Bangkok is probably the best place in the world to get lost.
The real name of the city is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit**, and that basically says it all: This city is large, insane, mind blowing, and endless.
The real adventure is not Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Golden Mount and all the hundreds of other must-see hotspots, but the narrow streets, the night markets, the local temples, the street food, and the everyday life of the Bangkokians.
Thais will not steal from you or assault you, but there are many who will trick you. Anyone approaching you, like a young student or a taxi/tuk-tuk driver, with suggestions: Do not follow them. Do not buy precious stones, under any circumstances. If you follow this advice (and obviously stay away from prostitutes and drugs) you are presumably in one of the safest places on earth.
If it’s too noisy, too crowded, too many cars and too stressful you are on the wrong side of the river.
If it’s too quiet, too tranquil, more boats than cars, you are on the other wrong side of the river.
The western side is the calm side, with all the small canals and floating markets, while the eastern side is the bustling side, that will make New York look like countryside.
On both sides you can find adventure, especially if you drift into the small lanes where ordinary people live, eat, work and offer incense and whisky to the local spirits.
If you place a compass needle in Bangkok, the pencil outside Mumbai, and draw a circle, more than 80% of the world’s population live inside that circle, making Bangkok the de facto centre of the world.
Recommendations
- Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Pat Pong Night Market*
- Soi Nana (at night)
- Wat Saket
- Jim Thompsons House
- Wat Chana Songkram
- Eat Me Restaurant
- Silom Road
- Step One Tailor
- Sawasdee House (Guesthouse)
- Baan Tepa Restaurant
- MBK Shopping Centre
- Song Khlong Floating Market
- Khao San Road
- Raan Jay Fai
- Lumpini Park
- Yaowarat Road, Soi Wanit 1 (Sampheng)
- Two Princes Likay Troupe
- Streetfood – anywhere!
- Local temples!
* Pat Pong Night Marked is not recommended for everyone, as it is strip shows (some rather extreme), ladyboys, prostitutes, fake brand merchandise, and everything else that makes up the underbelly of Bangkok.
** กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ภพนพรัตน์ ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน อวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะ วิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์
If you can read Danish, my dear friend in Bangkok, Tony Wynnseree, was interviewed for Politiken about what to see and do in Bangkok:
