Story & photos by Charmaine Cunanan
Having hectic streets, scorching weather all year round and terrible traffic in major roads, Bangkok is almost identical to Manila.
One would easily pass on visiting one of Asia’s tourist centrals and prefer the fancier and lower-than-20-degree-temperature cities up north. But Bangkok offers more than tuktuks that will make you consider packing up your bags and head to the “Land of Smiles.”
Culture haven
Once you step foot in the city, you’ll immediately notice the full display of its rich culture from the building architecture, to religion, to the line of distinctly Thai street food everywhere. Thailand is the only city in Southeast Asia that was never colonized, thus making the people’s indigenous culture intact and uninfluenced. The people’s lifestyle fascinates tourists and has become an attraction to many.
Thai people are proud Buddhists, and it is evident with the array of temples they have in the country, more than 20,000 to be specific. One of the famous and considered as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand can be found in Bangkok. Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of Emerald Buddha, is located in the heart of The Grand Palace. The 26-inch-high Buddha was meticulously carved from a single block of jade. It is covered with a seasonal cloak changed three times a year to correspond the seasons: summer, winter and rainy.
Situated along Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is another must-visit temple in the capital. It is decorated with spires and stands majestically over the water.
Just right across Wat Arun is Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It’s one of the largest temple complexes in the city and famed for its giant reclining Buddha covered with gold that measures 46 meters long.
The city tour wouldn’t be complete without visiting the famous landmark that portrays the nation’s history and government. Built in 1782, the Grand Palace served as the home of the king, the royal court and the administrative seat of government for 150 years. The buildings inside the complex have a beautiful mixture of European and intricate Thai architecture.
Floating markets offer fascinating cultural experiences as well as glimpses into the local way of life. Damnoen Saduak, the biggest and most popular of all floating markets, caters mainly to foreign visitors and is still a must-see, while smaller markets, such as Tha Kha and Ampawa, offer more local flavors.
Bangkok also has many museums that exhibit some of the most magnificent collections of relics you can imagine. It provides an insight into Thailand’s colorful culture and unique heritage. The best place to start is the National Museum. Spanning all periods of Thai history, it offers an introduction to the country’s art and architecture. Other interesting museums for tourists are Kamthieng House, the Bangkok Folk Museum, Erawan Museum and Jim Thompson’s House.
For a trip down memory lane, take a tour to the ancient capital of Siam. The center of civilization for over 400 years, Ayutthaya is filled with the ruins of palaces, temples, and religious monuments of great historical and cultural significance. Complete the day trip by visiting the king’s summer residence, The Bang Pa-InPalace, and cruise Chao Phraya River at sunset.
Street-food central
A trip to Bangkok wouldn’t be complete if you wouldn’t indulge yourself in food readily available on the streets. From fresh fruits to fried dishes, the whole city is basically a street-food sanctuary. If you are on a budget, you can survive the entire trip with just eating from hole-in-the wall stalls. It is cheaper and more rewarding.
Do not leave the city without eating their famous stir-fried noodle dish Pad Thai. The best ones are found on the streets, sold typically for 70 baht per serving. For 20 baht, you can already buy a bag of fresh fruits, a large cup of Thai tea or a serving of fried dishes. If you are a more adventurous one, you can try the exotic fried cuisines that can be easily found on the sidewalks.
If you are done with street food and crave for something upscale for dinner, you can try the rooftop restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the night view of the city skyline. Notable restaurants you can visit are Above Eleven in Sukhumvit and Scarlet Wine & Bar Restaurant in Silom. For a more exquisite experience, Bitter Deck Restaurant offers a view of Wat Arun while you dine.
Café hub
Bangkok is also famous for their eccentric cafés. Each one owns a unique concept and caters to different interests. With their Instagram-friendly setting, cafés turn into an additional attraction to foreigners and locals alike.
Studio Ghibli fans will surely enjoy May Garden’s House. It is a Totoro-themed café where you can find life-size Totoro plushies and Studio Ghibli items that you can take a selfie with.
Make your fantasies come true and experience being an under-the-sea creature at Mermaid Castle Café, or eat unicorn food at Unicorn Café.
For animal lovers, play with the Huskies at True Love Café, or visit Little Zoo Café to see actual fennec foxes, meerkats, owls, racoons and skunks while you drink your afternoon tea.
Shopping district
Thailand is home of numerous weekend night markets, and it would be a sin to miss a trip to one.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in Thailand and the biggest in the world. As of 2019, it has more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors. You can score various kinds of goods such as fashion items, antiques, fresh and dry food, ceramics and home furniture for a good price, if you know the art of haggling.
Ratchada Rot Fai Train Market offers a different ambiance compared to the usual night market feel. It has a touch of vintage that appeals to those who seek photo-worthy sights while shopping. This weekend market sells affordable clothes and rare fashion collectibles sourced from all over the world. If you wish to go, make sure to get to the right place because you might be confused with the original one in Srinakarin.
Aside from cheap goods and wide array of street food, Patpong is popular for its line of nightclubs and entertainment bars. It’s smaller compared to other night markets, but tourists still flock to this small strip along Bangkok’s financial district, Silom. It’s open every night and is easy to find, as it is just walking distance from BTS Sala Daeng station.
Image credits: Charmaine Cunanan