バンコクで行う素晴らしいこと

A turbo-charged megacity with over 11 million inhabitants, Bangkok hardly needs an introduction. From backpackers in pursuit of the legendary Khao San Road, foodies obsessed with the next best hole-in-the-wall, and fans of season three of the recently wrapped up The White Lotus, the Thai capital has long been a source of fascination for travellers the globe over. Ranked as the most visited city of 2024, its chock-a-block traffic and impossible-to-get reservations are telltale signs of its enduring (and indeed growing) popularity.

An hour or so plane ride from paradisiacal islands like Phuket and Koh Samui, a trip to Bangkok can either be a fleeting stopover or an extended stay in its own right.  While considered a year-round destination, visit in mid-April for Songkran (Thai New Year), when everyone takes to the streets with water guns, or between October and February for the Bangkok Art Biennale, which runs across multiple venues in the city. This December will also see the opening of Dib, Thailand’s “first major museum dedicated to international contemporary art”. 

Below, find a list of recommendations – both for the initiated and the uninitiated – to make the most of your time in this ever-evolving metropolis.  

Over the past decade, Bangkok has firmly established itself as a burgeoning hub for contemporary art in Southeast Asia. The latest addition is Bangkok Kunsthalle, a cultural institution launched in 2024 by art philanthropist Marisa Chearavanont with a mission to “push the boundaries of contemporary art”. Under the seasoned direction of Stefano Rabolli Pansera (formerly of Hauser & Wirth), the ambitious international programme has already included an installation by Yoko Ono, a selection of works by French filmmaker Michel Auder and a sculptural exhibit by American artist Richard Nonas. Taking over an abandoned printing house, the space preserves its original brutalist architecture – exposed concrete, peeling paint and cracked windows making for a uniquely immersive environment where the art doesn’t just fill it but actively and continuously transforms it. 

A trip to Bangkok calls for a bona fide raan khao gaeng (curry and rice) meal, and few places do it better than Charmgang. Tucked away down an unsuspecting back alley that may have you second-guessing Google Maps, the inside is surprisingly buzzy, with its open kitchen, neon red lights and retro-chic furnishings. The brainchild of chefs Geravich “Mew’’ Mesaengnilverakul, Aruss “Jai” Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn “Aew” Kiatthanawat (all formerly of Michelin-starred Nahm), inspired liberties are taken with local ingredients to not just honour but reimagine traditional recipes. Don’t miss the braised beef cheek phanang curry and river prawn yellow curry, both brimming with flavour that only seems to get richer with each mouthful. Even six years after its opening, reservations are a must. Plan ahead or try their sibling outposts, Charmkrung or Charmkok, just a few blocks away. 

Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market 

Formerly dubbed the “Venice of the East”, Bangkok was ruled in the 15th to 19th centuries by an extensive network of canals. As the primary mode of transportation, people began selling goods and services directly from their longtail boats, giving rise to the notion of a “floating market”. Today, tarmac has largely replaced water, but these markets are still relatively easy to find. On the outskirts of the city, Khlong Lat Mayom thrives, as cooks fire up their woks every weekend to bring beloved homegrown delicacies to life. There are no rules here, just follow your nose and sample a bit of everything. Always great are the pla pao (salt-crusted grilled fish), goon gob woon sen (mungbean noodles with freshwater shrimp), hoy tod (fried oysters with egg) and gai galee (southern Thai-style grilled chicken). Tables are first-come, first-served, so arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Hidden in plain sight is an old shophouse on Chakkraphat Di Phong Road, easy to miss if not for the resident dog eagerly wagging its tail through the glass door. Founded by Withit Chanthamarit in 2017 as an Instagram-only platform, Vacilando has since expanded as a physical bookshop and mini-library stocking an expertly curated selection of Southeast Asian and international art and photography publications. With its long wooden bench and plant-filled windows, it’s a lovely nook to cool off from the tropical heat. Spend an afternoon flicking through familiar favourites or discovering lesser-known artists. Open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the bookshop also regularly hosts talks, pop-ups and book clubs that are free to drop by. 

At Thai-born fragrance and design concept store Copenn, minimalism takes centre stage with an abundance of natural stone, black wood and stainless steel. The same ethos permeates their 17 signature scents, some deep and earthy, others fresh and powdery, but none too overwhelming. Bestsellers include Last Volcano (black pepper, tea leaf, Italian bergamot and sandalwood) and Dimorfig (fig, baies, tomato leaves and earl grey). Choose from incense sticks and cones, diffusers, candles, scented stone sacks and room sprays, each tempting you to bring a bit of Bangkok back into your own home. For a more personal touch, hair and body creams and lip balms are also available to purchase. 

In a city with no shortage of Michelin-star restaurants, picking one to savour can be a daunting task. Enter Potong. Envisioned by Chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij as “progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine”, her tasting menu revolves around blending the five elements of “salt, acid, spice, texture and maillard reaction” to create a multi-sensorial dining experience. Set in a discreet five-storey Sino-Portuguese style building that was once Soontornyanakij’s family’s pharmacy, you’re immediately welcomed with a flower-topped kombucha, before being whisked from reception to rooftop to dining room, where you’re regaled with passionate stories behind each dish. Whether it’s the fluffy scallop brioche, the succulent 14-day aged roasted duck or the daintily layered coconut cake, all of it works – perfectly. With Soontornyanakij named The World’s Best Female Chef 2025 and Potong ranked 13th on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, tables are often booked out months in advance. But check for cancellations, as this will likely be the best (and most enjoyable) dinner you’ll have on your jaunt to Thailand. 

Temples 

While Chiang Mai may be known as the “city of temples”, Bangkok has its fair share worth exploring. Depending on where you’re staying, getting to them by ferry is half the fun. Cruise along the Chao Phraya River and hop off at Tha Chang Pier for The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha and the exquisite Ramakien wall murals. A quick five-minute ferry ride from Tha Tien Pier then takes you to Wat Arun, famous for its imposing spires and glazed porcelain adornments. It’s one of the few temples that you’re invited to climb, with steep steps leading to a vast cityscape. Stay for sunset, when the temple lights are turned on and the sky is still aglow. Back across the river, finish off at Wat Pho by walking the length of the 46-meter Reclining Buddha and indulging in a foot massage at the on-site massage school. 

Listening Bars 

Music is everywhere in Bangkok, if not blaring from tuk-tuks, then soundtracking shopping sprees at mega malls, or floating out of the many listening bars that have popped up across the city. Siwilai Sound Club is an audiophile’s dream come true, priding itself on live piano-driven jazz and a vinyl bar equipped with Devon Turnbull’s custom OJAS speakers. At Freaking Out The Neighbourhood, alternative and indie records are played in their entirety alongside no-frills cocktails. For a livelier affair, Clutch swaps dimly lit intimacy for unbridled energy, with its warehouse setting, spinning disco ball and booming sound system. For a sleeker affair, Alonetogether boasts an impressive collection of vintage records and vibrant jazz performances five nights a week. 

Peace and quiet are the last things that come to mind when jostling through the swarming crowds of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road. Just a short detour away is Lomlom, a little-known massage parlour that takes relaxation seriously. The traditional massage is excellent for first-timers, but opt for the two-hour hot stone massage or herbal compress if you’re hoping to relieve tired muscles and reduce inflammation. Against a backdrop of diaphanous drapes, plush floor cushions and wafting aromatherapy oils, Thai tea and sweets are served at the end of your treatment to gently ease you back into reality. Open from midday until midnight, you can reserve a slot via Instagram DM. Prices are affordable, but make sure to bring enough cash as they don’t accept credit cards. 

Translated to “House No 8” (a highly auspicious number in Chinese), Ba Hao is a converted shophouse in the recently revived Soi Nana neighbourhood. Upstairs, there are two spaciously designed rooms available for rent – Santiphap features a private balcony and an enviable view of the sacred Trimitr Temple. Downstairs, you’ll find a late-night restaurant and bar that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Wong Kar-wai set. Come for the duck wontons and scallion pancakes and stay for the thrilling herb and spice-infused cocktails (ask for the Drunken Mistress, an especially memorable gin and lychee concoction with hints of star anise and plum). If you’re not full up yet, make your way to their nearby dessert bar Ba Hao Tian Mi, where the pandan kaya pudding and rambutan granita pudding are sure to satiate even the sweetest of teeth. 

Amidst Bangkok’s sprawling concrete jungle, one tower rises above the rest: King Power Mahanakhon. As if straight out of Tetris, this is the city’s highest vantage point and home to The Standard Hotels’ Asian flagship. Although located in the heart of the CBD, the playful interiors courtesy of Spanish artist Jaime Hayon set the tone for a much-needed escape – think hanging rattan lamps, lush velvet sofas and patterned terrazzo floors. The guest rooms are all similarly well-appointed, but book the Corner King for sweeping views of the skyline from the bed and the bathtub (blinds are conveniently remote-controlled). 

While hotel restaurants are usually an afterthought, here they are the highlight. None more so than Ojo, led by Mexican chef Francisco Paco Ruano, decked out with floor-to-ceiling windows, golden chandeliers and an outdoor terrace. There’s also Mott 32, Hong Kong’s cult Cantonese fine-dining export, and The Standard Grill, a swanky iteration of the original New York steakhouse where meat is king, but the seafood options are equally satisfying. With a tree-lined pool, a 24/7 gym and a rooftop bar on the 78th floor to boot, it’s hard to beat this for a city break.

A turbo-charged megacity with over 11 million inhabitants, Bangkok hardly needs an introduction. From backpackers in pursuit of the legendary Khao San Road, foodies obsessed with the next best hole-in-the-wall, and fans of season three of the recently wrapped up The White Lotus, the Thai capital has long been a source of fascination for travellers the globe over. Ranked as the most visited city of 2024, its chock-a-block traffic and impossible-to-get reservations are telltale signs of its enduring (and indeed growing) popularity.

An hour or so plane ride from paradisiacal islands like Phuket and Koh Samui, a trip to Bangkok can either be a fleeting stopover or an extended stay in its own right.  While considered a year-round destination, visit in mid-April for Songkran (Thai New Year), when everyone takes to the streets with water guns, or between October and February for the Bangkok Art Biennale, which runs across multiple venues in the city. This December will also see the opening of Dib, Thailand’s “first major museum dedicated to international contemporary art”. 

Below, find a list of recommendations – both for the initiated and the uninitiated – to make the most of your time in this ever-evolving metropolis.  

Over the past decade, Bangkok has firmly established itself as a burgeoning hub for contemporary art in Southeast Asia. The latest addition is Bangkok Kunsthalle, a cultural institution launched in 2024 by art philanthropist Marisa Chearavanont with a mission to “push the boundaries of contemporary art”. Under the seasoned direction of Stefano Rabolli Pansera (formerly of Hauser & Wirth), the ambitious international programme has already included an installation by Yoko Ono, a selection of works by French filmmaker Michel Auder and a sculptural exhibit by American artist Richard Nonas. Taking over an abandoned printing house, the space preserves its original brutalist architecture – exposed concrete, peeling paint and cracked windows making for a uniquely immersive environment where the art doesn’t just fill it but actively and continuously transforms it. 

A trip to Bangkok calls for a bona fide raan khao gaeng (curry and rice) meal, and few places do it better than Charmgang. Tucked away down an unsuspecting back alley that may have you second-guessing Google Maps, the inside is surprisingly buzzy, with its open kitchen, neon red lights and retro-chic furnishings. The brainchild of chefs Geravich “Mew’’ Mesaengnilverakul, Aruss “Jai” Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn “Aew” Kiatthanawat (all formerly of Michelin-starred Nahm), inspired liberties are taken with local ingredients to not just honour but reimagine traditional recipes. Don’t miss the braised beef cheek phanang curry and river prawn yellow curry, both brimming with flavour that only seems to get richer with each mouthful. Even six years after its opening, reservations are a must. Plan ahead or try their sibling outposts, Charmkrung or Charmkok, just a few blocks away. 

Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market 

Formerly dubbed the “Venice of the East”, Bangkok was ruled in the 15th to 19th centuries by an extensive network of canals. As the primary mode of transportation, people began selling goods and services directly from their longtail boats, giving rise to the notion of a “floating market”. Today, tarmac has largely replaced water, but these markets are still relatively easy to find. On the outskirts of the city, Khlong Lat Mayom thrives, as cooks fire up their woks every weekend to bring beloved homegrown delicacies to life. There are no rules here, just follow your nose and sample a bit of everything. Always great are the pla pao (salt-crusted grilled fish), goon gob woon sen (mungbean noodles with freshwater shrimp), hoy tod (fried oysters with egg) and gai galee (southern Thai-style grilled chicken). Tables are first-come, first-served, so arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Hidden in plain sight is an old shophouse on Chakkraphat Di Phong Road, easy to miss if not for the resident dog eagerly wagging its tail through the glass door. Founded by Withit Chanthamarit in 2017 as an Instagram-only platform, Vacilando has since expanded as a physical bookshop and mini-library stocking an expertly curated selection of Southeast Asian and international art and photography publications. With its long wooden bench and plant-filled windows, it’s a lovely nook to cool off from the tropical heat. Spend an afternoon flicking through familiar favourites or discovering lesser-known artists. Open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the bookshop also regularly hosts talks, pop-ups and book clubs that are free to drop by. 

At Thai-born fragrance and design concept store Copenn, minimalism takes centre stage with an abundance of natural stone, black wood and stainless steel. The same ethos permeates their 17 signature scents, some deep and earthy, others fresh and powdery, but none too overwhelming. Bestsellers include Last Volcano (black pepper, tea leaf, Italian bergamot and sandalwood) and Dimorfig (fig, baies, tomato leaves and earl grey). Choose from incense sticks and cones, diffusers, candles, scented stone sacks and room sprays, each tempting you to bring a bit of Bangkok back into your own home. For a more personal touch, hair and body creams and lip balms are also available to purchase. 

In a city with no shortage of Michelin-star restaurants, picking one to savour can be a daunting task. Enter Potong. Envisioned by Chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij as “progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine”, her tasting menu revolves around blending the five elements of “salt, acid, spice, texture and maillard reaction” to create a multi-sensorial dining experience. Set in a discreet five-storey Sino-Portuguese style building that was once Soontornyanakij’s family’s pharmacy, you’re immediately welcomed with a flower-topped kombucha, before being whisked from reception to rooftop to dining room, where you’re regaled with passionate stories behind each dish. Whether it’s the fluffy scallop brioche, the succulent 14-day aged roasted duck or the daintily layered coconut cake, all of it works – perfectly. With Soontornyanakij named The World’s Best Female Chef 2025 and Potong ranked 13th on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, tables are often booked out months in advance. But check for cancellations, as this will likely be the best (and most enjoyable) dinner you’ll have on your jaunt to Thailand. 

Temples 

While Chiang Mai may be known as the “city of temples”, Bangkok has its fair share worth exploring. Depending on where you’re staying, getting to them by ferry is half the fun. Cruise along the Chao Phraya River and hop off at Tha Chang Pier for The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha and the exquisite Ramakien wall murals. A quick five-minute ferry ride from Tha Tien Pier then takes you to Wat Arun, famous for its imposing spires and glazed porcelain adornments. It’s one of the few temples that you’re invited to climb, with steep steps leading to a vast cityscape. Stay for sunset, when the temple lights are turned on and the sky is still aglow. Back across the river, finish off at Wat Pho by walking the length of the 46-meter Reclining Buddha and indulging in a foot massage at the on-site massage school. 

Listening Bars 

Music is everywhere in Bangkok, if not blaring from tuk-tuks, then soundtracking shopping sprees at mega malls, or floating out of the many listening bars that have popped up across the city. Siwilai Sound Club is an audiophile’s dream come true, priding itself on live piano-driven jazz and a vinyl bar equipped with Devon Turnbull’s custom OJAS speakers. At Freaking Out The Neighbourhood, alternative and indie records are played in their entirety alongside no-frills cocktails. For a livelier affair, Clutch swaps dimly lit intimacy for unbridled energy, with its warehouse setting, spinning disco ball and booming sound system. For a sleeker affair, Alonetogether boasts an impressive collection of vintage records and vibrant jazz performances five nights a week. 

Peace and quiet are the last things that come to mind when jostling through the swarming crowds of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road. Just a short detour away is Lomlom, a little-known massage parlour that takes relaxation seriously. The traditional massage is excellent for first-timers, but opt for the two-hour hot stone massage or herbal compress if you’re hoping to relieve tired muscles and reduce inflammation. Against a backdrop of diaphanous drapes, plush floor cushions and wafting aromatherapy oils, Thai tea and sweets are served at the end of your treatment to gently ease you back into reality. Open from midday until midnight, you can reserve a slot via Instagram DM. Prices are affordable, but make sure to bring enough cash as they don’t accept credit cards. 

Translated to “House No 8” (a highly auspicious number in Chinese), Ba Hao is a converted shophouse in the recently revived Soi Nana neighbourhood. Upstairs, there are two spaciously designed rooms available for rent – Santiphap features a private balcony and an enviable view of the sacred Trimitr Temple. Downstairs, you’ll find a late-night restaurant and bar that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Wong Kar-wai set. Come for the duck wontons and scallion pancakes and stay for the thrilling herb and spice-infused cocktails (ask for the Drunken Mistress, an especially memorable gin and lychee concoction with hints of star anise and plum). If you’re not full up yet, make your way to their nearby dessert bar Ba Hao Tian Mi, where the pandan kaya pudding and rambutan granita pudding are sure to satiate even the sweetest of teeth. 

Amidst Bangkok’s sprawling concrete jungle, one tower rises above the rest: King Power Mahanakhon. As if straight out of Tetris, this is the city’s highest vantage point and home to The Standard Hotels’ Asian flagship. Although located in the heart of the CBD, the playful interiors courtesy of Spanish artist Jaime Hayon set the tone for a much-needed escape – think hanging rattan lamps, lush velvet sofas and patterned terrazzo floors. The guest rooms are all similarly well-appointed, but book the Corner King for sweeping views of the skyline from the bed and the bathtub (blinds are conveniently remote-controlled). 

While hotel restaurants are usually an afterthought, here they are the highlight. None more so than Ojo, led by Mexican chef Francisco Paco Ruano, decked out with floor-to-ceiling windows, golden chandeliers and an outdoor terrace. There’s also Mott 32, Hong Kong’s cult Cantonese fine-dining export, and The Standard Grill, a swanky iteration of the original New York steakhouse where meat is king, but the seafood options are equally satisfying. With a tree-lined pool, a 24/7 gym and a rooftop bar on the 78th floor to boot, it’s hard to beat this for a city break.