Returning to BKK - Is there anything worth seeing I haven't already done?

alt · October 7, 2015

Hi,

I will be returning to BKK for my 3rd Thailand trip, so i've been to BKK a lot and made the most of it. I'm wondering, from the list below... is there anything I haven't done, that is worth doing? Exclude the nightlife, my GF and I have been to plenty, from visiting the red-lights, to Koh San, to Suk... i'm talking about day stuff.

I've visited Grand Palace / all the Wat's in the City (I think)

Done a khlong tour (but might do another one)

Visited my pen-pal in BangKwang (and will be doing that again)

Visited some markets

Visited the anatomy museum in the hospital

Walked through Chinatown during the day (maybe I need to return in the evening?)

Shopped on the street / MBK (will be doing that again when I go back)

I've done a lot of the 'usual' stuff. This time the only new thing i'll be doing is visiting Klong Toey 'slum' and the mission center there.

TBH i'm not interested in cooking classes.

I'm in my mid-20's and like adventure / out-going person. I also like to drink (I'm Irish) but happy to leave until the night time. While I like visiting the red-light areas, i'm not all that into it... seen it once, it's all the same.

What I wouldn't mind doing is spending an afternoon people watching, or sitting by the river having a few beers... so if any recommendations regarding locations for that, i'd happily take them on-board.

gerry123 · October 7, 2015

I also like to drink (I'm Irish) but happy to leave until the night time anafternoon people watching, or sitting by the river having a few beers...

Edited October 7, 2015 by gerry123

Rumblecat · October 7, 2015

Take a trip to Bang Krachao- it's like a weird island within Bangkok. Well worth the trip, easy to get to as well.

http://www.10best.com/destinations/thailand/bangkok/articles/10best-itinerary-discover-bang-krachao-the-lungs-of-bangkok/

alt · October 7, 2015

Take a trip to Bang Krachao- it's like a weird island within Bangkok. Well worth the trip, easy to get to as well.

http://www.10best.com/destinations/thailand/bangkok/articles/10best-itinerary-discover-bang-krachao-the-lungs-of-bangkok/

Many thanks, never knew such thing existed!

AlphMichaels · October 8, 2015

Although it's going thru a serious "modernization" phase, Klong Toey Market continues to exist as a microcosm of Bangkok. It's the largest open air fresh market in the country. Just walking through, watching porters move product from vendors to Tuk Tuks and cars..., pretty cool to see. Great photo opps too.

AlphMichaels · October 8, 2015

Might also want to visit W District And Hof Art Space. Take BTS Sukhumvit line to Phra Kanong, get off on north side and walk east about 300 meters. Great architecture area and there's a food court with many vendors offering food of all kinds.

http://www.hof-artbangkok.com/index_hof.php

houlicha · October 8, 2015

Have you tried Khao San Rd. for people watching?

louse1953 · October 8, 2015

Seeing your so adventurous you could go to the Orient Hotel and sit on your arse there.Try Ko Kret,you could combine this with visiting your pp.My advice,get out of Bangers.

Edited October 8, 2015 by louse1953

BKKdreaming · October 8, 2015

Take the bus to the end of the line , have your phone with GPS so if there is something interesting along the way you can come back to it.....

same with the canal boats

bazza40 · October 8, 2015

Have you thought of getting outside Bangkok? Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Loei, Chiang Saen - the list goes on and on.

Get yourself a car and drive through these areas in low season. You can find clean hotels with aircon for 500 - 700 baht a night. Buffet breakfast about 200 baht at a big hotel in any town/city. Lunch at Big C or Tesco Lotus about 150 baht for two.

Not that Bangkok doesn't have its attractions, but 3 - 4 days there is enough for me.

Petchabun Man · October 8, 2015

Visit all the foreign clowns on Khao San Road and Nana Plaza . Always good for a laugh, while they get scammed at every turn and embarrass themselves in front of the Thais.

MeHere · October 8, 2015

As another post suggests, Khaosan Road is interesting for people watching...

There's another street running parallel that is quite nice and has many pubs/restaurants along it called Ram Buttri Road. My girl and I often go there for eating, drinking, and people watching. Much nicer than Khaosan Rd. IMO

peterb17 · October 8, 2015

The flower market is quite interesting- and it is near that newish river side development- had a couple of very good dark beers there- pleasant to watch the river go by. Romantic evening on a river dinner cruise- bit touristy ( you are a tourist) - go for a small boat , not one of the huge gin palaces.

likeke · October 8, 2015

I am a day person, too. Here are some suggestions for things that I have done during my two years living here. I stopped the gogo night-life nonsense last year.

(1) (A) Get a theraputic massage (not the "happy ending" nonsense). I go to Baan Dalah on Soi 8. Very zen like and quiet with soft thai music. You can't go wrong here. This place is my default go to for relaxation - www.baandalahmindbodyspa.com. I was here just yesterday for a one hour facial massage.

( Another favorite is Prauw Spa on the corner of Soi 8 and Sukhumvit Rd. 02-2530039. All the ladies are professional, but my favorite is Mayla. Foot massage 300 baht/hour.

(2) Head up to the weekend market at Chakuchak (also called JJ market). The largest outside market in Bangkok. Take BTS to Mo Chit. It is right there.

(3) Take in a movie throughout the day/night. I like the cinema at Terminal 21 mall. Nice restaurants there too. If you are adventurous, then go the SCALA movie house in the Silim BTS area across from Silom Square. It is an older Deco movie house that caters to thai locals. A movie there is only 100 baht.

(4) Chao Phraya River - Of course you can take the river boats up river to some exciting tourists spots. But I really enjoy the Yannawa Temple at the Saphan Taksin BTS station. The temple is right on the river, and you can buy food to feed the fish, or buy a cage of doves to release for good luck. I go every year on my birthday. Not a good place to bring beer, however.

(5) Lumphini Park - A wonderful place to walk. Bangkok's version of Central Park in New York. Locals and tourists alike come to exercise and bike. I love this place!

Chok dee Khrap

ChangMaiSausage · October 8, 2015

_{Koh Kret}

_{Old Siam City}

_{Erewan Museum}

pittsdaulga · October 8, 2015

You should check out Bangkok's amulet market, Wat Ratchanatda. The address is: Trok Sanamphra, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. It's a great place to wander around in and for people watching. Also a good place to pick up a souvenirs for friends & family.

carlyai · October 8, 2015

Stay for a week at Fredy's Guest House 1 or 2, in the street Good Morning Vietnam was shot in.

Just sit around and watch.

Then take a bus from Sathorn to Yarrawat, walk thru the silk and material suks.

If it's raining, help the police direct traffic in China Town, and sit in a small cafe and drink beer with them.

Then walk to the electronics and gun shops near the klong.

Go out to Minburi and get a long taw boat down the klongs.

Visit Klong Toy market and the slaughter house, just in case you need a qualified hit man in the future. Watch them work with their knives.

Visit an illegal casino.

Metapod · October 8, 2015

Wakeboarding in Rangsit

Talad Rod Fai Market Ratchada (Thur-Sun nights)

Train Muaythai

Go to Bang KraJao and rent a bycycle for the day

Take a river cruise for dinner or a river boat up to Ayyutuaya

Exercise/Hangout at public parks. Lumpini, Rama9, and Jatujak are good.

PokerFace · October 8, 2015

Many good ideas here but I'm still a little amused by your post. 'Been here two times and wonder if there is anything you haven't done'? I've been here for 30 years and still haven't even come close to doing everything there is to do. You haven't even scratched the surface yet!!!

foggy1 · October 8, 2015

Taladrod fai is an excellent place to see with all things vintage, also Papaya Vintage

Google those

Cheers

carlyai · October 8, 2015

Many good ideas here but I'm still a little amused by your post. 'Been here two times and wonder if there is anything you haven't done'? I've been here for 30 years and still haven't even come close to doing everything there is to do. You haven't even scratched the surface yet!!!

Is the Klong Toy, or Klong Toey market still going?

Got a small feeling now that it has been pulled down to make way for 'progress'.

If it's been pulled down, where do you get a good knife man these days?

carlyai · October 8, 2015

I forgot probably the best adventure, even though they're a mob of '<deleted>'.

Go for a HASH run with the Bankok HASH, or if you like eating cockroaches and slugs then a HASH run as a 'virgin' on the Pattaya unmentionable HASH.

carlyai · October 8, 2015

I forgot probably the best adventure, even though they're a mob of '<deleted>'.

Go for a HASH run with the Bankok HASH, or if you like eating cockroaches and slugs then a HASH run as a 'virgin' on the Pattaya unmentionable HASH.

"I forgot probably the best adventure, even though they're a mob of '<deleted>'."

Didn't know a word rhyming with 'yank' with an 'ers' on the end was a forbidden word.

If you'de been on a total eclipse of the sun run to SeeQue with them you would call them worst names than that.

LostDemocracy · October 8, 2015

Day trip to The Bridge on the River Kwae

Visit the giant 3-headed elephant (with temple inside) see pic.

asanee · October 8, 2015

-there are some 50+ musea in BKK; most of them accessible for 1 pass: google for MUSE-pass-valid till 31/12.

-google for the site of R.Barrow: BKK-daytrips, which is for the real surrounding area and not faraway cities like Udorn/Ubon. But around half are watermarkets, what you call ''floating''.

-get yourself a 7dayBUSpass-50 bt only red bus, 200 bt incl. the orange AC and explore. For sale at many points, like Vict.Monument or the ladies at the busstop in front of BigC rajprasong (till 16.00). NOT valid on the rot ruam=private buses.

-all markets look the same, its just that some are bigger as others.

-pop into any Asiaboox shop and see the BKK/TH section: there are at least 3 books (in english, many more in Thai) giving many suggestions for daytrips/daysout or weird things in BKK

-the BKK CITY tourist board, at the office beside Pinklao bridge, between Khao-Sarn area and Thammasat/Natl.Museum, have leaflets (if lucky even in english) about all of BKK's 50+ khets and what they have to offer-with a Thai view.

alt · October 8, 2015

Visit all the foreign clowns on Khao San Road and Nana Plaza . Always good for a laugh, while they get scammed at every turn and embarrass themselves in front of the Thais.

Been there, done that... but it is entertaining around the Nana area, so might do that again

As another post suggests, Khaosan Road is interesting for people watching...

There's another street running parallel that is quite nice and has many pubs/restaurants along it called Ram Buttri Road. My girl and I often go there for eating, drinking, and people watching. Much nicer than Khaosan Rd. IMO

Yes, thank you for that suggestion. We did exactly what you say previously. When we were coming back to BKK, the bus dropped us off at the end of this road. It IS much nicer than Khao San, loads of food vendors too and a more chill-out vibe than Khao San

The flower market is quite interesting- and it is near that newish river side development- had a couple of very good dark beers there- pleasant to watch the river go by. Romantic evening on a river dinner cruise- bit touristy ( you are a tourist) - go for a small boat , not one of the huge gin palaces.

Never been to the flower market but heard about it, cheers

I am a day person, too. Here are some suggestions for things that I have done during my two years living here. I stopped the gogo night-life nonsense last year.

(1) (A) Get a theraputic massage (not the "happy ending" nonsense). I go to Baan Dalah on Soi 8. Very zen like and quiet with soft thai music. You can't go wrong here. This place is my default go to for relaxation - www.baandalahmindbodyspa.com. I was here just yesterday for a one hour facial massage.

( Another favorite is Prauw Spa on the corner of Soi 8 and Sukhumvit Rd. 02-2530039. All the ladies are professional, but my favorite is Mayla. Foot massage 300 baht/hour.

(2) Head up to the weekend market at Chakuchak (also called JJ market). The largest outside market in Bangkok. Take BTS to Mo Chit. It is right there.

(3) Take in a movie throughout the day/night. I like the cinema at Terminal 21 mall. Nice restaurants there too. If you are adventurous, then go the SCALA movie house in the Silim BTS area across from Silom Square. It is an older Deco movie house that caters to thai locals. A movie there is only 100 baht.

(4) Chao Phraya River - Of course you can take the river boats up river to some exciting tourists spots. But I really enjoy the Yannawa Temple at the Saphan Taksin BTS station. The temple is right on the river, and you can buy food to feed the fish, or buy a cage of doves to release for good luck. I go every year on my birthday. Not a good place to bring beer, however.

(5) Lumphini Park - A wonderful place to walk. Bangkok's version of Central Park in New York. Locals and tourists alike come to exercise and bike. I love this place!

Chok dee Khrap

THANK you for being able to recommend a decent massage place... Soi 8 will be very close to me, i'll be sure to check this out. I am also going to take you up on your suggestion re. River - I love water (one of my companies operates motor-yachts) so i'm automatically drawn to the water. Your suggestion will be something new for me to try. Will also try the Park as i've never been.

alt · October 8, 2015

_{Koh Kret}

_{Old Siam City}

_{Erewan Museum}

Thanks for those suggestions, never been to any.

You should check out Bangkok's amulet market, Wat Ratchanatda. The address is: Trok Sanamphra, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. It's a great place to wander around in and for people watching. Also a good place to pick up a souvenirs for friends & family.

Again, never been so thank you.

Stay for a week at Fredy's Guest House 1 or 2, in the street Good Morning Vietnam was shot in.

Just sit around and watch.

Then take a bus from Sathorn to Yarrawat, walk thru the silk and material suks.

If it's raining, help the police direct traffic in China Town, and sit in a small cafe and drink beer with them.

Then walk to the electronics and gun shops near the klong.

Go out to Minburi and get a long taw boat down the klongs.

Visit Klong Toy market and the slaughter house, just in case you need a qualified hit man in the future. Watch them work with their knives.

Visit an illegal casino.

Lots of suggestions there... wow, there's a slaughter house in Klong Toey? Interesting... not sure if it's my cup of tea, but only one way to find out. The Chinatown / Police thing sounds like something out of my comfort zone... sign me up!! I will be sure to wander around Chinatown properly this time. Last time we just breezed though.

Wakeboarding in Rangsit

Talad Rod Fai Market Ratchada (Thur-Sun nights)

Train Muaythai

Go to Bang KraJao and rent a bycycle for the day

Take a river cruise for dinner or a river boat up to Ayyutuaya

Exercise/Hangout at public parks. Lumpini, Rama9, and Jatujak are good.

Thanks for suggestions

alt · October 8, 2015

Taladrod fai is an excellent place to see with all things vintage, also Papaya Vintage
Google those

Cheers

Never heard so will research, thanks

Many good ideas here but I'm still a little amused by your post. 'Been here two times and wonder if there is anything you haven't done'? I've been here for 30 years and still haven't even come close to doing everything there is to do. You haven't even scratched the surface yet!!!

Is the Klong Toy, or Klong Toey market still going?

Got a small feeling now that it has been pulled down to make way for 'progress'.

If it's been pulled down, where do you get a good knife man these days?

Hope it's still open!

I forgot probably the best adventure, even though they're a mob of '<deleted>'.

Go for a HASH run with the Bankok HASH, or if you like eating cockroaches and slugs then a HASH run as a 'virgin' on the Pattaya unmentionable HASH.

Not a clue what's going on here!!

alt · October 8, 2015

Many good ideas here but I'm still a little amused by your post. 'Been here two times and wonder if there is anything you haven't done'? I've been here for 30 years and still haven't even come close to doing everything there is to do. You haven't even scratched the surface yet!!!

Great, that's what I like to hear!

Day trip to The Bridge on the River Kwae

Visit the giant 3-headed elephant (with temple inside) see pic.

Thanks for the suggestion, as mentioned above we are spending 3 nights in Kanchanaburi as part of our 1 month trip to LOS, can't wait to check it out.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS, SO MANY GREAT IDEAS

alt · October 8, 2015

Have you tried Khao San Rd. for people watching?

Yeah, we've been to BKK a few times and of course stopped at Khao San... but people watching westerners quickly gets boring... they just get drunk and fall over (I'm a westerner, no offence)

Seeing your so adventurous you could go to the Orient Hotel and sit on your arse there.Try Ko Kret,you could combine this with visiting your pp.My advice,get out of Bangers.

Ko Kret - never heard of it, thanks! Re. 'Get out of Bangers' - We have 1 month in LOS, about 5 days of that will be in BKK... I think it's fair to say that we will be 'getting out'

Take the bus to the end of the line , have your phone with GPS so if there is something interesting along the way you can come back to it.....

same with the canal boats

Now that's something I never would have thought of, cheers

Have you thought of getting outside Bangkok? Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Loei, Chiang Saen - the list goes on and on.

Get yourself a car and drive through these areas in low season. You can find clean hotels with aircon for 500 - 700 baht a night. Buffet breakfast about 200 baht at a big hotel in any town/city. Lunch at Big C or Tesco Lotus about 150 baht for two.

Not that Bangkok doesn't have its attractions, but 3 - 4 days there is enough for me.

As mentioned, i've been to LOS before. We've done Chiang Mai / Pai twice. Also visited Tak on the way up (to visit a friend) - that was something different... children who have hardly seen a (young) white person before... not an english sign to be seen. We do have a few days to 'kill' where we are just going to wing it, so maybe heading North (but not too far) will fill that gap. We are going to Kanchanaburi for 3 nights, though (never been ebfore)

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