From glittering palaces to awe-inspiring temples, lip-smacking food to vibrant marketplaces, there’s no shortage of things to see, do, and eat in Bangkok. But where to start?
Get ready for a multi-sensory overload as you experience an adventure you’ll be hard-pressed to forget.
Attractions
The Grand Palace
By virtue of its sheer opulence and its striking magnificence, the Grand Palace is undoubtedly the jewel in the city’s crown. Built in 1782, this sprawling complex was home to the royal family for more than a century. It also houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Steeped in culture and history as this site is, you should definitely pay it a visit at least once in your lifetime.
Photo Credit: Rolf Heinrich, Köln
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun is commonly considered as one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, and for good reason – the 82m tall central spire is especially impressive in the sunset, when the dying rays of the sun glitter off the elaborate patterns of coloured glass and porcelain. A visual feast you’l remember for a long while, we say.
Photo Credit: Deror_avi
Jim Thompson House
Step into the serene setting of the Jim Thompson House, named after the well-known American businessman who disappeared in the forests of Malaysia in 1967. Put together using pieces from six different antique Thai houses, this abode is an oasis of calm for the tourist seeking a break from the noise and buzz of Bangkok’s bustling streets.
Shopping
Photo Credit: JJ Harrison
Chatuchak Weekend Market
With more than 8000 stores sprawled over an area of 35 acres, Chatuchak Weekend Market is a shopaholic’s fantasy. Few markets can beat it in terms of scale and variety (it can draw around 200,000 visitors a day). Don’t forget to haggle (a market mainstay) and snag your favourite items without putting a significant dent in your wallet!
Platinum Fashion Mall
Be sure to conserve your energy before you step into this massive shrine to consumerism, which houses some 1300 shops and gives credence to the well-worn saying ‘shop till you drop’. Specialising in wholesale fashion apparel and accessories, and kind on the wallet, Platinum Fashion Mall is an avid shopper’s dream come true.
Restaurants
Audrey Café & Bistro
Make sure you stop by this elegant café, whose name is inspired by screen legend Audrey Hepburn. Serving up a mouth-watering selection of Western dishes with a Thai twist along with some Thai classics, there’s no need to go lightly when ordering. With multiple Audrey concepts around Bangkok, find Audrey Café & Bistro at Thonglor Soi 11.
Dishes We Love: Crab Souffle Served with Lobster Brandy Sauce, Thai Tea Crepe Cake, Ramen Pad Thai
Book a table at Audrey Cafe & Bistro.
Dine in the Dark
For a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, Dine in the Dark should be at the top of your Bangkok list. Located within the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, you first enter the bar area as staff introduce a choice of four delicious 4-course set menus. The feasting experience begins as visually impaired guides take you into a private dining room in complete darkness. This isn’t just a gimmick – for each diner, the hotel donates a portion of proceeds to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand. Dining in darkness is a highly sensory experience; it enhances and highlights the flavors in ways your tastebuds will thank you for.
Dishes We Love: We can’t tell you, it’s a surprise!
Book a table at Dine in the Dark.
Saffron
Enjoy breathtaking views of the city when you dine at Saffron, situated on the 52nd floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel. Here you’ll find contemporary but authentic takes on traditional Thai dishes for an ‘East meets West’ experience. It’ll be an exquisite dining adventure you won’t soon forget.
Dishes We Love: Tom Sab (soup), Yum Pla Salmon, Mango and Sticky Rice
