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Bangkok is one of the most crowded places I have visited. It’s the capital of Thailand and this city is full of live. If you’re a backpacker I’m sure you have heard much about this city, because many backpackers come together in this big city.
- Days needed: 2 to 4 days
- Hostel: Here Hostel Bangkok
- Hotel: Navalai River Resort or The Warehouse Bangkok
There are many things you must visit in this enormous city. When you’re in Bangkok, I would recommend you to definitely visit the following:
Visit (floating) markets
When you’re in Bangkok you must visit markets. It’s a unique experience to visit a floating market. A floating market is a market on the water with boats. You will see all the boats with fruit and vegetables that the locals sell.
There are many other markets that you should visit. You will find them all over Bangkok, look and wander around in the small streets. Some markets you can visit:
- Chatuchak Market is well known but very touristic, it’s the largest market in Thailand.
- Rot Fai market or Train Market is a night market. Here you have more fair prices which means it’s less bargaining.
- Klong Toey market which is easily accessible with the metro.
Bike around Bangkok
There are many tours available in Bangkok so if you prefer to discover the city with a guide you can easily do this. Besides the Tuk Tuk tours that you will see everywhere you can also do a bike tour. There are many different bike tours available from morning tours to night tours. Normally a tour takes around 5 hours. It’s also possible to rent a bike and explore this city by yourself.
Go on a boat on one of the many canals
Another thing you must do while you’re in Bangkok is go on a boat. Do a tour on the canals by a long-tail boat. Thonburi is a less touristy place in Bangkok to do this. You see the typically Thai houses on the canals.
There are many boat tours over the Chao Phraya, which is the largest river of Bangkok, the boat stops at different places. You should go from Phra Arthit to Oriental then walk 5 minutes to Lebua State Tower, go up to skybar Sirocco for a view. This is perfect for a sunset.
Fun fact: Sirocco Skybar was in the movie ‘The Hangover 2’
Bargaining for a Tuk Tuk
Take a Tuk Tuk while you’re in Bangkok and drive from one place to another. It’s important to always negotiate the price in front. Another tip is to take them outside the main tourist areas and ask different Tuk Tuk drivers to get the best price.
To get an idea of pricing: you should pay around 100 – 200 THB for a ride that takes around 20 minutes. If you cannot agree on a price, go to another Tuk Tuk driver, or take a Taxi with a meter!
Visit many temples
In Bangkok there are many temples to visit. Some of them you just can’t skip. I suggest you visit the following temples:
- Take the ferry to Wat Arun. When you’re there climb to the top and have an amazing view.
- Visit Wat Pho early in the morning before the crowd comes.
- Wat Phra Kaeeo
- Wat Pathum Wanaram
Make sure you dress appropriate to visit a temple which means no bare shoulders or knees.
Tip: buy a sarong. It’s a skirt like a scarf that you can bind around your waist. You can buy this at a market. Never buy it near the temples because those are more expensive and less beautiful.
Wander around the streets
The best way to discover Bangkok is to wander around. Of course, there are some places that you just must pass by. Khao San Road is one of those streets that you just can’t skip. The neighboring street Soi Rambuttri is also worth to wander around. This street has more food stalls.
Grand Palace and Chinatown are other places that you should visit! It’s well known in Bangkok and definitely worth to wander around.
Some places that are nice to pass by but only if you have the time are the following: Monument for Democracy (1939), Sanam Luang parc Bangkok, Dusit palace, Siam Square, Jim Thompson’s House, Erwan altar and Lumpini parc.
Fun fact: in Lumpini parc you can find monitor lizards which are big lizards. They can grow up to 2 meters.
You can find many shopping malls around the whole city but a lot of them are located next to the BTS. Well known shopping malls are CentralWorld and Terminal 21 but there are many more.
Have a beautiful sunrise and sunset
The best sunrise you will have at the Wat Benchamabophi. For the best sunset you should go to a skybar. The best sunset is from a rooftop like Octave bar, Sirocco Skybar or Sala Rattanakosin.
Tip: sometimes there is a dress code to enter a skybar so make sure you check this. Also don’t forget your ID or a picture of your ID to get in.
These are the 7 things you must do in Bangkok. There is much more to do in this enormous city so wander around and explore. If you want to know more about Thailand read the blogs What to know about Thailand and Thai rituals learned from locals. To know what you should visit in Thailand read Ultimate backpacking guide in Thailand
