If you’re looking to travel like a local and not like a tourist, you’ve come to the right place. Thanks to our amazing hosts in Thailand, we are bringing you a local tips destination guide that gives you the inside scoop on the best way to explore Bangkok like a local.
Here at Traveling Spoon, we strive to do our part in making the world a smaller place through meaningful travel experiences that encourage engaging experiences with locals and opportunities to dig deeper into understanding cultures and places that may be unlike our own. Read on for 7 ways to explore Bangkok like a local along with traveler tips, provided by our hosts and Bangkok residents, Pern and Lae.
7 Ways to Explore Bangkok Like a Local
1. Take a boat cruise on the Chao Phraya River
“Experience a way of local life by the river [while enjoying] beautiful scenery.” -Pern
As one of the major rivers that flows through Thailand, the Chao Phraya river has always played an important role in daily Bangkokian life as a major waterway for commuter transport. There are many boats to choose from, ranging for quick and cheap ferry rides across the river to longer private-hire traditional long-tail boats.
2. Walk the Roads Less Traveled By
“Get off at a random pier, walk where the trail leads you, & explore the unexpected.” -Lae
With more than 30 piers along the Chao Phraya River, walking is the best way to find the hidden gems of Bangkok, according to host, Lae. Whether it be stumbling across old buildings to strolling through nice neighborhoods, by simply walking where the road takes him, Lae has discovered many interesting places he never even knew existed in his city, offering him the opportunity to learn more about his culture in a spontaneous and exciting way. Skip the guidebooks for a day to find your own way around Bangkok.
3. Get a taste of Old Bangkok by exploring Rattanakosin
For both Pern and Lae, the chance to escape the fast-paced life of the bustling, modern city and get a glimpse into the history that modern Bangkok was built upon continues to be one of their favorite pasttimes. Rattanakosin is home to beautiful, sacred sights such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Thailand is famous for its abundance of incredible wats, or temples, that leave even locals in awe and serve as centerpieces in communities across Thailand. As Lae says, each temple has its own fascinating story of construction and importance, so venture beyond the most famous wats to explore the depth of what Old Bangkok has to offer.
4. Cool down with a drink at Eagle Nest when the sun sets
Eagle Nest, located at the top of Sala Arun Hotel, is Lae’s favorite rooftop bar to frequent after a long day’s worth of walking. While enjoying a drink and some snacks, Eagle Nest offers a stunning view of Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya rive, Wat Pho, and Wat Phra Kaeo, juxtaposing scenes of modern high-rises to traditional architecture. Bangkok has a growing rooftop bar and restaurant scene with each featuring its own creative decor and menus, so with a little exploring, you will be sure to find a place you love at a great deal that won’t break the bank.
5. Attend the Songkran Festival
Marking the traditional Thai New Year, April 13-15 is a festive local favorite, also known as the Songkran Festival. It’s a time for family reunions, a time of tradition where the young pay respect to the old, and a time of happiness and celebration. Here, Pern shared with us a picture of her daughter in traditional costume at a temple, along with her mother in celebration of Thai New Year.
Not only is the Songkran Festival a time for family, but it is also a time to have fun and celebrate. What could be a better way to celebrate than to have a gigantic water fight? Lae’s favorite places to celebrate Songkran in proper water fight fashion are on the streets of Silom and Khao San, so if you’re in Bangkok in April, you might find him there. Why water? Water symbolizes a cleansing with the coming of spring which serves to bring good fortune, with origins in Buddhist tradition.
6. Check out the Street Food Scene
As our host Pern tells us, “The best Thai food is on the street, not at a fancy restaurant.” If you walk around the various neighborhoods in Bangkok, you are bound to hear, see, smell, and taste the delicious wonders of freshly-cooked street food. Explore the markets to try various flavors of satay that will leave you more than satisfied for just a few baht. Known for its excellent street food, Yaowarat is a must-visit, located in the center of Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown that features delicious night markets and fresh fruit and vegetables. To try some of Bangkok’s most legendary fried noodles, check out Thip Samai – anyone for a mouthwatering dish of pad Thai? To beat the lines, get there before 6:30pm!
For more on the street food scene in Bangkok, check out Bangkok expert, Mark Wiens’s in-depth guide to Bangkok’s Top 16 Street Food Sanctuaries.
7. Enjoy a Homecooked Meal with a Local
While the street food scene offers the opportunity to explore a wide array of authentic Thai cuisine, our hosts at Traveling Spoon not only welcome you into their homes to enjoy an authentic Thai meal, but they also teach you how to cook several dishes you can recreate back in your own kitchen at home. If you enjoyed these tips, Pern and Lae, along with our other hosts in Bangkok have even more insights and stories to share about their lives in BKK that will make for a memorable experience that takes you beyond the experience of a typical tourist vacation.
Traveler Tips – Advice from locals
- Public transit with the Skytrain is a convenient and affordable way to travel. Uber is available with friendly service. Lae prefers to avoid using taxis when possible.
- When visiting temples, make sure to be respectful of the culture and sacred traditions – dress modestly! This means clothing that covers your shoulders, knees, and preferably ankles.
- Feet are considered disrespectful – avoid putting them on the table or in a high position. Click here to learn more about etiquette in Thailand.
- Thailand uses the baht as currency. For an up-to-date currency converter:
A big thank you goes out to our hosts Pern and Lae for sharing their local insights on the best things to do in Bangkok. With their tips, you are well on your way to discovering how to explore Bangkok like a local.
Visit the local Soi Bearing market to pick out fresh ingredients with Pern, and finish the evening with a mouthwatering tom yom gung fried rice, transformed by Pern’s innovative take on Thai classics and inspired by her mother’s recipes. Book your experience with Pern!
Learn how to carve vegetables and cook a delicious lemongrass soup, while picking up some useful Thai phrases with Lae. Soon you too will be chanting, “You wash the meat, you shake the meat!”, just like traveler Brooke’s children did after exclaiming that their day with Lae was the best day ever!
Love and Happy Traveling,
The Traveling Spoon Team
