Bangkok by day,
Bangkok by day or Bangkok by night, it’s the same city but with two different souls that you can easily fall in love with. Smells, noises, laughter, tears, the incredible, taste, sensations and other things that cannot leave you indifferent. This city is totally different from Delhi in India which I also visited. When you arrive there, you already feel better than in France, as long as you are sensitive to Asian culture. Bangkok, during the day, is a real playground for big kids, so I’ll give you some places I visited. They are to be done during the day between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the order you want.
Wat Pho
This one is unmissable, known to many tourists and travel agencies, it must be done without discussion. Featuring a huge reclining Buddha, the Wat Pho temple is splendid. It represents Tuesday, in relation to the position of the Buddha which is horizontal. Did you know that each day of the week has its Buddha position? This Buddha is 15 meters high and 46 m long and is mesmerizing. A good visit to see the side of Bangkok by day.
As in all temples in Thailand, you are required to remove your shoes before entering. Don’t forget that money is also obligatory. Not giving Buddha an offering, even if you are not Thai, is not necessarily well-regarded. We don’t ask you to put 1000 baht but if you have at least 100 baht in change, that’s good. Why change and not notes? Well the reason is that you will have the right to play a little game. You will have to put the pieces in cups lined up in a row. These cuts are visible to everyone and you will put one or two coins in each.
Khao San Road
The street that greeted me in Bangkok when I just got off the plane. This street is truly representative of Bangkok during the day. The first thing you might do is eat so much, you’ll be hungry after a 14-hour flight and transfer. Strolling here is easy because the shops are everywhere, restaurants, bars, clothes, music, massages, hotels, guest houses. You are spoiled for choice as a French or French speaker to please yourself. Around the corner there is even a McDonald’s which has taken up residence if you are hesitant to change your eating habits. However, pad thai is the king’s choice here. The noodles are cooked by the kilogram, and can be eaten in less than an hour. With chicken, eggs, or both, pad thai is the dish to eat for your first time in Bangkok. This dish is like a drug because once you eat it, you are addicted to it. In Bangkok during the day, there is so much to eat, it’s crazy. You can see the pad thai recipe on the site.
The royal palace: Wat Phra Kaew
In my video of the Bangkok tour, you can see me in front of its entrance. This palace is jaw-droppingly beautiful (that is, if I had legs…) In short, it takes no less than 2 hours to make the most of this place full of stories, engravings, statues, goldwork and ancient texts. Spirituality is very present there in addition to the sovereignty that reigns there. This palace costs 500 bath per foreign visitor and remains free for Thais. And yes, not fair eh? But it’s because our currency is stronger and it benefits Thailand’s prosperity. Bangkok during the day also has little surprises in store for you like these. If you want to conserve your cash, give this role to the Yakshas, the dragon-headed guardians with colorful faces in the palace. They are the guardians of the treasure according to legends.
The klong of Bangkok by day
Bangkok’s canals called « the Klong » are located on the banks of the Chao Phraya. The most famous are the klongs of “Bangkok Yai”, “Klong Mon”, “Bangkok Noi” and “Klong Om”. To visit the klongs, there are several possible starting points. By BTS or Skytrain, move to the Saphan Taskin station (see maps) and at the pier you will be lured by “motivated” people who will offer you tours of 1h30 to 3h in their boats. From the piers of Tha Chang, Tha Tien and Tha Ratchawong, we also offer a starting point for floating on the banks. Pay attention to the prices of his “cuties”, which sell for more than the market. For them you are pigeons, so if you don’t want to end up a sissy: negotiate! On the banks of the Chao Phray River, Bangkok by day exudes a peaceful, modern karma. But that doesn’t mean the boatmen forget to take a few euros from you along the way.
The Unicorn Bar in Bangkok
Yes, if you read my title correctly. Bangkok during the day is also a crazy time. There has been this trendy bar in Bangkok for some time that is based on the unicorn theme. So girls, shall we jump to the ceiling? Fairies like “my little pony” will bring back your memories of friends brushing your “little darling” with the pink mane of the 80s. What girl didn’t have her “little pony” at 6 years old? If you were “martyred” by your parents, then you will be able to fill this psychological void quickly.
Located in Bangkok’s Silom business district, Unicorn Café is your hangout. Pink, blue, green, yellow, orange “cup’s cakes”. We even have the impression of encountering the “Care Bears” in this sanctuary. You have the right to dress up as a unicorn, to wear pajamas with unicorn head hoods worthy of Japanese fashion. You have the right to scream, jump, play with the stuffed animals and video games provided. It’s a real nursery for big girls. You can drink a fruit juice or a cocktail from multi-colored stars with an equally crazy straw. Bangkok by day, it’s incredible in this café. Alcohol is consumable because the target audience is you ladies. So go ahead and let go, because that’s how we love you!
Also equip yourself for Thailand! Below Amazon offers the most recent versions of the brand guides. I even thought of our English-speaking friends with an English version for a “Kindle” e-reader. If you want to take images, here is my drone.
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Bangkok at night
Bangkok at night, another face opens up to you. The one of parties, street food, Cowboy rodeos with young girls, ping-pong shows, tuk-tuk “boom booms”. And yes, it’s less glorious than the day, but what fun do we have to look at for the pleasure of the eyes, when we come to it with peace of mind. Below I offer you my night route plan to do in this order for scheduling reasons.
Sky Bar the Moon Vertigo
In my desire for nocturnal madness, I started my journey by going to Moon Vertigo. Discovering Bangkok at night is also your duty. If you know the term skybar in France, you will see that our skybars are small players. It was from this building that I made my video and that I fell in love with the Thai capital. Restaurant, hotel and spa, in addition to the open-air bar. From time to time, Vertigo organizes rooftop parties to the delight of its regular customers. If you want to dance and have a drink with a height of more than 61 floors, this is the perfect place.
Charoen krung neighborhood funfair
In the video above, you see the Ferris wheel and that is the location of the funfair. This funfair remains stationary all year round. All these beautiful lights, these smells of sweets give a magical side to your journey through the night. Opposite the Chao Phray, the funfair offers classic attractions, but also thrill rides, and even skill game stands. Bangkok at night is also this spirit where you can return to childhood or remain a retarded teenager. I recommend going there by Skytrain and getting off at the same stop as Bangkok’s Riverfront Market.
“The Riverfront” market in Bangkok
This night market is a must-see and above all a must-do. It is installed in old warehouses which belonged to a Danish timber company. 1500 shops, 40 restaurants over more than 80,000 m2. Bangkok at night is also the pleasure of gastronomy at all hours. Take your rollerblades and your bike otherwise your feet will swell! A free river shuttle is available to access it from the Sphan Taksin skytrain or BTS station. A nice little stroll on the water to get to the market without stress.
The Chao Phraya River is generally calm so no seasickness here. This market has lots of colorful signs, well-appointed rows and competitive “made in Thailand” prices. The infrastructure is modern with the funfair’s Ferris wheel which allows you to see the panoramic view of Bangkok at night. the market is open every day from 5:00 p.m. to midnight. It is located at Soi 72 and 76 of Charoen krung avenue on the left bank of Chao Phraya.
Soi cowboy: A little rodeo?
If you think of the American Wild West, you are in the wrong place except for the Rodeo. Located in Sukuhmwit, Cowboy Street has a Las Vegas feel with all its neon signs. The type of rodeo practiced here is mainly aimed at men alone or in groups in Bangkok at night. Generally, Thais do not accost a man accompanied by his wife. This way we avoid a scandal. Problems are not good for business. So, if we leave you alone it’s not to please Madame.
To get there, either take a tuk-tuk or the skytrain and stop at the “AsokBref” station. Descend to street level via the skytrain escalators. Once in the street on the left, you can see the first pink neon lights on the sidewalk opposite. You will quickly learn that every step you take in the 300 meters of this street will be the longest of your life if you stop. This hot corner of the capital is mainly frequented by expatriates, but there are also many tourists who may have heard about prostitution in Thailand.
Baccarat
This establishment offers adult entertainment which is not really authorized but tolerated by the authorities of Thailand. It is located at the end of Soi Cowboy. That said, several drinks or looking or smiling is allowed, the rest of the “package” is not. Baccarat is run by a former French nightclub owner who I knew from another professional life. He settled in Bangkok several years ago and we saw each other again after 10 years of radio silence. He too was fed up with France and followed his path based on his know-how. When I spoke with him, at no time did he tell me he wanted to return to France. One thing led to another, he doesn’t mince his words and harsh language is not his thing. According to him: “we are governed by buffoons who have a life outside of time and ours.” If you have the opportunity to talk with him you will see that the man is much smarter than the karma he exudes from himself. In any case, I remember this moment when I toasted with him. But I haven’t changed my negative opinion about the business of women’s bodies in Bangkok at night.
Insomnia club
To finish off your nighttime getaway, this club is perfect for seeing Bangkok at night! It’s the place for 18-35 year olds to have fun all night long and it’s not far from Cowboy. It is a second establishment, since the one in Pattaya remains the reference and belongs to the same group. A 10-minute walk after your visit to the red light district, take a look at “Insomnia” (see maps). It is located at 234 Sukhumvit Soi 12 in Bangkok. If you don’t want to go to bed, now is the time to go for it. You will be amazed by the sound and lights. The club is known for welcoming DJs from all cities around the world, but especially from Asia. Sometimes a Chinese DJ, a Vietnamese one, or even a Japanese duo. This approach to Thai night also shows you that our way of doing things is really different and helps you to open up. At the bar, the prices are fair: a beer 160 bath, a whiskey 1900 bath, a soda 70 bath. For entry you pay around 350 bath if my memories are intact.
To conclude, I would say that Bangkok at night is another side of the coin and that you have to know how to appreciate it for its true value as you could appreciate Bangkok during the day. Everyone has their own preference and I decided to like both. And what is your response in your comments?
