Bangkok stopover
Bangkok and Pattaya are inseperable, those in the capital love to come to Pattaya for the week and those spending part of their holiday or time by the sea can’t help being lured to the big city for a weekend of shopping, nightlife, culture, sightseeing and sophistication. It’s worth planning time in your itinerary for a Bangkok stopover.
Sightseeing, sports and other activities including courses, shopping, amusement parks and nightlife are all close at hand in Bangkok. There are temples, monuments, palaces, museums and galleries as well as a river to cruise and parks and neighbourhoods to explore such as Chinatown and the famous backpacker area of Khao San road. Try one of the city’s many organised tours or explore on your own by taking the Skytrain (BTS), the new subway (MRT) or a river boat.
The spectacular Grand Palace with Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Pho and Wat Arun are on top of the list of things to see in Bangkok. There’s detailed information on these and other temples to be found in our temples section. If your interest is in museums and galleries, there is plenty on offer from the Jim Thompson House, with its collection of fine Thai artefacts in a traditional Thai wooden house, to the Vimanmek Teak Mansion, the former home of King Rama V and the largest teak mansion in the world. Then of course there is the enormous National Museum, one of Asia’s finest. An interesting blend of Thai history and culture can be found at these and several other museums and galleries around Bangkok. Read more on Bangkok museums.
For visitors who are looking for things to do of a physical nature, there’s a variety of sports options available including state-of-the art fitness centres, tennis and swimming facilities and great golf courses. You might also want to try your hand at Thai boxing (Muay Thai), and there are courses offered on this popular sport. Maybe you’d prefer something a little less physical, like a course in Thai cooking or Thai language.
There’ll be no problem filling your evenings with the many entertainment options that Bangkok features. From world-class dining, to sampling the local food, live music venues to the more hedonistic night-time pursuits, there’s an endless array of night attractions and things to do. Sukhumwit road is popular with expats for its choice of fine restaurants and bars, and those looking for some of the city’s famous naughtiness (if you haven’t already been worn out by Pattaya’s) head for Nana Plaza or Patpong on Silom road. Clubbers should take a taxi to RCA, a remote area set aside for a dozen or more clubs in one location.
If shopping is what you’re looking for, Bangkok is a paradise. Everything you can imagine is for sale, from well-priced top-of-the-line designer goods to small handmade items that make for great souvenirs. Be sure to practice your bargaining skills at any of Bangkok’s markets because the asking price is always negotiable.
Emporium, Siam Paragon and Gaysorn Plaza are a few of the ultra-chic shopping centres where designer labels dominate. The all-encompassing mega-malls such as Seacon square or MBK have an endless selection of things to buy. If technology and gadgets are more to your liking, head to lively Pantip Plaza (Petchaburi road) or the slightly less frenetic Fortune Town (Rachadapisek road) for the latest in everything.
Shopping opportunities in Bangkok don’t stop at these shopping centres. Your experience isn’t complete without a trip to one of the many night markets or the gigantic Chatuchak market which is probably the most popular place to buy Thai arts and crafts. It is a vast and busy place with hundreds of small stalls selling goods from all over Thailand. Make sure to bargain hard here; bargaining is part of the fun and you’ll be sure to come away with some great finds and even better memories.
