After the first long haul flight I’ve taken in years I was so glad to finally touch down in Bangkok, Thailand! With our 5kg backpacks in tow we headed out into the city for the biggest culture shock of our lives.
Now the first thing to note upon leaving the airport is that it is bloody hot outside. We thought the hot weather in Budapest would have prepared us a little more for the heat in Thailand. Oh how wrong we were!
The aircon was lulling us kindly into a false sense of security. Layers came very swiftly off the both of us when we realised our own naiveite. No surprise we opted to catch a train from the airport to Phaya Thai to stay in the aircon.
Tuk Tuks
From the train station we decided to be typical tourists and tick something off our Asia bucket lists by hailing a tuk tuk. If you (like us) just want to catch one for the experience, then to save some cash you should look up the price of your journey beforehand. Barter down to that price. Be firm. If they refuse to offer you a decent price then walk away. They’ll either come chasing after you or another nearby driver will overhear and offer you the price you want.
TopTip – Make sure you download the Grab taxi app before you arrive and sponge off some free WiFi to order a taxi/bike. It’s far cheaper than a tuk tuk that you hail from the street.
Where to Stay?
The majority of the backpacker community can be found in the streets that surround Khao San Road. With so many hostels to choose from there really is something for every backpacker. Hostelworld will give you all you need to know to choose one!
Char and I chose Born Free Hostel. It was super chilled with a friendly atmosphere and an amazing common room. It would be my recommendation if you’re looking for somewhere quirky but with super helpful staff.
What to do in Bangkok?
Once you’ve navigated your way around this crazy city, darting in and out of the traffic and you’ve settled into your hotel or hostel then you’ll want to know what there is to do!
There are so many temples in the city to see but you don’t really want to end up feeling “templed out” so I would suggest picking a handful to visit.
The Grand Palace Complex
The first on mine and Chars list was The Grand Palace Complex which also contains Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha. It was the most expensive attraction by far but was worth it. Wat Phra Kaew itself was colourful and ornate and every time you moved the tiles glittered in the sun. I’ve never seen a building so vibrant. The vihara (prayer room) also took my breath away.
It was my first experience of a Buddhist temple but I’d looked up some important rules to follow beforehand, so I wouldn’t offend any of the locals. It’s always important to be nice and respect their customs and they’ll be nice to you in return!
Some quick hints include not showing the palms of your feet to Buddha, not turning your back on Buddha and always being quiet in the vihara.
The Reclining Buddha
Just behind the Grand Palace Complex is Wat Pho, famous for its enormous reclining Buddha. At a whopping 15m in height and 46m in length you will struggle to get this all on camera. Believe me I tried. This temple is far cheaper than the Grand Palace and, in my opinion, far better value for money. There are so many rooms to explore and rows upon rows of Buddhas.
Another handy hint when visiting temples is to wear shoes that are easy to take on and off. Untying and retying your laces multiple times a day becomes tedious pretty quickly.
Temple of the Dawn
A short boat ride across the river will take you to Wat Arun, Temple of the Dawn. A different design to the other temples in the city, it really is a striking sight against the skyline. It’s a beautiful temple that’s well worth paying a visit to.
More Temples?!
If you aren’t already templed out (seriously, it happens fast!) then I would recommend paying a visit to both the Golden Mountain Temple and Wat Traimit, which is where you will find the Golden Buddha. These temples both have their own unique charm and character.
The Golden Mountain Temple involves a bit of a climb but there is so much of it to explore and marvellous views from the top. Wat Traimit has a rather informative museum and the Golden Buddha itself is beyond your imagination.
The BEST Sunset!
For something a little different you should head to the State Tower. The hotel Lebua has an amazing Skybar where you can take in the most gorgeous sunset. Be warned, the cocktails are VERY expensive, but they are definitely worth it, and considering you don’t actually have to pay to go up to the Skybar, the whole thing works out a fair price.
As the sky grew dark and the city lights came on we were startled by a loud bang and a bright flash. Being a Londoner I immediately thought the worst, as did half the people in the bar. You can imagine my relief when I realised it was from a fireworks display! I must say that watching fireworks from above is quite the experience. Oh, how the other half live.
Khao San Road
If you’re looking for something a little cheaper then don’t worry, I know just the place. Khao San Road is a backpacker hub, filled with clubs, bars and restaurants. It’s one great big chaotic party!
Where to Eat?
The best food in Bangkok is definitely in the Khao San Road area. Around the corner from Born Free Hostel is a little restaurant called Seb’s Bar. Smoothies from this place are to die for. If you’re in the area make sure to eat here! You won’t be disappointed. Seriously, order a smoothie!
Overall, I would have to say that although I enjoyed parts of Bangkok it wasn’t my favourite city. The temples were stunning and I loved our hostel but the rest of the city was pretty lacklustre. We broke up our stay here with a day trip to Ayutthaya which I will talk about it my next post. If you’re going to Bangkok I would make sure to see all the best sights but don’t hesitate to move on to your next destination.
Have you been to Bangkok? Did you enjoy it? Let me know in the comments below!
