Bangkok was everything that I expected it to be... and more. It is my favorite city that I've traveled to in Southeast Asia, so far. I love the overall vibe, the wide range of attractions, and the people. They are the friendliest locals I've ever encountered and that is despite of the language barrier. If you are planning to travel to the city, make sure you check out my recommendations on what to do in Bangkok, Thailand.
Tour the Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha
You can't say you've been to Bangkok unless you visited the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). This is a complex of buildings that include the royal palace (official residence of the King of Thailand), numerous other buildings, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, open lawns and courtyards. You can visit the Grand Palace (some parts of it are closed to the public) for 500 Baht. It is a must-see and you'll want to take a lot of photos while in there because of the elaborately designed structures that will leave you in awe.
Another great way to experience Bangkok is via the long-tailed (and vibrantly colored) speedboats as they navigate the canals of Bangkok traveling from one side to the other. We took a Khlong Tour that is priced at 700 Baht (per person) and the tour will last for about an hour. We took a few stops along the way including the opportunity to see the statue of the 9-face Buddha.
This is the place to go to when you want to enjoy the nightlife in Bangkok. Unfortunately, Thailand was still in a mourning state following the death of their beloved King during our visit. Hence, the mood was quite somber and there were not much partying going on. It was still vibrant though with lots of tourists enjoying street food and having a drink.
Shopping was my favorite activity in Bangkok - aside from sightseeing, of course! But it is amazing how many great deals you can find in Bangkok. I loved visiting the Chatuchak Weekend Market (also known as JJ Weekend Market). You can find a lot of locally made, handcrafted items that are sold at great prices. This market, obviously, is open only during weekends so make sure you allot time for the weekends to visit this place while in Bangkok.
I love Thai food; save for the overly spicy Pad Thai that were served to us in a few restaurants. Although I am not into spicy foods, the ones that I tried were exemplary. Even the street food was amazing. We spent most of our time in Bangkok enjoy their local dishes and it's one of the things that I miss most about the city. In Bangkok, you will definitely be spoiled for options when it comes to food.
Explore Asiatique
This was one part of the trip that I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. Asiatique is an open-air mall that offers plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment options. You can go to Asiatique to eat, watch live performances or ride the ferris wheel, which is 60-meters high with 42 gondolas. Be prepared to wait in a long queue if you do, though!
Visit Siam Park
If you want pure wholesome fun, a visit to Siam Park City (also known as Siam Water Park) is a must. We purchased a 1-day pass worth 1,100 Baht, which is inclusive of entrance to all park rides and a buffet lunch. It was definitely worth it as we got to try many theme park rides and swim at the wave pool. If you are traveling with kids to Bangkok, I highly recommend you visit this attraction!
Planning a trip to Bangkok? Hope this travel guide helped you with some ideas on what to do in Bangkok, Thailand.
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