Explore Bangkok
Plan Your Bangkok Holiday: Best of Bangkok
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Essential Bangkok
Shopping guide to Bangkok
- Warehouse 3046Back in 2017, this cluster of World War II-era warehouses was one of the first projects to blow new life in the historic Talad Noi district, which, since then, has grown into one of Bangkok’s hippest hoods. Different galleries and restaurants have taken residence inside the big storage halls over the years. Seek out concept store Horse Unit for quirky homewares and retro toys, and stop by Carnival for rare sneakers and one-of-a-kind streetwear.
- Another Story1Whether I need to score a unique birthday gift, this exceptionally well-curated concept store in the EmQuartier mall hits the spot. On its shelves you’ll find everything from coffee table books to clothing by international indie brands. Some of my favourite local finds include tote bags and posters by their in-house design collective, Bangkokian, and Monsoon Tea’s beautiful tins of loose-leaf tea grown in northern Thailand.
- Thai Home Industries1At first glance, the gold-trimmed pointy roofs of this 60-year-old shop in Bangkok’s Charoenkrung district make it look like yet another temple. Inside, though, it’s a treasure trove of high-quality finds for the home. Teakwood vitrines display the finest Thai crafts, including lacquered bamboo baskets. And while most of the wares are pricier than the cheaper copies you’ll find elsewhere, the superior quality makes them worth the splurge.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market18,115Whether you’re looking for vintage jeans, teakwood salad bowls, or Thai good-luck amulets, you’ll find it at the Chatuchak Weekend Market—in every shape, size, and colour. Because whatever isn’t sold in this mega-maze of more than 15,000 different stalls simply doesn’t exist. Make sure to arrive early (most stalls open around 9 a.m.) to beat both the soaring midday heat and the tourist throngs, and don’t forget to bust out your best haggling skills.
- Siam Discovery355As one of the latest arrivals in the shopping mall-lined Siam district, this retail hub designed by Japanese studio Nendo zeroes in on the work of young and homegrown designers. The first two floors are a great spot to pick up fashion and accessories from emerging Thai brands, while I often stop by concept store O.D.S. (short for Objects of Desire) to shop for crafts and homeware by some of Bangkok’s best artists and designers.
- Kad KoKoa10When it comes to edible souvenirs from Thailand, chocolate doesn’t usually come to mind. The lawyers-turned-chocolatiers behind Kad Kakao aim to change that. Using cacao grown in farms around Thailand, they make single-origin bars and bonbons with mix-ins such as salted tamarind and chrysanthemum petals. Fascinatingly, each region produces a different taste (just like fine wine)—you can try before you buy at their flagship store and cafe in the Sathorn district.
Explore Bangkok by interest
If you’re feeling fancy-ish
Bangkok on a dime
Over-the-top pampering
Temple-hop through the city
Hit the markets
More great cities for famous street food
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Bangkok
In the words of those who've been there before ...
What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
Bangkok is served by two airports, the Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Muang Airport (DMK). The latter is a hub for low-cost carriers including Air Asia and Nok Air and mainly offers domestic and regional flights.
Do I need a visa?
Thailand has many bilateral agreements in place with other nations that allow visa-free travel. To see if your country is on that list please check here.
If your country is not listed, you will need to apply for a visa at your nearest Thai embassy. You can check here for more information on types of visas.
When is the best time to visit?
November through January: Bangkok is hot and steamy no matter what time of year you visit, however, the very best time to visit is late November to mid-January. Known as the “cool season,” the temperatures sit around 90 Fahrenheit (36 Celsius).
Ferry
The ferry on the Chao Phraya river is also convenient — if and only if — you are heading somewhere close to the river.
Motorcycle taxi
Motorcycle taxis are cheap, fast but can be scary for the uninitiated. Tuk Tuks are used by both tourists and locals alike; please bargain before jumping on.
Skytrain and subway
The BTS Skytrail and the MRT subway provide another inexpensive way to get around town. Both train systems are limited and only cover portions of the city, so definitely map out your route before setting out. Also note that these two lines of public transportation run separately and don't share a ticketing system. However, they do have a few connecting stations—which is helpful if you need to cross from one to the other.
Taxis
The easiest way into the city is through a metered taxi. Do not use the limo or taxi services offered by touts. They can tend to swarm around you once you have cleared customs. These touts will charge rates that can be as much as 200% to 300% of normal metered taxi rates.
For more detailed information on getting around, you can refer to this article.