When you think of Bangkok what comes to mind first apart from its famous temples? Street life and red light districts. Bangkok is probably one of the most animated cities in the world -- loud, vibrant and full of life. It’s no surprise how the city has become a very popular destination choice among tourists and expats alike because of the modern yet affordable lifestyle that it offers.
I have visited this capital city 3 times and yet I feel I have not seen it all, not because it’s huge but because there’s so much to explore and discover. There’s an enormous variety of unique and contrasting experiences to delve into, from cultural to historical to shopping and entertainment.
Visiting the Grand Palace and the buddha temples is one popular must do for first time visitors. Please keep in mind that temples, being places of worship are considered sacred in Thailand. Be respectful and wary of proper etiquettes when entering, like taking off your shoes, dressing appropriately and observing silence. Scammers are particularly rampant in these areas, so be very careful about overfriendly locals approaching, giving false information and offering all sorts of services. They can be very convincing and any unsuspecting tourist can easily fall prey.
When it comes to shopping, Bangkok has the most diverse options – street markets, weekend markets, night markets, flea markets, floating markets, authentic artisan souvenir stores, modern and state-of-the-art shopping malls that house a wide variety of shops ranging from mid to ultra-luxurious. You will never run out of something to buy.
My personal favorite is Chatuchak Market, the largest in Thailand with more than 15,000 stalls. One can easily get lost in a maze of stores after stores selling an extensive range of goods like clothes, footwear, handbags, accessories, home goods, electronics, handicrafts, souvenirs, plants, food and a lot more. This is not a shopping mall and there’s no AC so be prepared to get sweaty and exhausted. You may want to practice your negotiating skills before going as this is a place to score a really good bargain, especially for those who are planning to re-sell.
For more upscale and comfortable shopping, the places to consider are Siam Paragon, IconSiam, Siam Discovery, MBK Center, Emporium Mall, Central Mall, Terminal 21 and Central Embassy Shopping Mall.
One thing I look forward to when in Bangkok is food. Thai food is one of the most flavorful and delicious. You will find a multitude of restaurants all over in different price range, and you don’t need to dig deep into your pockets in order to have a hearty and satisfying meal. Food is pretty much affordable in the city. Street food is one thing they’ve always been famous for and one must not leave without trying because your Bangkok experience will never be complete without it. Their fruits are also the sweetest and juiciest, so be sure to take advantage and eat a lot while you’re there.
Lastly, sex tourism, which in Thailand is almost a way of life. Among the most popular red light districts are Nana Plaza and Patpong. I will only discuss the latter as this is where I’ve personally been. Patpong, at Silom Road, is actually a night market (which was my sole purpose for going) where you can shop for souvenirs, cheap goods and some bootleg items. The market is situated in between two parallel streets where the adult entertainment bars are located. These bars are not for the faint of heart. They offer a menu of 'unique', quirky, 'disgusting' sex performances that could shock or scare someone who’s never been to any place like this, myself included. It’s generally safe though, as long as you’re in control and know what you’re getting into.
In summary, Bangkok is an amusing and enjoyable place to visit. People are mostly pleasant, their food is one of the best, you’ll never run out of interesting activities to do and almost everything is reasonably affordable. I recommend checking out for yourself.
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