After a 3 week trip to Singapore and Europe, it is nice to go back to a familiar city with no agenda. I was there for a work trip and it is nice to be able to tag a few more days over the weekend with some friends.
Bangkok could be quite big if your plan to do all the tourists activities. I would say add 50% more on whatever travel time google tells you. Grab is the way forward here.
Accommodation
For this trip I have opted for the Le Méridien in the Silom area for the close proximity on where I wanted to visit. As with any branded hotels, the quality comes with the name.
(Updated Oct 2024)
Bangkok had been experiencing some major city revitalisation and more interesting neighbours are now all over this vibrant city. We have decided to stay at the budget friendly Quarter Phrom Phong by UHG for its hip location and proximity to Soho House, Head Spa and nice restaurants. The rooms were fine but certainly do not expect any sort of views.
However across the road there is also the Public House, which is a much nicer hotel and with a great lobby bar. Soho House members also has discount on this accommodation. Phrom Phong has now become one of my favourite neighbourhoods to stay in Bangkok
Restaurants
ตี๋โภชนา (黃炎泉餐室) Seafood T. Restaurant.
Chinese Seafood Restaurant recommended by the family serving their famous curried crab and other seafood dishes.
ก๋วยจั๊บญวนสีลม (Stall by the Street)
This is a great little find on the side of the street serving some solid and somewhat clean stirred fried dishes.
Roadhouse Barbecue
Pretty famous for their ribs here. We had nothing to complain about. It was decent.
Trok Silom
This is a roof top bar and restaurant supporting local indie artists. Certainly one of the more interesting place we visited this trip.
Flourish
This is the all day dining at the Kempinski Hotel and we were recommended by a local and try their famous shaved ice dessert. All other dishes were decent too.
Sri Trat Restaurant and Bar (Updated: Oct 2024)
Fantastic food with a well stocked bar close to our hotel. Spacious interiors and great services.
Ministry of Crab (Updated: Oct 2024)
Famous Sri Lankan chain famous for their crabs. It was good but thought it was a bit over-priced.
Peppina (Updated: Oct 2024)
One of the best pizzeria in Bangkok. Also right next to our hotel.
Baan Phraya and Bamboo Bar @ Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (Updated: Oct 2024)
This was one of our highlight meals. Baan Phraya at MO is a modern Thai restaurant situated across the river of the main building. After having a drink at one of the oldest jazz bar in the city, Bamboo Bar, we took the complimentary boat shuttle across the river to our dinner.
Wattana Panich (Updated: Oct 2024)
Famous boat noodle joint in Bangkok for their 50 year old beef broth. You can choose your own noodle and I always preferred the thin ones. The boat noodles has all parts of the cow and was flavourful, however the mutton/lamb stew was a bit too gamey for me. Opt for upstairs seating if possible with air conditioning.
KhuaKlingPakSod @ Thonglor (Updated: Oct 2024)
Hearty traditional Thai food in a comfortable setting. Booking is strongly recommended. One of our favourite meals in Bangkok. Be cautious of the spiciness of this place.
Fatt Chicken Rice @ Emsphere (Updated: Oct 2024)
One of the best Hainanese Chicken Rice I've had in Bangkok so far! Multiple locations across the city.
Late Night, LGBT and Leisure
Bangkok is a notorious fun city and you have to have your street smart with you, but be courteous and you will be surprised where the night can take you. Here are some of the places we visited.
Soi Silom 4 - Notify Bar Street for the LGBT Community
Vesper Cocktail Bar - Highly Rated Cocktail Bar in the Area
DJ Station - Famous LGBT Club
House of HEALS - Home of one of the Rupaul's Queens Pagina Heals
Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium
*Note that you would like to start your night earlier as the bars and clubs are ordered to close around Midnight to 1:00pm. Only Pattaya is licensed to open later.
TRIBE Sky Beach Club @ Emsphere (Updated: Oct 2024)
One of the best pool bar in Bangkok and definitely worth visiting for on a relax late afternoon, if not to party at night. Best to reserve a pool side bed in advance and deposit is required for Friday - Sunday.
Tichuca Rooftop Bar (Updated: Oct 2024)
One of the most instagram famous rooftop bars in Bangkok. The view was amazing but it was so crowded and honestly one could say it was unpleasant. Physical ID is required.
One for the Road (Updated: Oct 2024)
OFTR Bar is lively but intimate live music venue and it became one of our favourite hangouts.
Siesta Head Spa and Salon (Updated: Oct 2024)
This is one of the more premium end of Head Spas in Bangkok. We opted for the signature treatment and honestly I was a bit disappointed. We all had short hair so in fact we really just paid for 90 mins of hair wash. It even irritated my scalp for 2 weeks after, however my friends were fine. For the price I paid I should have just gone for the hot aroma head massage treatment instead. There is also a cute Tea Factory coffee shop which you can chill before or after your treatment.
Let’s Relax Onsen and Spa Thonglor (Updated: Oct 2024)
Let's Relax is an established Spa chain in Bangkok but this particular branch has a beautiful onsen. Booking in advance is recommended and note onsen requires a separate day pass to your spa package. Also in terms on time management it is good to note that if you book 2 treatments, they could well move you to a different area instead of staying in the same room. You will need to allow and extra 20 mins for this change.
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