42 Things I Love About Bangkok

Wat Arun, Bangkok

My first trip to Southeast Asia was five years ago when my partner and I visited the exotic capital of Thailand, Bangkok. He had been before but it was my first visit and I was entranced. I returned to this favorite city recently and I’m happy to say the same feelings of awe and wonder were still there. After thinking about it, here are just a few reasons why I love Bangkok.

1. Wat Arun at sunset

2. Fresh mango

3. Even though it’s touristy, I always love the Grand Palace

4. Wandering through little neighborhoods

Bangkok market

5. Best meal in your life from a hawker – all for only a few bucks

6. Watching a muay thai fight

7. Crispy chicken with garlic and basil. Singha beer optional

8. Simple pleasure of a scented and icy cold washcloth

9. Accepting that 100% humidity is ok

10. Learning how to say thank you and hello within only a few minutes

River boat on the Chao Phraya River

11. Rich, fragrant smell of the exotic that only Bangkok has.

12. Gaudy bargaining at the Silom night market

13. Giving money to help the soi dogs

14. Novelty of fresh durian from a street vendor

15. Getting out and exploring the countryside around Bangkok

Khaosan Road, Bangkok

16. Mango and sticky rice

17. For the luck of finding a great restaurant tucked away in the middle of no-where

18. Traditional Thai massage, even though it hurts

19. To revel in the pride Thais rightly have of their country

20. The festivals, even the crazy ones like Songkran

21. Learning why it really is the Land of a Thousand Smiles

Wat Arun, Bangkok

22. Boat ride on the Chao Phraya River

23. Learn how to cook a Thai meal

24. Talking about life with a Thai

25. Exploring the hidden neighborhoods on a long tail boat

26. Haggling for anything, anywhere in town

27. Accepting that the river Chao Phraya is the lifeblood of the city and learning all about it

Demon Guardian Wat Arun Bangkok

28. The incredible scents and spices only found in Bangkok

29. Wat Arun at sunrise

30. High end food at budget prices

31. Buying a tailor made suit

32. Soda with a straw

33. Shopping at the many great malls

Bangkok sunset

34. It’s huge, but intimate at the same time

35. View of the city from the Golden Mount

36. Exploring the luxurious side of the city

37. Pineapple in a bag for $1

38. Old world majesty at the teak palace

39. Pick a temple, any temple

40. Sunset dinner at the In Love restaurant

41. Falling in love with one of the largest and most beautiful airports in the world – Suvarnabhumi Airport

42. Gardens of the Jim Thompson House

By: Matt Long

Matt has a true passion for travel. As someone who has a bad case of the travel bug, Matt travels the world in order to share tips on where to go, what to see and how to experience the best the world has to offer.

36 thoughts on “42 Things I Love About Bangkok”

  1. Wow, what a great article on Bangkok! Loved it, and the pictures are so wonderful. Thanks for bringing back so many great memories for me. Hope you will come by to check out my articles on Bangkok & Chiang Mai when you have time!

  2. Will - Gap Daemon

    No ping pong antics? No temple scams? No locals telling you temples are closed? Where’s the “real” Bangkok I’ve come to love eh?

  3. I cringe at calling myself a traveller when I have NEVER been to Asia. Every post I read though gets me a little more excited, in particular this one. Just can’t wait.

    1. Traveling isn’t about how many stamps are in your passport, it’s about the spirit of adventure. :) You’ll love Asia when you get there though, it’s a great place.

  4. Hated Bangkok. Huge dirty city. All the things mentioned can be found anywhere else. Not impressed.

      1. I love Bangkok too but it certainly isn’t the cleanest city I’ve ever been to. :) Singapore, anywhere in Scandinavia, anywhere in Switzerland and so on.

  5. Ellysia Flores

    Wonderful perspective on Bangkok, thank you for sharing. I think it may be fun to tour this city with someone who knows and loves it, like you. Alas, I am stuck on my hotel room with a terrible case of food poisoning. Such is my life!

  6. I live in Bangkok and while it is a pretty cool city, it seems to have lost its luster in my eyes. Now I only see the terrible traffic and awful weather. Thanks for helping to remind me why I live here :)

  7. Brilliant article. Brought back wonderful memories of my holiday trip in Bangkok. A city with great shopping, delicious Thai food, exciting Thai culture, Thai massage, and impressive temples. I stayed in lovely serviced apartments, Fraser Suites Sukhumvit during my trip. My family love the spacious and modern ensuite bedrooms. Now I really feel like going back to Bangkok soon.

  8. Funny you’ve been to In Love. Never actually been there on a date, but have had a few amazing boo paht pong garee (crab in a dry curry sauce) many times there!

  9. This is making a convincing argument for Bangkok, I must say. I am planning my first trip to South-East Asia next year and it looks like Bangkok will be my arrival point. What do you reckon – a good place to start as an introduction to the region?

    1. Yeah I think it’s a great spot. It’s modern but with all the SE Asian trappings you would expect. The region can be overwhelming at first and Bangkok is a good way to ease into it.

  10. What a solid list, Bangkok is one of those places people either love or hate. Personally, I love it and don’t understand anyone who says they hate it. I think it’s the people who came for the islands and have no time for anything else. Of everything on the list my favorite is probably #18 the massage. I had one not long ago for $60 and couldn’t help but think of how many I could get in Bangkok.

    Oh yeah, you missed Khao San Road! ;)

  11. Good read. My company’s looking to relocate me to their head office in Bangkok. Never been there before, so not sure what to expect. They’re offering me 180,000b per month. Is this enough to live comfortably?

    1. First, I want a job that relocates me to Bangkok. :) It’s an awesome city and that should be more than enough to live comfortably there. I think you’ll love it

  12. You had me sold at ‘mango and sticky rice’ but I’m glad I kept reading! looks like such a fascinating place. I started my travelling life in South and Central America and have made it over to the south Pacific before getting stuck in Aus and NZ each for a year. I’m looking forward o exploring Asia. The food and the colours are so alluring.

  13. I live in Asia for most part of my life and Bangkok is my favourite city in this part of the world (I have never lived there, only visits). Each visit to Bangkok is exciting. A vibrant, cultured city. And I love all the islands in Thai waters. Heavenly.

  14. I Love Bangkok too…I have been there about 10 or more times and each time I feel that same excitement as the Airport link rolls into it, I get butterflies in my tummy. I love this 24hour Gotham city there is a Buzz that you just do not get anywhere else very unique to BKK. I am not a drinker or a party person and I have done most of the sites years ago but still I continue to love this city and enjoy all it has to offer. I live in central london and we do not have any comparison both are Amazing but Bangkok is very,very special.

  15. i had been to many countries but i love Bangkok it is like my second motherland in the world. there is nothing to hate Bangkok so that is the reason Today Bangkok is most visited city in the world.

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