How to have an amazing weekend in Bangkok
By Liz Anne Bautista with Be Baldoza
Photo credits: Be Baldoza, Chatuchak.Org, ThaiWebsites.Com, BKKStyleTV.Com
I recently visited my best friend Be in Bangkok, where she is based and currently works as an English teacher at Berlitz. There is so much to do in this bustling city, and I kind of wished I could stay longer. Shopping alone would fill up your whole day (best to go on a weekend for Chatuchak) and the party scene is pretty exciting (one night, Be took me to watch a gig and we actually got to meet the cute, and dare I say, skinny Thai boys in the band, but that’s another story). Being one of the most tourist-oriented cities in Asia, Bangkok’s draw is hardly a secret. Here, we share our Top 3 reasons why we keep coming back.
WHERE TO STAY
Reflections
Reflections is as much an art project as it is a trendy boutique hotel. Owned by art aficionado Anusorn Ngernyuang, the hotel boasts of 34 individual rooms designed by different artists. One of the more famous rooms is the “Trash Chic,” which is designed by the owner himself and is decorated by recycled materials. I’d live in this hotel if I could afford it.
81 Soi Ari, Phaholyothin 7 Rd., Samsennai, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400
http://www.reflections-thai.com
Tenface
For those mixing-business-with-pleasure types, Tenface hotel is an obvious choice. It may look like a nightclub from the outside, but, inside, the hotel prides itself in modern and sophisticated interiors inspired by the Thai epic, Ramakien.
81 Soi Ruamrudee 2 Wireless Rd. Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand /
http://www.tenfacebangkok.com
WHERE TO SHOP
Chatuchak Weekend Market
This 35-acre behemoth is home to over 15,000 stores and attracts about 300,000 bargain hunters who visit every weekend. Open only on Saturdays and Sundays, I suggest you devote a day to scouring its countless stalls of bargain clothes, bags, shoes, furniture, plants, and even pets.
Siam Station
Siam Station is actually one of the busiest BTS Skytrain stations and I’m positive that three of the biggest malls in Bangkok have contributed to its traffic – upscale shopping center Siam Paragon, MBK Center, and the biggest mall in Thailand, Central World.
WHERE TO PARTY
Khao Sarn Road
Khao Sarn is considered a backpackers ghetto and is basically where a lot of tourists get their drunk on. The place sort of reminds me of our very own Malate, with its eclectic ambience and different bars, restaurants, and clubs lined-up serving drinks on the cheap.
RCA
Located along Rama 9 Road, the Royal City Avenue is Bangkok’s party central. Hipsters, partyphiles, club kids, and just about the usual young, fun-loving suspects flock to this strip come nighttime. There are a variety of places to choose from: clubs like Route 66 or 88 for some dancing or some chill bars for some live music at the end of the stretch.
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I've been to BKK and I must say that adjusting to the city is not really difficult because there's a big similarity of our lifestyle here in the Philippines. (Aside from some cultural beliefs and norms that our tourist guide have mentioned,of course.) Not to mention , we almost have the same standard of living with the Thais. So shopping is just as easy as shopping here! NO NEED TO CONVERT EVERY TIME WE BUY SOMETHING. haha
(August 11, 2010 04:27:33 PM)
Great article. I'm so missing Bangkok. There were a lot of things I missed doing. Like going to the Chatuchak Weekend market. (It was a weekday when I went to BKK), I will definitely plan to go back.
(July 22, 2010 01:23:16 PM)
i wanna go to bangkok and experience the city and also go bargain hunting,after that i want to head to phuket!
(June 20, 2010 12:12:40 AM)
next time, liz, try going to the sex shows in patpong. or have you already been? hehehe!
(May 26, 2010 11:16:34 PM)
those party places sound rad.
(May 21, 2010 11:50:27 AM)
"we do not check id card" - hahahaha busted!
(May 19, 2010 05:37:29 PM)
my family and i are flying there this june and i am hoping and praying that the situation in bangkok will have settled in the coming weeks. red shirts, stop ruining this awesome city! and yeah, looking to book a room at reflections, looks really chic!
(May 19, 2010 05:17:40 PM)