai immigration officials may ask for your onward/return ticket. Check with the Royal Thai Embassy if your country of citizenship falls under visa exemption.
Buying a SIM Card for Phone
Purchasing a SIM card is easy in Thailand if you are arriving at Suvarnabhumi Aiport (BKK). There are multiple places, including 7-Eleven, to buy a Thai SIM card. Note that your phone should be unlocked to be able to use a Thai SIM card. It’s cheap, only 299 baht (less than US$ 10) for a card with 1.5GB of data, plus 100 bath call credit valid for a month.
ATM
You will find ATMs all over the city, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airport. Currently, the exchange rate is 1US$ = 32.75 Baht at this writing.
Boat Trip in Chao Phraya River Bangkok
It was early December morning. Despite the intense sunlight, the temperature was comfortable, with a mild wind blowing to cool us off, a perfect day for a boat trip. As I planned to make frequent stops in between piers so decided to get on to the Tourist Boat, which offers unlimited trips to main piers for a 150 bath flat fee ( US$ 1 = 34 bath) which runs every 30 minutes interval.
I started my boat trip from Central Pier (N1) and then made a couple of stops on the way to see the Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) and China Town. Then, to visit Saphan Phut Night Market, Bangkok’s largest flower and fruit market, stopped at Saphan Phut (N6). The next stop was at Tha Tien Pier (N8) to visit Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn). Then to Tha Chang Pier (N9) for the Grand Palace or the Wat Phra Kaew, commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and eventually to Phra Athit Pier (N13) for Khao San Road.
Khao San Road at Night
Khao San Road is not so far away from the hotel I am staying, so I took a Tuk Tuk and headed over there. Less than a mile-long colorful and vibrant stretch of the road where you will find some of the best bars and clubs in Bangkok. By day you can explore the plethora of souvenir shops and Thai and international cuisine, but with the sunset, the entire area becomes alive with music, street food, and tourists. No wonder why it’s called a backpackers heaven. I highly recommend visiting and seeing it for yourself and trying out some of their exotic street food.
The Asiatique Riverfront by Chao Phraya River
Not far away from the typical Thai Khao San night market, the Asiatique the Riverfront is a modern night market located right on the Chao Phraya River, a place you should not miss while visiting Bangkok. The atmosphere here is exciting. Hundreds of shops and different boutiques, many good restaurants, and fun activities like Thai boxing, cabaret shows, and a small amusement park will definitely keep you engaged for the evening. In addition, the spectacular Ferris wheel, the Bangkok Eye, can be seen from miles away. If you stay at one of those riverside hotels, you may get here via their free shuttle boat service; otherwise, from Saphan Taksin boat pier takes about 10 minutes by shuttle boats.
Day Trip to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
A great way to experience the Thai custom of trading on the boat goes back to the Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767) because many neighborhoods had connecting canals and waterways, So floating market became a popular and convenient way of trading all kinds of goods from the boat.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is known for its maze of canals and is considered one of the most popular among Bangkok visitors. It is about 68 miles away from the city and takes about 90 minutes to get there. We took a guided tour that included hotel pick-up and drop-off, and on the way to the floating market, we took a quick stop to see how brown sugar was made from coconut by the locals.
Later we took a longtail boat along narrow canals through the waterfront houses and restaurants to the floating market. We had a great experience seeing vendors selling fresh products, such as fruits and vegetables to cooked food, at the floating market. The total tour was about 6+ hours, so we returned to our hotel before dark after a long day of sightseeing.
Visit Grand Palace
Your Bangkok trip would be incomplete without visiting the Grand Palace, which was the home of the Thai King for 150 years. It is the most famous landmark in Thailand that was built in 1782.
Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise
The Chao Phraya River, also known as the River of Kings, is the heartbeat of Thailand. This 2 and a half hours dinner cruise is the perfect way to experience the City at night. You will get to see some of the oldest historical buildings surrounding the river while enjoying Thai hospitality.
Visit Lumphini Park
If you are tired of Bangkok’s hustle and bustling life, paying a visit to Lumphini Park is definitely for you. It is one of the largest public parks in Bangkok in the middle of the city that is worth a visit. The best time to visit is early in the morning before the days get hot and humid. There are many outdoor activities such as jogging, hiking, tai chi, music, and much more.
Visit Suan Lum Ratchada Night Market
If you are looking for street accessories, street fashion, souvenirs, and second-hand items, then the newly renovated Suan lum Ratchada night market is the right place to be. From Sukhumvit, take the Metro from Asok station to Lat Phrao station.
Walk Through Soi Cowboy
A side road off Soi 23 comes alive and gets colorful after dark, making it a great place to visit. Flickering neon reds and pinks, the sound of loud music, the Soi Cowboy will give you an accurate picture of the Bangkok nightlife scene and set a great photo opportunity for sightseers. I had taken photos during off-hours in the daytime, but definitely, it should be okay to take pictures outside on the street anytime, but due to privacy, it’s not a good idea to photograph the working girls.
Where to stay in Bangkok, Thailand
If you like to be in the City Center, and don’t mind dealing with the traffic jam, and like to experience the look and feel of any other metropolitan city in the world then the Sukhumvit area is right for you. It is a little touristy and pricey though. Here are a few hotels where I stayed and recommend based on my experience.
Jasmin City Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok
This is a service apartments facility in the Sukhumvit area. They have Studio, 1 bedroom with a living room, 2-bedrooms with a living room available for rent. Most rooms are available with complimentary breakfast.
Centre Point Silom River View Hotel, Bangkok
This hotel is in a great location, only a 5-minute walk from Saphan Taksin BTS Station. Beautiful views of the Chao Phraya River. Just a 10-minute drive from MBK Shopping Mall and 16 miles from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. A great on-site restaurant serves a wide variety of traditional Thai and International dishes.
Where to Have Authentic Thai Food in Bangkok
Wanakarm Restaurant
Excellent traditional Thai Restaurant, I would definitely recommend this restaurant, Address: 98 Soi Prasarnmit, Sukhumvit 23 (for Taxi: ซอย สุขุมวิท 23 ถนน สุขุมวิท). This is one of my favorite places for delicious authentic food every time I travel to Bangkok. You definitely need to try it.
Seafood Market & Restaurant
Excellent Seafood place, I like the concept of buying your grocery from their supermarket, paying at the cash register, & bringing the food cart to your table. Then, a waiter will note your cooking instructions or recommend cooking for a local taste. The entire process is exciting and having something freshly cooked is fun and definitely worth trying. Address: 89 Sukhumvit Soi 24 Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
My Opinion and Last Word
Have you been to Thailand? Any cool tips to share?
Over the years I have visited Thailand multiple times, during this trip, I decided to stay in Bangkok for a while mostly for sightseeing, food, and cultural experience. During this trip, I had one of the most unforgettable adventures of my life and definitely loved it. Hope my story has given you some idea and motivated you to plan a trip.
Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.
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A Few Pictures From My Bangkok Trip
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