Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market Pad Thai
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a vibrant bustling city, rich with culture. Although overstimulating at times, this mega metropolitan boasts some of the most exquisite temples and unique markets you’ll ever experience. With just a few days, you’ll be able to experience all 5 of the best things to do in Bangkok.
Population: Over 10 million
Time Zone: Indochina time (ICT)
Temperature: mid 70s- mid 90s year round (F)
Currency: Baht (BHT) 1.00 USD is approximately 31 Thai Baht
Language: Thai
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
A chaotically beautiful experience, visiting a floating market is one of the best things to do in Bangkok. Not only will you have the chance to witness colorful long tail boats filled with fruits and vegetables, but you’ll also be able to try some authentic street food! As with most markets in Thailand, be sure to have cash on you if you plan to buy anything.
Long tail boats at the floating market
There are many different floating markets you can choose from when visiting Thailand. The most famous, Damoen Suduak Floating market, has gotten very touristy over the years, often described to feel more like an attraction rather than a market. However, Damoen Suduak is the biggest market of them all so if your goal is to snap a colorful photo of long tail boats, this is your stop.
Food Stall at Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
If you’re yearning for a more authentic experience, choose between:
Mango sticky rice cut right in front of us
We chose to visit Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market and were some of the only foreigners around! In addition to the long tail boats, this market also had tons of food stalls open which allowed us to sample everything from pad thai to mango sticky rice.
Chinatown at Night
Walking through neon lit alleyways in Chinatown, a district that seemingly never sleeps, is another one of the best things to do in Bangkok. Here you will find noodles, dumplings, donuts and everything in between.
Dumplings being made in Chinatown
Did you know that Thailand has the biggest Chinatown in the world? Be sure to come hungry and with an open mind! You’ll be surprised at some of the dishes you’ll see.
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not one who usually seeks out temples/shrines on vacation. However, the sheer grandiosity and intricacy of those in Bangkok had me intrigued. Out of the 5 most popular, (Temple of Dawn, Wat Pho, Phu Khao Thong, Wat Trai Mit Witthayaram Worawihan, and The Marble Temple), I chose to visit Wat Benchamabophit, the marble temple as it looked the most unique.
Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple)
Open: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Architecture: Constructed of marble imported from Italy. A blend of thai and european influence.
Admission: 50 baht
Exploring Wat Benchamabophit
Try your bargaining skills at Chatuchak Weekend Market with more than 8,000 stalls to walk through. You will find everything from quirky little knickknacks to food and spices here.
Chatuchak Weekend Market – Dream Catcher Tent
Although it gets crowded, seeing over 200,000 visitors per weekend, a journey through the pulsating market alleyways is an experience in itself.
Jay Fai famous for wok seafood dishes
Did you know Bangkok is a world-renown food haven, home to almost 200 Michelin star restaurants? In fact, many of them are street vendors, only costing a few U.S. dollars per plate! Where else in the world will you get an experience like that?
Michelin Star street vendors
Once you have your itinerary set, visit the Michelin Guide to determine which restaurants will be near you! (Tip: Some allow reservations to be made online, to ensure you’ll get in!)
Tuk Tuk – Riding a tuk tuk, although slightly intimidating is a very convenient and cheap way to get around Bangkok. It’s a pretty unique experience to try at least once, even if it’s a very short ride.
Riding a tuk tuk in Bangkok
Massages – 1 hour, full body massages will often be under $10 US Dollars in Bangkok which is simply unheard of in the United States. There are countless spas and massage studios, so you won’t have to look far to find one. We ended up getting a massage every single day we were in Bangkok.
Khao San Road at Night
Khao San Road – Every resource on the internet says to visit Khao San Road but I felt that this was a very heavy tourist trap area. I will likely skip this on future Bangkok trips.
Pad Thai street vendor
Unless you are from a major city, Bangkok will likely be very overwhelming. The constant noise, crowdedness and muggy weather combined, tend to send people into sensory overload. I’ve found that 2-3 days is the sweet spot, before I’m eager to get a break from the chaos.
Morning at the Marble Temple
November and December marks the beginning of Bangkok’s cooler season. These months are also usually less crowded if you can go before the major holiday season.
Photos were taken in Collaboration with Matt Tonokawa
Have you visited Bangkok before? Which experiences were your favorite? I’d love to know in the comments below.
No Comments