I recently entered a competition via my friend Danielle’s blog, Living In Sin, (be sure to check it out here photographs are just amazing). The competition was to write a post on how you would spend 48 hours in………….
And of course where else would I pick but my beloved Bangkok. I tried to think how best to give someone who had never been to Bangkok a real taste of the city from seeing the Chao Phraya River, to an authentic market, to one of my favourite temples, to a night market, a park (yes some small parts of Bangkok do have trees!), to one of the more famous shopping malls, to a roof top bar, to street food.
I was absolutely thrilled when I found out today that I was one of the winners of Danielle’s Entertainer Asia competition, and as I often receive emails from first time visitors to Bangkok asking for my input into their itinerary, I thought I would share my post here:
Bangkok is an amazing city, with everything from historical temples, to parks you would not expect to find in the middle of an urban jungle, to the most fantastic markets to some of the best food you will have the chance to experience for pennies.
Day One
Book in to the Oriental Residence. The Oriental Residence is the perfect location in Bangkok central to both Phloen Chit BTS and Lumpini MRT. Choose from one-three bedroomed suites. Leave your luggage if your room is not ready. Or be sure to check out their website before booking – they often offer a weekend staycation packages which offers early check ins and late checkout, perfect for staycations.
Morning
Waste no further time however, and head to the BTS station making use of the complimentary shuttle bus to Central Embassy which connects with the sky walk of the BTS, if you don’t fancy the short walk.
At the BTS, buy a rabbit card (this will cost you 100B but 50B is a refundable deposit and so overall it will work out cheaper than two one day passes – you may wish to put an additional 100B on as well so you are not wasting time topping up over the weekend). Then catch a sky train heading towards Mo Chit, change at Siam and take a sky train heading towards Wan Wian Yai, exiting at Saphan Taskin station.
The BTS is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the Big Mango – watch the sites of the city go whizzing by from the train in the sky.
At the BTS, take exit 2 and head towards Sathorn Central pier. When you reach the Chao Phraya River, you need to ensure you take the orange flagged local transport ferry (do not take the tourist boat, it doesn’t go as far as you are going). A ticket will cost you 15 baht and is purchased on board.
Take in the sites of river life of Bangkok, from the numerous long tail ferries, to the fishermen, to the houses on the river to Wat Arun, to the tips of the gleaming roofs of Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. The boat will become quieter after the Khao San Road platform, and now you can really sit back and enjoy how tranquil life on the river of Bangkok can be.
Exit the ferry at the last stop. You are now in a province called Nonthanburi. Head towards the clock tower and from there you will see a large wet market, which is as about as authentic as they come – it is doubtful there will be any other tourists here. Take an hour to wander around the market, taking in all of the local seasonal fruits and vegetables, fish and meats as fresh as they come and enjoy watching the locals haggle and barter.
Lunchtime
When you have finished, head back towards the pier, and catch the ferry. This time you will need to exit at Thewet Pier (Pier 15) and head towards Steve Café for lunch, which you will see from the pier. You need to take the road heading straight down from the pier, your first left, wander through the market until you see the temple. After taking a few minutes to admire the temple, follow the white signs to Steve Café, and sit back and enjoy a tasty Thai lunch on the river deck. Located in an old Thai style house, with colourful decorations and beautiful flowers, there is no better place to soak up the ambience of the Chao Phraya River.
Mid Afternoon
Linger over a lazy lunch, and then when you are ready head back to the pier and catch the ferry to Pier N8 Tien and then catch the commuter ferry for 3 baht to Wat Arun (there are signs pointing to the ferry.
Wander around the temples and awe at the guardians of Wat Arun before paying 50 baht to head into the Wat itself. Take some time to appreciate the amazing temple, often called the teacup temple for the millions of ceramic pieces attached to it. The climb to the third tier is steep and not for the faint hearted, but those who do will be rewarded with magnificent views of Bangkok’s riverside.
Sunset/Dinner
Before the sun starts to set, head back across the river on the transporter ferry and then head to the Arun Residence (36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Road) to enjoy a drink on the deck, watching Wat Arun light up during sunset, before enjoying a meal in the restaurant.
Head back to Sathorn Central on the boat, enjoying the lights and sites of the River at night.
Evening
You now have a choice – it maybe the fresh air of the river has got to you, in which case head back to the Oriental Residence and enjoy a drink either in French restaurant Café Claire or in the comfort of your own suite which has a fully stocked kitchen.
If you are thirsty for more, carry on to the stop passed Sathorn and experience Bangkok’s latest night market, Asiatique. The night market is full of stalls where you can barter with for the latest (counterfeit) watches, clothes stores with the cutest one of designs, live music and bars. For the brave, take the opportunity to see Bangkok all lit up at night from the air by riding the 60 metre high Asiatique Sky big wheel (250B). When you are ready head back to your hotel either by boat and BTS as you came or by taxi if you miss the last boat which departs at 11.30 pm.
Day Two
Morning
Make the most of the amazing breakfast spread in Café Claire, before heading towards Lumpini Park Bangkok’s oldest park, which is a comfortable walking distance from your hotel, or if the breakfast was all a bit too much, your concierge will call you a taxi.
Lumpini Park is a fabulous place for a walk around the lake, taking in people practising tai chi, riding bikes, or as you are, just a relaxing Sunday stroll. If you are game, take one of the Swan paddle boats out onto the lake for 30 minutes. But do have your camera ready however because Lumpini is really famous for its monitor lizards, who like to skulk around the banks of the lake – they range from tiny little babies to some fairly big beasts.
If you are a little peckish, pick up some street food from one of the many vendors (try the chicken satay or BBQ pork skewers or if you are a little warm coconut ice cream is a great way to cool down) outside the park!
Late Morning
Catch the MRT from Lumpini to Sukhumvit and spend some time walking around Terminal 21 – one of Bangkok’s most famous shopping malls. Designed to look like an airport, each level is themed after a different city such as Tokyo, London, Paris, Rome and Istanbul. There are some great photo opportunities as well as it being a nice opportunity to purchase some one off pieces by local designers. There are some really great jewellery and clothing finds to be had. If you are interested in Thai cookery, be sure to head to Gourmet market, located on the ground floor which stocks pastes and oils made by the famous Blue Elephant Thai cookery school.
Early Afternoon
Linger as long as you like in Terminal 21, before catching the BTS back to Phloen Chit and your hotel ready to change for the chocolate buffet at the Sukhothai Hotel (ask your concierge to order you a taxi, it isn’t far). From 2-5pm, this is a one off experience – be sure to sample the savouries such as miniature sandwiches to the most delicate of pastries before hitting the chocolate buffet at full throttle. The piece de resistance is however the amazing liquid chocolate buffet which makes made to order hot chocolate using the finest imported chocolate – select any combination that takes your heart’s desire.
Early Evening
When you have had your fill of chocolate, ask the concierge to order you a taxi to the Club Marriot Hotel, Thong Lo and head up to Octave, the hotel’s signature bar on the 46th floor, and enjoy signature cocktails whilst taking in the breathtaking 360 degree views of Bangkok.
Evening
Not trip to Bangkok is complete without a trip to a night food market, and luckily just across the road from the Marriot is Soi 38, home to one of the most famous, offering everything from pad thai, to massaman, to tom yum goong. If you are still however letting the chocolate buffet digest at least be sure to try mango sticky rice, Thailand’s most famous dessert.
