Hello everyone. We're currently in Thailand's capital, Bangkok. We arrived here almost spontaneously because we absolutely love this city. We try to visit as often as we can because there's something about immersing ourselves in this vast metropolis and feeling its energy. One of Thailand's greatest advantages is how close Bangkok is, just a two-hour drive away. That’s why I highly recommend taking a trip to Bangkok if you're vacationing in Pattaya. This city never leaves anyone indifferent, blending modern innovations and towering skyscrapers with old wooden houses on stilts and traditional shacks. Everyone can find something fascinating here. Fall in love with the city or maybe choose to keep your distance, but you’ll never remain indifferent.
National Geographic included Bangkok in its list of top 25 places to visit in 2025. So it’s not just us; others also think this city is worth seeing. In this post, I’ll share why we adore Bangkok so much. We visited some of our favorite spots. This wasn’t a meticulously planned trip. Instead, we revisited places we know, love and feel connected to.
We parked our car at a lot near the hotel and walked toward the center—not the historical center but the shopping district of Ratchadamri. We prefer not to drive in Bangkok because the traffic here is heavy and the biggest issue is the endless intersections and connecting roads. It's so easy to make a wrong turn and getting back on track can be stressful and frustrating. Parking in the city center is also challenging, either too expensive or nonexistent. So, we stayed close to our hotel and chose to explore on foot. Walking through the streets of Bangkok and observing its lively street life brings us so much joy.
The bridges you see here are part of Bangkok’s famous Skytrain system. This public transport option is incredibly convenient because it lets you reach your destination without worrying about traffic jams. It provides easy access to many tourist attractions. Here are Bangkok’s contrasts in action. An old, historic train runs alongside a modern metro line and skyscrapers. This is one of the reasons we love Bangkok so much.
We visited the Ratchaprasong shopping district, home to many malls such as CentralWorld, MBK and Siam Paragon. Baiyoke Sky Tower is also in this area. Back in 2024 we dined at the Baiyoke Sky restaurant. The view of Bangkok’s bustling intersections from above was breathtaking. Those intersections have surely multiplied since then. If you get the chance, we highly recommend visiting. Bangkok’s tallest building, the MahaNakhon Tower (79 stories high), also has an observation deck, though we didn’t include it in our itinerary this time.
We stopped by the square in front of CentralWorld, which was beautifully decorated for Christmas and New Year. Since it’s early January, the decorations are still up, but soon they’ll be replaced with Chinese New Year decorations. This square always has such a vibrant atmosphere. Soon, we’ll head to my favorite spot in Bangkok. But first, we were hungry, so we went inside CentralWorld to grab a bite.
CentralWorld is a shopping mall similar to Central Festival in Pattaya, but much larger. It’s one of Bangkok’s biggest malls. As we entered, we were greeted by luxury brands like Prada, Valentino and Chanel, many of which are unavailable in Pattaya. At the same time more affordable stores like H&M can also be found here. We headed to the 7th floor, where there’s a large food court with restaurants catering to all tastes. Here’s a little tip from us: you can enjoy quick and reasonably priced meals at the Tops Market food area. 😊
This is a place you’ll frequently find in Thailand, especially in Bangkok's shopping malls: Tops Market. These markets are usually located on the lower floors of large shopping malls and offer delicious meals at very affordable prices. You can find fresh salads, small snacks and hot dishes here. We often eat at Tops when we’re here because it’s both budget-friendly and offers healthy alternatives.
For example, you can try Thai dishes at very reasonable prices (around 60-65 Baht). There are many options ranging from delicious soups to seafood, including Northern Thai-style dishes. The first time we came to Bangkok, we didn’t know where to eat and ended up dining at random, usually expensive places. However, after discovering these markets, things became much easier.
By the way one of my favorites, Thai tea, is available here too. Thai tea is usually made with milk and can be quite sweet, so I recommend opting for the less sweet version. This particular tea brand is very tasty and can be found here.
When we went outside, it had already gotten dark and the city lights had turned on. The night atmosphere of Bangkok has an entirely different energy. There’s a huge Apple Store right next to CentralWorld. We went inside and took a stroll, but to see the prices, you need to ask the store employees. You can touch and examine Apple products, but the price information isn’t openly displayed. Still the store’s architecture is quite stylish, with wooden, metal and glass details offering a modern look.
Next we visited one of my favorite spots in Bangkok: the pedestrian bridge in the Ratchaprasong area. CentralWorld is on the right, Big C is on the left. In the background, giant skyscrapers and the streets are bustling with activity. Standing on this bridge, you can see both the city skyline and the lively street scene below. Tuk-tuks, buses, taxis, the above-ground metro and people everywhere... you can feel the energy of Bangkok here. You can also find affordable ice cream in this area. It’s a lot of fun to get your ice cream and sit on the bridge, watching the city go by.
A quick note about tuk-tuks: These are mainly used as a tourist experience. Renting a tuk-tuk for short distances can be enjoyable, but the prices are relatively high compared to taxis. The average starting price is around 400 Baht. If you need to travel longer distances, using apps like Bolt or Grab to call a taxi is a more sensible option.
We decided to continue our night at Khao San Road. If you’ve seen the movie The Beach, this street might seem familiar. In the movie, Leonardo DiCaprio spends a night here before heading to the islands. Khao San Road is typically a backpacker’s haven, filled with affordable accommodations, a lively nightlife and young tourists. We opted for the bus to get there because taxi fares were quite high. Bus travel in Bangkok is a comfortable and economical option.
A tip for first-time visitors to Bangkok: Don’t hesitate to explore the city. At first, Bangkok may seem complicated, but you’ll quickly understand how everything works. If guided tours are more convenient for you, you can explore those options as well. The city offers activities for all budgets and tastes. Bangkok really provides an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
Bangkok is a huge city and not everything is translated into English. Many signs are in Thai and can be difficult to read. You might easily get lost, go the wrong way or miss your destination. These situations can lead to wasted time. We’ve faced these problems, so taking a tour from Pattaya to Bangkok might be more practical.
There are tour packages offering one or two-day trips to Bangkok. On a two-day tour, you’ll visit many important sites around the city. There are also nine different daily tour options. For example, the classic Bangkok tour includes royal palaces and temples. We highly recommend visiting these sites with a guide. The first time we tried to explore the royal palace on our own, we didn’t understand much. There were so many people and a lot of buildings… But with a guide, you can learn about the history and details of these cultural landmarks.
Modern Bangkok tours are also available and visits to shopping districts and high-rise buildings are quite popular. For example, the MahaNakhon Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Bangkok, has an observation deck. From the glass floor, you can see the entire city and it’s very impressive.
Another option is a cruise tour on the Chao Phraya River. These tours start early in the morning and continue into the evening to show you the lights of Bangkok. They are varied and the prices are quite reasonable. The tour companies we encountered on the streets usually have higher prices and fewer options. Therefore, our tour packages are more advantageous in terms of price.
Bangkok is a city you must visit when in Thailand. Especially if you're staying in Pattaya, it’s very close and it’s definitely a place where you’ll create unforgettable memories. Since the pandemic, life has bounced back and the old crowds seem to have returned. Street vendors and markets are bustling again. Thanks to tourists from Europe, there are more diverse options. Prices are slightly higher than in the tourist-heavy areas of Pattaya but still relatively affordable.
My eyes widen at the abundance of everything around me. The variety of fried foods here is amazing; of course, it’s not the healthiest, as most of it is deep-fried. Outside the main street, it’s also worth checking out the smaller side streets. You’ll see the true local textures and colors in these streets. However, be careful, as motorcycles and carts move alongside pedestrians. Hidden in these streets are fantastic cafés, especially in the side alleys, where there are more stylish spots. Generally, this place is quite authentic and impressive.
After strolling around a bit more and soaking in the atmosphere of the area, we stop at a café. This one’s called White Dragon and we quickly look at the menu. Prices for breakfasts range from 200-300 Baht, with cheaper options available too. This place is famous for pancakes and high-quality bread. We place our first order: a plate of German-style sausages, potatoes and salad, costing 250 Baht. The portions are very generous. Also, the pastries and breads here are very delicious.
Our next stop is a market selling Thai products. There’s an abundance of everything: bags, clothes and various accessories. This place reminds me of the open-air markets we had in the 90s. We walk through the crowds and everything is lively and bustling.
One of our favorite activities is taking tours on the Chao Phraya River. The ferries, marked by different colored flags, work like public transportation. A ticket for a tourist ferry costs 30 Baht and an all-day unlimited ticket is between 120-150 Baht. You can also feed fish for a small fee. Some of the ferries are quite crowded and waiting times can sometimes be long. However, the tourist ferries are more regular and better suited for sightseeing.
Another interesting stop in the city is Iconsiam, a luxury shopping mall. It features international brands, eye-catching displays and a free observation deck. The view of the river and city from this deck is fantastic. In the evenings, there are colorful light shows.
The metro ride is also one of the fun experiences in the city. It’s both fast and offers a view of the city from above. The average ticket price per person is about 40-50 Baht. If you're traveling with your family, sometimes taxis can be more economical.
We ended our day at a themed park located a bit outside the city. The park is decorated with a different theme for each season and special holiday. It’s adorned for New Year, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day and more. The entrance fee is 150 Baht per person and with this fee, you can get free ice cream or popcorn inside.
At the end of this day in Bangkok, we say goodbye, enjoying the memories of our trip. There’s so much to do in this city and every time, it feels like discovering something new. See you again. 😊