Thinking of Going to Thailand? Here’s Why I Recommend Visiting Bangkok

Even if it’s just for a quickie two-day jaunt!

Sawasdee Khab!

When people find out I am married to a Thai national and used to live in Thailand, they normally ask for a few tips on visiting the land of smiles.

I usually say, if you’re planning a trip to Thailand and want to truly immerse yourself in the culture, then I highly recommend a pilgrimage to the dazzling metropolis of Bangkok.

Even if you’re planning on spending two weeks in the paradise of Phuket, you might want to carve out a couple of nights for Bangkok. It’s like going to England and skipping out on London, it’s just plain unthinkable!

Trust me, this is where you can truly savor the full spectrum of Thai culture in all its wonderful contrasts.

Let me give you a sneak peek of why you won’t regret it.

Firstly, Shopping of course

Let's get the important stuff out of the way first shall we?

If you are partial to a bit of shopping (and who isn’t) then Bangkok will blow your shopaholic mind but not necessarily your wallet.

It can cater to both ends of the budget spectrum. If you want a luxury brand name you got it. If you want cheap and cheerful knock offs…you got it.

Shopping in Bangkok is an extravaganza. The malls are large with a capital ‘L’ and also kind of interesting too.

Terminal 21 is themed. They have floors decorated to represent international cities such as London, Rome, San-Fransisco, and Tokyo, it’s all very cool.

Central World, Icon Siam, MBK, EM Quarter all have floor upon floor of shopping to suit any taste and budget. Just take comfy shoes…or better still why not buy a pair?

And of course, we can’t forget JJ market and JJ Mall. A market experience like no other I have seen anywhere in the world.

I recommend you take hardly any clothes…. and I don’t mean go naked like Dan Carlson would, check out his blogs for something a bit different! Dan Carlson Naturist

I just mean take an empty suitcase and fill it up in Bangkok before you go to whatever exotic Thai destination you are going to.

There are so many shopping malls in Bangkok you will literally be falling over yourself trying to decide which ones to visit. You might even need to book extra luggage space on the plane as you go on a veritable bargain fest.

The Food!!!!

OMG……Thailand is all about food, and nowhere will you have the complete smorgasbord of taste explosionaria than in Bangkok.

From every kind of Thai food you could possibly want, including stuff you have never even heard of and probably won’t want to ever again, because it’s caused PTSD!

To an array of Inter-Asian cuisines, you will find it in Bangkok.

Of course, street food is always a talking point and in Bangkok you will experience the true essence of urban street food culture. Wherever there is a street corner, there is someone cooking up a storm.

It even makes its way inside the shopping malls with food vendors setting up camp right inside doorways.

I wrote a whole post dedicated to Street food called Bangkok Belly. If your taste buds can handle it!

The Crazy Chaos of Urban Thai culture

This is something you can only experience in the great metropolis of Bangkok.

The true contrasting nature of Thai culture.

The eclectic mix of brand new and dilapidated buildings. Streets where construction crews are smashing things up right there on the sidewalk, wearing nothing but thongs and a T’Shirt. Overloaded vehicles that would cause an OHS heart failure in Australia!

Chilled-out stray dogs sprawled across the footpath with not a care in the world (I’m sure they practice that meditation stuff you know).

Motorcy (Tinglish for motorbike) weaving in and out of the cars and pedestrians. The sheer impossibility of crossing a busy Bangkok road until you find a group of Thai people preparing to do the same (hint…let them lead the way foreigner!)

The exhilaration of a crazy tuk-tuk ride through the streets of Bangkok is an experience not to be missed. Just hold on to your bags though.

Getting totally ripped off by the tuk-tuk driver for being driven halfway around Bangkok when you only needed to go down the street. But it still only cost $5.

The crazy shuttle boats you can get on the Chao Phraya river. Just like a tuk-tuk on the water really, and every bit as precarious to your health.

The resourceful entrepreneurship of everyday Thai people. Selling all manner of knick-knacks on street corners. Shoe repairers in shop doorways.

Seven eleven stores that seem to breed like rabbits but become your air-conditioned sanctuary from the sticky humid Bangkok heat.

And Chinatown! That crazy chaotic place where you feel like the whole world has come out to eat and play….in the road!

I almost forgot the Sightseeing

I almost forgot all the fascinating places to visit.

The Royal Palace to Royal houses dotted around the joint. There are Buddhist Temples galore many of which have fascinating histories and artifacts to explore.

Interesting museums like Jim Thompson House. Another place that will happily charge you an arm and leg by Thai standards but only cost you $2.

Other cool vibe places to eat and drink like Asia Tique, Chocolate Ville, German Tawandang. Plus a plethora of rooftop bars and cafes to while away the afternoons and evenings sipping on a Chang Beer in the balmy Bangkok weather.

Bangkok is also host to a world-class underground system MRT (Mass rapid transit). And the elevated BTS Skytrain system circulates the city. So getting around the city is relatively easy and affordable.

Of course, you can always get a taxi.

Getting a taxi can be tricky but if you don’t care about paying over the odds as a tourist just stick your hand out and a willing participant should not be too far away.

To be fair, I only say that because I am married to Thai and they hate to pay over the odds for anything and kind of resent being charged extra because they are with a foreigner.

The truth is it is still cheap compared to Sydney or London.

It’s a Cultural Must experience… only in my opinion of course!

I lived in Bangkok for a while and have travelled all over Thailand.

There are so many great places to visit all over the country, but Bangkok is essential viewing for the engaged traveler who wants to add the experience to their bucket list.

Even people who don’t like Bangkok appreciate the experience of seeing it for real.

I’ve no doubt missed loads out but I just wanted to give you a little taster…..an aperitif if you like!

Swasdee Khab Na!

Cheers to you the reader, for supporting independent writers on Medium and this cool publication.

If you’re feeling a bit adventurous and want to read more of my writing you can find it here on Medium at DJ Hopkins or my blog, ‘An introvert’s guide to life, personal growth, and Thailand.’ Just don’t expect too much excitement — I am an introvert after all. Cheers DJ.