TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

After visited Bangkok 7 times, I would like to share my personal “Top 10 Things To Do in Bangkok”

Even Khao San Road and Temples are also on my list, there are much more authentic things to do, to really get to know Bangkok.

Get a pen and take some notes!

1. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

ROT FAI NIGHT MARKET

open from Thursday to Sunday, the Rot Fai Night Market is the most colorful, beautiful and authentic market if ever been in Thailand.

Expect from the typical stuff you see on every other Thai market, there are plenty of small warehouses, where you find a lot of crazy garages with Oldtimers and pimped motor bikes, real coffee restaurants and many unique Thai urban-hipster Souvenirs Shops.

Finish your shopping and street food tour with some live music and enjoy a beer tower with your friends at one of the great bars there.

Another reason why the Rot Fai Night Market is my personally number 1 Things To Do in Bangkok is, that there are not many tourists and no one bugging you to buy his shit like on Khao San Road. Take a Taxi from the BTS Udom Suk to get here.

2. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

VISIT ONE OF BANGKOKS ROOFTOP BAR

with 59 buildings, higher than 150m, Bangkok is number 18. of the cities with the most Skyscrapers.

It is really the best thing to do around sunset, so visiting a Skybar is my number 2 of the things you must do in Bangkok.

There are unbelievable many Skybars, I have been to several, starting at floor 26th, to one on floor 48th (Octave Rooftop Bar). Unfortunately I haven´t been on the highest (The Roof Top Bar) but I know they have super high prices and corny furnishing. So I personally suggest you the Octave rooftop bar (see picture) on top of the luxury Marriott Hotel at Skytrain Station Thong Lo. They accept t-shirts, closed shoes and short pants and the best thing: they have happy hour from 5-7 pm. 😉

3. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

VISIT SOME TEMPLES

The biggest and most famous Temples in Bangkok are Wat Phra, Wat Pho (lying Buddha) and Wat Arun.

If you have the time I suggest you to book a one day tour to Ayutthaya to see some of the historical parts of Thailand. Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand has around 20 different Monuments.

4. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

VISIT THE REAL TRAIN MARKET AND THE BEST FLOATING MARKET

ok, to be honest, these two destinations are not directly in Bangkok, but the way is worth it! Important fact: The Floating Market is only opened on Saturdays and Sundays! Skip to number 5 if you are not in Bangkok over the Weekend.

If you want to get there real and authentic, go to BTS Wongwian Yai (early in the morning), change to Railway and take the train to Maha Chai, here cross the river by boat to get to the next Railway Station and take the train to Mae Klong. Sounds difficult but is really simple. If you don´t have local friends like me, don´t worry. Just follow the crowd 😉

The Mae Klong Train Market is the end-station of the Railway. Take a picture of the departure time and enjoy the one and only real Train Market. It is not that big but you won´t see something similar in your life again.

From here, you are only 10 tuk-tuk minutes away from, believe me, the best floating market ever.

The Amphawa Floating Market. It is not crowded by international tourists and the people beyond Bangkoks boarder are even more nicer. Get a boat ride through the market and have a lunch.

Insider tipp: Ask your driver to cross the river to Wat Bang Kung. It is a awesome temple, swallowed by a tree. If he don´t understand you, take a tuk-tuk again. However, go there!!

Photo by: Ragnar Vorel

5. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

GET DRUNK AT KHAO SAN ROAD

for me this place is kinda love hate. It is the meeting point for all backpackers, a hand full Thai students and bad hangovers.

At night time it is the most vibrant place in Bangkok. You will find there a lot of Bars with much too loud music and a few nice 3th or 4th floor balcony bars with Thai live music. I prefer “Happy Bar” and “Best Bar”. The alcohol at Khao San Road is super cheap but you will pay for it the next day. There also a few clubs where you can go after having 2 or 3 buckets (half liter) mixed liquor for 150bath each (3,50€).

There is a dance bar called 999west with good live music in one of the side ways. You will see the sign. Go there if you want to escape from all the tourists.

If you don´t want, end up in one of the clubs. The entry is free. Unfortunately I can not suggest one of them.

6. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

FOOD TOUR AT CHINATOWN

China Town is one of the oldest parts in Bangkok and close to Khao San Road.

When you enter here all the big advertising signs change to chinese letters, it really feels like to be in China. Bangkoks Chinatown is one of the biggest and even on Top of The 10 Best Chinatowns In The Entire World List from Huffingtonpost. In the plenty narrow streets you will find a lot of great and unidentifiable food. If you stay a few days in Bangkok, don´t miss the spirit of my number 6 of Top 10 Things To Do in Bangkok.

Photo by: Hanny Naibaho

7. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

RED LIGHT DISTRICT

There are 3 famous red light districts in Bangkok. Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy and Patpong.

First time in Bangkok I got forced to visit all of them. So take my advice! If you just want to walk around to see one of these Streets, go to Soi Cowboy. It is at BTS Asok / Metro Station Sukhumvit. If you really plan to visit a Strip Club take the BTS to Sala Daeng / Metro Si Lom and go straight to Bada Bing Go-Go-Bar at Patpong. The drinks there are around 20% more expensive than at Nana or Soi Cowboy because Patpong is at the business district but it is the only Bar I know, where you don´t have a bad feeling when you enter.

By the way, prostitution in Thailand is illegal and got big with the American soldiers at Vietnam war. After the soldiers left Thailand the tourists came.

8. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

GO TO A REAL THAI CLUB

if you want to know how Thai clubbing looks like, I suggest you Funky Vill Pub at Watthana. Take the BTS to Thong Lor and a Motorbike Taxi to the Club. Only go there at Weekend and do not go there too late, they close at 2am.

Thai people go out dressed very well so don´t come with your Khao San Road Outfit.

The Cocktails are in European price range but yummy and with lot of liquor. Check out the Facebook site of the Club for events. Normally you will find there Thai rock/pop live music. Thai people celebrate a litte bit differente than western Countries. There are a lot of tables in front of the stage and the groups share rum bottles with ice cubes and soda or cola. Later at night, when all are drunk, some start to dance like we used to do at a club. At this establishment there not more than a hand full of foreigner, so you will attract attention.

9. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

VISIT A MUAY THAI BOX FIGHT

There are 4 arenas in Bangkok. The biggest fights are at the new Lumpini Stadium but it is outside from Bangkok and prices for tourists are between 1000-2000bath (25-50€). Same prices at Rajadamnern Stadium.

That is why I suggest you Omnoi Stadium. It is famous because there are also a lot of international fighters and the KO rate is higher than anywhere else. You get a Ticket for 500bath. Take the BTS to Bang Wa and then a Taxi (30min) to the Stadium.

If you are traveling on low budget there is also a alternativ, free of charge. The Channel 7 Stadium at Mo Chit (BTS) or Chatuchak Park by Metro. There are box fights every Sunday from 12:45 to 14:45. But make sure to get there 1 hour before because it is super crowded.

Photo by: pexels.com

10. TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

ESCAPE THE HEAT IN A SHOPPING MALL

the first times I traveled to Bangkok I tried to avoid Shopping Malls because I really hate them in Germany.

But you change your mind if there are 35°-40° in Bangkok and you immediately start sweeting after leaving air conditioned rooms.

In the shopping malls you find the craziest things on the top floor and authentic food at the ground or underground floor. Siam Shopping Mall and Terminal21 are the biggest I know. Go there for lunch, when the sun is even to hot for the hotel pool.

At Siam you also find gaming machines to waste the hot midday time.