I Wander

Travel & Food, Itineraries & Guides, Hotel Reviews

bangkok

My Perfect Bangkok Itinerary Updated With Newer Attractions (2024 Travel Guide)

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As one of Asia’s best value and most popular destinations, Bangkok offers a plethora of things to see and do and there are various permutations that you can do for your Bangkok itinerary. Filled with many spectacular Buddhist temples and ornate buildings, the city is at once exotic and at the same time modern with all the creature comforts that one can imagine. Bangkok is also known as a shopping haven, with mass consumerism juxtaposing against a strong market culture. 

I have been to Bangkok quite a few times and always enjoy coming here for the unbeatable value, delicious Thai food and fascinating things to see in the city’s streets. Whether you’re a first-timer, a regular or even a shopaholic, here is my suggestion for your trip with a Bangkok itinerary that you can easily break down into 2-days, 3-days or 4-days depending on the length of time you are there. I’ve made the duration flexible to make the itinerary easy to execute during weekends or during longer visits. For some other ideas, you can also check out this Bangkok travel guide.

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Talad Rot Fai – Bangkok’s Hipster Night Market

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In the Bangkok itinerary I recommended in an earlier post, I listed Talad Rot Fai as one of the Thai capital’s hidden gems. Whether you’re a shopaholic or simply a curious tourist, a visit to this suburban weekend night market is definitely worth your time. While I frequent Chatuchak for its immensity, Talad Rot Fai is the place to go for quirky and vintage items that you’ll be hard-pressed to see under one roof. This is without a doubt, Bangkok’s coolest night market and is a place where the Thai’s entrepreneurial spirit jive with their creative side.

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Celadon at The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok: Delving Deeper Into Exotic Thai Cuisine

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As I was staying in The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok for two nights, I thought it would be a shame if i didn’t get to try any of the hotel’s renowned restaurants. I was literally spoiled for choice. There’s La Scala which regularly hosts Michelin-starred chefs, the Salon with its chocolate buffet or the celebrated Thai restaurant, Celadon. I undoubtedly had some great options there but it was pretty clear which one I’d go with.

traditional thai dance performance at celadon

There has been much buzz about Celadon that I thought my stay wouldn’t be complete without trying it. The name of this restaurant always pops up whenever The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok is mentioned. Travel and Leisure Magazine named it as the “Best Restaurant in Bangkok” and I was really excited to sample its many exotic Thai delights.

The restaurant is set in a separate building, in a Thai-inspired villa surrounded by a moat filled with lotuses. It made for a very scenic spot to dine, and guests have the option to have their meals either in an open-air or air-conditioned area.

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Hotel Review: My Fantastic Stay at The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok

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Often regarded as one of the Thai capital’s quintessential hotels, The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok has been charming guests for over two decades with its unique intepretation of Thai design that is at once contemporary and at the same time reminiscent of ancient Siamese capitals such as its namesake, the ancient ruins of Sukhothai in Northern Thailand.

I had the chance to experience the impeccable offerings of The Sukhothai Hotel during a short jaunt in Bangkok. Anyone who has been to this tourist mecca knows that the city has a very competitive hotel scene, with several excellent and impressive hotels at every price point. For a hotel to continually be recognized as one of the best in the city for over two decades,  it practically needs to go the extra mile and during my stay there, I did come up with a few points that perhaps explains the hotel’s accolades.

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Review of Bangkok’s Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri

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Towering skyscrapers, maze-like weekend markets, temples with shimmering spires and infamous traffic jams. Add to that the friendly locals and you’ve got the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia – Bangkok. The city has a little bit of everything. One can witness extremes here, from grit and chaos to luxury and refinement without moving too far in this megacity. I always look forward to visiting this city.

This being said, Bangkok offers great value for tourists – something which it has always been known for. This is where aircon hotel rooms can be had for as little as US$20, and if you move up the chain, a well-appointed suite in a 4-star hotel with kitchen, dining area and sweeping views of Bangkok could be yours for as low as US$150; there’s definitely great value no matter what one’s budget is. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of being invited in Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri, a property which is at the higher end of the chain, for a night’s stay in one of their rooms. A rundown of how it went after the jump.

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Around the World in Bangkok’s Terminal 21 and Grande Centre Point T21

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There now stands a new retail development in Bangkok that not only attests but further solidifies its reputation as a travel hub in Asia. Situated in the expat Sukhumvit area, Terminal 21 is a concept retail center that has an interesting proposition to differentiate itself against the many shopping malls that already dot the cityscape. Terminal 21 is not just another shopping mall – inside, one can find zones dedicated to various far-off destinations that include the likes of the Caribbean, San Francisco, Tokyo, London  and Istanbul.

another floor, another city!

Many of the stores are actually quite similar to other malls in the city but there is a section dedicated to local Thai manufacturers. Interiors-wise it is hard to beat. Each floor has its own theme. For instance, the San Francisco zone includes a replica of a lighthouse and Fisherman’s Wharf. And of course, it won’t be San Francisco without Swensen’s, which has an outlet in the mall. The Tokyo floor has 2 large statues of sumo wrestlers while the upper floors play host to a gigantic Oscar award.

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