Thailand
I spent two months in Thailand and instantly fell in love with the country! Long travel is necessary and quite calming, yet still so exhilarating. I had time to explore y’all and I did exactly that. From the city life in Bangkok, to immersing myself into the natures of Chiang Mai, to island hopping in Phuket and everything else in between- Thailand is THAT girl! Thee absolute best place for group trips, couple trips, solo trips, and everything else in between. Jet lag will ROCK you depending on what side of the world you’re flying in from, so be sure to give yourself enough time to explore, but also enough time to rest. I moved around A LOT so I’m only going to highlight my absolute favorite, must not miss experiences. You really do need all the energy you can get! Let’s get into it!
In this guide
Bangkok
I flew in to Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand. About a 19 hour flight from Los Angeles. Now most people suggest to stay in Bangkok for 1 night.. I’m here to tell you, It’s a LIE. DO NOT make the mistake of treating Bangkok like a layover! Bangkok is a vibrant city that’s easy to fall in love with. There’s so much to do and so much to see. I recommend AT LEAST 3 days minimum before moving on to the next city. I spent three weeks here and had the best time ever. A memorable experience that I think everyone should enjoy!
Accommodations -
Due to the amount of time I spent in Bangkok, I decided to opt for Airbnb stays. I wanted to explore different parts of Bangkok so each time I revisited the city, I stayed in a completely different part of town.
My first airbnb was located along Sukhumvit Road. I really loved this area! Super urban, lots of restaurants nearby, diverse, great nightlife, and both the Emporium mall and the iconic ICONSIAM mall are a short Uber ride away. Highly recommend!
I stayed in another airbnb near Sathorn. Much less touristy and much more local and residential compared to Sukhumvit, but I really enjoyed this area! It def felt like I was living within the same neighborhood as the locals (which I love) yet I was still near the hustle and bustle. I’d recommend!
Rooftops -
Tichuca - MY FAVORITE ROOFTOP BAR. OMG!! Tichuca is such a viiibbbbeeee. The food and drinks are good, the music is vibey, beautiful ambiance, and the views are spectacular. I recommend going at sunset hour. You don’t need a reservation to enjoy Tichuca but if you want a table, you may need to get their early to reserve it.
Tulum Skybar - Definitely an aesthetically pleasing rooftop bar/restaurant. I enjoyed the vibes, not so much the food. Overpriced, not delicious, and small portions. You come here knowing what your paying for, which is the vibe. They do have a DJ and I did enjoy his set. More so techno music but the song selections were good. I recommend giving it a try. Reserve your table ahead of time.
Activities -
China Town - Amazing!!! So much to see and experience. SO many food options. So many people. I went at night time and loved it. You want to experience driving into China Town on the back of a motorbike or a tuktuk (I recommend a motorbike)- this way, you’re able to reallllllyy take in your environment and it realllllly does make a difference. I was in AWH!
Wat Paknam Phasi Chareon - The Big Buddha! Unfortunately this masterpiece was under construction when I visited but I def wouldn’t skip this place! I can’t wait to go back. I actually enjoyed this activity more than I originally thought I would. Closed shoes are required as there is lots of walking involved as well as hills and inclines. 22 bridges in total and 6 of those are wobbley (but secure) hanging bridges. I went mid-day and the heat was blaring so I’d recommend going in the morning, bringing water, and wear sunscreen. $32 entrance fee for an approximate 2.5 hour tour. I wanted to walk at my own pace so I booked the self-guided tour and made it through the entire park in about 1.5 hours. If you actually want to see the animals, I recommend having a tour guide as they are much more informed about the park and will be able to spot animals throughout the tour. I personally think the very first hanging bridge has the best view so make sure to get your pictures in!
ICONSIAM - My goodness this mall is HUGE! Spend a full day here or at least a couple hours to really get the full experience. I also spent NYE here and it was truly the best affordable spot to watch fireworks and ring in the New Year. HIGHLY recommend.
Train Market - We went to Maeklong Railway Market. A market on an active railroad. You name it, its here- street food, clothing, accessories, cafes… they have it all! The train passes through 8 times a day. Super cool. experience.
Floating Market - We went to the Damnoen Saduak floating market. You can experience both the train market and the floating market on the same day since they are nearby. This is a really cool way to shop unique pieces and eat local foods. There are different starting points with different entry prices. Definitely negotiate. Some entry points are more expensive than others simply based on where you choose to start.
Get Massages, amazing night life, great cocktail bars, dog cafes, beauty - Go out, explore, walk around, get lost. Bangkok has so much to offer. Really immerse yourself in the destination and try to do as the locals do with a mix of touristy activities. I love Bangkok! I can’t wait to return.
Wat Arun - A GORGEOUS temple. I recommend getting here early to avoid the crowds. You can also rent traditional Thai garments and have a professional photoshoot here.
If you want more details on top hotel options, places to visit, and a mock itinerary- check out our Bangkok Travel Guide!
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