Traveling in Bangkok: What to Do and Where to Go On Your Bangkok Vacation

Overview

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a wonderful blend of rich Siam heritage and modernity. The city feels enormous, and both its crowdedness and its intricate system of bus, train, and metro routes add to that effect. Bangkok’s commercial district, Sukhumvit, and the city’s center, Siam Square, are filled with malls, department stores, restaurants, and high-rise buildings. South of Sukhumvit is Silom, a financial district by day and, by night, a popular place for drinking and clubbing. North of Silom is Rattanakosin. Bordering the Chao Phraya River, Rattanakosin is the home of the Grand Palace, Wat Po, Khao San Road, and the National Museum. West of the river is Thonburi, a fantastic destination for its intricate systems of canals and displays of historic buildings. North of Thonburi is Phahonyothin, the location of the Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Sightseeing Attractions

If you only take the time on your Bangkok vacation for one sightseeing experience, you’ll want to venture to the Grand Palace, the home of the country’s largest and most alluring temple, Wat Phra Kaeo. The National Museum is another worthwhile experience, showcasing a wide range of Thai and Buddhist art and sculpture and a display of royal funeral chariots. To experience a bit of Thai culture, check out the alms giving ceremony at Wat Benjamabophit. It is there that saffron-robed monks line up before the marble temple to receive the ritual offerings of food, drink, and sundries.

Nightlife

Of all of the Asia’s cities, Bangkok may be the best as far as shopping is concerned. Of course, there are the typical malls of Sukhumvit; however, Bangkok is also a fantastic place to purchase an original Thai souvenir. The Chatuchak Weekend Market in Phahonyothin is enormous, offering six thousand stalls and a mystifying array of fabrics, woks, jewelry, food, animals, ceramics, and more. The Chinatown street markets are another great area for shopping for odd gifts and also home to the world’s largest solid-gold Buddha. Sukhumvit and Khao San roads are great places for dining, offering both Thai and international dish choices. For a night on the town, check out Silom and experience the stretch of go-go bars at Patpong.

Relaxation Attractions

Take a day to tour the city on one of Thonburi’s canal boats. Some tours will even take you down the river, offering a brief glimpse of the city’s five temples. Bangkok is also crawling with spas, from the luxury spas found in every five star hotel to the independent spas scattered around the city to the corner massage shops found in the city’s center and around Chinatown.