Looking for places to go around Bangkok or Thailand in general? This might be a good place to start! Backpacking? Not a problem! Transportation is generally easy to get and fairly affordable. Please keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive but are some of my favorite spots for shopping, vacation, or adventure. If you're looking for restaurants in Bangkok, check out this page. Use the hotlinks below to check out various places to explore in Thailand!!
Clickable hotlinks by location: [Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
BANGKOK
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
GRAND PALACE
Accessed by: Taxi, Tuk Tuk (National Stadium closest BTS Station)
Highlights: Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chao Phraya River
The Grand Palace was constructed in 1782 and consists of a complex of buildings located on the bank of the Chao Phraya river. The Grand Palace houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, government buildings, courtyards, and halls. This location has long been one of the staples for tourists to visit during their tour of Bangkok. However, be careful when you visit the Grand Palace! The area is completely safe, however many scam artists can be found immediately outside of the grounds, and Tuk Tuks (and some taxis) in that area can charge outrageous rates for taking people around. If you decide to make purchases or take a tuk tuk, remember to negotiate aggressively over the rate! I highly refraining from purchasing anything immediately outside of the complex. In any case, the Grand Palace is an interesting and highly-recommended place to visit while in Bangkok.
CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
Accessed by: Saphan Taksin BTS Station, Taxi
Highlights: Grand Palace, Asiatique, Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, Chatrium, Public Boat Transport, Dinner Cruises
The Chao Phraya river is located adjacent to the hi-so (think Gangnam style) district of Sathorn and runs roughly through the southern part of the city. Taking one of the many boats down the river though is unforgettable and incredibly cheap! Watch barges lazily move up or down the river, or the many unusual small boats moving to and fro on the water. It's possible to pass the Grand Palace situated on the bank of the River, as well as some of the other temples and resorts. Are the boats safe? As safe as can be had is the correct answer to that question! Enjoy the ride!
SIAM PARAGON
Accessed by: Siam BTS Station, Taxi
Highlights: Shopping, Food, Entertainment, Aquarium, Scala Theater, Chulalongkorn University
Siam Paragon is arguably the number one up-scale shopping destination in central Bangkok; a massive shopping complex that is self-described as "the Pride of Bangkok". A cinema and the only IMAX theater in Bangkok are located on the top floor of the mall. One of the finest aquariums in Southeast Asia is on the lowest floor, Siam Ocean World. Want to swim with the sharks? Stop on by! Of course, foodies would be happy since Paragon also houses an innumerable number of restaurants of all types, shapes, styles, and costs. Designer brands such as Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, Hermes, etc, can also be found here. Please note that store prices within this complex are generally not negotiable!! If you are a shopping guru or a food fanatic or just an interested tourist, stopping by Siam Paragon for an hour or two might be worth the visit!
MBK CENTER
Accessed by: BTS National Stadium, walking from BTS Siam, Taxi
Highlights: Shopping, Food, Entertainment, Scala Theater, Chulalongkorn University
MBK is another massive shopping complex located in the heart of Bangkok that is a must-see. MBK doesn't have many large stores, but consists of a huge maze of hundreds of small venders selling everything from clothing to electronics to jewelry. Keep in mind the fact that not everything inside the mall may be genuine unless its sold by the a certified dealer (i.e. Samsung Galaxy phones, etc)! And within MBK feel free to bargain to your hearts content (does not generally apply to certified dealers, name brand stores, or phones). Enjoy shopping? Have fun!!
VICTORY MONUMENT
Accessed by: BTS Victory Monument, taxi
Highlights: Shopping, local Thailand feel, Van travel, Transportation hub
Victory Monument really has a local feel and is a central traffic intersection for the city. At the center of the giant traffic circle is a huge monument from which the square gets its name. Around the square are numerous shops and tents selling different kinds of food and clothing. In this vicinity is a tremendous amount of low-cost housing (studio apartments for as low as 6,000 baht per month) as well as a public hospital. At night, the scare is transformed into a rather cool night scene, with street venders selling their food and some outdoor performances by Thai bands at a local bar. Another more traditional Western-style pub, complete with live jazz or blues, is called Saxaphone and is also located at Victory Monument. May be worth a quick gander!
PARTY SCENES
KHAOSAN ROAD
Accessed by: Taxi, Tuk Tuk ("National Stadium" closest BTS station), River Boat to "Phra Arthit" Pier
Highlights: Grand Palace, Backpacker hostels, Pubs, Clubs
Khaosan Road is a backpacker and young party-goers delight. This road has numerous clubs, pubs, and bars, and is one of the most (in)famous party street in Bangkok. The place has many low-budget backpacker hotels and an absolutely crazy (and it can get CRAZY) all-night nightlife. Personally, I don't go in for this sort of thing, but if you feel so inclined or are simply looking for a low-cost backpacker hostel, stop on by! However, just remember to keep your street smarts about you and stay safe if you do!
ROYAL CITY AVENUE (RCA)
Accessed by: Taxi (Pharam 9 closest MRT station, ASOK closest BTS station)
Highlights: Clubs, Restaurants, Movie Theater, Entertainment Royal City Avenue (RCA) is known for the party scene: dozens of clubs open until the early hours of the morning (2-3am typically). The area is more popular with working professionals from Bangkok - and more expensive - than Khaosan road, and tends to have a lively atmosphere. Route 66 is one of the most popular clubs in the area. RCA also is home to some nice restaurants (pizza), a very nice boutique movie theater (House), and a Go-Kart arena.
THONGLOR (Sukhumvit Soi 55)
Accessed by: Thonglor BTS Station
Highlights: Numerous restaurants, pubs, bars
Thonglor (also spelled Thong Lo) is a soi (road) located near the Thong Lo BTS Station. While this isn't exactly a party scene per se, it is home to a large number of excellent (and relative to local prices, expensive) cafes, restaurants, pubs, and bars - both international and Thai! The area really comes to life at night although the food is served usually from 10am onwards. Two areas I highly recommend checking out would be J-Avenue (Thonglo Soi 13) for desserts and good pubs such as Fat Gutz and Thonglo Soi 10 for the club Muse as well as a large number of good Japanese restaurants. Personally, I love live music, so I would HIGHLY recommend Iron Fairies, Fat Gutz - try the fish and chips while you're at it! - and Funky Villa. Cheers!!
UNUSUAL ADVENTURES
> Swimming with Sharks
Siam Ocean World in Siam Paragon, like many other aquariums in Southeast Asia, allows visitors to actual go scuba diving in the shark tank! The display itself is quite impressive, but nothing quite compares with seeing the ultimate aquatic predator up close and personal. I actually did the dive myself and highly recommend! You can read about my trip HERE.
> Visit the Crocodile Farm
The Samutprakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo is located to the east and slight south of Bangkok, about a twenty-minute taxi ride from the Bearing BTS Station. The condition of the animals can be troubling, so I'll leave it up to you, the reader, to decide whether or not to visit!
> Eating Ostrich and Crocodile MEAT
Ostrich meat, crocodile meat, venison, and many other not-so-common dishes can be found at some of the local Thai pubs and restaurants! Gusto is a local Thai restaurant - just one of many - that serves some of these dishes! It's located in A-Square near Prom Phong BTS Station (on Sukhumvit Soi 26). A map showing the location of Gusto can be found here.
Beach Resorts
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
RAYONG
Map: Click Here
Rayong is an area located on the coast several hours drive from Bangkok. The seafood is absolutely excellent, and some of the fresh fruits in the region include durian, rambutan, mangosteen.
PATTAYA
Map: Click here
HUA HIN
Map: Click here
PHUKET
Map: Click here
KRABI
Map: Click here
Island Getaways
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
KOH LARN
KOH SAMET
KOH CHANG
KOH TAO
KOH SAMUI
KOH PHI PHI
Mountain Adventures
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
CHIANG MAI
CHIANG RAI
KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK
---------------------
Page STILL under construction...
Clickable hotlinks by location: [Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
BANGKOK
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
GRAND PALACE
Accessed by: Taxi, Tuk Tuk (National Stadium closest BTS Station)
Highlights: Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chao Phraya River
The Grand Palace was constructed in 1782 and consists of a complex of buildings located on the bank of the Chao Phraya river. The Grand Palace houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, government buildings, courtyards, and halls. This location has long been one of the staples for tourists to visit during their tour of Bangkok. However, be careful when you visit the Grand Palace! The area is completely safe, however many scam artists can be found immediately outside of the grounds, and Tuk Tuks (and some taxis) in that area can charge outrageous rates for taking people around. If you decide to make purchases or take a tuk tuk, remember to negotiate aggressively over the rate! I highly refraining from purchasing anything immediately outside of the complex. In any case, the Grand Palace is an interesting and highly-recommended place to visit while in Bangkok.
CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
Accessed by: Saphan Taksin BTS Station, Taxi
Highlights: Grand Palace, Asiatique, Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, Chatrium, Public Boat Transport, Dinner Cruises
The Chao Phraya river is located adjacent to the hi-so (think Gangnam style) district of Sathorn and runs roughly through the southern part of the city. Taking one of the many boats down the river though is unforgettable and incredibly cheap! Watch barges lazily move up or down the river, or the many unusual small boats moving to and fro on the water. It's possible to pass the Grand Palace situated on the bank of the River, as well as some of the other temples and resorts. Are the boats safe? As safe as can be had is the correct answer to that question! Enjoy the ride!
SIAM PARAGON
Accessed by: Siam BTS Station, Taxi
Highlights: Shopping, Food, Entertainment, Aquarium, Scala Theater, Chulalongkorn University
Siam Paragon is arguably the number one up-scale shopping destination in central Bangkok; a massive shopping complex that is self-described as "the Pride of Bangkok". A cinema and the only IMAX theater in Bangkok are located on the top floor of the mall. One of the finest aquariums in Southeast Asia is on the lowest floor, Siam Ocean World. Want to swim with the sharks? Stop on by! Of course, foodies would be happy since Paragon also houses an innumerable number of restaurants of all types, shapes, styles, and costs. Designer brands such as Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, Hermes, etc, can also be found here. Please note that store prices within this complex are generally not negotiable!! If you are a shopping guru or a food fanatic or just an interested tourist, stopping by Siam Paragon for an hour or two might be worth the visit!
MBK CENTER
Accessed by: BTS National Stadium, walking from BTS Siam, Taxi
Highlights: Shopping, Food, Entertainment, Scala Theater, Chulalongkorn University
MBK is another massive shopping complex located in the heart of Bangkok that is a must-see. MBK doesn't have many large stores, but consists of a huge maze of hundreds of small venders selling everything from clothing to electronics to jewelry. Keep in mind the fact that not everything inside the mall may be genuine unless its sold by the a certified dealer (i.e. Samsung Galaxy phones, etc)! And within MBK feel free to bargain to your hearts content (does not generally apply to certified dealers, name brand stores, or phones). Enjoy shopping? Have fun!!
VICTORY MONUMENT
Accessed by: BTS Victory Monument, taxi
Highlights: Shopping, local Thailand feel, Van travel, Transportation hub
Victory Monument really has a local feel and is a central traffic intersection for the city. At the center of the giant traffic circle is a huge monument from which the square gets its name. Around the square are numerous shops and tents selling different kinds of food and clothing. In this vicinity is a tremendous amount of low-cost housing (studio apartments for as low as 6,000 baht per month) as well as a public hospital. At night, the scare is transformed into a rather cool night scene, with street venders selling their food and some outdoor performances by Thai bands at a local bar. Another more traditional Western-style pub, complete with live jazz or blues, is called Saxaphone and is also located at Victory Monument. May be worth a quick gander!
PARTY SCENES
KHAOSAN ROAD
Accessed by: Taxi, Tuk Tuk ("National Stadium" closest BTS station), River Boat to "Phra Arthit" Pier
Highlights: Grand Palace, Backpacker hostels, Pubs, Clubs
Khaosan Road is a backpacker and young party-goers delight. This road has numerous clubs, pubs, and bars, and is one of the most (in)famous party street in Bangkok. The place has many low-budget backpacker hotels and an absolutely crazy (and it can get CRAZY) all-night nightlife. Personally, I don't go in for this sort of thing, but if you feel so inclined or are simply looking for a low-cost backpacker hostel, stop on by! However, just remember to keep your street smarts about you and stay safe if you do!
ROYAL CITY AVENUE (RCA)
Accessed by: Taxi (Pharam 9 closest MRT station, ASOK closest BTS station)
Highlights: Clubs, Restaurants, Movie Theater, Entertainment Royal City Avenue (RCA) is known for the party scene: dozens of clubs open until the early hours of the morning (2-3am typically). The area is more popular with working professionals from Bangkok - and more expensive - than Khaosan road, and tends to have a lively atmosphere. Route 66 is one of the most popular clubs in the area. RCA also is home to some nice restaurants (pizza), a very nice boutique movie theater (House), and a Go-Kart arena.
THONGLOR (Sukhumvit Soi 55)
Accessed by: Thonglor BTS Station
Highlights: Numerous restaurants, pubs, bars
Thonglor (also spelled Thong Lo) is a soi (road) located near the Thong Lo BTS Station. While this isn't exactly a party scene per se, it is home to a large number of excellent (and relative to local prices, expensive) cafes, restaurants, pubs, and bars - both international and Thai! The area really comes to life at night although the food is served usually from 10am onwards. Two areas I highly recommend checking out would be J-Avenue (Thonglo Soi 13) for desserts and good pubs such as Fat Gutz and Thonglo Soi 10 for the club Muse as well as a large number of good Japanese restaurants. Personally, I love live music, so I would HIGHLY recommend Iron Fairies, Fat Gutz - try the fish and chips while you're at it! - and Funky Villa. Cheers!!
UNUSUAL ADVENTURES
> Swimming with Sharks
Siam Ocean World in Siam Paragon, like many other aquariums in Southeast Asia, allows visitors to actual go scuba diving in the shark tank! The display itself is quite impressive, but nothing quite compares with seeing the ultimate aquatic predator up close and personal. I actually did the dive myself and highly recommend! You can read about my trip HERE.
> Visit the Crocodile Farm
The Samutprakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo is located to the east and slight south of Bangkok, about a twenty-minute taxi ride from the Bearing BTS Station. The condition of the animals can be troubling, so I'll leave it up to you, the reader, to decide whether or not to visit!
> Eating Ostrich and Crocodile MEAT
Ostrich meat, crocodile meat, venison, and many other not-so-common dishes can be found at some of the local Thai pubs and restaurants! Gusto is a local Thai restaurant - just one of many - that serves some of these dishes! It's located in A-Square near Prom Phong BTS Station (on Sukhumvit Soi 26). A map showing the location of Gusto can be found here.
Beach Resorts
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
RAYONG
Map: Click Here
Rayong is an area located on the coast several hours drive from Bangkok. The seafood is absolutely excellent, and some of the fresh fruits in the region include durian, rambutan, mangosteen.
PATTAYA
Map: Click here
HUA HIN
Map: Click here
PHUKET
Map: Click here
KRABI
Map: Click here
Island Getaways
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
KOH LARN
KOH SAMET
KOH CHANG
KOH TAO
KOH SAMUI
KOH PHI PHI
Mountain Adventures
[Bangkok] [Beach Resorts] [Island Getaways] [Mountain Adventures]
CHIANG MAI
CHIANG RAI
KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK
---------------------
Page STILL under construction...
