Scents, colours, noises.

Bangkok is a city hammering the senses.

The capital of Thailand is a megalopolis. Here, West and Eastern traditions collided into a unique explosion. Skyscrapers stand out between golden statues and temples. Monks in their typical saffron-yellow clothes take the modern Skytrain to go around the city. On crowded sidewalks, shopping centers alternate with food stands and altars for praying.

So, to sum it up, this city blows your mind from the first moment. It shakes you like a ping-pong ball without respite. And yet, it owns something that attracts you and engages you intensily. You will not have time to ask questions or to find answers. 

Bangkok is a city to experience, not to understand.

The organized, frenetic as well as spiritual chaos, turns your first encouter with Bangkok, into something disarming and unique. If you want to know this city, you have to stop judging and to start accepting it as it is, in its uniqueness. 

And now, I will reveal you how. 

Bangkok, Thailand

Here’s the four not to be missed experiences in Bangkok:

1. Spirituality and community: the temples

Thai culture is based on Buddhism, which values are absence of judgement, mildness, respect and purity of the soul. Therefore, the temples are the perfect place to get to know this culture and to get captivated by it. A perfect way to feel completely at ease and find serenity. 

For a start, the Gran Palace, the Wat Phra Kaeo, the Wat Pho and the Wat Arun, which are the most important and fascinating sites. Wat (temples) are places of cult, but also meeting places for the community. Here, spirituality emerges among incense, flowers garlands, prayers, golden and coloured details. Alongside, the daily life continues among chats, school lessons, rituals and small markets.

Gran Palace, Bangkok

Prayers at the Gran Palace, Bangkok

Lessons at the Wat Pho, Bangkok

Wat Arun, Bangkok

However, if you want to avoid the most touristic streets, go to the Golden Mountain.

The Golden mountain is an artificial hill on which a golden chedi stands out. The chedi is a venerated place, because of the Buddha’s ancient remains it holds. You will go through a long staircase that leads you first to the garden, then to its top – once the highest location of the city. Here, you can admire the architectural contrast between the ancient and the modern Bangkok, while listening to the intense sound of silence, interrupted only by the jingle of the Thai bells.

Finding Thai peace.

Sight from the Golden Mountain, Bangkok

 2. Experience the chaos of neon lights, tuk tuk and street food: Khaosan Road and Chinatown

Bangkok is a crowded, busy, messy and chaotic city. Therefore, you will inevitably get lost into the confusion and the wildest fun. And, of course, into the food.

I sugget you to start with two district in particular.

The first one is around Khaosan Road, a semi-pedestrian street, not far away from the Gran Palace, full of cheap hotels, pubs and stands. During the day, it is a shabby street, but after sunset Khaosan Road turns into a big, wild open-air disco. High volume music, people dancing on the tables or selling scorpions and any kind of street food you can think of. Once you experienced confusion, you can go to the parallel street, Rambuttri Road. Here, the music is soft and low, the restaurant less crowded and more sophisticated. You can even relax with a foot massage in one of the many centres along the streets. I had my first Pad Thai from a food booth along the street and my first Mango sticky rice seated on a sidewalk near a stray dog. Every night, I also indulged myself with a foot massage for less then 6 euros on the side of the road, before exploring again the city.

Street Food at Khaosan Road, Bangkok

Khaosan Road, Bangkok

My second preferred area of Bangkok, is Chinatown. It is the most ancient district of the city, today frenetic and kaleidoscopic. Here, the Chinese culture blended with the Thai one. In fact, you can find small shops selling traditional Chinese remedies or stands where to haggle, while the blinding neon signs on skyscrapers burst into the softer light of the lanterns from the Taoist temples. You will also see bigger restaurants leaving space to carts, one in line after another, selling a lot of food to eat all together.

Chinatown, Bangkok

Street Food in Chinatown, Bangkok

A colorful three-wheeled taxi covered in stickers and neon lights, the well-know tuk tuk, is the perfect choice in order to move from a district to another. 

Get on a tuk tuk, in fact, means to experience engaging and fast-paced races through the crazy streets of Bangkok. At every hard braking, you will close your eyes, and then you will open them wide at every turn. Sometime, you may even find yourself at the wrong side of the road, just to overpass the traffic. Yet, the tuk tuk is still the most captivating and unforgettable way to visit this messy city. 

Thai frenzy.

Tuk tuk race, Bangkok

However, is it safe to eat in Bangkok?

The answer is yes. 

In Thailand, there are strict hygienic rules every stand’s owner, pub or restaurant has to follow painstakingly. It does not mean you can try every booth along the street – I even advise you against scorpions and sea fruits -, but do not forget to eat at some restaurant frequented by locals. In fact, you will be spoiled for choice, having to choose between soups, fried, spicy or steam cooked food.

Street food in Bangkok

3. Fall in love at sunset watching the Wat Arun

One of my favourite moment on a journey, is sunset. To me, it is the most peaceful conclusion of an intense day of exploration. Here in Bangkok, sunset is even more spectacular when the reddish light reflects on the Chao Phraya river and the sun starts setting behind the Wat Arun. 

You can admire it from one of the bars with a view on the river, at the end of the alleys next to the Wat Pho. There are no signs or indications on the streets, so be patient. In my case, for instance, exploring those streets I discovered  Amorosa, a bar I fully recommend, with a rooftop opened from 04:30 PM.

Relax your senses.

Sunset with view on the Wat Arun, Bangkok

4. Touching the stars: five-stars hotels’ skybars

Before going to sleep, you can always say goodnight to the city from one of the Skybar located on the roof of the majestic glazed skyscrapers of Bangkok. Just search for “Skybar Bangkok” on Google to have a list from which to choose, based on your needs and location. You will always be surrounded by a sophisticated atmosphere, often outdoors, from which you can enjoy a breath-taking view, almost touching the stars.

Saying goodbye to Thailand.

Sirocco Restaurant & Sky Bar, Bangkok

Once you meet Bangkok…

You’ll arrive at the end of the day exhausted. Lying down on your bed, you will think over the enthusiastic energy of this city, its uncontrollable ability to activate and shake all your senses, all becoming an inevitable part of you. 

So, you cannot understand Bangkok, you experience it.

“Kop khun khrap” (thanks) Bangkok

Travel Psych Tips: where to sleep and how to get around

Where to sleep in Bangkok

I have stayed in different area of the city, but my favourite are always the same. 

If you want to stay in the Khaosan Road area, Buddy Lodge is one of the best choice. Cheap, clean, amid the craziest chaos of the city, it is reachable only by taxi, because far away from the Skytrain stops.

A quieter shelter is the Hotel Royal Bangkok@Chinatown. Located in Chinatown, with a pool and a bar on the roof to relax, it is also closer to the Skytrain.

If you are looking for a place near the modern area with the shopping centers and Skytrain stops, try SureStay Plus by Best Western Sukhumvit 2. It is a modern hotel, with a pool, a bar on the roof, and an affordable breakfast.

How to get around Bangkok

Bangkok has an underground network and an elevated railway – Skytrain -, connecting the main areas of the city at reasonable prices, depending on the mileage traveled (between 15 and 52 baht, around 0.40-1.30 dollars).

The underground does not reach some places of interest, like the old city. Therefore, the most comfortable way to move are tuk tuks and taxis, the prices depending on the time, the itinerary and the driver. If you choose a tuk tuk in order to save money and avoid traffic, try to agree upon the price before getting on it (usually between 70-100 bath). A good alternative is the taxi, but make sure they have a taximeter – around 2 bath every km. 

Otherwise, if you want to walk, download HereWeAre on your mobile phone. It allows you to download maps from all over the world and to use them even offline. You can mark your places of interest and plan your days.

A special thanks to my partner in life and in adventure, Gabriele, who explored with me Bangkok, before getting to Myanmar

Wat Pho, Bangkok

Chiara Travel Psych

Una psicologa con la valigia sempre in mano.
Benvenuti nel blog di Psicologia del viaggio.

www.travelpsych.world