Thailand Travel Advice: 10 Memorable Things to Do in Bangkok

Tuk-tuks are a smelly, noisy, uncomfortable and dangerous form of transport on Bangkok's busy, polluted streets, but no visit to the capital would be complete without experiencing a ride in a tuk-tuk at least once.

Don't be fooled into thinking that tuk-tuks will be cheaper than taxis; they won't be and if you are quoted a ridiculously low price then beware, you are being lined up for a scam.

When contemplating a tuk-tuk ride have a destination in mind, preferably one not too far away, you only want a taste of this experience, and have a rough idea of the price of the same journey in a metred taxi. With these things in mind, stop a tuk-tuk and tell the driver your destination and price. He will give you another price but stick to yours firmly but not aggressively. Eventually, by smiling you should get somewhere near your price; then just go for it.

The driver will throw the tuk-tuk around curves and other vehicles, stop right behind the exhaust of buses, play chicken with cars and generally do his best to get to the destination as quickly as he can and scare his passengers the most.

Don't attempt to get into a tuk-tuk parked near a tourist hotspot such as Patpong Road, Wat Pra Kaew or similar as these guys are waiting for the idiots who will pay 500 baht for a 50 baht journey.

Here is a gallery of tuk-tuks from around Bangkok. Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

Buy at AllPosters.com

This place is boiling hot, stupidly crowded, noisy, dirty and is a hotbed for the illegal wildlife trade, but there is something about Chatuchak Market that makes it a place that should be visited on a trip to Bangkok.

At Chatuchak Market there are thousands of stalls selling clothes, trinkets, furniture, plants, food and just about anything else you can imagine but whilst bargains can be had here, vendors are getting used to charging high prices for things and it pays to haggle, but don't forget that haggling should be done in good humour and not in a rush.

There are so many interesting things for sale here that you can easily lose track of how long you have been shopping for and amass quite a huge volume of bags full of your purchases. Never mind, there are loads of places selling tasty snacks and meals at low prices to refuel and gain energy for the next shopping spree.

Be Careful
One thing to avoid is the pet section of the market. Whilst many of the animals are legally for sale (cats, dogs etc), many of them are not. There are many wild birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish for sale here illegally and the vendors know it; you will know which are illegal too by the signs that people have put up saying "No Photos".

Here are a few photos of wildife for sale illegally at Chatuchak Market that I managed to take using my mobile phone. It shows the pathetic conditions these animals are kept in. Unfortunately, this is still a big problem in Thailand.

Be Careful 2
From time to time there are reports in the Bangkok Post newspaper of pickpocket gangs operating at Chatuchak Market, presumanly with the large crowds it is easy for them to operate without being noticed. I have never had a problem of this sort - just be careful where you keep your money/passport/credit cards.

Certainly this is not a reason not to go to Chatuchak, just be watchful.

Thailand is famous for massages of all types and it is really worthwhile experiencing at least one massage when holidaying in Thailand. Whilst massage is available all over Thailand, in Bangkok there is more choice than anywhere else.

Massage Number 1: Soapy Massage
This type of massage can also be referred to as "sexy massage" as really there is only one goal if visiting this type of establishment. I only include it here so that those requiring a proper massage can avoid this style of place. These soapy massages tend to be fairly large places, often quite brightly lit outside and the shopfronts are closed, that is you can't see in. There are many taxi and tuk-tuk touts that lurk on Bangkok's streets trying to tempt people into this type of massage; if you require a proper massage then ignore these guys.

If anyone who is after a real massage accidentally enters a soapy location, you will know it as there will be a number of girls sitting behind a glass screen. If you see this, then it is time to turn around.

This is not the place to elaborate on this style of "massage". Those that want to learn more should google "soapy massage bangkok".

Massage Number 2: Thai Massage
Thai massage is usually practiced in open-fronted shops or locations where you can see the massage in progress; this obviously means that nothing "naughty" is going to happen.

Thai massage tends to involve a lot of stretching and jerking around, and oftentimes joints are flexed against their natural movement. To me this style of massage is quite dangerous and painful - I have had one and hated it. However, some people swear by it and apparently if you have minor problems with your joints this can be quite soothing.

Massage Number 3: Oil Massage
This can be something of a grey area. Oil massage can be quite innocent, but it can also finish with a "happy ending"! To avoid this result you should look for a massage shop that has a glass front and where you can see people being massaged. This is not where the oil massage will take place as you must remove your clothes to get this style of massage, but it gives you a good idea as to the intentions of the masseurs.

The oil massage will take place in a curtained booth, after you have had a shower. Scented oils are rubbed into your skin and the masseurs are usually very attentive, massaging all muscle groups for quite some time. This type of massage is very relaxing and typically costs around 600-800 baht for a couple of hours, 1 hour is usually the minimum.

All types of massage locations offer oil massage but it is only the glass-fronted establishments that will stop at the massage. There are many Japanese and Korean "massage and spa" places that look like genuine theraputic massage locations but where the masseuses tend to specialise in other areas.

Massage Number 4: Foot Massage
This type of massage leaves no room for confusion as it is conducted out in the open, often in shopping centres and in shop fronts all over town. Foot massage is something I have never indulged in but my wife seems to love it and says it is very relaxing. You can tell foot massage locations very easily as you will see the massaging in progress and they display a large foot sign on the doors.

It is customary to tip the masseur after your session in all types of massage establishments. 300 baht or so will be gratefully received.

Massage Number 5: The Massage Chair
This type of massage involves nothing more than putting some coins into the massage chair, sitting back and enjoying the ride. Big,black massage chairs can be found in all sorts of places around town such as in bars and shopping centres. I have never tried it myself, but it looks pretty strange to see people lying in a big chair in the middle of a shopping mall, getting jiggled around. Still, they always seem to be relaxed so it may be worth a try.

Bangkok perhaps has more places to eat than any other city in the world due to the profusion of food stalls and restaurants. Here I am talking about food stalls.

Throughought Bangkok food stalls abound; they typically consist of a push cart with a gas ring and a variety of ingredients haning in a glass case. Sometimes these stalls are fixed to the side of a motorbike.

Many foodstalls serve a very limited range of foods, many of them only one or two dishes. It is this specialisation that makes what looks like unhygienic cooking conditions actually a great option for tasty, clean and disease-free meal. As Thai food is cooked at a very high heat level and food is chooped into small pieces, food at the stalls is quite safe and as the turnover of food is very fast, very little is left hanging around for long.

Food at these stalls is very cheap, typically 30-40 baht per meal and I highly recommend either a bowl of noodles with pork/shrimp balls or rice topped with an assortment of fresh vegetables and chicken.

If you are fan of Thai food check out my recipe for Thai Green Curry and Appon's Thai Food website, it's excellent.

This set of photographs shows a variety of street food vendors as well as some drink sellers. Look out for the ice-cream motorbike. Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

I am not talking about the trash that is put on for tourists which you will find in Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai etc, I am speaking about the top quality fights at Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen Stadiums in Bangkok.

I don't class myself as a boxing fan but a couple of visits to these places etched themselves into my memory.

Firstly, don't pay for the expensive ringside seats which most tourists get ushered towards. Whilst these seats afford a better view of the boxing, from these seats you cannot see the action in the crowd.

If the above tip leads you to think that the main spectacle is not the boxing then you would be correct. The really amazing thing is the crowd in the "cheap seats" (actually terraces) who bay for blood and cheer every blow. Considering that Thai boxing uses fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet, there are a lot of blows to cheer and this makes for a VERY noisy and excitable atmosphere - something akin to a bad "B" movie, maybe Jean-Claude van Damme in Death Fighter 12 or similar rubbish. As well as the cheering, a band playing traditional Thai instruments accompanies the fighting.

In addition the crowd are widely involved in gambling, with bets being placed amongst mysterious winks and signs, but bets from foreigners are a welcome bit of fun; just make sure you only bet 100 baht or so.

Watching the Thai boxing from behind the cage (this is to protect the boxers from old cans, water bottles etc. being hurled at them when the fight gets slow) is the only way to go and will result in a memorable experience.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want to do more than just watch Thai boxing and thinking of going to Thailand to train, this e-book may be of interest to you, particularly in helping you find a reputable gym: .Thailand Muay Thai Training Guide

There are some amazing sunsets to be seen in Bangkok, apparently this is a result of the air pollution. I suppose everything has its up side.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Many people's initial reaction to this suggestion will be something like, "disgusting", "I am not a sex tourist", "this is for perverts". Well, that's fine if you want to be reactionary but the gogo bars of Bangkok are something quite odd in an otherwise conservative culture and are worth a quick look to see what all the fuss is about.

There are 3 main areas in Bangkok with gogo bars that cater to foreigners: Nana Plaza in Sukhumvit soi 4, Soi Cowboy just off of Sukhumvit soi 23 and Patpong Roads 1 and 2 just off of Silom Road. Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza tend to be sex venues only but Patpong road is full of tourists of both sexes and indeed contains a night market selling all sorts of counterfeit goods and tourist tat. For those who are curious and would like to take a look into a Bangkok gogo bar, Patpong Road is used to curious tourists.

NEVER go into an upstairs bar in Patpong
No matter how many times the tout tells you that there is no fee for the "ping-pong" show, you will find out to your cost that there is. These upstairs ping-pong, sex show places are rip off venues where a heavily padded bill will be presented by surly bouncers. Do yourself a favour and avoid the upstairs bars like the plague.

You can read here about one person's experience of these rip-off joints: Patpong Bar Scam

Downstairs is quite safe
However, all the downstairs bars are fine. For guys any bar will do but if ladies wish to take a peek then I will make a recommendation; go to King's Corner bar. This is quite a large glitzy gogo which is used to all sorts of people poking their noses in. Half the gogo dancers are girls and half are ladyboys and anyone can have fun trying to guess which is which. There is no worry of being ripped off here as beer is served and bills signed for as they come.

A quick drink in King's Corner will definitely be an experience you won't forget in a hurry.

I am not talking about tourist venues with western music, what I mean is a real Thai venue with Thai music and customers.

Thai nightclubs are different to western ones in that they are crowded with tables with little or no real dance floor. People claim a table and drink from there and just dance whenever and wherever they feel like it. Typically Thais will order a bottle of whiskey and drink the whole thing with mixers amongst friends; beer is available but not often taken. Prices are usually very reasonable.

Usually, Thai nightclubs have a stage and the music alternates between live bands and music from a DJ and revellers are not at all shy about getting up and dancing.

Thais are very friendly in this situation and if they see foreigners it is likely that they will talk and invite them to dance together. If you are with a group of friends it is highly likely that you'll have a very memorable time in a Thai nightclub and if you are single and looking for a Thai girlfriend/boyfriend, they are very easy to meet in this situation.

There are Thai nightclubs in all sorts of Bangkok suburbs but maybe the easiest one for foreigners to find is Tawan Daeng on Pattanakarn Road. See this website for more information and a map to give to your taxi driver: Tawan Daeng.

Insects? Come on, be open-minded and try some. Surely you didn't travel half way round the world to eat fish 'n' chips or hamburgers? if you really are a traveller looking for new and memorable experiences then trying some insects is a must.

Typically you have a choice of locusts, grubs and beetles. Lovely!

I actually enjoy the locusts and most people that I have persuaded to try them have agreed. The locusts are very crispy and taste of the peppery spray that they are coated in. The grubs and beetles are a bit squidgy for my liking but taste okay.

It is a bit like in the book Green Eggs and Ham "try them try them here or there........... you will like them you will see".

You can find insects for sale on street stalls in a number of places around the city. two stalls I know of that are always present are one on the corner of Sukhumvit Road and Soi 4 and another which patrols the lanes of the markets at Pratunam.

The Banyan Tree Hotel in Sathorn Road is one of the most expensive hotels in Bangkok but I am told that it is worth experiencing it just once; something I have yet to do.

However, the restaurant and bar on the roof of the hotel is somewhere that everyone can enjoy and whilst prices are expensive, they are not prohibitively so, and the views from the top are really great, particularly in the dark when all the lights are on.

Vertigo Restaurant
In the open air on the 61st floor, the views from here over the skyline of Bangkok are probably the best in town. The meals are priced similar as they would be in Europe, which is expensive by Thai standards but not too bad for a treat. Watch out in the rainy season though as your meal could get interrupted at any time as there is no roof.

Moon Bar
The Moon Bar is also situated on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel and shares the same excellent view as the Vertigo Restaurant. Cocktails and beers are a little pricey but affordable, and often there are promotions on a pitcher of certian cocktails which makes drinking more affordable. Here is an informative and balanced review of the moon bar: Review of the Moon Bar, Banyan Tree Hotel, Bangkok

At both the Moon Bar and Vertigo Restaurant there is a dress code. The following is from the Banyan Tree Hotel website.

"We enforce a smart-casual dress code at Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar. Long trousers and closed shoes for gentlemen. No torn jeans, sleeveless tops, shorts or flip-flops. We thank you for your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused."

Book a room at the Banyan Tree Hotel here: Banyan Tree Hotel

Although the prices at the Banyan Tree Hotel restaurant and bar are far more expensive than most venues in Bangkok they are still affordable: don't let them put you off having a memorable experience.

Chao Praya Express

The Chao Praya is the name of the large river that runs through Bangkok. Apparently, many years ago, all life was conducted on the water, in canals and rivers throughout Bangkok; little evidence remains of that now but a ride on the Chao Praya Express boat is a fairly relaxing way of seeing a part of Bangkok that is not otherwise accessible.

The Boats

The route is quite extensive, running from Ratburana in the south of the city to Pak Kred in the north, but for visitors probably the easiest place to get on the boat is at the Taksin bridge. It is probably best for potential travellers to take a look at the website for the Chao Praya Express where the route is clearly mapped out; Chao Praya Express route; and fares are detailed; Chao Praya Express fares.

A ride on this boat is one of the few ways of getting away from Bangkok's horrible traffic and riding the whole route on the slow boat takes close to an hour. At the northern end of the like there are small boats which take people along tiny canals where you can see something of the traditional life that used to flourish in Bangkok. Just get on one of these and when they get to the end of the canal, they will just turn around and go back.

The following photo gallery consists of photos taken from the Chao Praya Express boat one cloudy afternoon at the beginning of the rainy season. Even with the threat of rain this boat trip is something that can still be enjoyable and you won't get wet (well not too wet).

Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Common Myna
Common Myna is just about the most obvious bird in Bangkok, particularly in parks and gardens. Common Mynas are noisy and can be quite tame, raiding bins and feeding on any rubbish left lying around by humans. Common Mynas roost in large, noisy flocks with White-vented Mynas and other starlings.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Everyone knows what a sparrow looks like and this one is everywhere in Bangkok, you can't miss it. The urban sparrow in Europe is the House Sparrow, but in Bangkok, and Thailand in general, the Tree Sparrow is the commonest. In Bangkok Tree Sparrows are dark and smudgy but in more rural situations they are cleaner and more nicely marked.

Coppersmith Barbet
This colourful bird is fairly common in parks and gardens in Bangkok with mature trees. It nests in holes which it excavates itself but it is its call that makes the Coppersmith Barbet most obvious. With a distinctive, monotonous "poop, poop, poop, poop" the call sounds like someone working with metal and this is what gives the bird its name.

Olive-backed Sunbird
Olive-backed Sunbird is a beautiful little bird which is similar in appearance and behaviour to hummingbirds although it is not related. Sunbirds feed by drinking nectar from flowers, eating small fruits and gleaning insects from plants with a side sweeping motion of their bill.

You can find out about some of my favourite birds of Thailand here - My Favourite Birds of Thailand