All you need to know for your first time traveling to the Golden Kingdom!
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1. Bangkok
- Region: central Thailand (captial).
- Population: 8 million.
- Time Zone: UTC+7.
- Climate: tropical.
- Seasons: hot, rainy, and cool.
- Extension trip recommedation: Pattaya and Huahin are perfect for visiting with Bangkok.
2. Best time to visit Bangkok
The weather in Bangkok is divided into three main seasons: hot, rainy and cool season, however, the seasons’ barriers are not very clear.
It’s possible for you to travel to Bangkok at any time of the year, but remember to consider the features of the seasons you want to visit. The hot season is more suitable for solo travelers who have good physical health and who prefer indoor activities. The rainy season is for people who love a quieter Bangkok, with plenty of Buddhism festivities. And for family holidays or those who love being outdoors most of the time, the cool season is perfect.
3. How to get a Bangkok visa
The first thing every foreigner must remember when going to Bangkok is to check whether you’re required to have a visa or not. Usually, if you travel to a foreign country as a tourist, it’s compulsory to have a visa on hand. When you visit Bangkok for the purpose of entertainment, sight-seeing or personal enlightenment, you are considered a tourist. As a result, you aren’t allowed to work or do doing any business in the host home country and you need a tourist visa to stay there for a period of 15 or 30 days.
Read more: How to get a Thailand visa.
4. Get to the center of Bangkok from airports
The distance between Bangkok and Bangkok from Don Muang is 24km and this number is 32km from Suvarnabhumi airport. There are a lot of available transportations that bring you to the city of Bangkok including bus, taxi, MRT, BTS, and Airport Rail Link.
- Taxi in Bangkok virtually work 24 hours a day but you should only get on a taxi with meter on. The best way is to line up to be assigned to a taxi at the airport.
- Train: there are a great number of trains operating from 3:14 am to 10:15 pm almost every day. If you’d like to enjoy the nature outside, going by train is a great choice.
- Bus in Bangkok operates from 5:00 am and the fare is pretty cheap.
- BTS (Skytrain) is the most common, quick and convenient transportation in Bangkok, fare is at least from 30 bath.
- Airport Rail Link: The first departure starts at 6:00 am and the last one starts at midnight, there is a train in every 15 mins.
For more information on routes and price of each mean of transport, refer to our article: How to get to Bangkok city from Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
5. Where to stay in Bangkok
Most common areas for tourists coming to Thailand are Silom, Siam, Sukhumvit, Chinatown, Khaosan, riverside…
- Silom: one of the city’s most important financial districts as there are many banks, financial institutions, and office buildings. As the night arrives, Silom takes off its suit and transforms into a bustling shopping center and lively playground.
- Sukhumvit: the longest road in Thailand, which is 18 km long. We hardly can find a traditional tourists attraction here, but Sukhumvit is rich in eating, shopping, and nightlife =>where to stay in Sukhumvit.
- Siam area: known as one of the most modern and lively areas in Bangkok and the best area to stay in Bangkok for shopping, you will feel as if you’ve arrived at the true paradise of shopping => where to stay in Siam.
- Chinatown: this area is famous for various kinds of food, especially Chinese food or Asian food, there are so many markets, street-side restaurants, and Chinese temples.
- Old City or Khaosan: the heart of the most magnificent and honorable historical attractions in Bangkok such as The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Pho. This area expresses the Thai lifestyle, Thai soul and more traditional things of the locals.
Make sure to consider the pros and cons of each area in Bangkok to find out which area suits you best. Here are some cool hotels in the the center of Bangkok in case you want something new.
6. Bangkok Attractions
#1: Temples
There are about 400 magnificent religious temples in Bangkok and it would be a regret if you visit the capital of Thailand without visiting some of them. Below is our list of top 7 temples that you shouldn’t miss:
- Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha)
- Wat Arun
- Wat Pho (the Temple of Reclining Buddha)
- Wat Traimit (Temple of Golden Buddha)
- Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount)
- Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple in Bangkok)
- Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit
Find out what is interesting about these temples and the typical dress code when you visit them.
#2: Tourist places
Icon Siam shopping mall is called “Mother of All Malls” in Thailand. This mall does challenge the already malls and shopping centers presented in downtown Bangkok. Situated along the bank of Chao Phraya River with an area of 80,000 sqm, this brand new shopping mall attracts thousands of tourists coming for shopping and sight-seeing every day.
- Siam Paragon
- Asiatique River Front
Asiatique is one of the tourist places that you shouldn’t miss in Bangkok. Coming here, you have the chance to look at many stores selling clothes, souvenirs and lots of regional dishes worth trying. The focus at Asiatique is on fashion and gadgets but you can also find many fast food restaurants such as KFC and Pizza Company. The two entertainment venues in Asiatique that attract a lot of audiences are Calypso Cabaret with the most attractive ladyboy shows in Bangkok and Joe Louis theater, where you can enjoy the excellent Thai puppet shows.
Asiatique is a shopping place for every people of all ages, especially families and to many people, this is the best night market in Thailand.
- Grand Palace
- Safari World
- Ancient city
- MBK
- Chatuchak Market
- Damnoen Saduak
- Central World
- Pantip Plaza
- Platinum Fashion Mall
- ….
Read more 10 tourist places that you shouldn’t miss.
7. Bangkok Shopping Guide
#1: Shopping malls & common markets
Bangkok is a real paradise for shopping. Here are our top 13 places to buy things in this city. The first 5 malls are modern and high-quality ones with quite expensive costs. However, if your budget is a bit tight, the latter 6 markets may be better choices for you to have a fulfill shopping experience at reasonable prices.
- Central World
- Siam Paragon
- MBK
- PANTIP PLAZA
- Icon Siam
- The Market
- TERMINAL 21 BANGKOK
- CHATUCHAK MARKET
- VICTORY MONUMENT MARKET
- ASIATIQUE
- KLONGSAN MARKET
- PAK KLONG TALAT FLOWER MARKET
- Platinum Fashion Mall
See more what these malls and markets in Bangkok offer.
#2: Floating markets
Floating market is another unique thing of Thailand, but it’s hard to find one within the city center. However, stepping outside the city, you will be able to enjoy a totally new shopping experience: sitting on a guided boat tour around a beautiful floating market. It’s definitely a peaceful and once-in-a-life-time experience!
Below are some famous floating markets in Bangkok:
- Amphawa
- Talin Chan
- Khlong Lat Mayom
- Bang Nam Pheung
- Bang Khu Wiang
- Tha Kha
Most of them open only at the weekend and some open on weekdays as well, make sure to read our review on these famous floating markets before jumping to the final decision.
8. Bangkok Night life
#1: Night markets
Besides shopping in modern shopping centers, you might want to experience a unique specialty of Thailand culture: night markets, whose atmosphere is nothing different from the atmosphere in big festivals with millions of things to buy, plenty of dishes to eat and enjoy live music.
Here are our suggested night bazaars:
- Asiatique
- Khaosan
- Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Rod Fai 1
- Rod Fai 2
- Talad Neon
- Patong
- Rot Boran
- Wang Lang
Each one has its own attactions and focus on selling different things. Check our review on these night markets for more information.
#2: Rooftop bars and restaurants for night view
If you are looking for ways to eleveate your trip with some cool experiences, these selected cool rooftop bars and restaurants are perfect choices. Imagine yourself holding a glass of cocktail or having a delicious meal while admiring the beautiful sunset and Bangkok skyline!
- Red Sky Rooftop Bar
- Octave Rooftop Lounge and Bar
- Moon Bar & Vertigo
- Above Eleven
- Cloud9 Casual Rooftop Bar
- Scarlett Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Baiyoke Sky Rooftop Bar
Every place will surely bring you top-notch experiences, ranging from the 360-degree view of Bangkok to the revolving observation deck at the highest building in the city! Read our cool rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok to find out more.
9. Best Eats In Bangkok
I am glad you make it here as this is a very important part: eating, a must when you visit Bangkok ^^ Here are 10 must-try food in Bangkok that your trip would not be completed without:
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Pad Thai Prawn
- Som Tum (Papaya Salad)
- Tom Yum Soup
- Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)
- Kuay Teow Reua (Boat Noodles)
- Satay
- Yam Mamuang (Green Mango Salad)
- Khao Mok Gai (Thai Chicken Biryani)
Here is why we pick these dishes and where to find them.
Want for more? Check out these food places in Bangkok where you can find plenty of delicious things to enjoy.
You can’t just visit and experience the whole beauty of Bangkok in just several days. We hope this article can help you choose entertainment places that most suits your time and preference. Let’s enjoy this city at the fullest.