Thailand Bangkok Bangkok

Bangkok

Capital city of Thailand known for vibrant street life, ornate shrines, bustling markets, and a tropical monsoon climate.

Tips from the community

The capital city of Bangkok is home to the largest of the Songkran parties across the country. While a lot of locals will leave the city to return to their families over the holiday, the city is full of farang (foreigners) during this time. Both the Silom District and the heart of the backpacking district, Khao San Road, will be rife with water-fighting merriments (and not to mention, plenty of bars offering libations and thumping music to help fuel the water-fight fun!) Another option to indulge in some more refined water fun are ticketed pool parties, like the one at SO/Bangkok.  While you’re in Bangkok, make sure to stop by the Wat Pho temple (also known as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) where you can find the story of the history of Songkran engraved in granite slabs and an impressive opening ceremony for the holiday. You might even be lucky enough to receive a blessing from a local monk! 137 Pillars Suites – A totally luxurious boutique hotel on the outskirts of Bangkok’s city centre complete with a rooftop bar and infinity pool (if you hadn’t got your water fix). A great chance to really spoil yourself and rest after a long day of celebrating. Nappark Hostel – Just a stone’s throw from the buzzing Khao San Road is the Nappark Hostel. A no-frills and budget-friendly option, great for those who never want to be far from the party.

psych.adeleic 3 years ago

When in Bangkok, do as the locals do (but keep your mouth closed!). The khlong boat has long been a utilitarian method to get locals around the city cheaply while avoiding the infamous Bangkok traffic. The khlong boats travel through the network of canals running around Bangkok cheaply and without frills. This is another recommendation that is not for the faint of heart. Pay attention to everything going on around you. The ticket taker walking around and hanging from the outside of the boat will need to be paid based on how far you are going. Avoid the water if at all possible; it can barely be called water at this point. When it is your time to get on or off, make certain you get going or the boat may leave without you. Watch when and how the locals are using the plastic window curtains. Use yours when they do, or better yet, if there is someone else nearby, let them have the cord until you are a pro curtain operator. Master a few techniques and you will save tons of time and money in Bangkok travel, and seriously, don’t touch the water. 

laurenallain 3 years ago

Hey, who wouldn’t want to kick start their Southeast Asia backpacking trip with deep-fried crickets, knock-off beer tees, and bucket cocktails filled with god knows what? Viola: Khaosan Road awaits. It’s a heady mix of go-go bars, DJ clubs, bazaars, tailors, and massage parlors, all rammed into the gritty alleys of Bangkok’s Banglamphu. But this vast capital is about more than the area made famous by DiCaprio in The Beach. It’s also got the Grand Palace (home of the Thai king) and the pulsing Chatuchak Market (the largest in the country). A perfect mix of history and culture, Bangkok travel holds a little something for everybody.

jrfrancis 3 years ago

Celebrated all over Thailand, the Chinese New Year is one of the biggest events of the year. Bangkok is certainly the place to be with vibrant parties exploding throughout Chinatown, which turns a vibrant red from start to end with lanterns and lights. Yaowarat Road is closed off for the parade and lined with incredible street food before the dragon is led out with the rest of the performers. Amazingly, the Dragon fight begins when acrobats form a large human pyramid with the dragon to re-enact the original fight with the serpent Nian and scare off the bad luck. Truly impressive stuff.

booksandbao 3 years ago

Victory Monument is one of the busiest transportation hubs in all of Bangkok— and a popular hangout spot for Thai locals. There are two malls surrounding the monument and a night market that opens from dusk til dawn. From a bird’s eye view, the hub forms an eye, lit up by zooming cars and street lights.

leah 5 years ago

Bangkok Guides

  • Best of Bangkok

    PhilNorris (Phil Norris)

  • My Fave Things to Do in Bangkok

    carolinehasgoneto (Caroline Howley)

  • Cities Known For Incredible Food Markets

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Nothing motivates us like food when it comes to our travel destinations- and food markets allow optimal chances to sample as much local cuisine as we can in a short period of time (and often some of the tastiest. Whether it's exploring the buzzing night markets of Taiwan with iced bubble tea in hand, enjoying *the freshest* sushi in Tokyo, or trying Toronto's unique peameal bacon- these markets are sure to make your mouth water.

  • Bucket List

    kelli.allred (Kelli Allred)

  • Breathtaking Lantern Festivals Around The World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    As we enter the new year, the ever-so-magical image of mesmerizing lanterns has already begun sparkling in our imaginations. We put together a list of some of the most breathtaking lantern festivals that occur yearly (and sometimes monthly!) throughout the world. While different cultures, countries, and cities have their own unique way of interpreting and celebrating the world- one thing that stays constant is the beauty of light. From the Umi No Hi celebration in Japan, in honor of the ocean, to the water lantern festival of Honolulu, paying respects to our loved ones past- these stunning destinations each carry a deep meaning and spectacular beauty that accumulates in these iconic lantern festivals.

  • Cheap Flights From the Philippines

    jeanlouise (Jean Tiston)
    Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia and so the best way to and from here is through air travel. Here are some destinations in our neighboring countries you can get for cheap. (Especially during seat sales of local airlines). Note: International travel in my part of the world is still restricted but I can still dream and plan for the future. With the vaccine roll out already in progress, I'm optimistic that the time for travel is already in sight. Always check with local travel guidelines. Travel safely and responsibly. Flight durations are from SkyScanner.

  • My Wanderlust Wishlist

    bookedbyiman (Iman Childs)
    My spin on a travel bucketlist! From visiting Vanuatu to attending all 4 tennis Grand Slams, these are the places and unique experiences I'd love to see during my travels.

  • Places about Songs...NO, Songs about Places

    laura_comin (Laura Comin)
    I love music. I listen to it every moment I can, so I decided to make a list about Places mentioned in songs. YOU are more than welcome to help out with this list, since there are a lot of songs out there! ♥️

  • Top 50 Cities Around the World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    In case you need inspo for your next big vacay we put together a list of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations around the world. Including the lush streets of Singapore, the ancient ruins in Athens, the always sunny paradise of Miami, and everything you can imagine in between. As professional travelers, we know that these destinations are sure to provide whatever it is you seek in your excursions.

  • Capital Cities in Asia

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Explore beneath the glittering pink lights of Beijing, hop on a plane to the bustling metropolis of Seoul, discover sandy coastline cities and wander ancient temples of civilizations past- we present our collection of capital cities in Asia. Asia is a massive continent deeply rich in history with diverse cultures, these awe-inspiring destinations are sure to be future backdrops of life-changing adventures to come.

  • Once the world opens, off I go!

    laurenallain (Lauren Allain)
    Dreaming of ALLLLL the places and food I'll eat.

  • World's Most Popular Destinations

    chiefseeker (Jody Vandergriff)

Bangkok Articles

  • Songkran 2022: the World’s Wildest Water Fight

    Thailand is the heart of travel in Southeast Asia, and with great reason. With so many fun things to do, from serene temple visits to raging beach parties, it’s easy to see why this amazing country draws in almost 40 million visitors annually. But did you know that Thailand is also home to the world’s […]

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  • Backpacking Southeast Asia: 41 Destinations That Won’t Blow Your Budget

    Like a bar mitzvah or a grad party, backpacking the well-worn trails of Southeast Asia is nothing short of a rite of passage. For the budding traveler, the trodden route that links electrifying Bangkok to the temples of Angkor and the rolling surf of Bali is a chance to discover what street food and tuk […]

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  • One City Two Ways: Bangkok

    With a myriad of cultural gems and a famously dynamic and diverse nightlife, Bangkok is a city where you can choose your own adventure. Travel experts Caroline and Phil are united in agreeing that Bangkok is one of the world’s great tourist cities, but their reasons for loving it are very different. Here are their […]

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  • Birds Eye View: 23 Incredible Places From Above

    From candy-colored mountains to palm leaf-shaped islands, the world as we know it looks completely different when viewed from the clouds. While hidden wonders exist all around the world, we compiled a list of places that totally transform when viewed from above. Here are 23 of the best bird’s eye views in the world: 23 […]

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  • 41 of the Best Things to Do in Thailand

    Thailand: the country appropriately named The Land of Smiles. The nation that has something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s your first international trip or the 57th. The country evolves quickly, so there’s always something new to explore, a neighborhood that’s been redeveloped, or a new trendy food to try. Thailand is never boring and […]

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  • The Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2022

    Ready to celebrate the Year of the Tiger? Here’s your ultimate guide to the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations around the world. Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year and Spring Festival) means a lot of different things to folks across the globe, but one thing holds true no matter where you’re from: […]

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