Bangkok has changed drastically in the past few years, even within the last 2 when most of us couldn’t travel! Here’s what you can expect when you head back to BKK!
Bangkok is a city that has my heart. I’m now almost certain that this opening statement appears in pretty much all my articles about Bangkok. I shall not apologise for it but embrace it wholeheartedly.
I’ve been travelling to Bangkok religiously every year since 2014. The Covid-19 pandemic was particularly hard for me; I resorted to looking at Bangkok in photos on Instagram and hoping for a reality where I was walking the streets of the city.
Luckily, I came across a window between Delta and Omicron that could make a sweet little trip to Bangkok possible. I visited my usual haunts, found many to be closed, and travelled to new places I was waiting to see.
Here’s a list of places to eat in Bangkok in 2022, for when you’re planning to visit!
Listed below are some places I had the opportunity to visit during my trip at the end of 2021. Some of these places might be updating their restrictions and opening hours based on the pandemic. I would suggest checking the local websites and Facebook pages. Also, google where appropriate to not waste your effort and time taken to travel.
Wat Saket
Wat Saket is an ancient temple built on a man-made hill. To get to the actual temple, visitors have to climb about 334 steps to the summit, but you’ll be rewarded with the best views of the city.
This temple has a long history dating back to the 1700s, though the one we see today was built with marble (after many deconstructions and natural disasters over the years) in the 20th Century. The temple was named by King Rama I – it was believed that he stopped by here to bathe and wash his hair after returning from war. The act of washing hair in Thai is known as Saket, and hence this temple was named Wat Saket.
This temple saw the rapid spread of cholera in the 1800s, which spread from Penang all the way to Siam. During this time, space to cremate or bury bodies was in high shortage and the influx of dead bodies was overwhelming. Hence, many left the bodies of the dead to rot in an area of this temple. This gave way to the Vultures of Wat Saket. Today, you will find metal replicas of these vultures that would fly down and feast on the dead bodies left behind here – a gruesome plot for a holy place indeed!
How to Get to Wat Saket
If you’ve been to Jey Fai, then Wat Saket is literally a 10-minute walk away. Although not situated in an accessible part of the city, you can take a train to the nearest MRT Station (Sam Yot Station). From here, you can walk down from there using Google Maps to guide you.
You can also, of course, take a tuk-tuk or a grab.
Wat Arun
Even though I’ve been to Bangkok on several occasions, I’ve never really got the chance to see this temple proper. The last time I went there in 2016, the temple was under renovation and I couldn’t get past the front gate.
This trip was different, however. I managed to go to Wat Arun, and this time by train. Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, is located by the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Unfortunately, the river taxis are currently closed due to Covid. You can only take a boat across the river to the next pier, but not to the nearest BTS or MRT station.
This temple is stunningly preserved, and not too crowded with tourists. Inspired by the Hindu God Aruna, this temple initially housed the Emerald Buddha. This has been since moved to within the temple complex of the Royal Palace. The latest reconstruction project on this marvellous temple ended in 2017.
Jodd Fairs Night Market
As the new kid on the block, Jodd Fairs is a smaller version of the now-defunct Rot Fai Night Market – they, unfortunately, closed due to the lack of tourists during Covid. Jodd Fairs has all the elements of a traditional night market, although I would say this is more for food than fashion. You can find plenty of unique culinary creations, both sweet and savoury.
This market is easier to get to than the previous Rot Fai Market, too! You’ll need to take the MRT to Phra Ram 9 BTS station, then take a short walk! They open at 11 am and close at midnight, though the best time to go would be the evening just as the sun sets (about 5.30 pm).
Wat Paknam Phasi
This is another ancient temple located along the river banks of Chao Phraya. Although it’s been here for many years through the rule of many Thai kings, the most latest addition of a giant Buddha statue is drawing visitors to this temple from all over the kingdom.
This temple also houses a museum, which holds ancient and modern images of the buddha and Buddhist artefacts. There’s also a stupa located inside the museum (3rd floor) built entirely out of stacked glass.
I would propose going to the temples in the morning, you might even get the chance to catch their morning prayer. As with all temples, remember to observe their traditions – wear properly covered clothing and remove footwear when needed.
However, this is not as easy to get to as the other temples. The nearest BTS station is Wutthakat, but it’s also quite a distance from the temple. My advice would be to take a grab from the BTS station.
Yaowarat
Chinatown in Bangkok is known for its plethora of street food, ranging from the cheap satays to the premium Sharks Fin/Bird Nest delicacies. Over the years, various food stalls here have been made popular by YouTubers and bloggers alike. Try the Patongo Stall, known for its fried dough fritters and homemade pandan custard (Kaya) dip.
Yaowarat is also a lot easier to get to now than before – you can simply take an MRT to Wat Mongkot Station, and then walk down from there. You’ll see the stalls before you know it, and you just have to walk up and down the streets from there. Although it’s most active at night, I would recommend going in at about 4 pm to make sure the food doesn’t get sold out.
Chaktuchak Weekend Market
This is a classic go-to when in Bangkok. I find no trip of mine is complete without taking some time off to walk around in Chatuchak. However, this weekend market has been hit pretty badly by Covid. Many stores are closed or have close to zero patrons. There are also no stalls selling our very favourite Coconut Ice Cream.
If you’re looking for new stuff for home, such as reed diffusers or wooden plates, or even fancy bags and basic shoes, you can still chance a visit to this market. I would recommend going earlier in the day so that you can get better prices for the goods. Though these days, most of the prices are written down so negotiating is not as possible as it used to be.
To get here, you can take a BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit station. Alternatively, you can take an MRT to Chatuchak Market Station. You can’t miss the market, you will see it as soon as you exit.
Big C
This is my favourite place to hang out in Bangkok. I know its’ nothing more than a grocery store to many, but this is heaven to me! I get to see how people in Bangkok cook and eat, which is fantastic. The Big C I went to is in Ratchadamri. It’s a huge mall all on its own, so think Giant and NTUC combined.
You can get anything from fresh meat and vegetables to all kinds of Thai curry pastes your heart desires. The prices are very wallet-friendly as well, and it’s a great spot to pick up gifts for your friends back home.
I tried something called Kua Kling at a restaurant in EmQuartier and decided to buy the instant curry paste from Big C. It was so good but not for the faint of heart as it’s spicy AF.
Did I miss out on anything? Or do you have any places to recommend for my other trips to Bangkok? Let me know in the comments below!