Bangkok is one of those cities that I’ve read people either love or hate. For me, it was love at first visit. The electric atmosphere of the city, its vibrant energy, and the abundance of food markets and temples are just some of the things I loved about visiting Thailand’s captivating capital.
After spending a few weeks in southern and northern Thailand, visiting Phuket, Ao Nang, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai, Bangkok, in comparison, did feel a little overwhelming and less friendly upon our arrival.
But this is typical of big cities, though. To really enjoy them, I think you often need to scratch beneath the surface and explore beyond the usual tourist hotspots. In our case, Bangkok was the final leg of our Thai adventure and my our enthusiasm to see and do everything was starting to wane.
So we took a more laid-back approach, balancing our time between aimless wanderings and checking out some of the city’s famous sights.
This slower pace worked in our favour, allowing us to soak in the city’s vibe without any pressure. And so we enjoyed our time in Bangkok. In the mornings, when the weather was still fairly tolerable, we went out to visit beautiful temples across the city.
And in the afternoons, we sought refuge from the sweltering outdoor heat in our air-conditioned room and pool at the beautiful Ayathorn Bangkok Hotel.
I loved staying at this hotel for many reasons. It was chic and spacious, and within walking distance from two beautiful temples I was eager to explore. The first temple, Wat Ratchanatdaram, was just across the road from the hotel.
This proximity allowed us to experience it in two distinct ways: during the day, when it was peacefully free of tourists, and at night, when it transformed into a stunning spectacle of lights.
However, it was Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, that became my favourite in Bangkok. In the early hours of the day, we found the temple’s premises nearly deserted.
This tranquil atmosphere allowed us to fully appreciate the temple’s exquisite architecture and serene ambience without the usual crowds.
When visiting popular open-air sites in Bangkok, the crowds and weather can significantly impact your experience. This became clear during our visits to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple. Despite arriving shortly after opening time, we were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and the intense heat.
When we weren’t exploring temples or relaxing indoors, we found ourselves diving into other facets of Bangkok life: meeting new friends, browsing the city’s numerous malls, savouring meals in hidden back-alley restaurants, or strolling the vibrant length of Khao San Road.
By pure chance, our visit to Bangkok coincided with the Songkran Festival celebrations. This happy accident treated us to spontaneous concerts at the malls and, most memorably, a massive water fight on Khao San Road. Mark and I couldn’t resist diving in, relishing the chance to partake in this joyous Thai tradition!
Celebrating Songkran Festival in Bangkok
Apart from water fights and mall concerts, there were huge parades too. One of which culminated right across the road from our hotel. Again, I don’t think we could have chosen to stay anywhere better!
We watched the procession from the road at first, then headed back to the hotel and caught the grand finale, elephants and all, from the rooftop pool area.
Bangkok served as the ideal conclusion to our Thai adventures. From our serene morning visits to breathtaking temples to the exhilarating Songkran water fights, and those relaxing afternoons by the rooftop pool, Bangkok offered a diverse range of experiences that left a lasting impression. It is a city I look forward to revisiting someday!
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Wow, so many beautiful photos! I am glad to hear you had a wonderful time exploring Bangkok. Don’t you just love how the beauty of this frantic, bustling, ancient Asian capital instead exists in a million tiny moments—from fragrant blooms threaded onto prayer lanyards at the flower markets to the soft steam off a perfect, egg-encased Pad Thai at street stalls and the white and gold temples! This city is truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth in the most unexpected ways. Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks, Aiva! Bangkok is special in many ways. I’m glad we had a great experience there!