Top Bangkok Places to Visit as a First Timer

Bangkok, the aesthetically beautiful capital of Thailand, is a very busy city with a population of over five million.

If you ever visit Thailand, then it is definitely worth a visit and see what Bangkok has to offer. From partying on Khao San road to relaxing along the Chao Phraya River, there is so much to do.

Bangkok is always evolving but it manages to hold onto its traditional and also religious routes. There are still many temples situated in Bangkok and across Thailand. There are many monuments, such as famous Buddhas to visit. Thailand is a place that very much cares about its history and beliefs. It has become the backpacker paradise, with so much to offer travellers. People come from all over the world to travel Thailand, experiencing local delicacies as well as bringing hobbies from back home, such as excessive drinking! 

Bangkok is always looking for ways to appeal to travellers and enhance the experience for them. They have already introduced many different activities, such as boat parties, bar crawls, beach parties and more. What’s next? Perhaps land casinos where travellers can gamble! As it stands, there are currently no land casinos in Thailand.

But there are online casinos and betting sites that you can access in Thailand. We did our own research and found a website which stated “รหัสโบนัสและโปรโมชั่นคาสิโนและเดิมพันกีฬา”, this means they showcase bonus codes and promotions for casinos and sports betting!

Anyway, let’s take a look at what Bangkok does have!

Wat Pho Reclining Buddha

If you are in Bangkok, you cannot leave without visiting Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha. The Reclining Buddha is a shiny gold statue that is 46 metres long and 15 metres high. It is one of the largest Buddhas in Thailand! 

It costs 100 baht to visit the temple and inside are 108 bowls in a line and for 20 baht you can buy a pot of coins to put into the bowls as a donation. This is a nice way to contribute and show your respect to the Buddha and the locals in the temple. If you do visit the temple, don’t forget to cover your shoulders and knees so you don’t offend anyone. 

Shopping

Travelling around Bangkok can become very tiring, especially in Asia’s heat and humidity. If you are looking to escape this and need somewhere air-conditioned, why not visit the shopping malls. Even if you have no intention of buying anything, they are worth visiting to see the luxurious interior and choose from many local food stalls. 

CentralWorld is the ninth largest shopping centre in the world, so if you are going to visit any, this should be at the top of your list. With eight floors full of shops and restaurants, a 5-star hotel and a 15-screen cinema, you could spend a couple of hours just exploring this alone.

Terminal21 is a cool-themed shopping centre that has nine floors and each of them is themed with different cities. For example, the food court has a Golden Gate Bridge to represent San Francisco. Other floors are themed Paris, Rome, London, Tokyo and Istanbul. This is a great spot to shop, eat and take photos of the interior.

Visit Chinatown 

Many big cities have their very own Chinatown and Bangkok is one of them. If you’re looking for cheap delicious street food and want to take in the culture of Thailand, Chinatown is definitely worth visiting. You’ll be spoilt for choice with street stalls and restaurants offering traditional Thailand dishes such as pad thai and Tom Yum Goong. If you’re brave enough, why not challenge yourself to use the chopsticks and eat like the locals. 

Have a drink at a rooftop bar 

After the chaos of visiting Chinatown, how inviting it is to head to a rooftop bar to sit back and relax and admire the view of Bangkok with a drink. There are many rooftop bars in Bangkok so you won’t struggle to find one. Yao Rooftop Bar is a good option to enjoy a 360 view of Bangkok.

Visit the Grand Palace 

The Grand palace is one of the most famous attractions in Bangkok. Spare a full morning or afternoon to explore the palace that was once the king’s home and a place to work for the government of Thailand. The entry fee is 500 baht and you can pay this at the entrance, or another option is to book a walking tour and hear all the facts and information from a local Thai person themselves. Be careful of potential scams when you are around the area of the Grand Palace. 

Take a trip to Chatuchak Market

With over 8000 stalls, Chatuchak Market is one of the largest markets in the world. It is open every Saturday and Sunday and is definitely worth a visit if you love shopping. From fresh foods to clothes and accessories, this is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir for a local price. Don’t be afraid to haggle the original price they give.

To conclude

From Thai massages to kickboxing, there are endless things to do in Bangkok. Be sure to spare at least 3 days to fully explore the city and take it all in.