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5 Days 4 Nights Bangkok Itinerary: An Absolutely Classic Guide

Are you looking for 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary with a unique experience?

Bangkok, the capital city and most populous city on the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand. With a tropical climate and monsoon rains, the weather forecast is either hot, rainy, or cool. 

According to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index, Bangkok was the most visited city in 2016, followed by London and Paris. Bangkok is a vibrant city, with royal palaces, temples, and a wide range of shopping and dining experiences.

In this post, we provide 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary based on our previous travels. The questions which we answer are:-

  1. Where is Bangkok?
  2. What can you do in a 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary? 
  3. Where are the best areas to stay in in Bangkok?
  4. What is the Thai greeting for hello?
  5. What dish or cuisine is popular in Bangkok?
  6. Is Bangkok worth visiting?

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Where is Bangkok?

Krup Thep Maha Nakhon or Bangkok as we know it began as a trading post of the Ayutthaya Kingdom on the delta of Chao Phraya. The city is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest place name with 168 characters. Its full name is:-

Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit.

Which consists of Pali and Sanskrit words that translate to:-

City of angels, the great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, the seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra’s behest.

It was a Thai rock band, Asanee-Wasan that popularized the city’s full name by repeating it in its lyrics in their song “Krup Thep Maha Nakhon” in 1989. You can hear their version in the voice audio below.

Brief History

Unlike other major capital cities, Bangkok’s history dates back to the mid-15th century under the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The trading post became important due to its strategic location at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River.

It was King Mongkut or Rama IV who was open to Western ideas and modernization. Industrialization began after the signing of the Bowring Treaty. One of King Mongkut’s achievements was constructing the city’s paved road at Charoen Krung Road. Other major roads include Bamrung Mueang, Fueang Nakhon, and Si Lom roads.

Modernization of Bangkok

King Chulalongkorn expanded on his father’s modernization plans. The nationhood concept was adopted, slavery was abolished and he created a central bureaucracy system. And, more roads were built.

It was clear that Chulalongkorn had a fascination with all things Western. This is seen in two of the buildings that he commissioned, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall that is linked by the Ratchadamnoen Avenue that was inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris. 

Bangkok Rail System

The first railway in Bangkok is the Paknam Railway built-in 1863. The line linked Bangkok to Samut Prakan. Later, it expanded to Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Su-ngai Kolok. Bangkok’s rapid transit system began in 1999 with the introduction of the BTS of Skytrain.

The Bangkok Metropolitan was enhanced with the introduction of the MRT. An elevated Airport Rail Link (ARL) is the latest addition to Bangkok’s railway lines.

SkyTrain

This mass transit system was inaugurated with two lines and a total of 23 stations. The first line is the Sukhumvit Line, and the second line is the Silom Line. These two lines are the GREEN LINE.

MRT (Metro)

The Bangkok Metro or Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is completely underground, is 13 miles in length, and has 18 stations. This is the BLUE LINE.

The Airport Rail Link is a 28-kilometer elevated line that links Phaya Thai Station (BTS Skytrain) to Suvarnabhumi Airport and Makkasan Station (MRT) to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The fares, depending on the distance traveled are about  ฿45 ($1.35) for the journey to Phaya Thai Station, and ฿35 ($1.05) to Makkasan Station. A complete urban rail map with future rail updates is essential when traveling to Bangkok. 

Rabbit Card

This is Thailand’s first electronic money contactless smart card that can be used across several merchant categories. Once purchased, you can swipe this card for payment on BTS SkyTrain, and then grab a bite at McDonald’s before heading to Madame Tussauds.

There are three types of Rabbit Cards available. The Standard Adult Card is ฿200 ($6). The Student Card is for students aged 23 years and below. A Senior Citizen Card for Thai senior citizens aged 60 years and above.

Check Where You Can Use and Where To Top-Up your Rabbit Card in Bangkok. 

Visa Requirements

Thailand, the Land of Smiles is a popular destination for many. A nation rich in culture and heritage, and stunning beaches make us want to book the next flight to Phuket, right?

Visa-free travel to Thailand is available for citizens of 64 nations while citizens of 18 countries are allowed Visa On Arrival. Check out the summary of countries that are entitled to Visa Exemption or Visa On Arrival.  

In 2018, Thailand introduced the Electronic Visa On Arrival (e-visa) scheme where eligible citizens can pre-register for their short stay. The e-visa is only applicable for Tourist Visa categories. Once approved, a single entry visa is given either for 15 days or 30 days, depending on your citizenship. 

The official website is under the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Users are required to create an account before proceeding with the remaining application process.

What can you do in a 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary?

Day 1: Temples

We start our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary with a temple run. We explore the three main temples that are on the typical tourist trail in Bangkok.

Wat Phra Kaew

5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, wat phra kaew, temple of emerald buddha, grand palace
Photo by Alejandro Cartagena on Unsplash

First on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Wat Phra Kaew. Officially, it is known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Sadsadaram which means “the temple containing the beautiful jewel of the monastery of the divine teacher”. 

Because this temple is within the Grand Palace, many state and royal activities are conducted here that make this temple is the most sacred in Thailand.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Based on historical sources, the Emerald Buddha first appeared in the Lan Na Kingdom. A local legend mentions that a bolt of lightning struck a chedi which then revealed a Buddha statue covered in stucco.

The statue was placed in an abbot’s residence where he noticed the stucco began to flake. As he peeled the stucco, he found that the statue was carved out of semi-precious stone with an emerald green appearance. 

The statue is Phra Kaew Morakot or the “Emerald Buddha”. The emerald refers to the color of the statue and not its composition. The statue was carved from a single jade stone.

Entrance Fee

Foreigners pay ฿500 ($15) entrance fee which includes access to the Grand Palace.

Visiting Hours

Opened daily from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm. The ticketing office closes at sharp 3.30 pm. 

How do you get to Wat Phra Kaew? 

The cheapest way to get to Wat Phra Kaew is through a river cruise. You can hop on the Chao Phraya Express Boat Service and hop off at the Tha Chang Pier (N9). The rate for this boat service is ฿200 ($6).

You can also take the Blue Line MRT and get off at the Sanam Chai station which is Bangkok’s most stunning subway station. It is a replicate of a Throne Hall in the Rattanakosin Era. Read The Complete Guide To Wat Phra Kaew to know more.

Wat Pho

5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, wat pho, largest reclining Buddha in Thailand
Photo by Hisu lee on Unsplash

Second, on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Wat Pho or Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is Bangkok’s oldest temple and was established before Bangkok existed. The original name is Wat Photaram which is how the temple got its name.

The Reclining Buddha

It was Rama III who built the Reclining Buddha and the Chapel and was known as Phra Buddhasaiyas. The Reclining Buddha represents Buddha as he entered Nirvana and attained Moksha. 

This Buddha is one of the largest statues of Buddha with a length of 46 meters and at a height of 15 meters. At the side of the statue, 108 bowls represent the auspicious characters of Lord Buddha. 

By dropping coins into these bowls, it is said that you will have good fortune. Wat Pho is also Thailand’s first public university where the School of Traditional Medicine and Massage was established in 1955.

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee is ฿200 ($6) per person while the traditional Thai massage costs about ฿480 ($15) per hour (rates may be subject to change).

Visiting Hours

Wat Pho is opened from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm daily. The massage center hours are from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm daily.

How do you get to Wat Pho?

The cheapest way to get to Wat Pho is through a river cruise. You can hop on the Chao Phraya Express Boat Service and hop off at the Tha Tien Pier (N8). The rate for this boat service is ฿200 ($6).

You can also take the Blue Line MRT and get off at the Sanam Chai station which is Bangkok’s most stunning subway station. Check out The Complete Guide To Wat Pho In Bangkok to know more.

Wat Arun

5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, wat arun, temple of dawn
Photo by Jordan Le on Unsplash

Third, on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. The name is from Aruna, a Hindu God whom this temple is dedicated. Wat Arun is one of the famous landmarks in Bangkok.

Wat Arun’s distinctive feature is its central prang that is covered in colorful porcelain. There are reportedly more than one million ceramic tiles that may have come from a British shipwreck. 

The central prang is a representation of Mount Meru of Hindu Cosmology and at the top of the prang is a seven-tiered Trident that represents the Trident of Lord Shiva.  

Entrance Fee

There is an entrance fee of ฿100 ($3) for foreigners. 

Visiting Hours

Opened daily from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm

How do I get to Wat Arun?

Wat Arun is located opposite the Grand Palace and Wat Pho which means that the easiest and cheapest way is to cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry. There are ferries to take visitors across and costs about ฿3 ($0.10¢).

Another option is to take the BTS SkyTrain to Saphan Taksin (listed as S6) station. The Saphan Taksin station connects to the Chao Phraya Express Boat at Sathorn Pier. Here, you would need to take a ferry to Tha Tien Pier (N8), the same stop for Wat Pho.  

What is the best time to visit Wat Arun?

The best time to visit is before 10.00 am before loads of tourist buses arrive or you can stay until sunset.

Head to Amorosa Rooftop Bar for beautiful sunset views and laid-back vibes. Or, you can hop to Sala Rooftop Bar for another sunset view of Wat Arun. 

Day 2: Markets

On Day 2 of our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, we explore the markets. The highlight would be visiting the two markets of our choice that are Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Maeklong Railway Market.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, damnoen saduak floating market, popular with tourists
Photo by Marek Okon on Unsplash

Fourth on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This floating market is about 62 miles southwest of Bangkok. Do note that this market is popular with tourists and is best to arrive early.

This market consists of several khlongs or canals and is the busiest during the early hours of the day, specifically from 7.00 am to 9.00 am, and remains active until noon. Hence, it is best to arrive before 10.00 am and experience bargaining with the vendors and having an authentic Thai breakfast.

How much is the entrance fee to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market?

There is NO ENTRANCE FEE to enter the market. However, boat vendors may charge ฿1,000 ($30) if you planning to take a boat ride on the market and canals.

Maeklong Railway Market

5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, Maeklong Railway Market, train market, umbrella pull down market
Image by Wilfried Strang from Pixabay 

Fifth on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is the Maeklong Railway Market. This market is about 13 miles from Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This is one of Bangkok’s largest markets and is known for its fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables.

Maeklong is distinctively known for its “umbrella pull-downs” once a train approaches. The train slows down to 15 mph/hour when passing through this station. The train driver also makes three announcements before approaching the market.

However, it is at the last minute, after the third announcement that the vendors rush to push back their wares.

How far is Maeklong Railway Market from Bangkok?

This market is about 50 miles from Bangkok.

Day 3: Day Trip to Ayutthaya

On Day 3 of our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, we explore the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was the capital city of the Ayutthaya Kingdom that existed between 1350 to 1767. 

This kingdom is the precursor of modern Thailand, and this is why Bangkok maintains the name “Ayutthaya” in its formal title. The highlights would be visiting the 3 main temples of Ayutthaya.

Wat Mahathat

5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, wat mahathat, buddha head in tree, haunting head
Photo by Marek Okon on Unsplash

Sixth on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Wat Mahathat or Temple of the Great Relic is at the center of Old Ayutthaya. According to the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya, this temple was built in 1374 by King Borommarcha. 

The bell-shaped stupa was inspired by Sri Lankan stupas that came from the preservation of Buddhism by King Ashoka. 

However, it is the “Haunting Head” that draws tourists to this ancient city. There are two stories as to how the roots became entwined into the roots of the Banyan tree. 

Stories of the Buddha Head Entwined Into The Roots

The first story speaks of a thief who stole the head and placed it on the ground to collect it later. The thief never returned and the tree took the head into its roots. 

The second story is that the Buddha’s head fell to the ground during the siege in 1767 which ended with the defeat of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The Burmese Kingdom razed Ayutthaya to the ground, destroying temples, statues, and records. 

The once-thriving city was left broken, abandoned, and plundered until the Government brought it back to life in the 20th century.

How far is Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

The road distance between Bangkok to Ayutthaya is 42 miles. The train journey covers a distance of 45 miles and takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes to reach Ayutthaya. 

How much is the entrance fee to Wat Mahathat?

The entrance fee for foreigners is ฿50 ($1.50). 

Read the review of Wat Mahathat by CN Traveler to know more. 

Wat Yai Chaimongkon

5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary, wat yai chai mongkhon, Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory
Photo by Rin T on Unsplash

Seventh on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Wat Yai Chaimongkon. This monastery was built to house the monks who were ordained in Sri Lanka.

The main structures within this ancient monastery are the main Chedi which stands at 60 meters. On the right of the chedi is the Ubosot or the Ordination Hall while on the left was the Viharn or the Assembly Hall.

How much is the entrance fee to Wat Yai Chaimongkhon?

The entrance fee for foreigners is ฿20 ($0.60¢).

Wat Rachaburana

wat rachaburana, central prang, sri lankan stupas
Photo by Thewonderalice on Unsplash

Eighth on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Wat Rachaburana. This temple lies north of Wat Mahathat. King Borom Rachathirat II built these temples on the cremation grounds of his two elder brothers who died in a duel.

The main feature of this temple is the Central Prang that was inspired by Mount Meru in Hindu mythology. The original stucco work can be seen, and an example is the Garuda swooping down on a mythical Naga.

Four Sri Lankan stupas surround the main stupa. In 1957, at this site, a band of thieves looted the crypt of this complex. The thieves took 20 sacks of gold and silver before finally being caught by Thai police. Read Trip To Ayutthaya to know more.

How much is the entrance fee to Wat Rachaburana?

The entrance fee for foreigners is ฿50 ($1.50). 

Day 4: Day Trip to Kanchanaburi

On Day 4, we take a day trip to the town of Kanchanaburi. The town is 76 miles from Bangkok and is famous for the bridge that was built by the Allied Prisoners of War (POWs). 

The bridge was portrayed in The Bridge On The River Kwai, the Return from the River Kwai, and the Railway Man. Another place worth exploring is the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and Erawan Falls.

The Death Railway

the death railway, bridge on the river kwai
Image by Tracey Wong from Pixabay

Ninth on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary the Death Railway, the Siam-Burma Railway, or the Thai-Burma Railway are some of the names of this 258 miles long between Ban Phong in Thailand to Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar.

The most notable structure of this railway is Bridge 277 or the “Bridge on the River Kwai” as we know it. The bridge and railway are a reminder of the brutalities of World War II. These structures are symbolic of the cruelties suffered by the Allied POWs.

What happened at the Death Railway?

During the construction of the railway, an estimated 330,000 laborers and about 16,000 Allied Prisoners of War (POW) died due to maltreatment, physical abuse, sickness, and starvation. 

The Southeast Asian civilian deaths were much higher when compared to the POWs. The civilian laborers that suffered the highest casualties were the Javanese, Tamils from Malaysia, and Burmese.

Is there any entrance fee to the Death Railway?

There isn’t any entrance fee to access the bridge. An entrance fee of ฿50 ($1.50) is charged to enter the JEATH Museum. The term JEATH means Japan, England, Australia, America, Thailand, and Holland.

While JEATH Museum is the oldest, the Thailand-Burma Railway Center has the best source of information about the Death Railway construction and route, and the conditions endured by the laborers. The entrance fee is ฿150 ($4.50) for adults and ฿70 ($2.10) for children.

Read the Death Railway: History of the Bridge on the River Kwai and The Kwai Bridge: The Reel and The Real to know more.

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

kanchanaburi war cemetery, POWs burial grounds, well maintained cemetery
Image by DigitalDDay from Pixabay

Tenth on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery or the Don-Rak War Cemetery is the main cemetery for the victims of those who perished while constructing the Death Railway.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains and keeps the records of those buried here. The records are based on the name, rank, service number, unit, regiment, and country of service. The remains of 300 soldiers who died from cholera and the graves of the unknown soldiers are buried here as well. 

There is no entrance fee to visit the cemetery. This cemetery is still visited by the descendants of those who passed away. Hence, be mindful of those who have come to give their respects to the departed.

Erawan Falls

erawan falls, erawan national park
Image by Christophe BILLARD from Pixabay

Eleventh on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Erawan Falls. These falls are within the Erawan National Park at Tenasserim Hills in Kanchanaburi. The main feature of the park is its waterfalls. 

What does Erawan mean?

The name Erawan is the Thai name for Airavata, the royal white three-headed elephant associated with Indra, the Hindu King of Gods. The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej owned 21 white elephants out of which 11 are still alive.

Day 5: Shopping 

The last day of our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is shopping. We explore the Ma Boon Khrong Center (MBK) and Siam Paragon, both of which are easily accessible via BTS Skytrain.

Ma Boon Khrong Center (MBK)

MBK shopping complex, 8 floors, connected to skybridge,
Image by Mike Mike from Pixabay

Twelveth on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is shopping at the Ma Boon Khrong (MBK) Centre. This shopping complex is 8-storeys with 2,000 shops, restaurants, and service outlets.

This complex is in Pathum Wan District at the intersection of Rama I Road and Phaya Thai Road. A sky bridge links the National Stadium BTS Station to the complex. The Hua Chang pier of the Khlong Saen Saep canal is another option to get here. 

The First Floor consists of shops of leading brands and souvenir stalls. The Second and Third Floors are for trendy fashionistas. The Fourth Floor is all about IT and mobile devices. The Fifth Floor is about Cameras and advanced high-tech digital equipment.

The Sixth Floor is the Food Fan Zone where you can find a range of local and international cuisine. And, you can get mango sticky rice in some stalls for ฿1 ($0.03¢). The Seventh and Eighth Floor is a one-stop entertainment center with a cinema, karaoke, and bowling.

The perfect shopping bag which we recommend is the EcoRight Canvas Tote Bag for women. These bags are durable and can carry loads of up to 10 kgs. These bags are so versatile that you can take them anywhere and are reusable as grocery bags, beach bags, or as a gift. EcoRight has quirky designs for women of all ages.

Siam Paragon

siam paragon, sea life bangkok world ocean,  10 floors
Image by Mark Fischer on Wikipedia Commons

The thirteenth and last on our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Siam Paragon. This is one of the largest shopping malls in Bangkok and includes the Sea Life Bangkok World Ocean aquarium.

The Siam BTS Station is on the Mezzanine Floor of Siam Paragon. Some tenants include Burberry, Bvlgari, Chanel, and Cartier. This shopping complex has 10 floors, so you definitely need more than a day to cover everything here.

If you ever wondered how a car showroom in a shopping complex looks like, head to the Second Floor and walk into the Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati, Porsche, and Rolls Royce showrooms. 

We recommend the Kate Spade New York Lage Canvas Tote Bag made from heavyweight canvas. This makes it durable. You can reuse the bag as it can easily hold all your books if you are going to the library or a weekend getaway.

Where are the best areas to stay in in Bangkok?

There are several best areas to stay in Bangkok, whether you are coming for the first time or not. In this post, we look at the three main areas that are suitable for 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary.

Sukhumvit For Nightlife

Sukhumvit night view, sukhumvit, sukhumvit road, sukhumvit skyscrapers
Photo by Andreas Brücker on Unsplash

The first area that is suitable for 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Sukhumvit. Sukhumvit Road is Highway 3 and is one of the four major highways in Thailand. Sukhumvit Road is one of the longest boulevards in the world and runs east towards the Cambodian border.

The road name changes to Phloen Chit Road and Rama I Road towards the western end of the boulevard.

Whenever I stay in a hotel, safety within my room always comes to mind. With questions, “is my room door locked properly?” or “what if someone comes in with a master key, would I know?” and “how can I protect myself when I’m traveling alone?”. This lead me on a search and I can say that I have found the perfect solution.

You can now feel safe and secure with Addalock’s The Original Portable Door Lock. This door lock is suitable for hinged doors that are swung inwards. And, the feature which I love most is its quick and easy installation.

The Some of our preferred hotels are:

Luxury

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit

JW Marriott Hotel

Mid-Range

Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

Ibis Style Bangkok 4

Mercure Bangkok

Budget

Rezt Bangkok

Red Planet Bangkok Asoke

Majestic Suites Hotel

Also, check out the Top Things To See and Do In Sukhumvit

Siam For Shopping

siam road, siam view, siam shopping district
Image by Paolobon140 on Wikipedia Commons

The second area that is suitable for 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Siam. Siam Square is a popular shopping district in Bangkok. Some major shopping complexes in the area are Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, and MBK.

Siam area is alongside Rama I Road and meets Ratchaprasong neighborhood. The land area was initially a palace and royal temple built by King Mongkut. In the 1880s, King Chulalongkorn established several royal villas in the area.

Just as a portable door lock now in my essential packing list, another item that I use and recommend is the MoKo Secure Travel Money Belt. This bag can be worn under your clothes. It also has advanced RFID protection blocking which keeps your information secure.

Some of our preferred hotels are:

Luxury

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok

The St. Regis Bangkok

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

Mid-Range

InterContinental Bangkok

Pathumwan Princess Hotel

Centara Grand At Central World

Budget

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok

Dusit Suites Hotel Bangkok

Rongratana Executive Residence

Check out the Top 7 Things To Do And See In Bangkok’s Siam area and explore the many cultural institutions, rooftop bars, and museums. 

Khao San For Backpackers

Khao San Road, backpackers paradise
Image by Marcin Konsek on Wikipedia Commons

The third area that is suitable for 5 days 4 nights Bangkok itinerary is Khao San Road. This short street is in Central Bangkok and is about 1 kilometer north of Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew.

Khao San translates to “milled rice” which hints that in the past, this road was one of Bangkok’s famous rice markets. During the last 40 years, the road has developed into a backpacker ghetto with cheap accommodation and as a base for travels all over Thailand.

With the door lock and money belt, there is one last item that always completes our trip is an international power adapter. I’ve used many international adapters over the years, some did not fit while others did not match the sockets of the rooms I stayed at.

Until I found Saunorch Universal Travel Adapter. This is a one-piece adapter that fits US, UK, EU, and Asian sockets. It can simultaneously charge 5 devices at one time. What I love about it is that it has a smart chip that automatically detects your device, adjusts its current output speed, and boosts charging speeds.

Some of our preferred hotels are:

Luxury

Riva Surya Bangkok

Chillax Heritage Bangkok

Thanabhumi Apartment/Hotel

Mid-Range

Villa Phra Sumen Bangkok

Nouvo City Hotel

The Mulberry Bangkok

Budget

Rambuttri Village Plaza

Samsen Street Hotel

Khaosan Art Hotel

Read How Bangkok’s Khao San Road Became A World Famous Travel Hub, Cleaning Up Khao San, and The Best Things To Do On Khao San Road, Bangkok to know more.

What is the Thai greeting for hello?

The standard Thai greeting which you will use is Sawasdee Khap for males and Sawasdee Khaa for females. This greeting is accompanied by the Wai greeting. The wai is simply bowing your head with placing your palms together with the fingertips of your palms touching the tip of your nose.

The level of respect is by the depth of the bow. A senior citizen may return the wai with their hands at chest level and with a slight bow, similar to a nod. This is rap wai.

Do note that greetings in Thailand take gender into account. Males would end their greetings with Khap while females end it with Khaa

How do you reply to Sawadee Khap?

Males would answer, sabai dee, khop khun khap which means “I’m fine, thank you”. Females would answer, sabai dee, khop khun khaa

Check out the Useful Thai Phrases, and the 21 Essential Phrases You’ll Need In Thailand to know more.

Thai cuisine is light, aromatic, and spicy at the same time. Traditional Thai cuisine has four parts, which are tom (boiled), yam (spicy salads), gaeng (curries), and tam which refers to pounded food. 

According to CNN’s 50 Best Foods In The World, Thailand had the most number of dishes with tom yam goong in 4th place, pad thai in 5th place, and som tam in the 6th place.

Some common ingredients used in Thai cuisine include galangal, garlic, cilantro, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and shrimp paste. Palm sugar is a sweetener while lime gives it a sour note.

When it comes to food, my favorite item is the DEVICO Portable Utensil Set that comes with chopsticks, a cleaning brush, and a straw. I have it in blue, with rainbow and rose gold being other favorite colors. This 8-piece set comes in its own pouch and can be used for camping, hiking, and eating on the go.

Pad Thai (Thai Style Stir-Fried Noodles)

Pad Thai, 50 Best Foods In The World, rice noodles, peanuts, scrambled eggs, chicken, beef, and bean sprouts
Photo by Takeaway on Wikipedia Commons

This stir-fried rice noodle is another popular street food found all over Bangkok. Pad Thai uses rice noodles, peanuts, scrambled eggs, chicken, beef, and bean sprouts that are sauteed in a wok. The mixture is tossed in pad thai sauce which gives it its signature salty flavor with a hint of sweetness. 

Celebrating Pad Thai was a Google Doodle that celebrated the process of making the dish and sharing it among friends and family. An authentic Pad Thai recipe that you can try is at All Recipes

Read Is This Thailand’s Best Pad Thai? and A Review of Thip Samai Pad Thai which is the best pad thai in the country.

Tom Yam Goong (Spicy Thai Soup)

tom yam goong, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, mushrooms
Photo by Sakurai Midori on Wikipedia Commons

This iconic dish has got to be on our list of the most popular cuisine in Bangkok, or Thailand for that matter. The name Tom means “boiling” and Yam means “mixed”. The essential ingredients of tom yam are lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, roasted dry chilies, shallots, and mushrooms.

Tom Yam is one of the 20 World’s Best Soups which has Thailand seeking to have it recognized as part of its Intangible Cultural Asset.

Do you know that there are several variations to this dish?

A clear-based soup is Tom Yam Nam Sai while a coconut-based soup is Tom Yam Kathi. A prawn-based soup is Tom Yam Kung which is popular among tourists. A chicken-based soup is Tom Yam Gai while a prawn-based soup with a dash of coconut milk is Tom Yam Kung Maphrao On Nam Khon.

Finally, Tom Yam Kha Mu uses pork leg and has a longer cooking time over a slow fire. If you are keen to make your tom yam, why not try this recipe from BBC Good Food. Check out the 7 Best Tom Yum Soup Spots In Bangkok recommended by locals. 

Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)

Som Tam, green papaya salad, combination of five tastes, sweet, sour, salty, savory, spicy
Photo by Takeaway on Wikipedia Commons

The third in our list of popular dishes in Bangkok is Som Tam or Green Papaya Salad. This spicy salad dish is a combination of the five tastes, which are sweet, sour, chili, savory, and salty.

Som Tam was originally a Lao dish that translates to “the pounding of sour ingredients”. Some variations are tam maak taeng using sliced cucumbers, tam maak muang using unripened sliced mangos, and tam hua pli using sliced banana flowers. 

Read How To Make The Perfect Som Tam to know more about making this dish on your own. Check out the Best Som Tum Places In Bangkok complete with reviews of each place to know more. 

Kaeng Khiao Wan (Green Curry)

Thai Green Curry, green chillies, shrimp, lemongrass
Photo by Takeaway on Wikipedia Commons

The fourth of our list of popular dishes in Bangkok is Kaeng Khiao Wan which means “sweet green soup”. The name “green” in this dish is from the color of the curry. An authentic Thai Green Curry paste uses green chilies, shrimp paste, and lemongrass.

To make an easy vegan green curry paste that is zesty, flavorful, and aromatic is simple. The cooking method involves splitting the oil from the paste until you can smell the flavourful aroma. You can add the ingredients at this stage.

A vegan version of a Thai Green Curry would include onions, red bell peppers, and green beans. This recipe shows you how you can make this dish in less than an hour.

An authentic Thai Green Curry recipe is at All Recipes. Check out the Best Restaurants For Green Curry In Bangkok and make your way to one of the most mouthwatering and legendary dishes in Bangkok.

Kao Niew Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)

mango sticky rice, thai traditional dessert, sweet dish, coconut milk, mangoes, roasted white sesame seeds, banana leaf
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The last dish of our most popular dishes in Bangkok is the quintessential mango sticky rice. This traditional dessert uses glutinous rice, mangoes, roasted sesame seeds, and coconut milk.

The traditional mangoes used are Nam Dok Mai which are flower nectar mangoes and the Ok-rong mango varieties. This dish is popular during the summer seasons of April and May. This dish tastes good when eaten warm or cold.

The recipe for this dish is at All Recipes while the best mango sticky rice in Bangkok is at Mae Varee Fruit Shop.

Is Bangkok worth visiting?

Absolutely!

Bangkok has successfully combined its traditional cultural heritage with modern infrastructure. And, an incredible culinary adventure awaits those who are adventurous with their food.

Why is Bangkok worth visiting?

  1. Shopping. From Chatuchak, Pratunam, Khao San, and Siam Paragon, there are endless choices of markets and shopping complexes to spend your money. 
  2. Getting Around. Getting around is easy with SkyTrain and MRT connecting to shopping, business, and entertainment districts. For a unique experience, hop on a 2-hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess.  
  3. Weather. Bangkok sits north above the equator is notorious for its hot weather in April and May which coincides with the Songkran Festival. The best months to visit are from October to February and June till September when the weather is cooler.

What is the best time to visit Thailand?

If you are planning a trip with good weather in mind, then the peak season between November to March is the best time to go.

If you are heading to the beach and coasts, then the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to October is good.

For budget travelers, the low season falls between July to October. Although the low season means smaller crowds and cheaper prices, some islands may shut down entirely. And, limited boat services are a normal occurrence.

Check out the 15 Reasons Why You Should Visit Thailand At Least Once In Your Lifetime, the Best Restaurants in Bangkok, and the 50 Reasons Why Bangkok Is The World’s Greatest City to know more.

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