Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, the sprawling megalopolis capital city of Thailand. Set of the incredibly popular comedy The Hangover Part II and home to an estimated 14 million people. How do you get there, what do you do when you arrive, why visit?
I’ll tell you why, Bangkok, and in general the Thai people, are some of the most considerate, warm and friendly people you will find on the planet! Thailand may be on the other side of the globe from the United States, but it was absolutely worth the 20+ hour travel time (more on that later). If you’re contemplating a trip to Bangkok, or even if you’re not, let me detail for you the 5 perfect days in Bangkok, Thailand.
Day 1: Arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport
The main airport that services Bangkok is Suvarnabhumi Airport. Yeah, good luck pronouncing that one! Fortunately, nobody really calls the airport by its full name, rather BKK airport or obviously “the airport.” If you’ll be traveling elsewhere in Thailand or Bangkok isn’t your only stop in the country, there’s a good chance you’ll catch a flight from Don Mueang, the smaller airport in the city. However, Suvarnabhumi Airport is technically not in Bangkok, situated roughly 40 kilometers east of the city, it’s a good 30 minute to an hour (depending on traffic of course) drive from most points of interest in Bangkok. I highly encourage you to have the app “Grab” downloaded prior to landing in Thailand. The main food delivery, ride sharing, do it all app of most countries in Southeast Asia, this app will come in handy everyday you are in Thailand. However, once you’ve landed and gone through Thai customs, if you prefer to try out the local public transportation like myself, have no fear for the Thai train are highly efficient and most importantly, air conditioned!
Day 2: Relax
You read that right, time to relax! Admit it, you just spent a full day on an airplane and traveled halfway around the world (if you came from the US), so take a breather and explore one, or all, of Bangkok’s mega malls! For my American readers, this may sound at odds with the direction of American malls today, but trust me, in Thailand, malls are alive and thriving. Since the average temperature in Thailand can reach 105°F (40°C) in summer and rarely dips below 85°F (30°C) in winter with persistently high humidity plus a 3 month long monsoon season, sometimes there’s just nothing else you can do but sit inside an air conditioned mall. Welcome to one of the world’s most vibrant mall cultures, with massive buildings all throughout the city. To top it all off, many of these malls are connected via above ground walkways and to public transportation options like the BTS stations. So you never have to stand outside in the pouring rain waiting to cross the street!
Day 3: Get Religious
Thailand is Buddhist. Like really Buddhist. 93% of the population of Thailand is Buddhist, with the other 7% mixed between Muslim, Christian and other small minorities. That being said, you will see lots of Buddhist shrines around the city, in Taxis/Grabs, in malls, banks, restaurants, you name it, there very well may be a Buddhist shrine around! Not only is Bangkok full of shrines, but also Buddhist Temples! There are roughly 40,000 temples in Bangkok, of which 30,000 are still in use today! It would make sense then to spend a day touring some of the most magnificent Buddhist temples of Bangkok. From Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) to Wat Paknam, home to the largest Buddha in the world at 300 feet high (92m), Bangkok has a temple for you!
Even better, there are several magnificent temples within central Bangkok, all within walking distance of each other! Wat Arun, Wat Phra, Wat Sakat (The Golden Mount), Wat Traimit and Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) are all extremely close to each other. While you’re checking out all these temples, be sure to swing by The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (yes, another temple)! Please note, you do not have to be observant to visit these temples, just please observe Buddhist customs and dress appropriately. This means shorts/pants that cover the knees and shoulders.
Day 4: Take a Trip!
So you’ve been in Bangkok for 3 days now, bet you didn’t know Bangkok is a city of canals? Believe it or not, for centuries Thai leaders have built canals throughout the city around the Chao Phraya delta for transportation, irrigation and flood mitigation. It doesn’t just stop in Bangkok, as outer regions of the city also built canals for transportation and there’s no better place to experience this than the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Located about an hour and a half outside of Bangkok, the Damnoen Floating Market is the largest in the country and absolutely worth a visit! There are plenty of floating markets within Bangkok, but at Damnoen you get a much longer experience on the water with a more diverse offering of stalls to stop at. We used Viator’s tour to visit the floating market AND Maeklong Railway Market, which was also a wonderful cultural experience outside of Bangkok. So pack your day pack and experience the amazing culture of Thai floating markets!
If you’re not too worn out from the day’s trip, you’ll be dropped off in Bangkok not too far from Yaowarat Road, otherwise known as China Town. One of the largest “Chinatowns” in the world, Yaowarat Road is oftentimes considered the gastronomic destination of Bangkok. If you’re beat, no worries, head back to your accommodation and visit Yaowarat Road later in the evening when everything is illuminated with huge neon lights!
Day 5: Embrace the Thai Culture
Despite the name, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is open every day, all year and will definitely have whatever it is you may be shopping for (and some things you may not have been shopping for)! The largest market in Bangkok, you can spend hours here walking through the stalls, trying all the different teas and capitalizing on a bargain or two. I would highly recommend you squeeze in a visit here, even if it’s just to get out and start your day!
When you think of Thailand, you think of Muay Thai, right? Whether or not you knew it, Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing as it is sometimes called, originated in Thailand and is still the main form of fighting in the country. Given that, when in Bangkok, you do as the Thai do! Catch a Muay Thai fight at the famous Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium!
Enjoying your afternoon of shopping and evening of Muay Thai? Why not wrap up your night by walking down the famous Thanon Khao San (Khao San Road). Here you’ll find plenty of unique and delicious food options, bars, clubs, and…. well let’s just say other characteristically Thai things. Whatever your interests, just be smart and don’t be lured into anything you are not comfortable with!
Thailand is a fun filled destination that is probably on the top of most people’s list and I can definitely attest to the fact that it did not disappoint and I didn’t even leave Bangkok! If you have an opportunity to visit Thailand, I would highly recommend it!