Guide to Bangkok

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Disclaimer Dennis has stayed in Bangkok since 2015 and I have stayed since 2017. This list was made based on our long term stay in Bangkok, based on things that we tried, in our point of view. This list will keep evolving; so you’re very welcome to check every time you will visit Bangkok.

 

COMMUNICATION

Buy the sim card at the airport after the arrival gate, it’s pretty cheap and they will set your phone until it is ready to be used. I’m using DTAC 🙂

TRANSPORTATION

Bangkok has great great public transportation.

  • Rail: MRT (underground) and BTS (sky train), use both in combo, but they have different subscription card. For tourists, just buy it for one way each before you departed.
  • Motorcycle taxi: you will easily find them wearing orange jacket everywhere. Best to combine with BTS/MRT if you want to do 15-20 mins walk from BTS/MRT
  • Water taxi: Explore bangkok via the river
  • Grab: much easier than taxi – you won’t (usually) have to explain where you want to go and don’t have to negotiate the price

TO EAT

  • THE COMMONS cool space, foodcourt-like concept but super cool, with BKK’s top food stalls. Expect resto price (not hawkers). My favorites there are Hunter Poke, Soul Food, and Daniel Thaiger burger *
  • CREPES AND CO All type of fillings for Parisian crepes, but they also have others. Best for brunch.
  • TIM HO WAN Best dimsum everrrrrr, chain restaurant from HK

HIGH END CAFES

  • IT HAPPENED TO BE A CLOSET A cute and quirky cafe, which inspired by their own label with the same name.
  • KARMAKAMET DINER Tucked in the small alley behind Emporium mall, this charming place was inspired by Karma Kamet, the nation’s own perfumery brand.

JAPANESE FOOD

  • BANKARA RAMEN My favorite ramen in BKK, go for the original one! *
  • MENYA ITTO My favorite Tsukemen! (dry ramen), also go for the original one!
  • TSUKEMEN JO Simple ramen chain, but we can’t argue that the tsukemen is also very delicious!

THAI FOOD

* There are plenty of good food in Bangkok, but if you only have limited time, I will suggest to go for the starred options!

TO SHOP

  • LUXURY & HIGH END MALL: Siam Paragon, The Emporium, Siam Discovery, and the new must see mall, ICONSIAM (definitely check out the Takashimaya food area and the mall’s lower ground for Thai delights)
  • MID MALL: Terminal 21 (lots of local labels)
  • CHEAP/WHOLESALE MALL: Platinum for fashion, MBK Center for others
  • SUPER CHEAP MARKET: Sampeng Lane at China Town; Train night market for random things and cool ambience; JJ (Chatuchak) Market  – a must! (only open on the weekends)

TO VISIT

  • Mahanakhon Sky Walk, for the highest observatory deck in Thailand, entrance around THB 500

COWORKING SPACE

If you need to work in Bangkok, below are the best coworking space I’ve tried:

  • LAUNCHPAD Is it only me that works better in tall spaces? I love the big table and the airy space. The price is quite a saver too! THB 260 for daypass
  • HUBBA THAILAND Tried the one at Ekkamai, they have house-concept for that location. THB 299 for daypass
  • THE HIVE This place is my warm welcome to coworking space world. I love the neighborhood, with tons of cool cafe and nice restaurant. Love the interior of the place as well. THB 360 for daypass

Tips: you can also book free daypass via www.coworker.com, however, often free day pass comes with a tour before you can sit down.

 

THAI MASSAGE

Once you’ve tried Thai massage, it will change your whole life! I love the Thai massage’s non-oil-yoga-like-stretching sensation. It definitely need masseuse skill to do this one. My suggestion will be relax, close your eyes, and leave the masseuse direct your body movements. Book to save your spot.

TO DRINK & DANCE

Bangkok has a huge amount of bars and clubs. Note that we’ll recommend you Sky Bars separately! Generally, the Sukhumvit areas of Thong Lor, Ekkamai and Soi 11 are a good choice to head to. Here’s a selection of a few cool (and rather high-end) places:

  • IRON FAIRIES – bar, often live music, dark, weird, cool
  • SING SING THEATRE – club, cool interior a la 1920 Hong Kong chinoiserie style
  • THE COMMONS – see also places to eat, just a nice place to hang out, often with live bands, lively and good selection of (overpriced) beer
  • BEAM – high-end night club. Downstairs (72 COURTYARD) nice places to hangout. Pretty ‘hi-so’
  • RABBIT HOLE – hard to find, great cocktails, luxurious and private ambiance

SKY BAR

Not many other cities in the world can compete with Bangkok in terms of night-sky-boozers! As the land of skyscrapers, it almost feels like there’s a sky bar on every building.

  • ABOVE 11 – On Sukhumvit Soi 11 (a street with generally lots of bars, restaurants and clubs as well), this rooftop bar has 3 floors (although the top floor is currently under renovation). Both the food and drink options are amazing, with Peruvian-Japanese fusion food and excellent cocktails. Usually very busy, and booking in advance is a must, otherwise it’s only a seat by the bar if lucky.
  • SKY ON 20 – A skybar at the top of Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit. The best seat is actually the round sofa, where you can sit and see the sky. Not too much of a view of Bangkok though. Relatively quiet.
  • LEBUA – The highest skybar in Bangkok, super cool view, however drinks can be expensive around THB 800

CINEMA

Movie theaters are not the usual standard in Bangkok, and yes it’s worth one category of ‘what to do in Bangkok’. Below is our insider guide:

  • If you enjoy popcorn, salty and corn popcorn at SF Cinema is the best one I had so far! [LYDIA]
  • Diplomat Screens at Central Embassy – You get to wait at the lounge, and the staff will bring you snacks and drinks (cost included in movie ticket). They have a fridge beside your sofa-bed, also free to take. Popcorn and wine are additional. Costly but worth it once.

Please note, before the movie they will play the King’s Anthem to honor the King. Everyone including visitors/tourists are required to stand up until the anthem is finished.

That’s it! Hopefully this guide will be useful and saving your time for what’s Bangkok offer best.
Enjoy your stay and don’t forget to ring us while you’re in town! <3