See and Do in Bangkok
Bangkok is an around-the-clock razzmatazz of snap, crackle and pop. Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shopping malls, open markets, golf courses, temples, parks, shooting ranges, and odd smells all combine to provide a riotous experience.
Needless to say, expats new to Thailand's capital city and commercial centre will find themselves with plenty to see and do. A weekend in Bangkok can blaze by in a blur, and whether you choose to take the tourist route and sightsee your way through the city's countless sidestreets, or whether your prefer to settle in and sit shoulder to shoulder with the locals, dull moments are always at a minimum.
From the bits and bobs found at the famous floating markets to the haute couture of high-end fashion, Bangkok has it all. Expats must merely decide if they're in the mood to search for their favourite "white rabbit", or if they'd prefer the air-con and
easy access of the mega malls, which house anything and everything, from cinemas, to bowling alleys, to huge food courts.
For those that prefer the mega malls, a whole weekend in Bangkok can be worn away at Siam Paragorn, which is easily accessible by sky train (BTS - Siam). Other major malls are the Emporium (BTS - Phram Pong), Central World (BTS - Phlern Chit) and MBK (BTS - National Stadium), which are all within a short distance of one another.
However, for those who wish to keep it real, there are open markets which remain ever-popular with locals, expats and tourists. Chatuchak market, which is said to be one of the largest flea markets in the world, is accessible by sky train (BTS – Mo Chit), and offers excellent value for everything unusual, unique and perhaps illegal. Do note that pickpockets work this area, so tourists and expats must beware.
As for the floating markets, the Damnoen market has gained a bit of an unsavoury reputation as an overpriced hassle. From the taxi drivers to the congested waterways, it’s become a bit of Bangkok perhaps best avoided. However, the Amphawa market, which is located outside of Bangkok in Samut Prakarn, still retains the uniqueness and charm of a floating market. Expats will need to take a taxi or rent a car to get to Amphawa.
Bangkok is passionate about food; in many cases the very first question most Thai people will ask one another is, "Have you eaten yet?” It won't be long before expats begin to understand what food means to the locals, and to appreciate the amazing variety on offer in Bangkok.
Whether it's a morning side-street noodle dish, made with mother’s secret home-made broth, or an evening roadside vendor concocting Thailand’s famous spice-adventure, somtam, it is all very available, very tasty and very reasonably priced.
However, naturally, at some point every expat will experience a yearning for something that smells like home, or just an option different to rice and noodles, and thankfully, Bangkok is happy to oblige. There is a whole host of bars and restaurants, which offer good quality food, but at a more premium rate. Where your local somtam might set you back 1 USD, your American burger is going to cost you 7 USD, so you may need to check your bank balance before you spend the weekend in Bangkok eating yourself nostalgic.
To the untrained eye, Bangkok’s fondness for the gods’ amber nectar borders on a worrisome proportion (Thailand is ranked 5th in worldwide alcohol consumption). Newly arrived expats eager to spend their weekend in Bangkok in party mode will have no trouble finding a variety of vibrant venues, but be forewarned, a next day Changover (named for the Thai Chang Beer) will certainly be on the horizon.
For many Bangkokians (expat and local), their modus operandi is to generally buy a bottle of Johnny Walker. Now, just because you buy a bottle, doesn’t mean you have to drink the whole bottle in one night – it can be deposited at the club of origin, where you can return and begin where you left off next time around.
For the backdrop to your revelry, take your pick: inside the club, outside the club, on the street, in the road, in the gutter - the choice is yours! The majority of party-goers will generally swarm around the Sukumwit / Silom areas.
Sukumwit Soi 11 is one block in particular with plenty of clubs and rooftop bars, as is RCA (Royal City Avenue), which is just off Sukumwit, and is a great place to drink, dance (inside or outside) and meet the locals.
Unfortunately, the variety blessed upon drinking spots doesn’t extend towards music in Bangkok. Most clubs will generally belt out and repeat a five-year-old MTV play list of over-played hip-hop and rap. Beyond that, if you wish to swap your DJ for a live band, then you can, but most expats tend to avoid them, because - simply - they’re mostly terrible.
Most tourists will pick out the generic spots - Buddhist Temples and the Royal Palace - but if you wish to see the city on a more personal, nitty-gritty level, then a bike tour is recommended. Grasshopper Adventures
(grasshopperadventures.com) offer very affordable and enjoyable tours.
Given the heat, walking tours are not necessarily commonplace, but some have attempted to put something together, which again, attempts to bring across the charm of Bangkok. Kohspot.com/city/bangkok/travel/ is a site that doesn't offer a service, but puts down the recommened routes for walking enthusiasts.
And if all of that this is a bit too soft for you, then head down to the Lumpini Muay Thai stadium, in Silom, for some blood, sweat and tears, as well as a bit of culture. Known internationally as kickboxing, Thailand’s national sport offers a bruising experience, as well as a fascinating insight into its culture.
www.palaces.thai.net
Tel: (0)2 623 5500
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is Thailand's oldest and most famous Temple, The Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) houses the deity in solid gold form, and Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing and Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) are beautiful illustrations of the sheer opulence of these houses of worship.
Dotted around Bangkok are a few priceless parks which offer you the chance to enjoy a picnic, take a romantic paddle around the pond, walk the dog, play with the children, or generally practice the great art of rest and relaxation.
Otherwise, if you’re looking to up your heart rate by an inch, then heading out to a golf course is always a sound option. There are plenty of quality courses situated around Bangkok, which offer excellent value for money. Also, don’t worry about equipment, it can be rented on site – just wear the appropriate clothing.
And if hitting golf balls doesn’t soothe the stress of the week, then maybe a firing range is where you need to head. Again, these are easily found in and around Bangkok. One recommended range is situated at the Military Police Battalion Division 11, near Victory Monument Bangkok. Open every day from 9am until 6pm in the afternoon, it can be easily found by taxi, or by hopping on the BTS to Victory Monument and then making your way from there.
Needless to say, expats new to Thailand's capital city and commercial centre will find themselves with plenty to see and do. A weekend in Bangkok can blaze by in a blur, and whether you choose to take the tourist route and sightsee your way through the city's countless sidestreets, or whether your prefer to settle in and sit shoulder to shoulder with the locals, dull moments are always at a minimum.
Shop
From the bits and bobs found at the famous floating markets to the haute couture of high-end fashion, Bangkok has it all. Expats must merely decide if they're in the mood to search for their favourite "white rabbit", or if they'd prefer the air-con and
easy access of the mega malls, which house anything and everything, from cinemas, to bowling alleys, to huge food courts. For those that prefer the mega malls, a whole weekend in Bangkok can be worn away at Siam Paragorn, which is easily accessible by sky train (BTS - Siam). Other major malls are the Emporium (BTS - Phram Pong), Central World (BTS - Phlern Chit) and MBK (BTS - National Stadium), which are all within a short distance of one another.
However, for those who wish to keep it real, there are open markets which remain ever-popular with locals, expats and tourists. Chatuchak market, which is said to be one of the largest flea markets in the world, is accessible by sky train (BTS – Mo Chit), and offers excellent value for everything unusual, unique and perhaps illegal. Do note that pickpockets work this area, so tourists and expats must beware.
As for the floating markets, the Damnoen market has gained a bit of an unsavoury reputation as an overpriced hassle. From the taxi drivers to the congested waterways, it’s become a bit of Bangkok perhaps best avoided. However, the Amphawa market, which is located outside of Bangkok in Samut Prakarn, still retains the uniqueness and charm of a floating market. Expats will need to take a taxi or rent a car to get to Amphawa.
Eat
Bangkok is passionate about food; in many cases the very first question most Thai people will ask one another is, "Have you eaten yet?” It won't be long before expats begin to understand what food means to the locals, and to appreciate the amazing variety on offer in Bangkok.
Whether it's a morning side-street noodle dish, made with mother’s secret home-made broth, or an evening roadside vendor concocting Thailand’s famous spice-adventure, somtam, it is all very available, very tasty and very reasonably priced. However, naturally, at some point every expat will experience a yearning for something that smells like home, or just an option different to rice and noodles, and thankfully, Bangkok is happy to oblige. There is a whole host of bars and restaurants, which offer good quality food, but at a more premium rate. Where your local somtam might set you back 1 USD, your American burger is going to cost you 7 USD, so you may need to check your bank balance before you spend the weekend in Bangkok eating yourself nostalgic.
Drink
To the untrained eye, Bangkok’s fondness for the gods’ amber nectar borders on a worrisome proportion (Thailand is ranked 5th in worldwide alcohol consumption). Newly arrived expats eager to spend their weekend in Bangkok in party mode will have no trouble finding a variety of vibrant venues, but be forewarned, a next day Changover (named for the Thai Chang Beer) will certainly be on the horizon.
For many Bangkokians (expat and local), their modus operandi is to generally buy a bottle of Johnny Walker. Now, just because you buy a bottle, doesn’t mean you have to drink the whole bottle in one night – it can be deposited at the club of origin, where you can return and begin where you left off next time around.For the backdrop to your revelry, take your pick: inside the club, outside the club, on the street, in the road, in the gutter - the choice is yours! The majority of party-goers will generally swarm around the Sukumwit / Silom areas.
Sukumwit Soi 11 is one block in particular with plenty of clubs and rooftop bars, as is RCA (Royal City Avenue), which is just off Sukumwit, and is a great place to drink, dance (inside or outside) and meet the locals.
Unfortunately, the variety blessed upon drinking spots doesn’t extend towards music in Bangkok. Most clubs will generally belt out and repeat a five-year-old MTV play list of over-played hip-hop and rap. Beyond that, if you wish to swap your DJ for a live band, then you can, but most expats tend to avoid them, because - simply - they’re mostly terrible.
See
Most tourists will pick out the generic spots - Buddhist Temples and the Royal Palace - but if you wish to see the city on a more personal, nitty-gritty level, then a bike tour is recommended. Grasshopper Adventures
(grasshopperadventures.com) offer very affordable and enjoyable tours.
Given the heat, walking tours are not necessarily commonplace, but some have attempted to put something together, which again, attempts to bring across the charm of Bangkok. Kohspot.com/city/bangkok/travel/ is a site that doesn't offer a service, but puts down the recommened routes for walking enthusiasts.
And if all of that this is a bit too soft for you, then head down to the Lumpini Muay Thai stadium, in Silom, for some blood, sweat and tears, as well as a bit of culture. Known internationally as kickboxing, Thailand’s national sport offers a bruising experience, as well as a fascinating insight into its culture.
►Royal Grand Palace
Any new expat should take a trip to the Royal Grand Palace to view the wonderful architecture, to learn about the country’s royal family and to have a gander at the world famous Emerald Buddha. It’s certainly a great way to spend the day.www.palaces.thai.net
Tel: (0)2 623 5500
►The Buddhist Temples
Expats looking for a great weekend in Bangkok should certainly take some time out to visit some of the many Buddhist Temples (wats) in and around the city.The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is Thailand's oldest and most famous Temple, The Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) houses the deity in solid gold form, and Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing and Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) are beautiful illustrations of the sheer opulence of these houses of worship.
Outdoors
Dotted around Bangkok are a few priceless parks which offer you the chance to enjoy a picnic, take a romantic paddle around the pond, walk the dog, play with the children, or generally practice the great art of rest and relaxation.
Otherwise, if you’re looking to up your heart rate by an inch, then heading out to a golf course is always a sound option. There are plenty of quality courses situated around Bangkok, which offer excellent value for money. Also, don’t worry about equipment, it can be rented on site – just wear the appropriate clothing. And if hitting golf balls doesn’t soothe the stress of the week, then maybe a firing range is where you need to head. Again, these are easily found in and around Bangkok. One recommended range is situated at the Military Police Battalion Division 11, near Victory Monument Bangkok. Open every day from 9am until 6pm in the afternoon, it can be easily found by taxi, or by hopping on the BTS to Victory Monument and then making your way from there.
