Locals know best, so a while ago I asked my Bangkok friends -Patch, Miki and Puy- to give their three favorite places in Bangkok. Patch and Miki I met during my internship at the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok and Puy is a friend of Patch. Below you can find the tips these three lovely young Bangkokians gave me and I also added my three favorite places in Bangkok.
Thanks Miki, Patch and Puy!!
Locals favorite places in Bangkok!
Patch (25 years, Bangkok, works in business development)
Patch (25 years, Bangkok, works in business development)Minburi District
“It is my home town which is located in the outskirts of Bangkok. This area is recognized as a green area of Bangkok. There are no skyscrapers like in downtown, but rice fields and farms instead. It is something that most people do not think of, when they think of Bangkok, but it is what the Bangkokians are calling for: ‘nature…”
The Chao Phraya River
“The Chao Phraya river is in one of the longest rivers in Thailand and flows through the heart of Bangkok. When I have to go to the river side area I always take the public boat. This way I can escape the Bangkok traffic and enjoy seeing the historical places and beautiful old architecture along the river side.”
BoB travel tip: Take a longtail boat or a ferry along the Chao Praya river.
Baiyoke Tower II
“The Baiyoke Tower 2 is the tallest building in Thailand. I love seeing the whole scenery of Bangkok from the observatory at the 84th floor. From this spot, I can see the natural and man-made side of the city, the modern and old buildings, and the luxury and poor houses.”
Puy (26 years, Bangkok, works at a private company)
Puy (26 years, Bangkok, works at a private company) Phra Nakhon District
“Phra Nakhon is the central district of Bangkok, including the Rattanakosin Island which is the historical area and bordered by the Chao Phraya river. It is one of the best spots! It attracts tourists because there are many significant landmarks. The most important temples and museums are situated here.”
BoB travel tip: Don’t miss the Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Khao San Road in this district!
Siam area
“Siam is considered to be the heart of Bangkok. It is a shopping and entertainment area, including Siam Square, Siam Paragon, Siam Center/Discovery and Central world. This is the place where you can see the fashion of Bangkokians, big shopping zones, teenagers and tutoring schools!”
Yaowarat road
“It is not hard to guess from the name ‘Yaowarat’ – China town in Bangkok. It is the place for the Chinese community, with plenty of street markets, gold shops and of course, its famous food street. The best time to visit this street is in the evening/night.”
Miki (26 years, Bangkok, works in health care)
Miki (26 years, Bangkok, works in health care) The RAMA VIII Bridge
“It is one of the bridges crossing over the Chao Phraya river. However, with its splendid design and a great point of Chao Phraya river’s view, it has become a great visiting place.”
Siam area
“It is the most popular place for teenagers to gather up. Also, it is a place with most updated fashion style to shop for.”
Siriraj hospital
“It is the first hospital that was established in Thailand. Every little spot in the hospital contains its own story. Also, I am so fond of the place because it is where I went for my medical schools.”
BoB travel tip: Visit the highly interesting Medical Museum at the Siriraj Hospital. The entrance is 200 THB.
Manouk (29 years, loves Bangkok, works in health care)
Manouk (29 years, loves Bangkok, works in health care)Wang Lang market
The Wang Lang market is a small market right across the Siriraj hospital and on the banks of the Chao Praya river. It’s a lively market full of food and house hold goods. It also has some pretty good street food and some of Bangkoks best curries. It’s unlikely you will find other tourists at this market. Simply take a ferry to Tha Wang Lang to get there.
Bang Krachao
Bang Krachao is a gorgeous small island located in the Chao Praya river. It’s my favorite green oasis in Bangkok’s city centre and on this island you will find small villages, cycling paths, temples and of course loads of green. The island can be easily reached by MRT.
Lebua skybar
One of the most beautiful sky bars in Bangkok (and maybe the world!). Have a cocktail and enjoy the stunning views over the city. There is a strict dress code at Lebua, so don’t show up with your backpacker flip flops and full moon party tank top.
So, there were our best places in Bangkok…
And now I’m curious: What is your favorite place in Bangkok? Your must-go tip?
Book your Thailand hotel through Hostelworld.com or Booking.com
Recommend further Thailand reading
Escape busy Bangkok: Visit Bang Krachao island
A stay at the Bangkok Treehouse hotel, an eco-retreat on Bang Krachao
Top things to do in Ao Nang and Krabi
Leuk stuk over Bangkok. Heel herkenbaar. Ik ben net weer terug uit die heksenketel. Het blijft echter mijn favoriete stad in Azie. Ik heb samen met Wilna dit jaar de jaarwisseling doorgebracht. Heel enerverend.
Fijne stad he Cor! Goed om te horen dat je het er weer naar je zin hebt gehad!
Really great advice thank-you. I’ve been back to Bangkok a few times and didn’t ever feel like I’d got the best from the city- it can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing! Advice from locals is the best way to go! :)
Agreed Katie :)! And besides the tourist trail, BKK has so much more to offer!! Thanks for reading!
Some great spots listed here! Having lived here 3 years now, I’d say biking around Phrapadaeng (Bang Krachao), and visiting the Siriraj hospital are both up there with my favourite locations. It should be noted that there’s not just one museum within the hospital, however – there’s about 4 or 5 different ones, including the ‘museum of death’ (forensic pathology museum) which is the most famous. Really interesting with tsunami displays, various crime scene reenactments and even mummified serial killers!
True Ian :)! Thanks for the addition! The mummified serial killer is one of a kind!
If the locals choose it, then it should be the best choice. I can see a lot of Chao Praya recommendations. Must be really worth it to see.
It is Vanessa :)!
Hi Manouk
The amount of blogs I read that have same content for Bangkok, usual tourist hot spots etc. It’s a refreshing change to see someone trying and writing about different places in BKK, where the locals go.
Thanks Graham! Appreciate it :)!
Mooi artikel! Leuk om te lezen wat locals en jij aanbevelen in Bangkok. Ik heb een half jaar in Bangkok gewoond en de meeste plekken zijn heel herkenbaar. Naast wat er al genoemd is zou ik het Lumphini Park willen toevoegen; heerlijk om aan het begin van de avond hier een stukje te gaan hardlopen en de aerobic les is ook wel vermakelijk om te zien :)
Lumphini Park in de ochtend of avond zeker aanrader :)! Goede toevoeging!
Wat een ontzettend leuk artikel! Mooi te zien wat locals aanbevelen in Bangkok, the best way to see the city. Ben er nog nooit geweest, maar het staat absoluut hoog op het lijstje. Sla deze post even op!
Dank Anouk :)! Bangkok is zeker een bezoek waard!
Mooie post. Ben altijd graag in bangkok. Maar na een paar dagen raak je de drukte even beu. Daarom denk ik dat ik bang krachao eens moet bezoeken. Lijkt me een leuke plaats. Grts
Oja, en wedstrijd muay thai gaan bezichtigen in een van de stadiums. Lumpinee, radjamdamderm (of zo iets). Veel actie en het is de thaise nationale sport. Ik zou me wel niet inlaten met het gokken. Grts
I quite like Soi 38 for street food although it’s gotten a lot smaller as of late as they are building a new apartment complex there.
Thong Lo soi 13 is also another great spot to get a drink and some decent food, usually mixed with westerns and Thais so not sure if we could call that a local favorite.
Oh this is a perfect list of places I will immediately put on the top of my list of places to visit when I get back to BKK! What a special list, thank you!
I especially love Yaowarat road myself. I always visit when I am in town ;)
I am so ashmed of myself LOL I have been in Bangkok many times but never venture outside of the Koh San Area..oops!
After reading this I feel next time I have to visit at least the Siam area!
Thanks for sharing!
x
definitely a lot of fun to get in one of those boats and go down the Chao Phraya river, great pics and nice write up
OK.
My next destination is Bang Krachao.
Thanks. :)
My best places in BKK are: the Jim Thompson House, the Suad Pakkad Palace and the Chatuchak market.