What to do in Bangkok?

[the-ghost]

I was on a 'proper' holiday in BKK recently. I did the temples in BKK and I did day trips out to other cities.

I am sort of intrigued to go back to BKK to try some more night life for maybe 4 or 5 nights - just to get it out of my system.

But to be honest I am struggling to justify to myself what I would do for the other 22 hours when I am not having 'fun'. And my limited time/budget means BKK would be up against many other world class tourist locations that I could be going to (and to be honest making better lifelong memories). However have a few regrets from my time in BKK so I kind of want to go back.

The one slight difference is that I might 'take it easy' if I go back to BKK - as opposed to when I an normally on holiday I like to cram in as many activities as possible. So I mean more chilling out.

BKK felt a bit to western for me (compared to Vietnam etc) - a bit chaotic and I am not currently really drawn to going back to it as a city.

That being said, a city that big must have lots more to see outside of shopping/food?

I did consider Pattaya as it has a beach and maybe some other stuff to kill the time with but I went there on a day trip and all things considered I'd probably just prefer to stick to BKK as I am familiar with it.

I struggle to understand how people go out to BKK for months for nightlight - what are they doing all of the other time?

Any suggestions

[Unknown112]

Not every place is for everyone and thats okey.
Theres so much to do and see in BKK that its hard to even summarise everything. For me it definitely wasn’t about much shopping or partying there. 
Parks, massages, temples, nightmarkets, even taking a taxi bike to some random area and just exploring, rooftops at night, taking a riverboat, trying tuktuk ride, bit of shopping, hit some weed shops, hit some hotspot areas like Chinatown, Khaosan rd, even if its not for everyone, definitely nice just to experience it even once in your life. Could spend weeks there and still have plenty to do. 

also no need to cramp 100 things in a day. Its a holiday, take it easy, enjoy yourself 

[NanAtSOL]

Well, I haven't been a tourist here for a long time, but when I was, I would just wander the sois, exploring, adventuring.

There were endless little bars and massage parlors to check out. freelancers weren't really online then so there were lots of people to meet and fool around with.

Sometimes, I'd go to a temple. Also, eat street food.

I lost a lot of weight just wandering.

Now, I dunno what I'd do. The MRT has expanded so that opens up new areas for exploration.

[the-ghost]

If I go back to BKK then I will very much try and take it easy during the daytime.

My next planned holiday was to Peru to see Macchu Pichu - so as you can appreciate, going back to BKK has to be worth it.

[NanAtSOL]

22 minutes ago, the-ghost said:

If I go back to BKK then I will very much try and take it easy during the daytime.

My next planned holiday was to Peru to see Macchu Pichu - so as you can appreciate, going back to BKK has to be worth it.

It is what it is. 

People either come her from a sex holiday, party holiday, or just to soak up the atmosphere. 

It's not really a "wonder of the world" type of place, though for a lot of people it is a wonderful whole new world full of possibilities. 

I am sure Ayutthaya doesn't even come close to Macchu Pichu for a photograph opportunity. And the beaches here have nothing on the Mediterranean. 

People are generally here for tuk tuk rides, boat rides, eat lots of delicious foods, get massage, see muay thai, get laid, try sexual fantasies, walk around, shop, drink, maybe see the few attractions (e g. Grand Palace, temples) etc. etc.

That's just the kind of place Bangkok is.

Why not take an overnight trip to Ayutthaya? Or the waterfalls at Kanchanaburi? Train journeys are kinda nice here and lots of places are easily reachable from Bangkok. 

Edited June 15, 2025 by NanAtSOL

[the-ghost]

I did Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi when I was there last although the latter was for the death railway.

I think I just need to weigh up whether I want to go all the way back just for then nightlife- I probably will once just to get it out of my system but I don't really want to make it a habit! I think I was surprised by the scale of it all when I went there to first time.

[Krane]

Consider seeing a Khon masked performance which focus on Thailand's history.  There's a theatre close to the Royal Palace and  Thailand Cultural Center in Ratchada will have as well. I plan to see a performance next trip. I'm also visiting the Queen Sirikit Convention Center, just to browse.  Bangkok Dream World Park or Mario Land to bring out the kid in you. Take a day trip via train to a nearby neighboring city, return to Bangkok at night, shower, short nap, late dinner then hit the streets about 1 am to experience late night delights.

[JVHyatt]

fight night @ rajadamnern.  and night markets.

[little_me]

Would kinda suggest consulting a pretty regular normal tour guide kinda site?  Or some other niche site for whatever other interests you have in life.

Bangkok is pretty regularly listed as one of the most visited cities in the world. This isn't all for "nightlife".  But it goes in a lot of different directions, history, shopping, spas, food, grungy old alleys, temples (some which aren't even older than ME), there's probably some art museum somewhere that someone cares a lot about (I don't think I've ever heard one mentioned?).  

There's a lot of it that any number of people could find exciting or overblown, just consider the number of visitors DAILY to the Erawan Shrine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erawan_Shrine). I don't understand it's draw, but do understand it has importance for many.

Of course, to a certain degree, it may not be the most spectacular for any particular reason, but more accessible, safe, and just comfortable while have some amount of many different interests.

 

[must_tang50]

I would piggy back on the fight night at Rajadamnern stadium. I think everyone should check out a Muay Thai fight at least once.

[the-ghost]

Seen it!

Although I believe there are other places also so could try one of them.

I'm sure there is more to do. I did the main temples when I was there are some out of town trips.

[JVHyatt]

add in a longboat tour up the klongs.  see the big buddha and the monitors swimming.  cool sight.  also mornings @lumpini.  as mongers (some of us) forget it’s a functional city sometimes.