Once you’re done with the temples, there’s still quite a lot of good things to do in Bangkok that can keep you coming back again and again.
Shopping is still without doubt, one of the best things to do in Bangkok. There’s so many malls and markets and something for every taste. Whether you’re looking for a $100,000 Hermes Hand Bag, a $10 t-shirt or $1 fidget spinner, there’s something for you. Siam Paragon is probably the best place to start. It’s massive and you could especially spend a day in there, but do a morning, check out the wicked food hall on the ground floor (or GreyHound), then walk through the Discovery Center (more shopping) to MBK, where the young kids hang out. Walk back across to Siam Square which doesn’t open until later. Have a coffee then walk to Central World. If you can’t find something you like by then there’s no hope for you!
I’m not going to cover the temples such as Wat Arun, Wat All The Others and the Grand Palace. They’ve been done to death and are pretty much on every single What To Do in Bangkok list ever made. If you’ve never been to Thailand, sure, definitely worth going and spending some time at, but once you’ve done one, they will quickly get pretty tedious.
Chatuchuk Market – One of Bangkok’s most famous markets and worth going. From fake t-shirts to kitchen utensils to snakes, dogs, to phones, watches, art, fruit and veges, Chatuchak market has it all. It’s not really what it has for sale that’s the attraction, it’s just seeing it all. So much happening and so much to see. I’ve seen a lot of markets in a lot of cities over the years, but in my opinion, this is still the best. It can get stinkin hot as much of it is covered so bring an extra shirt or two, or just buy a cheapo when you’re there.
If you happen to be there during the Thai New Year, 13 April and surrounding days, you’re in for a treat. Wear your togs, take a bag for your phone and anything else because you’ll get soaked. If you’re tourist you’ll be especially targeted. This might be the most fun you’ll ever have for both kids and adults alike. If you have the freedom to plan your holiday anytime, give this period a try because it’s one of the best things to do in Bangkok that won’t cost you anything and can do anywhere. If you’re the adventure type, head down to Taco Lake for some wakeboarding. It’s on an overhanging tow rope, rather difficult to do (much more difficult than behind a boat), but not bad a good way to get out the city and do something different.
If you want to know about girly bars and that type of thing (shame on you!), Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy and Soi 33 are the places to start at. Forget about Patpong, it’s touristy and you’re asking to be ripped off. There’s thousands of massage parlours and gentlemen’s lounges that all provide the same thing. It’s not difficult to find sex in Bangkok, many of the locals are looking for western boyfriends or short time companions for a bit of extra cash but that’s a whole other website by itself and not really what we’re about here. Soi Thonglor has become a trendy hangout for more refined expats living in Bangkok. Some places still offer the same services, just at double the cost, but there’s also a lot of normal bars, restaurants and cafes where you don’t have to worry about that type of thing.
Golf – If you’re a serious golfer there’s not much need to look for other things to do in Bangkok because you could spend weeks here and still not play all the golf courses. It’s not just about the quality of the golf courses either, it’s an experience playing golf in Thailand and I made a living out of it for 7 years. The caddies are a huge part of the golf attraction and when you get used to it, you won’t want to play golf again without one. If you want to play golf in Bangkok and need some advice, send us any questions or comments you have about things to do in Bangkok via email or ask us on twitter.