Bangkok is one of those cities that has so much to offer and many different things to do. It can be really hard to narrow down the list. If you only have a short time and are looking for a few things to do while you’re there, these are three things that I highly recommend.
First things first, it’s always going to be a food tour, always, always, always. Specifically, though, the Old Siam Bangkok Food Tour with 15+ Tastings. This was hands-down the best food tour I have ever done, not only did it provide so many offerings for traditional food, snacks, and drinks. They showed us around multiple different areas and took us on different modes of transportation. I really feel like this food tour is all-encompassing because of those reasons. They told us how to find restaurants that weren’t Michelin-rated, but they are the equivalent of that in Thailand called Shell Shaun Shim. Look for the green bowl logo by the signs of the restaurant, it symbolizes that the restaurant has really good quality food. They had us meet up in one spot and take a tuk-tuk to another spot, and then we also took a river boat to one other spot, so you really got to see the different modes of transportation in the city as well. Don’t forget the walking throughout different neighborhoods of Old Siam. The food is absolutely delicious, the best roasted duck I think I’ve ever had, some of the best curries in a local market that is hidden away if you don’t know what to look for. They also don’t skimp on the portions when I say you’re eating full-size meals, you will not be leaving hungry. Don’t eat anything before. The guides are also wonderful. They’re so kind, so knowledgeable, and they truly want you to have a great time in their city, so they will also recommend other things based on what you ask them, which is always so helpful of people to go above and beyond like that. I still think about this food Tour to this day, and this is definitely the standard that I judge other food tours off of which probably isn’t the nicest of me, but it’s that good.
The second thing I would recommend in Bangkok is doing a walking tour of some kind, especially on that first night or that first morning. To me knowing the background of an area you’re staying in and having somebody really tell you about the history of a city makes it a lot more meaningful as you’re going through by yourself. I also feel that you get a greater appreciation for everything in the city when you know the reasoning behind architecture and food. It also helps you really bring it all together and remember things more because now you can make the connections between what the guide said while you were walking and what you’re seeing. I personally love walking tours. I think it’s a great way to get your steps in while also learning things that you probably don’t know and wouldn’t find out otherwise. The tour guides are usually very kind and knowledgeable people that are doing these because they have an appreciation for their city. I really haven’t had a bad experience on any of the walking tours I’ve done. Bangkok has a lot of options so you should be able to find one close to you.
The last thing I would say to do in Bangkok go see a Muay Thai fight. The atmosphere is up there in excitement. Everyone’s having a great time, and you really feel like you’re partaking in a local activity. There are so many Muay Thai gyms all over with fights all the time, so you should be able to find one that fits within your timeframe. You would also be supporting the local fight clubs and the fighters. So not only do you get to go and have an amazing time watching this really cool style of fighting, you also get to support the local community. I went to one by the Hostel my friends and I were staying at, and we had a wonderful time. It was a good evening activity. There were a lot of people there that really added to the atmosphere. It was a really cool experience to see it in person instead of seeing the highlights online.
Overall, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok, being the big city that it is. This is definitely not all-encompassing. This is something that I feel meant a lot to me when I went, and I think really gives you a good foundation to have a richer experience. This also provides good opportunities to ask locals what their favorite things are and to feel more comfortable in a new city. These are definitely the good starting items for that first night or first morning after your flight.
