WHAT TO SEE AND VISIT

Recommended Tour (if you only have a day in Bangkok)

Start your day at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to see its old colonial house and then board the river taxi to venture north on the Chao Phraya river.

Get off the water taxi to see the Wat Pho temple, Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace grounds.

Warning: scam operators have been known to target tourists trying to see these sights. A very friendly Thai (some are friendlier than others!) will approach you to tell you the [Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, etc.] is closed for a special holiday or closed until the afternoon, and try to divert you by "helping" you get a cheap tuk-tuk. Visitors should always approach a tourist police or preferably, the main entrance of these sites first to inquire.

After all the sightseeing, reward yourself with a sunset drink at The Deck (more info below), which has a rooftop offering amazing sunset views of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Really beautiful view but try to get there in advance of sunset since you will not be alone, for sure!

End the day taking a tuk tuk over to Khao San Rd. It is the main backpacker street and although not significant to Thai history, it's an interesting street to see nonetheless, and it's always a happening place with all the pubs and restaurants.

Other places to visit

Jim Thompson House
Amazing collection of Thai antiques and house of the creator of Jim Thompson silk business. The house is architecturally and culturally fascinating, and the cherry on top is the mystery surrounding Jim Thompson's disappearance. He used to be a former CIA agent before starting his silk company, and one day while hiking in Malaysia in the 1970s, he completely disappeared. Not a trace. This house is his legacy. Also, check out the Jim Thompson store, which has a lot of beautiful gifts to bring back for the family.
Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Skytrain Stop: National Stadium Station

Chatuchak Weekend Market
If you are in Bangkok on the weekend, check out Chatuchak Market early in the morning. It gets very crowded during the day. It's a great place to buy gifts and just see the busiest market in Bangkok.
SkyTrain Stop: Mochit Station
MRT Stop: Kamphaenpetch Station

Chinatown or Little India
Both Chinese and Indians are prevalent in Thai history and culture, and these communities are vibrant. These neighborhoods are definitely worth checking out.

Floating Market
The floating market is actually outside of Bangkok and maybe will help you see why Bangkok used to be called the Venice of the East! It requires waking up very early (2-4 am!) and taking a hired taxi or public bus to the floating market. Great photo ops.

WHERE TO EAT

Supatra River House
Delicious Thai restaurant located on the Chao Phraya river bank. Their tom kha kai is incredible!
Address: 266 Soi Wat Rakhang, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Water Taxi Stop: Tha Chang Wang Lang Pier

WHERE TO GO FOR DRINKS

The Deck
After all the sightseeing, reward yourself with a sunset drink at The Deck, which has a rooftop offering amazing views of sunset with Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). Really beautiful but try to get there in advance of sunset since you will not be alone, for sure!
Address: 36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Road, Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand
Water Taxi Stop: Tatien Pier

Sirocco
If you are looking for a grande finale, check out Sirocco, atop the Lebua, where the opening scene of Hangover 2 was filmed. The view of Bangkok is amazing and it's a fantastic place for a drink on your final night in Bangkok.
Tip: if the main bar is too crowded, snap a few photos of the view and go to the side bar for a drink.
Address: 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
BTS/Water Taxi Stop: Saphan Thaksin Station/Central Pier (5-10 min walk to Lebua)

Panoramic view from Sirocco (photo courtesy of Jeffrey Chua)

WHERE TO GO OUT

Silom and Patpong are the mainstays of Bangkok nightlife. Though Patpong is seedier than Silom, it might just be worth checking out for a view into a different, darker side of Bangkok. Soi 11 also has nightlife for all tastes and budgets. There's Above 11 at Fraser Suites for some hi-so fusion tapas with an incredible view of the city, or there are street-side bars serving cheap drinks from a tricked-out Volkswagen van - and everything in between!

Above 11 Rooftop Bar
Address: 33 rd floor of the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit @ 38/8 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Klong Toey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
BTS Stop: Nana station

WHERE TO STAY

Riva Surya Bangkok Hotel
Riva Surya is a small boutique hotel near the Old City. Overlooking the river, the hotel nicely blends modern and traditional Thai architecture. It's a great to place to stay if you wish to spend time in the historical part of Bangkok. And to go to the City Center, just hop in a Water Taxi from the Phra Arthit Pier located a few steps away from the hotel.
Address: 23 Phra Arthit Road, Pranakorn, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand
Water Taxi Stop: Phra Arthit Pier

WHERE TO SHOP

Terminal 21 Mall
The newest mall in Bangkok, themed around an airport. It is an interesting look into the contemporary Thai cultural past-time - shopping!
Address: 2,88 Sukhumvit Soi 19, Sukhumvit Rd, North Khlong Toei, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
BTS Stop: Asok Station

WHERE TO GET TAILOR-MADE SHIRTS

Larry's Fashion (photo courtesy of Dolma Photography)

Larry's Fashion
Bangkok is known for its tailors and there are many to choose from but we recommend Larry. He is fast, reliable and his shop is centrally located near the Phrom Phong Skytrain station.
Address: 105 Sukhumvit Soi 22, Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei, Sukhumvit, Bangkok,10110, Thailand
BTS Stop: Phrom Phong Station

WHERE TO GET A MASSAGE

Urban Retreat Spa
Massage parlors abound in Bangkok but some of them can be a bit sketchy. We recommend Urban Retreat, a clean, pleasant and affordable spa. They have two convenient locations, which you you can choose from depending where you are staying.
Open Daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
BTS Phrom Phong Branch: +66 (0) 2204 1042-3
B TS Asoke Branch: +66 (0) 2229 4701-3

HOW TO GET AROUND

Tuk Tuk (photo courtesy of Dolma Photography)

Sky Trains (BTS) and Subway (MRT)
Bangkok is known for its traffic jams so we recommend using the sky trains (BTS) and Bangkok's subway (MRT) as much as you can. The MRT connects to the BTS at Asok station. Day Passes are available for 130 Bhat.

Water Taxi (Chao Phraya Express Boats)
Another great way to beat the traffic - and to get a different view of Bangkok - is to navigate the city with Water Taxis. The Water Taxis make stops on both sides of the Chao Phraya river. You can transfer to the BTS (Sky Train) at Central Pier / Saphan Thaksin.

Tuk Tuk
You shouldn't leave Bangkok without taking a Tuk Tuk at least once. You will most likely be over-charged for the ride and can bargain with the driver but you might want to let it go and consider it part of the Bangkok experience.

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June 25, 2014The Globe-Trotters Collective