Wandering Bangkok, Capital of Thailand

Bangkok is a world-famous city for so many reasons: the history, the food, the beauty and the wildness you can get into. For me, it has a different feeling than other large cities in Asia, it has its own vibe. Its developed but not, its modernized but not, it sits between the old world and the new world very nicely.

I spent just 2 days in Bangkok before moving north and then south. Depending on your travel goals, 2 days is plenty to spend in the Thai capital city.

Where to Stay

The main touristy area is the Silom district where you’ll find many hostels, hotels and short-term rentals that will do just fine for anyone. This area has tons of options for food, shopping, massages, tours, bars and more. It’s a great place to stay for your first time in Bangkok as you get your bearings.

Getting Around Bangkok

The city has lots of options for getting around: cabs, metro, walking, scooter, tuk-tuk and boat. Around the city, I took tuk-tuks around. They’re open air and give you a great experience. Definitely take advantage of the shuttle buses along the river to visit some of the sights.

What to Do in Bangkok

Eat!

Not much beats the food scene in Thailand – cheap, plentiful and delicious! From curries, soups, noodles, rice, drinks and more, you can find deliciousness at every corner, literally. There are street vendors, low- and high-end restaurants, cafes, fruit carts, noodle carts, everything! I recommend trying it all!

Get a Massage

You can’t go far anywhere in Thailand without seeing signs for massages. You can choose from leg, foot, neck, shoulder, back, arm and full body massage. There are definitely places to get a happy ending, but not always. Guys traveling solo will definitely have a different experience than I did (I was never offered a happy ending!). I got a massage of some kind almost every day. The perfect end to a day of exploring.

Note: a full body Thai massage is not especially relaxing or peaceful, but more of a contact sport. The masseuse takes your arms and their shoulders and elbows and you legs and twists it all up. It didn’t feel particularly bad, but I wouldn’t say it felt that great. I tried a full body Thai massage once, then opted for the relaxing massages from then on.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace complex was the home of the Thai King from 1782 until 1925 and is still home to many government offices. It is a maze of structures and landscapes where you can wander.

Wat Phra

Just south along the river from the Grand Palace is Wat Phra, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, a 150 foot long gold Buddha just chillin. This is another temple complex to wander in awe of the buildings, grandeur and gold.

Wat Arun

Hop on a shuttle boat after the Grand Palace and Wat Phra across the river to Wat Arun, another Buddhist temple. This temple is a centerpiece of the Bangkok skyline and architecture along the river. The complex has tall spirals and amazing decor. Lots of gold!

Chatuckak Weekend Market

If you’re in Bangkok over the weekend, the Chatuckak Weekend Market is a must-do. With 15,000 vendor booths this market has everything, literally. A good place for some food and souvenirs and to just wander around. Get more information from their website.

Get out of Bangkok

There are sights just outside of the city that are worth seeing either as a day trip or for a few days that don’t require a flight. I took a few days and stayed at a homestead in the Mae Klong area, check it out!