Looking for the ultimate first timers guide on exploring Bangkok? This list will be plenty enough to fill your days in Bangkok beyond the typical shopping with cultural gems and amazing food you cannot miss!
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. The only southeast Asian country that has never been colonized by the western powers, Thailand retains its monarch, rich history and culture and a deep faith in Buddhism.
Best time to visit and Weather in Bangkok
A tropical country, Bangkok’s weather can go up to 40 degrees celcius, and feel like 45 because of the humidity. Even in the rainy season, Bangkok gets sunshine all year round, making it a popular destination for anytime in the year.
Check out my vlog in Bangkok!
Book the best room to stay in Bangkok
I love this place so much and I wish my room looks like this. Beautiful, spacious and a very very very comfy bed for such an affordable price!
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- Vimala Suites in booking.com
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Bangkok Itinerary
Attractions and Places to Visit in Bangkok
1. The Grand Palace
You have to visit the Grand Palace at least once in your life to really understand Thai culture. Bare minimum if you are interested in Thai history in my opinion!
There is a free guided tour in English at 10am ,1030am, 130pm and 2pm.
There is also a free shuttle to watch the Khon Thai Masked Dance. Make sure you depart from the Palace about 30 minutes before each show time!
Showtimes are 1pm, 230pm and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Entrance fee is 500 baht for all foreigners.
Address: Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
2. Talad Noi
A quaint little neighbourhood littered with cafes with rustic vibes and street art amidst old hardware shops, Talad Noi is a beautiful area to walk around. A neighborhood with lots of character in a city rapidly overtaken by huge shopping malls.
3. River City Mall
Unlike a regular mall that sells clothes, food and cute nonsense, this mall specializes in selling art. Lots of galleries, selling art from traditional sculptures and paintings, to modern contemporary art pieces.
There are also gallery spaces where artists showcases their works for sale. The exhibition here really blew me away! It’s even better than some museum curated ones. It is a lovely place to add to your itinerary. Do avoid Mondays as the some exhibitions will be closed.
Address: 23 Soi Charoen Krung 24, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
4. Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Where the cool kids gather, and more recently Lisa from Blackpink closing down the street to film her music video,Yaowarat has been famously known to be a place full of good food and bustle of a good old chinatown.
5. Chatuchak Weekend Market
The largest market in Thailand, this famous market is brimming with Thais and foreigners looking for a good shopping experience. From food, clothes, ornaments, souvenirs, you name it, they have it. Prepare yourself to blaze through the heat and you will have an enjoyable time here.
Notable eats:
- Jad Jan (lunch)
- Omise (dirty coffee)
- Celine Mango Sticky Rice Ice Cream
6. Bangkok Arts and Cultural Center
This contemporary museum is free to visit, and houses a plethora of local artists from of all mediums. Definitely a fun visit to witness the creativity of this land.
Address: 939 Rama I Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Shopping in Bangkok
1. Siam Square
Siam Square is surrounded by all the huge malls, and is where all the young people gather at. Come on weekend nights and experience the crazy energetic busking scene here!
Popular stuff here:
- Daddy and the Muscle Academy
- Frank Garcon
- TRES
- Matchbox Grande
- wwa cafe
- ASAPBKK
- The Cassette Coffee Bar
- Gentlewoman (obviously)
- Mil Toast House (from Korea. so expensive?!)
- Seek ‘N Keep
2. Bangsue Junction Shopping Center
This mall is perfect for those who love thrifting, or in general, fashion that doesn’t look like a blogshop listing. The stuff here is so diverse, from vintage, thrifts, alternate rock and more.Not to mention all the accessories and bags to choose from.
Address: 511 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
3. Eveandboy
Best place to get skincare and makeup products in my opinion. The prices and sales are hard to beat. Lots of Korean brands here as well. Notable Thai brands includes Browit (eyeliner and eyebrow pencils that I really love! the BEST), Cathy Doll, Srichand, Her Hyness, Gravich, Cutepress and so many more!
It’s literally everywhere in Bangkok, it’s really hard to miss.
4. EmSphere Mall
The malls in the area are all from the same group but I really like the vibe of this mall! Also maybe I’m biased because I unexpectedly met my favorite lead actors from the famous Dhevaprom: Dujupsorn series?!
Anyway this mall is designed for the younger crowd with bright colors, decor and funky layouts. A lot of events here, targeting the young people like fan meets, and even a free dance class organized by a local dance studio here.
You can also find the very famous Butterbear cafe here. I didn’t try because the queue was ridiculous.
5. Big C
If you love visiting local groceries store, you have to come here. Even if you don’t normally do, you still have to visit one. Thailand is famous for dried fruits snacks and you can find every single tropical fruit you can think of, dried. Here. It’s crazy even as a tropical girly. Like dried Durian!? (not a fan but interesting).
Very fun too as there are testers to try all the products! hehe
Must Eat Food in Bangkok
Forget pad thai and pineapple fried rice. No real Thais eat that on a regular basis. Here are some real local bangers, popular with locals and tourists. If you overhear locals saying “Aroy Mark” to their friends, you know you got the real deal.
1. Inter Restaurants since 1981
This restaurant serves a ton of local cuisines from their amazing tom yum soup to popular dishes like fried rice and basil pork rice.
Address: 432/1-2 Siam Square 9 Alley, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
2. Somsak Puob
If you love seafood, especially crab, this is the restaurant to be! Serving seafood with vermicelli noodles doused in sweet sauce, the combination is heavenly. There is an option to get Crab with Roe. Basically the kitchen staff will scrap all the roe and pack it in if you order. So so good!
Address: 234 Lat Ya Rd, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand (multiple branches)
3. Tuang Dim Sum
A hearty tasty dimsum will elevate your day. The freshest ingredients and the freshest paos… yum!
Address: Soi Charoen Krung 89, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
4. Rung Reung Pork Noodle
I’m really not a big pork noodle fan so the fact that I came here twice, should say a lot. And, also the fact that this restaurant was on the michelin guide for consecutive years.
The tomyum soup is perfectly sour and spicy, and very refreshing. The egg noodles are springy and the combination of the crunchy nuts, soft noodles and very fresh pork, is, bliss.
You can also choose dry/soup, the different type of noodle, and the combination of pork (innards, meat, combination etc) so it’s perfect for all palates.
Address: 10/3 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
5. Apostofi House, Vela Cafe
A stylish art community space, it houses a art supplies shop, cafe, matcha cafe and an area to do art classes and/or mini exhibitions. The cafe has fantastic drinks that I’m dreaming about as I am writing this.
Kaimook is a brown sugar latte with sweet creamy milk and boba pearls. The dishes are all super cute as well, there’s even a cake that you can paint! So stinking cute!
Address: 122 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Rd, Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
6. Phed Mark
You have been warned. The name of the shop, “Phed Mark”, literally means VERY SPICY. You can choose your spiciness level from zero (I’m sure you will still get some heat), to very spicy. I thought “normal” was safe, but it was quite spicy for me.
This is a basil minced pork rice and a cute sunny side up egg. The shop itself is really small and very very busy. If you want to, you can order food from Grab or FoodPanda in the comfort of your hotel room.
Address: 300 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
7. Mae Varee Mango Sticky Rice
A Thailand staple dessert is Mango Sticky Rice. The dessert is highly dependent on the fresh mango, and if the mango is extra sweet, this dessert will solve all of your life’s mysteries. The sticky rice from Mae Varee is the perfect mix of sticky and soft and chewy. You get 3 options, 1 plain, 1 pandan and 1 blue pea rice.
Another really famous place you can visit is K. Panich Sticky Rice.
Address: 1 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
8. Thong Smith
Some might argue that this is not authentic, but to me, if it’s good, why not. It is definitely more expensive than other boat noodles you can get in the market, but it is definitely because of the beef they use. They have options from simple beef slices which are cheap, to expensive wagyu ribeye.
Anyways, it taste so so good, and there’s plenty of branches in many of the malls around Bangkok, so worth a try because the soup really slaps.
Address: Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand (multiple branches)
9. Ongtong Khaosoi
Saying yes to curry noodles has never been easier, especially since this place has got multiple michelin guide! With a choice or pork, chicken or beef, the Thai curry hits different. It is sweet, light, but very flavorful. Who says you can’t beat heat with heat?
Address: 31 Phahonyothin Soi 7, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand (multiple branches)
10. Polo Fried Chicken
I’ve never been more excited to try fried chicken, but my foodie friend recommended this to me so I had to try. It was juicy, flavorful happiness. The sauce complements the chicken so well, I can’t describe how. I thought it was grilled chicken when I first opened the box.
I have also heard that the queue to dine in can take up to an hour, so I got it delivered to my doorstep using Grab.
Address: 137/1-3 Sanam Khli Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
11. Before Sunset
A bar/cafe/restaurant establishment group that sits by the river banks of Chao Praya river overlooking Wat Arun is the perfect place to be, before sunset. Come at around 6 to witness the transformation of Wat Arun in the day to the night.
Wat Arun is named after the Hindu god Aruna, the god of the dawn. So everything about sunset and sunrise, just sits right here.
The ice cream is really yummy too! And I’m sure the food as well, but I didn’t get to eat those.
Address: 40 1 Pratu Nokyung Alley, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
12. Icon Siam Food Center (Basement)
Isn’t Icon Siam a mall? Yes. But the basement floor is bustling with action, mainly by tourists and for good reasons. I was intrigued because it was promoted as an “(airconditioned) indoor floating market”, but I didn’t expect the food to taste so good too! It taste like any good restaurants around the city. All the options in one place also allows you to have a glimpse of dishes that you might have missed around the city!
Notable finds: this fluffy bouncy pancakes! MUST MUST MUST!
13. Heng Hoitod Chawlae
Egg, seafood, pancake lovers, gather round. This deceptive “appetiser” dish is actually so filling. A combination of egg, flour and seafood of choice, this is perfect for anyone! There are plain (no seafood) options too.
Address: 1301 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Bang Lamphu Lang, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand (multiple branches)
14. Arno’s
Craving affordable western food in Thailand? Well, certainly lots of options! Japanese and Western cuisines are wildly popular with Thais too, so there’s plenty of restaurants.
Arno’s is a steak place, where there are various steaks with different aged years, cuts, country of origin, all laid out in the menu for you. And of course the price. As someone who doesn’t even know which steak cut is the best, this was really cool. I was honestly quite overwhelmed and I picked something with a comfortable price point among the options with the “popular” sign.
Still, it was so so good!
Address: EmQuartier., 7th floor @Helix, 693 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand(multiple branches)
15. Tangible Bangkok
A cosy cafe with industrial aesthetics, selling local streetwear brands and coffee, the coffee here is pretty good and the place has a really nice vibe to it.
Address: Mahai Sawan 6, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
16. Peace Oriental Teahouse
A nice cosy tea cafe with some floor seats and beautifully smooth matchas, this place is worth a visit if you stay nearby.
Address: 47 Soi Sukhumvit 49/1, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Khirin Thai Tea
Tasty blend of various Thai tea, it’s a must have when in Thailand!
Bars and Clubs in Bangkok
I met a group of 3 friends in their 40s holidaying in Bangkok, and I was invited to follow them around town. I mean, follow them bar hopping. One of the three lives in Bangkok and is deep in the nightlife scene so I was the little duckling following them around. It was so fun hanging out with them and here are the places they brought me to.
1. #FindTheLockerRoom
The bar that started it all. I went to this bar with a “hidden” concept because I saw it online (also recommended by a friend) and this was where I met the three of them. The drinks were mostly very light and sweet which wasn’t really my taste, but they were funky and cool. Like bubbles on the drink? yes ok cool.
They also have another branch that is called #FindThePhotoBooth
Address: 406 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
2. Iron Balls – The Parlour
The gin! Urgh so good. The music? The best! Old school hip hop music and a large cup of Gin is the perfect night life for me. Definitely worth a visit if you love gin and tonic.
Address: Sukhumvit 45 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
3. Sing Sing Theatre
Right next to Iron Balls is a club called Sing Sing Theatre with banging lights and even more banging music. The day I visited, the DJ was playing EDM-latino mix stuff, but definitely check out their IG for that.
Address: 45 Sukhumvit 45 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
4. Bar Kaokao
Opened by a pair of handsome (instagram famous) twin brothers, Bar Kaokao be serving looks, drinks and music all night long.
Address: 706/1 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
5. Aesops Greek Restaurant & Rooftop
Greek food and even the culture of smashing plates (which I learnt there), the bar is spacious and extravagant, perfect place to hang with your friends.
Address: Column Bangkok Hotel, Soi Sukhumvit 16, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Here are some recommendations from the bartender in #FindTheLockerRoom. Have yet to try them myself so let me know how you like it!
6. Buddha & Pals
7. Modern Day Culture: Record Bar
8. Alonetogether Bangkok
9. Dry/Wave Cocktail Studio
10. Lost in Thaislation
11. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar
Also in #18 in Asia’s top 50 bars and #19 in the world’s top 50 bars!
Book the best room to stay in Bangkok!
I love this place so much and I wish my room looks like this. Beautiful, spacious and a very very very comfy bed for such an affordable price!
Book this place now! (affiliate link)
- Vimala Suites in trip.com
- Vimala Suites in booking.com
- Vimala Suites in Agoda
- Vimala Suites in Klook
*The links are affiliate links. By clicking and booking with my link, you help support my blog with some cents! 🙂
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