Bangkok
Nine floors of capitalism and one very tall bar
Food & Drink
- Sky Bar (63rd floor, State Tower) – one of the highest open-air bars on the planet. A cocktail runs about $30, but I went back two nights running. Worth every dollar. Casual attire is fine (think church clothes)
- Mall food courts – the selection is vast and genuinely wonderful
- Chinatown – one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, and the food is sublime (though very touristy)
Sights
- Wat Phra Chetuphon, home of the reclining Buddha — go an hour or two before closing for fewer crowds and less heat (open 8:30am–6pm)
- Chinatown
Experiences
- Chatuchak Weekend Market — the largest weekend market in the world (9am–6pm)
- The malls (ICONSIAM, MBK Center, Centralworld, Siam Center) — nine floors of capitalism and air conditioning, genuinely an experience in itself
- A Thai massage, anywhere — just tell them to go easy
- Wandering the bar streets (Sukhumvit Soi 11, Khaosan Road, Silom Road) while keeping your wits about you
Getting Around
- Traffic is bad and the metro's reach is limited, so long walks will sneak up on you even when the map makes it look close — plan your route ahead of time
Travel Tips
- Visit during summer and brace for serious heat; malls are your air-conditioned refuge
- 3 days is enough if you're not chasing the nightlife, but if you love food, drinks, and a little bacchanalia in the evenings, this is your city
Overall Review
Like much of Southeast Asia, if you visit during the summer months, brace yourself for sweltering heat wherever you turn. The malls are an oasis from it, and they're big enough that you never feel packed in or like you're missing out. When you venture outside, long walks will creep up on you even when the map looks close, so plan your route and weigh your options. That said, you'll see incredible things on foot, and the heat shouldn't stop you from visiting places like Wat Phra Chetuphon and the Grand Palace — they're genuinely works of art. I spent 3 days here, and it was plenty, but if you like food, drink, and a little bacchanalia in the evenings, this is certainly your place.