Explore Bangkok’s Highlights, Culture, Food and Cruise Adventures

I always start a trip to Bangkok by riding the Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station. Then, I follow the signs down the staircase to Sathorn Pier. You might feel like you've made a wrong turn when you walk onto the public boat, but trust me. Traveling up the Chao Phraya River, known in Thai as the "River of Kings," is one of my favorite things to do in Bangkok, and not just because it circumvents the city's infamous traffic.

As the boat begins its journey northward, stopping every few minutes along the east or west bank to pick up more passengers, you’ll enjoy the refreshing cool breeze and the quiet of the river. Visually, too, the journey is soothing to the mind and soul, particularly when the boat rounds the first bend and the temple spires of Bangkok's Old City come into focus.

I usually get off at Memorial Bridge, known in Thai as Saphan Phut, then walk west across into the lesser-visited Thonburi side of the city. Starting at the Wat Prayun white temple — whose resident turtles are a popular attraction for local children — I walk along a riverside path, which strings together Bangkok sites to visit, like:

● The Santa Cruz Church.

● The Guan Yu Shrine.

● Wat Kalayanamitr.

After sitting beneath the giant, golden Buddha to cool off (it's always hot in Bangkok), I typically follow the locals and sound the massive gong just outside the main hall.

Then, I hop on a tuk-tuk auto rickshaw northward to the Wat Arun "Temple of Dawn," which is a much more typical place for travelers in Thailand to visit. If the stairs are open, I climb to the top of the “stupa” and look across the river to Rattanakosin. It’s the heart of Bangkok's ancient city and has housed the seat of royal Thai power for over 300 years.

Conveniently, you can ride a ferry directly across the Chao Phraya from Wat Arun — it only takes a couple of minutes. Just outside the ferry exit, street vendors sell delicious:

● Cha yen (Thai-style iced tea with milk).

● Sweet khanom krok coconut dumplings.

If I'm not hungry, I'll skip the snacks and walk directly into Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha. No matter how many times I visit, or how wide the gap between Thai and tourist ticket prices grows, seeing the reclining Buddha is always an amazing experience.

If you have some extra change, follow the locals and drop a coin in each of the small pots to the right side of the hall as you walk through (the statue is on your left). Make sure not to accidentally drop your shoes into one of the pots; you’ll carry those in a plastic bag that an attendant gives you!

At the end of a long day exploring Bangkok, a massage might be in order. You can even get one at Wat Pho, where a local massage school operates. A traditional Thai massage combines gentle stretching, acupressure and rhythmic movements to ease muscle tension and restore energy. It’s the perfect way to unwind before heading back to your cruise.

If that’s not your style, go out the back exit of the temple, and then head up Sanam Chai Road to the famous Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha — some of the top tourist places to visit in Bangkok. If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee or join the large crowds, you can always marvel at these landmarks from a grassy spot at Sanam Luang Park.

I, on the other hand, usually head farther north into Rattanakosin. Some days, I'll climb the "Golden Mountain," a temple perched on a manmade hill with amazing views, especially at sunset. Other days, I'll walk toward the Khao San Road backpacker district but stop just short of it for a break. I generally prefer sitting beneath the rows of golden Buddhas at Wat Suthat to the bustle of Khao San Road.

Much love to my fellow "farang" (the Thai word for foreigners), but I tend to spend my evenings in Bangkok among a more local crowd. For that, a tuk-tuk drops me right in the heart of Bangkok's Chinatown, known as Yaowarat. It’s just as famous for its neon glow as it is for the Thai-Chinese fusion dishes served by the hundreds of street vendors lining the road.

People wait for hours to try the crab omelets made by Netflix-famous, award-winning chef Khun Jay Fai. Her “kai jiew puu” is always a favorite, but there are plenty of hidden gems worth exploring. If you don't mind sitting at a pink or red plastic table set right in the street, try open-air seafood restaurants like:

● T & K.

● Rut & Lek.

I usually go big but keep it simple, opting for massive grilled prawns paired with a Chang or Singha Thai beer.

If you prefer air-conditioning (or at least the promise of it) and want something more traditionally Chinese, the dim sum at Canton House or the upscale Red Rose might be more your style. Whatever you choose for your main dish, I recommend ending the night with Pa Tong Go — Chinese-style fried doughnuts you can pick up from any of the vendors along Yaowarat Road.

I like to finish my evening with a walk past the Chinatown Gate and the marble temple of Wat Traimit. From there, I head to Hualamphong, where I can hop on the underground MRT back to wherever I'm headed. Note that while Hualamphong Train Station itself has been decommissioned, its early 20th-century facade is still worth a moment of appreciation, especially when it lights up at night.

In my first few days of traveling in Thailand, I like to focus on more modern things to do in Bangkok. If I'm not staying in a hotel with breakfast, I'll ride the BTS to Saladaeng (aka Silom) or Chong Nonsi stations, then walk south to Suan Phlu Soi 8, an alley that remains one of Bangkok's best-kept street food secrets. Whether I dine on heavy “khaaw ka muu” (stewed pork leg with rice) or a lighter bowl of “jook” (Thai-style congee or rice porridge), breakfast here is well worth the 15-minute walk from either station.

Back at the station (I usually return to Saladaeng, even if I arrived at Chong Nonsi), I make one of two choices:

● Skip the train and instead cross the sky bridge into lush Lumphini Park — Bangkok's answer to Central Park, but with monitor lizards instead of pigeons.

● Hop on the Skytrain to Siam and spend the morning exploring malls like Siam Discovery, Siam Center, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld.

A couple of tips while you’re there: First, the pad thai in the basement food court of Siam Paragon is incredible. Yes, it's in a mall, but trust me — even the locals swear by it. Second, as you walk across the sky bridge from CentralWorld to Chit Lom Station, look down and to your right for a striking view of the Erawan Shrine.

After that, I usually enter Chit Lom station, ride down the escalator and continue along Sukhumvit Road to ease into the nightlife. When the sun sets, Bangkok comes alive. Nightlife is a big part of the draw when traveling in Thailand, and within the many "downtowns" (i.e., Sathorn, Silom and Sukhumvit) you'll have plenty of options.

In Sukhumvit, check out the rooftop bar RedSky at CentralWorld or the wilder Soi Cowboy near Asok Station. In Silom, Soi 4 is one of Bangkok's main gay hubs, while the lively Patpong Night Market offers something for almost everyone. For a nightcap, ride to Saphan Taksin and head up to the rooftop at Lebua Tower for cocktails and sweeping views:

● The river and old city to your left (looking north).

● The towers of Bangkok's many downtowns to your right.

It's no secret that Bangkok is a paradise for market lovers, though the local definition of a "market" is pretty broad. Some travelers use it to describe the MBK Center Mall, where you can browse cheap electronics and bargain fashions in air-conditioned comfort. If it's the weekend, I'll ride the MRT north to Kamphaeng Phet and walk into Chatuchak Weekend Market. It's known as "JJ Market" by locals, a nod to the Thai pronunciation Jatu-Jak.

One tip for visiting JJ Market: If you see something you want, stop and buy it. The interior is a maze, and there's a good chance you won't find the stall again. It's a dizzying experience as you weave through shops, bars and restaurants, but the sheer mix of people gives the place an irresistible energy.

Like many places in Bangkok, street food is everywhere. If you're taking a break from Thai food, head for Viva 8 (just follow the scent of fried onions and garlic). You'll know you've found it when you spot a crowd gathered around a chef stirring a massive pot of paella. This Spanish cuisine may seem out of place, but its bold flavors leave a serious impression.

For some travelers, the next leg of the journey leads to classic destinations — from the jungles of northern Chiang Mai province to the beaches of Krabi or Phuket. Others may venture northeast to the Isaan region or west from Bangkok into Kanchanaburi, rich with riverside scenery and World War II-era heritage.

A cruise gives you the perfect opportunity to experience the best of Bangkok in a single day, from iconic temples to bustling markets, before setting off on your next adventure. No matter what form your trip to Thailand takes, bring your curiosity, a sense of adventure and a healthy appetite!

Ready to start your journey? Explore Thailand cruises with Royal Caribbean today.