Bangkok - Things To Do

In 2022, I helped out an Asheville friend who was going to Bangkok.  She had been on a short trip before.

1. Rooftop Bars

If you do all these, you will get the best overall views of the city. Be sure to add Mahanakhon (rooftop and skywalk) to complete this.

Char, Belga, Octave or Tichuca, Vanilla Sky These are all on Sukvumvit Rd and close to the BTS. 

HI-SO, Vertigo & Moon Bar - these would give you a vantage point of the river, plus a view back towards your hotel.

2. Benjakitti Forest Park

Considering its location, I would combine it with a stop for lunch at Terminal 21 mall or at the food market, Ruam Sab.

3. Dancing

Bangkok is well-known for its club scene, plus like in any major international city, you can find music of all types. You will need to do your own research.

Havana Social - If you do Havana Social, you can first stop off at the rooftop bar Above Eleven, which is very close. They serve Japanese/Peruvian cuisine. Remind me to tell you about my experience.

Flamenco

4. Malls

These five are along Sukhumvit Rd and are likely ones you might visit. Besides air-conditioning, these malls are great places to go to look around. They are also great places for food courts and nice restaurants. If you are tired, malls can be an easy way to grab a coffee, meal and rest. These malls also have supermarkets that rival (and surpass ours). So if you are looking for items for your room, you can do some light shopping.

Emquartier - vertical garden, waterfall, rooftop garden

Emporium

Central Embassy

Siam Paragon

Terminal 21

Iconsiam - the newest, most luxurious one along the river, and one you will see from atop Mahanakhon bldg. You could reach iconsiam by BTS, but it's a little tricky. I would not make this mall top priority.

5. Two excellent night markets

I would do both of these - two separate nights. Arrive at 5 pm or so and walk around. Snack, eat and wait for crowds to arrive by 7 pm. These will amaze you. Reachable by BTS. If you only choose one, go with Jodd Fairs.

Jodd Fairs & One Ratchada

6. Mahanakhon Skywalk

I would arrive at the skyscraper BTS station stop a full two hours before sunset. Buy tickets and get on up to the top so that you can for sure be up on the rooftop one hour before sunset. You can get drinks up there. As soon as the sun sets, I would go back to my hotel via BTS and order room service food, or already have foods and snacks waiting there for you, for dinner. And before getting to Mahanakhon, I would make sure to have already had a nice lunch and some afternoon snacks so that you are not hungry when you arrive. More on this later.

7. Oriental Hotel

Get pre-dinner drinks at Bamboo Bar (arrive as soon as they open) and dinner on riverside patio (make reservation for dinner). I think the restaurant is called Verandah. You could always return to Bamboo Bar after dinner to get another drink and enjoy piano music.

8. Temples

Wat Traimit in Chinatown - home of the world's largest solid gold Buddha

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara - near Khao San rd, where at least two kings were monks

Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen - biggest outdoor Buddha in Bangkok

9. Restaurant experiences

Ruam Sab (Asoke Montri Rd) for weekday lunch. I would get there by 10:45 to be ready to order at a food stall by 11 AM. Office workers will pour in by noon. Worth the food and the spectacle.

Food courts - Terminal 21 mall has a great one. I would arrive early to beat the crowd. All malls will have food courts. Great-tasting. Tremendous variety.

Japanese - I would try the great ones that the Japanese expat community enjoy. I can help you come up with possibilities that work best with other things you're doing. You will see lots of chains that are popular with Thais. Still good, but just not the best. There's a great Japanese restaurant near Vanilla Sky Rooftop. I would recommend going to rooftop first, and staying till sunset. When done, exit and walk next door to the Japanese restaurant.

Even though you have been to the Jim Thompson House Museum, I would consider having lunch there on the garden patio. 

For a really good restaurant that is easy to reach off of Sukhumvit Rd, I recommend Sabai Jai. You can exit BTS Ekimai, then walk Soi Ekimai until you reach it. They serve Northeastern thai cuisine, specializing in grilled meats and papaya salads. However, they have everything you'd want in a Thai restaurant. Very popular with locals and expats. The idea is to order 4, 5 or 6 or more plates to share with somebody. I recommend grilled chicken, grilled pork, sticky rice, larb and somtam (maybe regular and fruit). Always good to carry wet ones to clean hands.

10. Khao San Rd and Soi Rambutri

Consider going. I may have to talk with you about this one.

11. Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza for go-go bars. Skip Patpong, since you saw last time. Plus i read that it is being torn down.

12. Massage

Your hotel will likely have a spa with massage. Not going to be the "extras" kind, but will be very good if you're desiring a relaxing vacay. 

Outside the hotel, pretty much anywhere along Sukhumvit, there will be a wide range of massage places, where you can get similar to your hotel massages and other less expensive kinds, plus those with "extras." But even those that offer "extras" doesn't mean you have to get them. These ladies will give amazing massages, with extras or not. I know the massage side of life there, and can give more detailed insight in-person.

13. Klong (canal) boat tour

You could easily do one of these by yourselves, and you would be treated to an interesting part of life in Bangkok. A good tour and boat captain can take you by some amazing temples and markets along the klongs. Keep in mind, this is different than the floating market tour, which i personally would skip. Too touristy and artificial. I can explain more in-person.

Avoid + things you did last time

Lumpini Park

Patpong

Grand Palace

Reclining Buddha

Asiatique

Wat Arun

Temple of Golden Mount