Essential Guide to Bangkok for First Time Visitors
Where to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is divided into 50 districts and 180 subdistricts, each with their own purpose and feel. As with any big city there is the financial district, commercial, residential, historical, etc. Based on all that we watched, read and saw while there, it would be hard to pick a part of the city that wouldn’t have it’s own charm and aspects that you love. The On Nut neighborhood, in the district of Watthana, is quickly becoming a favorite of locals and expats and is where we settled. The streets are quieter while still providing everything you need including modern residential towers, restaurants, a movie theater, malls, excellent schools and grocery stores. All mixed in with temples, traditional Thai homes and most importantly (to us!) street food and markets. It is very conveniently located off the On Nut BTS station that can get you anywhere you want to go in Bangkok. You can get a quick tour of our little slice of Bangkok in the video below.
What to see in Bangkok
When you think of a visit to Thailand, you likely imagine beautiful temples (or wats) as part of that visit. While Bangkok has more than 400 active Buddhist temples, there are around ten considered “must-see.” Lucky for us, we saw three on that list.
Must-see Temples in Bangkok
Wat Phra Kaew : Located within the Grand Palace complex, it is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, housing the revered Emerald Buddha. Fun facts, the Emerald Buddha used to be located within Wat Arun and is not made of emerald but more likely jasper or jade. It is beautiful.
Wat Arun: Known as the Temple of Dawn, is one of the most recognizable Thai landmarks. It’s located on the Chao Phraya River and is famous for its massive, 230-foot (70 meter), prang (spire) decorated with ornate floral mosaics made from broken, multihued Chinese porcelain.
Wat Pho: Famous for the 151 foot or 46-meter-long reclining Buddha statue and as the center for teaching traditional Thai massage. It is considered as the first university of Thailand. The sole of each foot has 108 images decorated with pearls, which is one characteristic of a great man according to the Thailand Tourism website.
Main attractions in Bangkok
There is so much to see and do in and around Bangkok! Some highlights of our visit included the Grand Palace, Chinatown, Lumphini Park, Benchakitti Park and Chatuchak Market. And of course the malls.
Malls
Mall culture is serious in Bangkok! There are a ton of malls ranging from high-end, brand-name luxury (Central Embassy, Siam Paragon) to affordable and tech-focused centers (MBK Center, Platinum Fashion Mall). Other than the malls in the On Nut area, we hit Terminal 21, IconSiam, CenturyWorld and Central Ladprao. Any of them are worth checking out. And there is the free air conditioning…
Restaurants and street food in Bangkok
Bangkok’s food scene is one of the most exciting in the world and can be a bit overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors to Thailand. Our advice? Let it be overwhelming in a good way. You really can’t go wrong. Some of the best meals you’ll have cost around a dollar and come from a wok that’s been seasoned over decades. You can have an unforgettable meal whether you’re sitting on a plastic stool at a night market or in a rooftop restaurant overlooking the skyline. One thing to keep in mind – spice levels are real, so don’t be shy about asking for “mai phet” (not spicy) if you need to ease in!
Transportation in Bangkok
Bangkok’s public transportation system is extensive, affordable, and often the fastest way to navigate the city’s notorious traffic. The elevated BTS Skytrain and the underground MRT subway, connect major neighborhoods, shopping districts, and tourist sites, running frequently from early morning until around midnight. These rail systems are clean, air-conditioned, and inexpensive, making them the easiest option for first-time visitors . Also available is the Airport Rail Link, which provides a quick connection between Suvarnabhumi Airport and the city center. If you’re going to be in Bangkok for an extended period of time like we were, one card worth picking up on arrival is the Rabbit Card, a reloadable transit card that saves time and according to some, money. (Although we only used the card so we cannot confirm that.)
Tuk-tuks, buses, taxis and motorcycle taxis work well for short hops, though agreeing on a fare before you climb in is essential. Ride-hailing apps like Grab are perfect for longer or more complicated journeys, offering metered, air-conditioned comfort without the negotiation. All of those options do put you at the mercy of Bangkok traffic so keep that in mind. Canal boats offer another local mode of transportation.
One of the ways we got around to several of the attractions was the The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat. It’s a a more scenic (and traffic-free) experience. You can check that out in our hop on hop off boat video on the experience.
Practical Tips and Safety in Bangkok
Personal
We felt completely safe everywhere we went in Bangkok, no matter the time. Now, we are “of a certain age” so we weren’t partying into the night but we still believe as long as you are aware of your surroundings and pay attention to your stuff, you’ll be fine. Always use common sense no matter where you are.
Walking across the street can be an adventure and should be done with locals first if possible! There are cars bumper to bumper and motorcycles weaving in and out of them, but somehow it all works and without angry yelling and hand gestures. This is what you have to cross whether there is a crosswalk or not and magically all drivers – bikes and cars alike – somehow bob and weave safely around you.
Water and Food
These are two concerns most first-time travelers to Southeast Asia have and I was one of them. I am a self-professed germaphobe who drinks a lot of water and will for sure be the one that will have any stomach issues if there are any to be had. Note that I said was. I have learned through lots of research as well as personal experience that you can absolutely brush your teeth and wash dishes with tap water. Just don’t drink it, get used to your water always coming from a bottle. Almost all ice in Thailand is factory-made and distributed to vendors like restaurants, supermarkets and Allen’s favorite, 7-Eleven, so that is also safe. Just watch for tubes or ice with holes in it.
Thai food is amazing! We seriously did not have a bad meal or snack while in Bangkok no matter where we got it, the street, a tiny shophouse or a full restaurant. And we didn’t get sick from it. One of the rules we live by is one we learned from a well known YouTuber: If it’s sittin’, you’re sh!ttin’. If it’s movin’, you’re groovin’. In other words, crowds at the street vendor or food cooked in front of you. Food is their livelihood and what they serve matters to them.
Overall thoughts about Bangkok
We can’t wait to go back and we just left. The city is huge and there are around 10 million people in it, yet you can find pockets that make you feel like you are in a quiet little community where you can find peace and calm. You can find any type of food from any country and anywhere from street food to Michelin-starred, upscale restaurants. Bangkok and it’s people are welcoming and beautiful and have a little piece of our hearts.
