How to spend two days in one of the hottest, as well as most visited, cities in the world.
It is no surprise that Bangkok hits the leader board year after year for being one of the world’s most visited cities.
It’s not only a focal point of transit for getting across Asia, but its an exciting city break filled with complimentary contrasts: ornate royal grandeur and cosmopolitan sky-rises; congested roads and streamline taxi boats; fine dining and scorpions skewers. Its major position in the world hasn’t misguided the city into snobbery, yet it still holds a down-to-earth and fun energy, buzzing through the somewhat polluted air.
There are 50 districts in Bangkok which makes navigating quite a tiresome trip, particularly in the slowing 30+ degree heat, as a result of its coordinates lying only 14 degrees above the equator. I think two full days is enough time in Bangkok, but there’s so much to do here that you could easily spend a few more days taking your time to explore.
Bangkok isn’t actually called Bangkok
Like many huge cities, Bangkok unbelievably started out as a village, utilising its many canals with locals making a living from selling fruit and vegetables, like they still do today in the many floating markets. King Rama I named the developing city “Krung Thep,” which translates as “City of Angels”, and Thai’s refer to the city by this name today. But it doesn’t end here. It’s full, ceremonial title is:
“Krung thep mahanakhon amorn ratanakosin mahintharayutthaya mahadilok popnoparat ratchathani burirom udomratchanivetmahasathan amornpiman avatarnsathit sakkathattiyavisnukarmprasit”(กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลกภพ นพรัตน์ราชธานี บุรีรมย์อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์)”
Which is listed as the world’s longest location name by the Guinness Book of Records. Who knew?
The “City of Angels” quickly industrialised and modernised, especially after World War II, and is now one of the most developed and cosmopolitan cities in Asia, proudly hosting for around 20.2 million international tourists a year, according to Mastercard.
It is said that the name Bangkok derived colloquially, particularly with foreigners, from the term “Bang”, meaning village on a stream, and “Ko” meaning island.
What to see and do in Bangkok
Shopping – the locals love to shop and Bangkok does shopping malls on a magnitude scale. Compared to Shanghai where the malls felt very high-end and elite, there are malls here for the everyday shopper. Check out the Siam Centre and Terminal 21, which is an airport themed mall where each floor is a different country.
Go to a rooftop bar – head to one of the many rooftops in the city to admire Bangkok’s dense skyline. Above 11 has artistic tree designs framing the amazing views and has really good tunes playing. The sushi here is also amazing.
Cocktails are 380 baht on average. It’s expensive but worth the taste of cosmopolitan life in the middle of a stretch of backpacking.
Wat Pho – aka the temple of the reclining Buddha – this temple complex is top on the list of six temples in Thailand that are classed as the highest grade of first-class royal temples. And it really shows; they’re the most colourful and ornate temples that I’ve seen during my time in Asia, so it’s definitely worth a visit. Wat Pho is also considered the earliest centre in Thailand for public education; housing a school for Thai medicine and Thai massage.
The magnificent reclining Buddha stretches 46 meters long, and 15 meters high, and literally made me say “wow” out loud when I saw it.
Entry: 100 baht. Don’t wear short shorts.
Wat Arun – across the river from Wat Pho is its pearly monochrome sister temple, that’s just as ornate and beautiful. It looks even more spectacular at night time when it’s lit up, but we had a disaster with our crazy driving tuktuk so we missed out!
You can take a ferry across the river to see the Wat for just 4 baht.
Chatuchak Weekend Market – it’s the largest market in the whole of Thailand with 15,000 stalls, so if you’re in Bangkok on the weekend, you have to go. I was pleasantly surprised by this market as I presumed it would be selling a lot of fake goods, but it really wasn’t. There’s some really nice buys on offer, a collection of independent galleries where you can see artists at work, as well as having plenty of places to eat and drink.
Bangkok is an expansive city that has everything, so here’s a few more things to do:
- Take a water taxi or boat tour along the river and canals to get around quickly. 20-50 baht.
- Head to the Art & Culture space housing independent galleries.
- Grab some street food in the bustling China Town.
- It takes a lot of planning and an early start which is why we didn’t bother, but there are many floating markets to check out that look really fun and colourful.
- Take a picnic to one of the beautiful parks. There’s a park right next to the weekend market which offered some much needed rest and shade.
- Admire the Royal Palace – we didn’t head there because you have to wear long sleeved clothing – it’s understandably very strict on clothing.
Other important information/budgeting
From the airport take the A1 or A2 bus to the BTS Skytrain (30 Baht) and then take the Skytrain to your closest destination (27-47 baht).
The skytrain only runs above Bangkok certain districts, so you can’t rely on it to get you into ‘downtown’ for the tourist sites.
There are many local busses that can get you into town for as little as six baht – all are listed on Google maps.
Thai dishes range from 50-200 baht, and then 250-400 for nicer restaurants.
You’re spoilt for choice with hostels and most cost around 300-400 baht a night, so a little more expensive than some areas but it is expected for a capital city.
Before visiting Bangkok, I’d read that you either love it or hate it, and I loved it! I could have even seen myself living here.
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