Travelling to Bangkok for the first time in August, need advice!

[EricE]

Hey!

I'm going to be in Bangkok (hey Bangkok Local guides! ) towards the end of August and I'm super exicted! My girlfriend and I have never been to Thailand before so I'm up for hearing any tips!

However, I'm mostly interested in ideas on what we should do, so come at me 🙂 We have rougly 2.5 days in the city before we go off to see the Southern island.

Thanks for your help!

Eric

[iyudhi]

In Bangkok, go to the Victory Monument (reachable by the monorail) and get a few bowls of boat noodles 🙂

Order everything in the menu. Yes, I'm serious! It's basically noodles served tapas style. The bowls are small and you can eat one portion in 2-3 bites. People usually eat 7-9 bowls per meal. 

Go to either one of these restaurants (or try both!), you will not regret it

Pa Yak Boat Noodles

ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือพระนคร

[PratonucciD]

we have some rules when you come to Bangkok including

1. smile

2. smile

3. smile 

🙂 

looool

see you later.

[YanniY]

I am sure @Wanna would have lots to share! 

[SunPanupong · Accepted solution]

Hi Eric,

My name is Sun and I'm a Bangkok Local Guide. In Bangkok, there are lots of places to see and I think 2.5 days are enough to explore the town.

Sightseeing
- Bangkok Old Town including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho - Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Museum Siam, Giant Swing, etc. 
- Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) - under renovation right now
- Maharaj Pier / Asiatique The Riverfront (in the evening)

All the places above - recommended to take a boat starting from Sathorn Pier - near BTS Saphan Taksin

- Jim Thompson House
- Khao San Road

- Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

- Baiyoke Sky: climb up to see Bangkok from the top
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (1.5 hours from Bangkok)

Shopping

- Chatuchak Market: opens only weekend

- Siam Paragon / Siam Center / Siam Square One / The Em Quartier: high-end products  

- MBK: you can find everything in this mall with reasonable price

Eating
- Chinatown Yaowarat: many street foods to try (recommened to go after 7pm)

- Siam Paragon / Siam Center / Siam Square One / The Em Quartier / Terminal 21

- Asiatique the Riverfront
- Any other rooftop bars & restaurants

Signature Dishes 
- Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad) with Kai Yang (grilled chicken) and Kao Niew (sticky rice)
- Pad Thai (Thai-style fried noodles)
- Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
- Pad Krapow Moo Saap (Fried Basil and Pork) 
- Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me 🙂

[iyudhi]

@SunPanupong very extensive list. Thank you! 🙂

I'm saving this for my personal reference in case I go to Thailand again in the future 🙂

[SunPanupong]

@iyudhi You're very welcome. If you have a plan to come to BKK, just let me know 😄

[EricE]

That's an amazing list, cheers for that! I'll present it to my girlfriend this weekend when we'll be finalising our itienrary. Hopefully, we'll manage to do most of the activities on there

[EricE]

Noodle tapas sounds like my kind of thing 🙂 I will not need any convicing to visit both restaurants.

I'll put the Monument on the list too 

[ChristineLorraine]

Try to learn just enough Thai to negogiate with vendors and taxi drivers. It makes you look less tourist-y and there will be less chance of being taken advantage of - I lived there for one year while in the military and it is a very exciting, fabulous and breath-takingly beautiful ancient city. The people are sweet and kind generally speaking, but be aware that they despise waste, particularly throwing away food. Have fun!