Bangkok: city of angels, land of posh nosh, and town of uber-cool designers. Take your pick.
Shop
Big, bright and shiny – head to Siam Paragon. For edgier outlets head to Siam Centre and look out for local designers Playhound and Senada Theory.
Siam Square (BTS Siam): Don’t miss Siam Vintage on the second floor between Sois 9 and 10 for a mix of old school and street style stores.
Vintage lovers: head to Again & Again and Sugar & Cream Vintage Clothing for clothes, and Hawaii Five-O for mid-century furniture repros (BYO shipping container).
Blink and you‘ll miss it: Thonglor Art Village is a hole-in-the-wall chocked with vintage eyewear, art prints, and eclectic accessories.
Markets: Don’t miss Chatuchak Weekend Market (Kampaeng Phet Metro) where you will empty your wallets and fill your suitcases. With 8,000 stalls selling everything from homeware to live animals, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
AirAsia Tip: Overdid the shopping? Save at least 50% when you supersize your baggage online up to 4 hours before departure on AirAsia.
Eat
Posh nosh: We love David Thompson’s Nahm and Bo.lan.
Mid-range: Yum & Tum for their Yum Tua Puu (spicy winged beans salad topped with shrimp, boiled egg, and coconut milk) and Yum Pak Bung (crispy morning glory salad with minced pork).
Love your seafood? Book a table at Somboon Seafood – its fried curry crab is famous but the steamed grouper gets our vote.
Spiced out? Hit Hyde & Seek Gastro Bar for its take on American comfort food.
Street Food: This is the real deal. The salt-baked charcoal-grilled fish with lemongrass opposite Siam Paragon is divine and if you’re ordering up a suit at Crown Tailor, don’t miss the wonton noodles at Sukhumvit Soi 8 beneath BTS Nana.
AirAsia Tip: Keep that Thai flavor flowing and pre-book a Thai green curry or basil chicken for your flight back.
Coffee fix: Roast Coffee & Eatery and order a cheese board while you’re there.
Afternoon Tea: Can’t go past The Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Sweet: The tub tim krob (greyhound style) at Sweet Hound will make anyone a sweet convert. Mango Tango also never disappoints, though we recommend opting for takeout to avoid the snaking queue.
Drink
Day sippers: Shuffle Rustic Cuisine and Bar at Rain Hill Plaza. Order the beer on tap with a side of beer-battered string beans.
Views: Start at Long Table for sunset views on the terrace. Hit Sky Bar after for romantic martinis.
Moves: Join the well-heeled crowd at Blue Velvet or shake your thing at 808 where fashionistas are found dancing until the wee hours.
And if you only have time to hit one bar up, we say: WTF. That is, Wonderful Thai Friendship, better known as WTF Café and Gallery for the perfect mix of food, drink, art, and friendship.
Thirst-quencher: Sip on the old school Fanta that is sold at all 7 Eleven outlets as you travel around sunny Bangkok.
AirAsia Tip: Opt for the fresh coconut on board AirAsia to delay holiday-come-down.
Sleep
Metropolitan by COMO is a luxe boutique hotel you won’t want to leave. This hotel is so well-equiped you might spend yourself shuffling between the bar and spa.
Somerset Service Apartments are perfect for group travel.
Party animals check in at Aloft Bangkok (by the W Hotels). You’re literally a skip away from some of the top clubs in Bangkok including Bed Supperclub.
Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre
Do
Head to Le Cordon Bleu’s Thailand campus and take a one-day course in Thai cuisine.
Spend 2 hours at The Loom picking up silk weaving and you’ll never run out of thoughtful gift ideas. Or head to the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre to get a portrait sketched. At 200 baht for an A3 charcoal portrait – it’s the perfect (albeit touristy) keepsake.
The Erawan Shrine (494 Rajdamri Road, easily located from BTS Chit Lom) is a must-visit for the religious or otherwise. There is a ritual to follow when praying to the four-faced Brahma God, so ask a local for directions if you intend to pay your respects.
After all that, hit Health Land for a well-deserved massage. We love their first class service at affordable prices; call ahead.
AirAsia Tip: Keep that holiday spirit going! Hop to the nearby Thai islands via the ferry for some rejuvenating island time. Coordinate your ferry under AirAsia – the only airline that provides bookings for both flights and ferry services!
Travel Tips
Visit between December and January to avoid heat waves, floods, and soak in the festivities of the New Year.
Take the BTS Skytrain or metro rather than taxis during rush hour as traffic in Bangkok can get intense.
Security at the swankiest nightspots checks everyone’s ID whether you’re 25 or 60 – so bring a copy of your passport.
When you fly AirAsia, arrange for transport from DMK airport (not BKK airport).
Don’t forget your manners! Put your palms together in a wai when greeting a Thai – the younger person should always ‘wai’ first.
This travel guide was brought to you by our friends at AirAsia. Tina took the 10.10pm AirAsia flight, and enjoyed a Thai Green Curry on the flight. Check out AirAsia’s guide to Bangkok here.