Thailand has to be one of the best travel destinations in Asia. It's such a beautiful country, with amazing culture and food, very inclusive and has wonderful people. During our 5-day visit to Bangkok, we realized how little time we had to explore the vast city. Luckily we did manage to cover the most parts but we wish we had more time.
I'm sure you've come across enough and more travel resources for Thailand, but this article is not about the influencer tourist destinations, it's for real travel enthusiasts who love exploring authenticity.
This article will primarily cover:
Transport and places to visit in Bangkok
More hidden but gorgeous places to travel in Thailand
Common questions and doubts we hear from people.
Transport in Bangkok
If you're taking the BTS to move around Bangkok, we recommend doing so as it's cheaper and accessible. However if you're taking taxis (as we did, we were a bit too tired to walk under the scorching sun), you should know that regular taxi fares start from 40 baht per kilometre.
Read all about our Transport experience in Bangkok, on Thailand On The Go 2024.
Travel Spots in Thailand Southeast Asia
While this article doesn't cover all travel destinations in Thailand, we will touch upon the most important places that every tourist travelling across Asia should visit at some point in their life.
Places to visit and Things to do in Bangkok 2024
As a first-timer, if you're wondering where to travel in Southeast Asia, we highly recommend Bangkok. Yes, it's a bit too touristy, but as a newbie to travel, that environment provides you with more safety and inclusion.
Wat Arun Temple
This is a magnificent temple structure in the heart of Bangkok. The entrance fee for foreigners is 100 baht (3$), and it's open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The sundown view is the most magical. However, keep in mind that you need to dress properly as it's a temple. Long pants and long tops are best. If not, you have to rent a sarong which would cost about 100 baht. If you like to have a traditional photo shoot, there are costume shops outside where you can rent the entire look. We saw a lot of Thai locals doing it.
Khao San Road
If you're a newbie traveller, Khao San Road is a great place to start your night party experience in Thailand. As you know Thailand is known for its crazy nights, but some districts may overwhelm you. Khao San Road is a famous tourist spot where you can also find street food, shopping, bars, clubs and spas.
Our experience on Khao San Road was more laid back as there were evening showers in November. However, our accommodation was also close to Khao San Road in Chinatown and it made it easier for us to head over for a quick midnight meal whenever we felt hungry or bored.
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is one of the red-light areas in Thailand. A notable one apart from Pattaya. While the roads are mostly safe at night, if you're a solo travelling woman, we recommend skipping this place. But if you're truly in for the 'Bangkok nightlife experience', Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy are within a 10-minute walking distance from each other. From all the strip clubs to high-end escort services, they've got it here. Just keep an eye on your belongings, like your passport and money, and you'll be all good.
Chinatown
One of my favourite parts of Bangkok was Chinatown. It's such a soulful place. You can start your walk from the iconic Yaworat Road, the main street in Chinatown, It's about 1.5km long. Bangkok's Chinatown was one of the world's largest. It was established in the late 1700s. You'll find a lot of shops and street food vendors selling traditional Chinese products and food like Latiao, Osmanthus Cake and more. You need about half a day to explore Chinatown.
Pratunam and Chathuchak Market
Unless you're in Bangkok only for shopping, we advise you to avoid visiting too many markets as you can get easily swayed away and spend hours just roaming the shopping streets. But make sure you visit the main two shopping markets in Pratunam and Chatuchak during weekends. The shopping chaos is truly one-of-a-kind. The bargaining culture may be dying, but it's still a great experience.
Giant Swing & Temple
The Giant Swing is an iconic Chinese landmark in Bangkok. Many people who travel to Asia and Thailand in particular miss this spot. Make sure you head to the temple across it. They charge about 100 baht for donations but it's a beautiful Chinese-Thai-inspired temple.
Asiatique River Front & Chao Phraya River Cruise
Asiatique is a much laid-back riverside promenade overlooking the Chao Phraya River with a giant Ferris wheel within its premise. We visited it at night and regret missing out on the beautiful view. The famous river cruise comes here too. So you could visit Asiatique at sundown, ride the Ferris Wheel if you like (costs about 500 baht per person) or take the 2-hour dinner cruise which would cost about 1,500 baht per person.
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace got to be the most expensive historical site visit for us in the city. It cost us 500 baht (14$) per person, but it's much cheaper compared to the ridiculous entrance fees we paid in Turkey. The Grand Palace is a vast area with beautiful structures. The current Thai Royal family does not live there; it is just for tourists. It takes about two hours to complete the visit. The place was a bit crowded when we went, but it’s worth it. Remember to wear long clothing.
Dream World
We have mixed opinions on Dream World. While it was an amazing time, we felt certain rides were overrated. Especially the rollercoaster for which we stood in line for about 30 minutes, only for a mediocre 5-minute ride. But overall, Dream World was totally worth it and much better than Safari World. We do not recommend Safari World.
But make sure you go to Dream World by 10 a.m. to make the best of your trip as some rides don't operate past 3 p.m. The entrance fee is about 800 baht (21$). Keep in mind though that Dream World is somewhat far from Bangkok. It's in Pathum Thani and would take about an hour and 30 minutes to reach.
Good Noodle - World's Biggest Ramen Collection
Good Noodle is located in a basement of a mall. We visited here on our way back to Bangkok City from Dream World and loved the experience. It's not as big as it's shown in videos, but it sure does have a crazy collection of instant ramen, ice cream and drinks from all over Asia.
The Union Mall is a great local hangout spot to shop cheap and eat Shabushi but the queues are long for those Thai grilled buffets, so we opted for sushi instead. As there were very few tourists around this area, we had many eyes turning towards us at the sushi station.
Icon Siam and Siam Paragon Malls
We have to say that Bangkok has some of the most luxurious malls in Southeast Asia. Icon Siam, Siam Paragon, and other malls are located just a five-minute ride from one another. They have all branded stores and local shops, but what we loved about Icon Siam and Siam Paragon was the food selection. While we recommend visiting these luxury malls for their foodie experience, keep in mind to manage your time well as you may get carried away – like my husband did most of the time.
Bangkok is all about food. So make sure you try as much variety as possible. From mango sticky rice to braised duck noodles, street food is super cheap and we did not suffer from any food poisoning.
Try a Thai Massage
A traditional Thai massage is a must while you're in Bangkok, and make sure you don't visit those commercialized ones and those in Malls. We went for a foot massage at a small spa on Khao San Road, and it was amazing. It was done by some senior ladies who truly knew the craft. Our full-body massage from a mall did not feel as authentic.
Bonus Tip:
GMMTV Head office
If you're a Thai drama fan or BL fan, Bangkok is definitely your paradise. Seeing all those giant billboards of your favourite ships at every stop, spotting iconic film landmarks like the Rama VIII Bridge and the hotel that overlooks Deutch Bank, is sure to drive you crazy. But the most memorable place for you to go will be the GMMTV head office which is open to tourists.
It's located in the Grammy building in Sukhumwit which is about a 30-minute drive from Chinatown. It has a cafe, and a souvenir shop and many fans hang around from 1-3 p.m. to take a glimpse or an autograph of their favourite actors.
Chulalangkorn University Centenery Park
Once again, for those Thai drama fans, Chulalongkorn isn't something new. Not only is it one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand, but many famous dramas were also filmed here. The Centenary Park of this university is located right in the middle of the city and is open to the public. You can rest here, take a jog or hang out with friends and you'll love the experience.
If we had more time to travel, we would not visit tourist spots like Pattaya and Phuket, instead go to:
Chiang Mai
If you're a newbie traveller looking to explore more rural Thailand, we recommend Chiang Mai. It's an ancient northern city that is growing in popularity among tourists. Chiang Mai is very much like Ubud in Bali.
It's known for its handicrafts and beautiful temples and is home to the highest point of the country - the viewpoint of Doi Inthanon National Park. Chiang Mai is an eco-friendly city with great food. You can even find authentic Luk Chup here. If at all you're looking for a traditional Thai cooking class, go to one from here.
Best way to travel from Bangkok: Bus
Journey time: 10 Hours
Kanchanaburi
Located in the West of Thailand, Kanchanaburi is a rural city with vast acres of paddies, beautiful waterfalls and the famous River Kwai. The Death Railway and the Kwai Bridge from World War II are two of the most visited places here. It's not too far from Bangkok, but much cooler and calmer.
Best way to travel from Bangkok: Bus
Journey time: 2 Hours
Ayutthaya
If you're a history buff like me, you'd love Ayutthaya. It's the ancient Siamese Kingdom which was founded in the 1300s and remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was destroyed by the Burmese in the 1700s, and today the beautiful monasteries and giant prangs remain.
Best way to travel from Bangkok: Train
Journey time: 1 Hour
Hua Hin
Hua Hin district is Thailand's well-kept secret. It's a beautiful fishing village in the rural South of Thailand and is a favourite getaway spot for Thai Royalty. Due to this reason, it's not highly commercialized among foreigners. If you're travelling with a friend or Thai Locals, hitting the beachside Hua Hin would be ideal, but make sure you don't exploit the values of the locals living here.
Best way to travel from Bangkok: Train
Journey time: 4 Hours
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is also a northern city, but it's further away from Chiang Mai, bordering Laos and Myanmar. It's not a famous tourist location but it has some of the most gorgeous temples in Thailand. The famous white temple that looks like it came out of a Chinese fantasy storybook is located here. If you're on a spiritual journey, Chiang Rai would be a great addition to your trip.
Best way to travel from Bangkok: Bus
Journey time: 12 Hours
What is the Cheapest month to travel to Thailand
The cheapest month to head to Thailand is from July to September. Summer in Thailand - and any Southeast Asian country - makes it a hectic travel experience. The humidity and the uncertain monsoon rains do not sit well with Western travellers so there are fewer tourists during these months and hotel rates overall become much cheaper.
Where should I stay in Bangkok?
We recommend the Chinatown area if your trip is more towards exploring food, experiences and shopping. Hotels here are much more affordable and located right at the heart of all the sites. If you're visiting Bangkok for the nightlife, Sukhumvit would be a good option.
Is Phuket or Krabi better?
Phuket and Krabi offer a very similar beachside experience and visuals. But if you're in for the nightlife and the crowd, Phuket is the place. Krabi is more for relaxed travellers. Krabi is also cheaper, but Phuket has more top-tier accommodation options.
Is Bangkok better than Pattaya?
Yes, Bangkok is better than Pattaya. Pattaya is famous for its nightlife as the infamous Red Light District in Thailand. Bangkok is the bustling Capital city with everything for shopping, food, sites and nightlife as well.
How much money do you need for 20 Days in Thailand?
On our 5-day visit to Bangkok, we spent $500 for 2 people, that is by eating a lot of food, travelling in taxis, and shopping for goods. If you cut down your expenses, it'll cost you about $1000 - $1500 per person for 20 days.
Do you need a Visa for Thailand?
Depending on where you're from you may get a Visa exemption or Visa-on-arrival. For US passport holders, Thailand offers a visa exemption for short-term visits. Please check the official pages linked on this for accurate, updated information.
Is Shopping cheaper in Pattaya or Bangkok?
While Pattaya is cheaper in terms of food and accommodation, Bangkok is more cheaper when it comes to shopping. It's the shopping district of Thailand. All the top malls and markets are here and trade happens here. You'll have better choices for affordable prices.
Which months does it rain in Thailand?
July, August and September are the rainiest months in Thailand, however, evening showers continue till November. We went in the middle of November and the afternoons were scorching, and the evenings were rainy.
How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya?
Taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya would cost about 1500 baht (41$), and the train and bus would cost about 150 baht (4$). As it's just a 2-hour journey, we recommend taking the train to save heaps.
What shoes to wear in Thailand?
Breathable flat shoes are the best for Thailand. Avoid flip-flops during rainy days unless you're on the beachside. If you're in Bangkok, it's always safest to wear shoes or comfy sandals as you'll be walking a lot.
Is Pattaya Cheaper than Bali?
Not really. Bali is an island in Indonesia while Pattaya is a city in Thailand. There are so many activities in Bali such as water sports, wellness retreats, nightlife, food and all other experiences, while Pattaya is famous as a party destination. Although Indonesia is cheaper than Thailand, if you compare the expenses of Bali to Pattaya, Bali is more expensive. However, if you're travelling to Bangkok in Thailand, it'll cost you more than what you'll spend in Bali.
So wondering where to travel in Southeast Asia? Travel to Thailand! You'll love it!
As we conclude;
We hope this article gives you all the information you need to plan your trip to Thailand. Let us know your doubts in the comments and we'll answer!
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