Bangkok, Thailand

I definitely understand why some people do not particularly like Bangkok or speak poorly of it after visiting. It is very crowded, relatively loud, the air can often be unpleasant due to the high humidity and hot temperatures, and there are many poor areas where people lie on the streets or where it sometimes smells unpleasant.

I certainly noticed these things during my 9-day trip, but I also saw many beautiful and unique aspects of the city and experienced things (in a positive way) that I will not forget anytime soon.

On our first day, we checked out what cool attractions were close to our hotel (NORN Riverside Boutique Resort) alongside the fascinating skyline, and it didn't take long before we found some interesting places. The hotel is right next to the river that flows through the city, and we were very satisfied with our accommodation. In Bangkok, you don’t have to walk far before encountering the first temples that we directly visited. For some, there is an admission fee, but usually not much, typically around €6 - €8. In the evening, we then sat at a rooftop bar (EAGLE NEST Rooftop Bar) with a direct view of the Wat Arun temple, which is the landmark of Bangkok, the river, and pretty much the whole city.

In the following days, we booked 3 different excursions via GetYourGuide, and all of them were highly recommended:

1. Ayutthaya Temples Guided Tour with Lunch (from €34.74 per person)

2. Pattaya, Ko Lan & Sanctuary of Truth Day Tour (from €46.89 per person)

3. Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market (from €26.97 per person)

The first tour took us to four different temples and to the former capital of Thailand – Ayutthaya – which is known for its impressive temple ruins. We learned a lot about the temples, history & religion there. One fact that particularly stuck with us is that there are 43,000 temples in Thailand, in contrast to “only” around 8,000 gas stations – an interesting comparison that says a lot about the cultural significance of faith. Another thing that stayed with me is that when a parent of a person dies in the Buddhist faith, that person wears only black-and-white clothing for 100 days. It is also important to remove your shoes before entering a temple, and shorts or sleeveless tops should not be worn.

The second excursion was aimed at getting a completely different perspective of Thailand. The day trip to Pattaya and then with a speedboat to Ko Lan Island (Koh Larn). Midway through this route, the boat stops at a sort of platform where you can try parasailing, which I also did for the first time in my life there. This costs 800 Baht, which is about €21, but it’s worth it!! On the island itself, you then have a few hours to spend at the beach & the option to visit a restaurant right there. After that, the excursion included a tour of the Sanctuary of Truth temple/museum (picture above), where we learned a lot about faith and the history of Thailand. Additionally, we could also see elephants on the island.

Our third excursion was a must-have! The Floating Markets of Damnoen Saduak should definitely be seen, or you should be part of such a boat ride. We were taken over the water in a small kind of canoe, and there were many boats along the edge where people sell you things just like at a regular market. You are then repeatedly drawn to these boats and can see if you want to buy something. Following the Floating Market, we had the Maeklong Railway Market on the agenda – a market that is truly unique. The special thing is: a train passes right through the narrow market stalls several times a day. And yes, literally right through – the vendors had to fold up their displays each time, only to set them up again immediately after passing. We were lucky enough to ride through the market on this train, which was a very special experience. At the final station, we got off and walked back a bit along the market with our tour guide. After about half an hour, we could watch the train pass through the market again – this time from the outside, which provided a completely different perspective. This is also an absolute insider tip from us regarding excursions.

We cannot overlook the numerous 'normal' markets that exist in Bangkok. For example, we also had a relatively large market right around the corner from us. However, one must be able to cope with being approached every 2 minutes as people there desperately try to sell something to you. We found this quite annoying after a while, but you can try to ignore it as best as possible.

Another important point is: It's best to download the app 'Grab' in Thailand. Through it, you can easily order taxis or meals and pay in advance with a credit card, and it works really quickly.

As for supermarkets: You can really find a 7 Eleven store on EVERY corner of the city, where you can buy all sorts of things.

Overall, I would say that Bangkok is more dangerous for solo travelers, especially for women. Simply put, as already described, because you get approached so often, and people there can sometimes be a bit pushy, or you should avoid secluded alleyways. We were there as a pair, which was completely fine for us. However, it is also a worthwhile trip, especially with the various excursions, if you want to experience a completely different culture and maybe step out of your comfort zone. After a few days, ‘only’ Bangkok becomes boring, so again, I recommend especially the trip to Pattaya & Ko Lan.

More pictures from the trip: https://www.instagram.com/claiire.jsn?igsh=MW53NHVtNTNhdzRnZA==