Bangkok

Overview

Bangkok rewards heat and hunger. Markets open at dawn, monks walk in saffron lines, and by afternoon the city retreats indoors. By evening the riverboats are loud again and the food carts come back out.

Neighbourhoods

• Banglamphu
  Old city — Khao San, temples, river ferries.
• Ari
  Leafy, mid-century, full of independent cafés.
• Charoenkrung
  Riverside warehouses, galleries, hidden bars.
• Thonburi
  Across the river — canals and quiet local life.

Top Landmarks

• Wat Pho
  The reclining Buddha and a working temple school.
• Wat Arun at sunset
  Porcelain spires across the Chao Phraya.
• Jim Thompson House
  Teak compound of the missing silk king.
• Chatuchak Market
  8,000 stalls, weekends only.

Food & Cafés

• Jay Fai
  Goggles, crab omelette, street-side Michelin star.
• Nai Mong Hoi Tod
  Crispy oyster pancake in Chinatown.
• Or Tor Kor Market
  The cleanest, best fruit and curry stalls in the city.
• 80/20
  Modern Thai tasting menu on Charoenkrung.

Getting Around

The BTS Skytrain and MRT cover most central districts. River boats connect old town landmarks. Taxis are cheap but insist on the meter; tuk-tuks are charming but rarely faster.

Sample Itinerary

1. Day 1
   Grand Palace, Wat Pho, river ferry to Wat Arun.
2. Day 2
   Ari coffee crawl, Chatuchak market, rooftop bar at sunset.
3. Day 3
   Thonburi canal tour, Chinatown food walk by night.

Local Notes

• Cover shoulders and knees at temples.
• Always agree on a tuk-tuk price before getting in.
• Tap water isn't safe; bottled water is everywhere.
• Sundays are quieter — many small shops close.