Let’s continue our tour around Bangkok that is constantly ranked number one among most visited cities of the world. Why so? Our guess is that Thai capital shows its multifaceted identity by blending history, culture, luxury and street vibes. Food is obviously will be a big part of your trip so don’t hesitate and try it all by touring a night market, in between your gourmet activities, stop at ancient Buddhist temples or cruise. In this article you will find our picks for what to do in Bangkok.
Wat Arun
Of the more than 31,000 temples, or wats, throughout Thailand, Wat Arun is one of the most iconic. The 269-foot tall prahng, a Khmer-style tower, juts out from the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and the temple complex is illuminated in a golden glow at night. This is one of the few temples in Thailand that you can climb; once you’ve ascended the steep and narrow stairs, you’re in for a great view of the river and surrounding temple complex.
Lumphini Park
Bangkok is the ultimate concrete jungle, and most of its green spaces have long been gobbled up by developers adding condominium towers to the skyline. But smack dab in the center of the city is leafy Lumphini Park; often called the “Central Park of Bangkok” and named after the Nepali birthplace of Buddha, this an urban respite for many Bangkokians. The geographical heart of the park is an artificial lake where you can rent swan-shaped paddle boats.
The Grand Palace
The land for the Grand Palace was designated in 1782—the same year the capital of Thailand moved from Ayutthaya to Bangkok—and today it’s home to various royal throne and ceremonial halls, as well as the sacred Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Although the Thai royal family moved out by 1925, this sprawling complex remains an important structure for Thais, one that’s also a central stop on the well-trodden tourist route.
Khlong Lat Mayom
Just 20 kilometers from Bangkok is Khlong Lat Mayom, one of the best floating markets in Bangkok. It’s not as large as some of the other more well-known places like Damnoen Saduak but that’s what makes it so appealing. It’s authentic and gives you an inside look at how locals shop. You’ll also find terrific food to savor on the floating market.
Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson was an American spy and silk merchant in Thailand during the ’50s and ’60s who vanished mysteriously in 1967 while in Malaysia. He made his home in the traditional Thai style, decorating it with beautiful teak wood and a surrounding garden. The tours feature a lot of history about Jim, the silk industry, and how and why Thais design their homes the way they do.
The thriving capital city of Bangkok has become famous for its busy and exciting nightlife, that offers truly unique night outs out on the town. Bangkok is a city of experience, and it’s as evident in its nightlife scene as anywhere. Wondering where to start your evening? Read our picks for Bangkok’s best bars, and you’re already on your way.
Moon Bar
One of the best roof top bars in the city is Moon Bar, located on the the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel. With 360-degree views over Lumpini Park, gridlocked Sathorn Road, and the snaking Chao Phraya River, the sky-high cocktail den is a can’t-miss experience—that’s why it regularly tops Internet roundups of the best rooftop bars in the world. The expansive menu offers a mix of boozy concoctions made with local fruits, like mango and passionfruit, along with expensive bottles of wine.
The Bamboo Bar
The Bamboo Bar, located in the Mandarin Oriental hotel—Bangkok’s Grand Dame—is a legendary home to jazz. Some might call this a jazz bar with great drinks; others say it’s a cocktail bar with great jazz. Either way, guests have enjoyed The Bamboo Bar since 1953 (though, it was redone in late 2014, with leopard- and zebra-print cushions and cane furniture); the iconic space has hosted the likes of Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Dionne Warwick, Louis Armstrong, and Mick Jagger. The cocktails show their respect for the history of the bar—and for Thailand.
Havana Social
Welcome to Cuba in Bangkok: Inside Havana Social, at the back end of Sukhumvit Soi 11, a once-famous party strip that has matured a bit thanks to age and government regulations, the walls are crumbling, the lights are dim, and the salsa band is in full force.
Siwalai City Club
Siwilai City Club, a catch-all space with mass appeal, is located in the Central Embassy mall in the heart of downtown Bangkok. The indoor-outdoor rooftop terrace has six zones offering everything from a tapas bar to a cocktail lounge to sports bar, all with an impressive stock of whiskey. Under the guidance of some well-known local mixologists, the menu takes some creative risks
Q&A Bar
Run by the same team behind cult favorite Sugarray Bar in Ekkamai Soi 21, Q&A serves innovative cocktails within a setting reminiscent of a vintage train carriage. The bar is nestled inside a little alley on Sukhumvit Soi 21 with just a little sign above a green marble wall to give you a hint.
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