Weekend Travel: Bangkok

WHEN TO GO:

Do NOT go in the summer, I repeat, do NOT go in the summer. I went in July and it was a blistering 37C (98F) and wandering outdoors from temple to temple, market to market, resulted in a sweat I didn't even know I was capable of. 

WHAT TO DO:

1. Grand Palace* 

One of the most breathtaking places I've ever been to and nothing I can say will do it justice so I'll just let the photos do talking. 

2. Wat Pho

46 m long reclining Buddha!

3. Thai massage 

I went to Health Land Spa and Massage, which was 500 baht (USD 15) for two hours!! Facilities were spick and span clean and very comfortable.

4. Chatuchak Weekend Market

This was on our to-do list but we ultimately didn't make it here due to lack of time. From travel guides, it sounds like a fun, large scale flea and food market. 

5. Pak Klong Talat Flower Market

This was another market I was dying to go to but was held back by my heat-induced naps (oops). Like the fish market in Tokyo, the busiest time is ~3 am when the wholesalers come in and buy the flowers by the truckloads. 

6. Pratunam Market (AVOID!!!!)

I lived right by here and had to walk through this cramped and crowded market to get home. The goods they sold also didn't look very interesting - predominantly cheap and poorly made clothing. Not worth going.  

    

    

FOR A FUN DAY TRIP:

1. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (1.5 hours away from Bangkok)*

Yes, it is super touristy and you find yourself stuck in a boat jam half the time, but it's really an eye opening experience. I definitely would not skip out on this one if it's your first time to Bangkok or Thailand!

2. Hua Hin (2.5 hours away from Bangkok)

If you're itching to go to the beach but don't have enough days to island hop, Hua Hin might just be the place for you. Pattaya is another option, but I'm told Hua Hin is a nicer option. 

    

WHERE TO EAT:

1. Nara*

All around the best meal I had in Bangkok. Nara had a huge selection of delicious local Thai cuisine at very affordable price point all in the comforts of an air conditioned mall. Much better than its sister Thai restaurant Apinara.  Of particular note was the Tom Yum Kung soup, chilli soft shell crab, and boat noodles. I'm salivating just thinking about it! 

2. Street food! 

Word on the street is that Mae Varee Fruit Shop serves the best mango sticky rice, and Victory Monument Boat Noodle the best boat noodles.  I didn't get a chance to check out either, but we did stop by the food market in front of the Central World mall. It was small scale, but we had a lot of fun snacking from stall to stall. My favorite has hands down got to be the deep fried pork chops. Crunchy and crispy on the outside and so tender and juicy in the inside, nommmmmmmms!!!!!!! If you're looking for a more large scale, local approved food market, I'd recommend Sukhumvit Soi 38.

3. Thip Samai Restaurant

They supposedly serve the best pad thai in Bangkok. Unfortunately, we went at lunch and didn't realize they were only open for dinner. 

4. Somboon Seafood - overrated.

I've heard great things about this place from locals and tourists alike and was even recommended by a random local passerby when he saw our lost, starving, sweaty selves googling for where to eat (we had just found out the pad thai restaurant was closed).  Their most famous item is their chilly crabs and it was very mediocre. I thought the chilly crabs from Nara were just as good (if not better!)

And for the fancy pants amongst you, here are a couple higher end Thai fusion options that came highly recommended (all opened by expats) - 

5. Nahm

6. Bo.Lan

7. Soul Food Mahanakorn

    

WHERE TO DRINK:

Bangkok is almost synonymous with its rooftop bars, and two of the most popular include -  

1. Lebua Sky Bar 

Beautiful setting against a beautiful view. Note that they have a pretty strict dress code. 

2. Octave Rooftop Bar (at the Marriott Hotel)

Another nice hotel rooftop bar alternative with a much less stringent dress code (guys were allowed in with shorts). They also serve a fancy mango sticky rice (you inject the coconut sauce into sushi shaped stick rice)! 

Otherwise, I've also heard great things (cool decor + delicious drinks) about the bars that Ashley Sutton opened and will definitely check them out next time I'm in town - 

3. Iron Fairies

4. Maggie Choos (1920s Shanghai vibe)

5. A. R. Sutton Engineers Siam (speakeasy)

PS - How amazing is this hand carved watermelon and papaya?!