Exploring the Heart of Thailand: Adventuring in Bangkok

Hey Loves!

Legal and Abroad™️ is back with the Travel Tea on my next adventure! This journey marked my farthest solo travel adventure yet, and it was a super fun and memorable experience. This trip was filled with fun and new experiences, savory and spicy cuisine, and another notorious “trip within a trip” experience. At this point Loves, it is becoming a trend for me to explore neighboring countries during my solo travels. I promise to discuss that in a future blog in this series.

I envisioned a different vibe for this trip and focused on the dynamic life of a bustling metropolis. Adventuring in this city was a lot more fast-paced and a stark contrast to my laidback and low key Caribbean experiences. Get ready to stamp your virtual passports as Legal and Abroad™️ ventures to Bangkok, the heart of Thailand! Let’s get into some keys and gems of this vibrant city!

Bangkok Background

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is a popular and mesmerizing destination located in Southeast Asia.  Bangkok stands out as a fantastic and affordable solo travel haven with a bustling nightlife, mouth-watering cuisine, and an array of activities to enjoy. As visitors venture into the city, they will find that this is a city that never sleeps and offers unforgettable experiences. Bangkok is known for its thriving nightlife with chic rooftop bars with panoramic city views. Bangkok’s lively night markets are filled with excitement after sundown, catering to entertainment and diverse foods.  

Visitors often find solace in exploring the traditional temples and historical landmarks, that dot the city scape. There are several temples and landmarks that I will share in more detail in the blogs for this series. No worries, you will get all the keys and gems!

Oh and I must emphasize… THE FOOD IS UGH-MAY-ZING!!! This is a foodie’s paradise!

Hands down my favorite food place from all of my travels thus far!

It is important to maximize your time during your stay. While Bangkok is a city that is filled with endless possibilities, it is nearly impossible to experience and absorb everything in one trip. From my experience, this trip is a cherished chapter in my solo travel adventures. I am so grateful for the experience and to also share it with my LAA Loves!

Fun Fact 🤭: Bangkok’s original and full name has the lengthiest title known globally. (I will spare typing the full name). The original name is often shortened. Bangkok means “Great City of Angels.”

Best Time to Travel

Thailand is a phenomenal destination that provides enriching experiences year round. While this is a destination that can be explored throughout the year, the optimal time to explore this captivating country is from November through early April. The weather during these months is relatively dry and comfortable. 

The weather dynamics change approaching mid-April, which marks the hot season, lasting through June. Having traveled to Thailand during this period, I can attest that the temperatures are soaring HOT!!!! 

No worries, I kept it cute and the sweat at bay for the pics lol! 

During June, the season transitions into the rainy season, lasting from June to October. The tropical downpours are usually brief and intermittent. 

Budget conscious travelers can appreciate visiting the country during the low season, which spans from July through September. Airfares and accommodations are usually more affordable during the low season.

Accommodations

As a traveler with a penchant for accumulating points, I always try to stay at Marriott and Hilton brands to earn points during my overseas global travels. Since I was doing a “trip within a trip” on this vacation, I opted for a dual strategy. I selected the Athenee Hotel for my initial stay in Bangkok, and upon my return, I diversified my experience by choosing another accommodation within the city. This strategy allowed me to experience a well rounded and memorable stay in this incredible city.

The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Hotel Collection, Bangkok

This exquisite and modern hotel was a top choice for me. Blending contemporary elegance with subtle Thai cultural influences, this gem is located in the heart of the bustling city center and boasts 374 guest rooms.

This hotel provided an extraordinary breakfast experience, that in my honest opinion surpassed the even memorable breakfast I enjoyed in Seminyak, Bali, securing its place as my new number one. I also appreciated that the staff accommodated my fiftylem allergies every morning at the juice bar and cleaned the juicer thoroughly. (Sorry Loves, I have more videos than photos of the breakfast experience).

Beyond the incredible culinary experience, the hotel’s staff provided a superlative level of friendliness and accommodation. They consistently engaged in thoughtful conversations, ensuring that my stay was tailored to my preferences. The turn down service added an extra touch of luxury to my stay. 

W Bangkok

This stylish and eccentric hotel brand is conveniently located near the Phloen Chit BTS Station. This strategic location provides guests with seamless access to various iconic sites within the city, making it a prime choice for travelers ready to venture and explore Bangkok. The W Bangkok was a pleasant stay with welcoming staff that gave attentive service and hospitality.

This hotel places guests within reach of some of Bangkok’s most legendary attractions.  Nearby attractions include the renowned Wat Arun Temple, majestic Grand Palace, and the National Museum, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the city’s history and culture.

💎: The W Bangkok also offers a delicious breakfast! (Again, I have mostly videos. Sorry Loves!)

💎: The hotel also offers offsite dining at House of Sathorn. I had the pleasure of dining there and can attest to the culinary excellence and impeccable service.

The W Bangkok conveniently invites guests to experience the city’s vibrant soul based upon proximity, culinary delights, and an array of nearby cultural landmarks. 

Conrad Bangkok

This urban hideaway is nestled in Bangkok’s Central Business District. This hotel provides a stay that encapsulates cosmopolitan living and a tranquil escape. Conveniently  located near the BTS Station, the hotel is conveniently provides access to the pulse of the city. Also, the hotel is a stone’s throw away from the serene Lumpini Park. For guests seeking a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, guests can unwind in the tranquil hotel spa. Foodies will find themselves spoiled with the choice of five diverse dining options the The Conrad Bangkok provides. 

Millennium Hilton Bangkok

This gem is located on the picturesque banks of Chao Phraya River. This location offers stunning views of the city and is strategically located near some of the largest and most iconic shopping malls in Asia. Guests are present with four diverse dining options are the hotel. One of the unique aspects of this hotel is the unique and convenient accessibility to Wat Arun Temple. Guests can take a short and scenic boat ride from the hotel to this location. Upon arrival, guests will immerse themselves in the city’s dynamic history and spiritual heritage. 

Travel Requirements

The requirements to enter Thailand are minimal with a straightforward process. U.S. passport holders do not require a visa if staying in the country as a tourist for under 30 days. This streamlines the process and facilitates and easy entry for American tourists. It is important to note that if your country of departure is not included in the visa exemption list, then you must apply for a Special Tourist Visa. 

Currency

The official currency in Thailand is Thai Baht (THB). The favorable exchange rates allows the U.S. currency to stretch pretty far in Thailand, making meals and transportation relatively cheap. It is best to exchange some of your home currency for Thai Baht at the airport where rates are slightly lower. Alternatively, some hotels conveniently offer exchange services for travels to acquire the local currency.

💎: ATM fees are a bit expensive at 220 baht, which equates to a little over $6.00 USD. I highly suggest avoiding them if possible as this does not include the international fees your banking institution may charge as well. 

Getting Around

When arriving in Bangkok, I strongly recommend booking a private car transfer service from the airport to your chosen accommodations for a seamless and stress-free transition. Oftentimes, the airport is really busy and it can be stressful trying to secure a ride. Opting for the private car transfer allowed me to comfortably get to my accommodation stress-free and without transportation hassles.

Random 💎: Always drink bottled water in Bangkok and avoid tap water. My driver started off with that tip.

Bangkok’s traffic is notoriously congested and usually leads to unpredictable delays throughout the day. Allow for extra time when navigating the city, especially when heading to scheduled activities. Leaving an hour or two prior to your scheduled activity can help circumvent the standstill traffic that plagues the city. Below are modes of transportation that I found useful during my stay. 

BTS Skytrain

This is the epitome of  convenience for navigating travel and avoid congested traffic during peak hours in Bangkok. I will give a fair warning that it is an adjustment to become familiar with the system. Once you are acclimated, it is an efficient and easy way to travel throughout the city. 

Visitors have the option to utilize a one day or multiple day pass for the BTS Skytrain. During one of my adventures, I rode the BTS Skytrain, and it was quite the experience. In an upcoming blog I will briefly delve into more details about this unique experience.

GRAB Car/Taxi

Throughout my stay in Bangkok, the GRAB  app was my go-to for transportation. Functioning similarly to Uber and Lyft, this was an invaluable tool for me as a female solo traveler. Safety is extremely paramount when I am traveling, and this app provided me a sense of security.

One aspect that I valued was the option to book women-only drivers through the app. This was comforting and added peace of mind during my nighttime travels.

(Ma if you are reading this, yes, I left the hotel at night and apologize for freaking you out right now).

Taxi

Taxis are readily available in Bangkok and are typically  metered. Most times they can be flagged down or arranged for pick-up through your accommodations. It is crucial to be vigilant and aware of potential scams.

🔑: Avoid taxis that do not have a functioning  meter or a covered meter. Those are usual scams since meters are required to be used in Bangkok. Any attempt of a driver trying to negotiate an agreed upon price instead of using the meter is a huge red flag.

In those instances, book another ride to ensure a fair and honest transaction.

BONUS 🔑

Avoid taxi drivers that deviate from the planned routes. Usually I always have my own GPS when traveling solo. Once, I had a taxi driver attempt to take a different route from the GPS he had in the car. He then presented me with a tourist activity map of alternative attractions that I can visit around Bangkok, trying to convince me to take him up on his offer. It became apparent that the driver was looking to exploit this situation for additional profit. After being stern with him a few times and declining his offer multiple times, he finally obliged and took me to my desired destination.

Unfortunately, this was a cab that the hotel called for me after my GRAB woman driver cancelled my trip to my destination. This was an extremely frustrating experience as I was already behind schedule due to the previous cancelled driver. The taxi did speak some English and was well aware of what I was requesting and chose to act oblivious. Additionally, I used Google Translate to ensure no confusion in our communication.

This was the only poor taxi experience I had while in Bangkok, Thailand. While taxis are a reliable mode of transportation, remain alert to ensure a smooth and secure journey to avoid potential scams. 

TukTuks

TukTuks are an immensely  popular and fun mode of transportation in Bangkok. I had the pleasure of riding them multiple times, as I relished in the freeing and exhilarating wind as I traversed the city in the brightly lit vehicles. 

🔑: Although I did not experience this, it is crucial to to exercise caution and be mindful of potential scams when using this mode of transportation. Loves, please use your best judgment when using TukTuks to avoid being overcharged and drivers taking unnecessarily long routes.

Safety

Overall, Bangkok is pretty safe. Pickpocketing and petty theft are pretty common. Always keep your valuables and personal belongings close to you. Remember, beware of scammers! Taking these basic precautions will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in this incredible gem of a city!

Next Up!

Things to Do

With this trip blog, I decided to shake things up with the “Things to Do” section. Now that you have a solid background about Bangkok, let’s delve into some fun things to do while in this exciting city! In the upcoming blogs, I will unveil a range of diverse and fun experiences in Bangkok. To kick things off, I will discuss some fun food and street life evening activities! Bring your appetite as I take you with me on an unforgettable and flavorful culinary adventure! 

Stay tuned for the next (and first “Things To Do”) blog dropping later this week! 

Until our next adventure abroad,

Stay Grateful, Love Deep, Dream BIG, and Happy Travels!