Guidebook for Bangkok
Food Scene
Many street food and local restaurant (short cut is to walk through Pullman Hotel Kingpower entrance)
12 locals recommend
Rang Nam Alley
Thanon Rang NamMany street food and local restaurant (short cut is to walk through Pullman Hotel Kingpower entrance)
Best Pad Thai in town!!! Open around 5pm.
Note that Thip Samai is closed on Mondays.
112 locals recommend
Thipsamai
315 Maha Chai RdBest Pad Thai in town!!! Open around 5pm.
Note that Thip Samai is closed on Mondays.
Easier and hygienic way to try Northeastern-style Thai food. A must try is Somtam (Papaya Salad), Larb (Meat Salad) and maybe some grilled catfish or chicken along with sticky rice.
Somtam Convent
Easier and hygienic way to try Northeastern-style Thai food. A must try is Somtam (Papaya Salad), Larb (Meat Salad) and maybe some grilled catfish or chicken along with sticky rice.
Arts & Culture
The Jim Thompson House is the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company.
331 locals recommend
Jim Thompson House
6 Soi Kasem San 2The Jim Thompson House is the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company.
This large, modern building in the centre of Bangkok has become one of the more significant players in the city’s contemporary arts scene. As well as its three floors and 3000 sq metres of gallery space, the centre also contains shops, private galleries, cafes and an art library. Visit the website to see what exhibitions are on when you're in town.
10am-9pm Tue-Sat
390 locals recommend
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
939 Thanon Rama 1This large, modern building in the centre of Bangkok has become one of the more significant players in the city’s contemporary arts scene. As well as its three floors and 3000 sq metres of gallery space, the centre also contains shops, private galleries, cafes and an art library. Visit the website to see what exhibitions are on when you're in town.
10am-9pm Tue-Sat
Shopping
One of the biggest shopping centres in Asia.
It includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theatre.
799 locals recommend
S & P
991/1 Thanon Rama 1One of the biggest shopping centres in Asia.
It includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theatre.
Siam Center was built in 1973 and was one of Bangkok’s first shopping malls.
Currently Siam Center sales Thai designer Brands.
252 locals recommend
Siam Center
979 Thanon Rama 1Siam Center was built in 1973 and was one of Bangkok’s first shopping malls.
Currently Siam Center sales Thai designer Brands.
MBK Center
444 Phayathai RdVery Touristy Shopping Mall
Platinum or Platunam, you can find cheap clothes here. Great to bring friends along because the more you buy the more discount you will get.
510 locals recommend
The Platinum Fashion Mall
222 Phetchaburi RdPlatinum or Platunam, you can find cheap clothes here. Great to bring friends along because the more you buy the more discount you will get.
Sightseeing
Probably the most visited and remembered landmark of Thailand, The Grand Palace in Bangkok is where every visitor must pay a visit at least once in their lifetime.
975 locals recommend
The grand palace
Probably the most visited and remembered landmark of Thailand, The Grand Palace in Bangkok is where every visitor must pay a visit at least once in their lifetime.
You'll find (slightly) fewer tourists here than at Wat Phra Kaew, but Wat Pho is our fave among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining Buddha, the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand and the country's earliest centre for public education.
The famous massage school has two massage pavilions located within the temple area and additional rooms within the training facility outside the temple.
672 locals recommend
Wat Phra Chetuphon
You'll find (slightly) fewer tourists here than at Wat Phra Kaew, but Wat Pho is our fave among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining Buddha, the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand and the country's earliest centre for public education.
The famous massage school has two massage pavilions located within the temple area and additional rooms within the training facility outside the temple.
Other than being just plain huge and impressive, Wat Suthat also holds the highest royal temple grade.
You can find the famous Giant Swing in front of Wat Suthat as well.
Wat Suthat and The Giant Swing
146 Thanon Bamrung MueangOther than being just plain huge and impressive, Wat Suthat also holds the highest royal temple grade.
You can find the famous Giant Swing in front of Wat Suthat as well.
After the fall of Ayuthaya, King Taksin ceremoniously clinched control here on the site of a local shrine and established a royal palace and a temple to house the Emerald Buddha. The temple was renamed after the Indian god of dawn (Aruna) and in honour of the literal and symbolic founding of a new Ayuthaya.
298 locals recommend
Wat Arun
After the fall of Ayuthaya, King Taksin ceremoniously clinched control here on the site of a local shrine and established a royal palace and a temple to house the Emerald Buddha. The temple was renamed after the Indian god of dawn (Aruna) and in honour of the literal and symbolic founding of a new Ayuthaya.
Drinks & Nightlife
All sort of pubs and bars with different style to choose.
So much in fact, that the people, peddlers and party spirit have spilled over into nearby Soi Rambuttri. With its carefree, anything-goes vibe, it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok, and so infectious is its atmosphere it's also popular with locals, especially young hipsters and art students.
50 locals recommend
Khao San road
Thanon Khao SanAll sort of pubs and bars with different style to choose.
So much in fact, that the people, peddlers and party spirit have spilled over into nearby Soi Rambuttri. With its carefree, anything-goes vibe, it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok, and so infectious is its atmosphere it's also popular with locals, especially young hipsters and art students.
This basement pub, one of our fave destinations in Bangkok for live music, hosts a nightly revolving cast of bands for an almost exclusively Thai crowd – many of whom will end the night dancing on the tables. Brick Bar can get infamously packed, so be sure to get there early.
17 locals recommend
Brick Bar
This basement pub, one of our fave destinations in Bangkok for live music, hosts a nightly revolving cast of bands for an almost exclusively Thai crowd – many of whom will end the night dancing on the tables. Brick Bar can get infamously packed, so be sure to get there early.
CLOUD9 Casual Rooftop Bar
3 Soi Ari 147th Floor Bar with terrific view.
An evening at this comically misnamed bar is more like chilling on the rooftop of your stoner buddy’s flat than any jazz club we’ve ever been to. But there are indeed views of the BTS, jazz on occasion and a scrappy speakeasy atmosphere.
To find it, look for the sign and proceed up the graffiti-strewn stairway until you reach the roof.
5pm-2am
Sky Train Jazz Bar
Thanon Rang NamAn evening at this comically misnamed bar is more like chilling on the rooftop of your stoner buddy’s flat than any jazz club we’ve ever been to. But there are indeed views of the BTS, jazz on occasion and a scrappy speakeasy atmosphere.
To find it, look for the sign and proceed up the graffiti-strewn stairway until you reach the roof.
5pm-2am
Banglamphu's best bar, Hippie boasts a funky retro vibe and indoor and outdoor seating, all set to the type of indie/pop soundtrack that you're unlikely to hear elsewhere in town. Despite being located on Th Khao San, there are surprisingly few foreign faces, and it's a great place to make some new Thai friends.
Hippie Hi
Banglamphu's best bar, Hippie boasts a funky retro vibe and indoor and outdoor seating, all set to the type of indie/pop soundtrack that you're unlikely to hear elsewhere in town. Despite being located on Th Khao San, there are surprisingly few foreign faces, and it's a great place to make some new Thai friends.
Entertainment & Activities
Bangkok’s most chichi Thai cooking school offers two lessons daily. The morning class squeezes in a visit to a local market, while the afternoon session includes a detailed introduction to Thai ingredients.
lessons 8.45am-1.30pm & 1.30-5pm Mon-Sat
www.blueelephant.com/cooking-school
56 locals recommend
Blue Elephant
Bangkok’s most chichi Thai cooking school offers two lessons daily. The morning class squeezes in a visit to a local market, while the afternoon session includes a detailed introduction to Thai ingredients.
lessons 8.45am-1.30pm & 1.30-5pm Mon-Sat
www.blueelephant.com/cooking-school
Everything Else
Among the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak seems to unite everything buyable, from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. You can plan to spend a full day here, as there’s plenty to see, do and buy. But come early, ideally around 11am, to beat the crowds and the heat.
945 locals recommend
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Among the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak seems to unite everything buyable, from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. You can plan to spend a full day here, as there’s plenty to see, do and buy. But come early, ideally around 11am, to beat the crowds and the heat.