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Visiting Bangkok is Not just a trip to Khao San Rd – Things to do in Bangkok Thailand

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“And so the adventure begins…..”

This was not our first trip to the vibrant city of Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit….also known as Bangkok. In fact, I’ve been here many times in my life – and I never, ever tire of visiting Bangkok.

Planning a Trip To Bangkok?

Here are our insider tips on tours and places to stay:

Top Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok

  1. Thai Organic Cooking Class: the Magic of Thai Cuisine -Traditional Thai Cooking Class
  2. Pink Chili – Thai Cooking Class TOP PICK!
  3. Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food by Tuk-Tuk
  4. Three BEST Temples Bangkok City Tour “Must Visit”

Top Hotels and Hostels in Bangkok

  1. Amari Watergate – great city views + rooftop pool
  2. The Printing House Poshtel – boutique hostel + also private rooms
  3. Samsen Street Hotel – Close to Khao San Road
  4. 1905 Heritage Corner  – Top Pick!

Visiting Bangkok - Food Fun Adventure in Bangkok Thailand

We’ve had friends say “oh Bangkok, it’s just not really for me”, and our response is instantly “whaaaaaat?” But it turns out after some discussion that they had barely ventured past Khao San Rd…

Seriously, Bangkok is NOT just Khao San Rd people!!!

So this article is going to show you why you need to get out of the tourist bubble, and see a different side of Bangkok. I want you to get away from the people flogging cheap, crappy pad thai and even crappier t-shirts and ray bans, and go out and explore the real Bangkok.The Bangkok that I know and love.

Visiting Bangkok – Food Fun Adventure ( it’s same same….but different)

Food – mmmm nom nom nom

Thailand is known throughout the world for having incredible food. You have to stuff up pretty bad to get a bad meal – but it can happen. If you go to overly touristy areas, you generally won’t find true authentic Thai food. You will often find cheaply and poorly made food that will leave you disappointed, and wondering what all of the fuss was about.

One of the best ways to find good Thai food is simple – Eat where the locals eat.

⇒ Click Here to listen and learn about the fascinating (& surprisingly recent) history of Thailand’s National Dish – Pad Thai on our Travel & Food Podcast “The Dish”

Chinatown Street Food Market (also known as Samphanthawong)  – Yaowarat Road

Chinatown Bangkok Street Food Market (also known as Samphanthawong)  - Yaowarat Road

Head to Bangkok’s Chinatown on a Friday or Saturday night, and you will be taken away on a foodie adventure. The streets are lined with street cart after street cart, all offering up their foodie delights. Roast duck noodle, crispy pork on rice, steamed pork buns and one of my all time favourites bbq enoki mushroom wrapped in bacon. Much of the food is very Chinese influenced – but you are bound to have a fantastic meal.

The choices are endless. And the smells are enchanting.

We personally enjoy having a roaming dinner, where we only choose one or two small things from each stall that takes our fancy. That way we have the opportunity to have a little taste of everything. But honestly, we have been to this street food market many, many times, and we still haven’t got through everything….

Chinatown Bangkok Street Food Market (also known as Samphanthawong)  - Yaowarat Road

If you are a little hesitant about eating from a street food cart, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well, where you can sit down, have a tasty meal and enjoy and cold beer on a hot Bangkok night.

During the day in Chinatown, there is certainly plenty of food to choose from that will tantalise your taste buds. But for off the chain food selection – the weekend night market is the way to go!

Want more food? Find out the 15 Best Foods in Asia and where to find them ==> Right Here

Want more Bangkok food? Listen to our What To Eat in Bangkok Episode on “The Dish” Travel and Food Podcast HERE

Fun – Shopping

“Shopping in Thailand is super cheap and generally high quality. Bangkok is also safe. If you see someone in camouflage holding a machete, don’t be scared. They sell coconuts.” – Bobby Lee (actor and comedian).

As we travel carry on only, the opportunity for shopping doesn’t come up that often. We only have a certain amount of space in our backpacks, and when it’s full it’s full!

But when we visit Bangkok, it’s time to throw out those old, well worn clothes we’ve been carrying around, holes and all – and go shopping!!!

As the quote suggests, in Bangkok, you can get some very affordable and well made clothes for a fraction of the price you would pay back home. Yes, all of those designer rip off’s are available all over town, but I personally prefer to seek out the young designers of Bangkok and see what they have that’s new and exciting.

One of my favourite places to do this is the Chatuchak weekend market.

Visiting Bangkok - what to do in Bangkok MBK

The Charuchak weekend market or Jatujak Market is one of the biggest markets in the world spanning over 27 acres with over 15,000 booths selling everything you could possibly imagine.

We just love roaming the markets, getting completely lost, and discovering new and interesting stalls. One of my favourite parts is the new designers’ corner, where you can discover some locally designed and made pieces of clothing. For the vintage lovers, there is also a massive 2nd hand clothing section where you can find almost anything your retro heart desires.

There are also plenty of other stalls to peruse. Antiques, Pets, Food and Drinks (there is some fantastic food to be found), fresh and dry food, ceramics, collectables, home decor, clothing and books – it’s all here!

Chatuachak Market is open:
Wed-Thy (plants and flowers) 6am-6pm
Friday (wholesale day) 6am-6pm
Sat-Sun (everything goes) 6am-6pm

chattuchak map Visiting Bangkok - what to do in Bangkok MBK

The Chattuchak map to help you findy your way

One of the downsides of Chatuachak it that it can be unbearably hot to visit, but these days it does seems that some of the more upmarket stalls do have air-conditioning to give you some time out from the Bangkok humidity.

But if you are seeking an all air-conditioned experience, then a visit to MBK, also known as Mahboonkrong, might be for you.

Visiting Bangkok - what to do in Bangkok MBK

MBK offers 8 floors of shopping with 2,000 stores and stalls selling everything from electronics, to traditional clothing. MBK seriously has everything! Spend time just wandering aimlessly around, or grab yourself a map and find exactly what you want in a flash.

Another draw card of MBK is the International Food Court on level 5. While it is certainly not the cheapest place to eat, it does offer a great variety of food options from Italian pasta to Indian curries to freshly made Japanese sushi, and everything else in-between. A great place to rest your weary feet and grab a tasty meal.

The main thing we are noticing this time around in Bangkok, is that many stores today have signs with set prices. No more haggling – which can either be heaps of fun, or a tiresome experience. We are personally over haggling for little things, and we’re appreciating that there is not a need to do this so often – even though I’m sure we are still paying too much. But as always in Bangkok, it never hurts to ask if you can get a better price – it might just be your lucky day!

This time around we also discovered a new market to visit – yay!

Pratunam Market

Visiting Bangkok - what to do in Bangkok

This market was SUPER local – and there were great deals to be found everywhere you look. We found that as this was less touristy, it was a lot less hectic. We didn’t have people calling out to us to look in their store, or buy their very very cheap knock off item. It was just a place to go shopping.

The main part of the market is only open until 5pm, but after hours we found a fantastic night market with plenty of bargains and some tasty smelling street food!

Visiting Bangkok - what to do in Bangkok

Not to certain about eating street food? Check out our 9 Tips on how to eat Asian street food And NOT get sick

Get A Copy Of Our Bangkok Tourist Map – Free Interactive Tourist Map

We’ve put together a google map overlay with all our top picks of attractions, restaurants, foodie experiences, accommodation, transport locations and more! Save yourself a bunch of time by having our huge list of Bangkok highlights instantly at your fingertips. Get Our Bangkok Tourist Map NOW – Click Here.

  • Works on any device over 4G or wifi – follow the map as you travel
  • It’s FREE!
  • 75+ highlighted spots to visit
  • Super easy to use on google maps
  • Includes every location we mention in this article

Adventure – Flow House Bangkok

Flow House Bangkok - Visiting Bangkok - Food Fun Adventure in Bangkok Thailand

I had never really thought of Bangkok as an adventure destination. Sure some of the street food I’ve tried has been an adventure in itself. But most activities are pretty low key: Visiting Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, heading out to the floating markets etc but nothing to really get the heart racing.

It was while researching ‘adventure’ in Bangkok that I came across Flow House. What could be more adventurous than learning to surf in a city that is 220 kilometres from the nearest beach?

Flow House Bangkok - Visiting Bangkok - Food Fun Adventure in Bangkok Thailand

Even though I grew up in Australia I have a confession to make – I have never been surfing. Although it seems that everyone I meet overseas assumes I came out of the womb knowing how to surf – I do not. So it was up to the instructors at Flow House Bangkok to take Tom and I and teach us how to surf a wave in the heart of Bangkok.

I will admit we spent most of our hour falling on our butts. But even though you may be a little battered and bruised the next day, it is so much fun you just want to go back again and again.

Not only is there the Flow rider wave machine at Flow House, but the spectators’ area has been set up like a comfy beach bar. Downstairs is the Flow cafe open from 10am-11pm, and upstairs you can visit the Chang Surf Bar from 5pm-midnight every single day to grab a beer or one of their signature cocktails.

While we were there we were treated to some of their specialty dishes created especially for Flow House by Celebrity Chef Noi-Tammasak. I was expecting some standard beach bar food – but we were seriously wowed. Fresh fish tacos with a trio of toppings, including the standard guacamole and sour cream, but the 3rd was the winner. A specially crafted thai sauce that fit perfectly with the tacos.

Flow House Bangkok - Visiting Bangkok - Food Fun Adventure in Bangkok Thailand

Shanghai noodle with homemade pesto, fresh squid and garlic bread

Flow House Bangkok - Visiting Bangkok - Food Fun Adventure in Bangkok Thailand

Vegetarian fresh spring rolls with avocado cream and chilli dipping sauce

Flow House Bangkok - Visiting Bangkok - Food Fun Adventure in Bangkok Thailand

Each dish was simply divine – and left us wanting to try more.

As Flow house is completely free to visit as a spectator, you can come along and only pay for what you want. Want to take on the wave? Want to just sit back and watch? Or want a taste of their delicious meals on the menu – it’s entirely up to you. We ended up spending about 4 hours at Flow house, 1 hour surfing and the rest just chilling, eating and relaxing. A great day out for all.

Visiting Bangkok - Food Fun Adventure in Bangkok Thailand

Staying in Bangkok?

We’ve stayed in Bangkok at least 6 times now. Our favourite areas to stay are Silom, China Town and Huay Kwang. These areas are less trashy than the infamous Khao San Road.

Silom is still touristy but a little bit more upmarket. China Town and Huay Kwang have their own unique local flavour and less tourists.

Check out our full list of recommended hotels in the different areas of Bangkok HERE

I do realise that if it’s your first time to Bangkok you’re most likely going to end up on Koh San Rd at some point – hell I’ve been there plenty of times. But just remember that there is more to Bangkok than those couple of streets.

Bangkok has a plethora of locals that are friendly and welcoming. The food is more amazing than you have ever imagined. The vibrancy and life in the air is intoxicating.

Love this post? Then check out Part 2 HERE

Looking for more Thailand Information? Head to our Thailand Destination Hub to find all of our latest and greatest travel tips for Thailand

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Visiting Bangkok - what to do in Bangkok

Disclaimer: We did receive the Flow House experience complimentary.  All opinions remain our own. This post does contain some affiliate links – thank you for supporting our blog by using them.

Get A Copy Of Our Bangkok Tourist Map – Free Interactive Tourist Map

We’ve put together a google map overlay with all our top picks of attractions, restaurants, foodie experiences, accommodation, transport locations and more! Save yourself a bunch of time by having our huge list of Bangkok highlights instantly at your fingertips. Get Our Bangkok Tourist Map NOW – Click Here.

  • Works on any device over 4G or wifi – follow the map as you travel
  • It’s FREE!
  • 75+ highlighted spots to visit
  • Super easy to use on google maps
  • Includes every location we mention in this article