How to enjoy a Bangkok getaway
Bangkok has often been favoured by Singaporeans and Hong Kongers for a quick weekend getaway. I’ve never been of this camp, but a recent Bangkok trip has given me some insight into why many love this city for a short break. The frequent traffic jams are annoying and the pollution often prompted me to put a mask on out of doors, but if you focus on a few pleasures in the vicinity of your hotel and ignore exploration further afield, an enjoyable trip can be had. Here are a few tips for a relaxing weekend:
1. Focus on the food. You can probably get pretty good Thai food where you live, but, to be honest, whatever you order in Bangkok will be several notches better. Everything tastes fresher and zingier, and you will find dishes that you have never come across before. In addition, the fine dining scene is taking off and there are plenty of elegant Michelin-starred eateries to choose from. Two that have caught my attention recently are Sorn and Potong. But even a nearby mall will have excellent options from food courts in the basement to restaurants on the higher floors. Not to mention the street food! Check out Lucas Sin's Youtube series on Bangkok's eateries for Bon Appetit.
2. Choose a hotel that is close to the places you'd like to visit. Ideally, you should also be near a nice mall and a subway station. The subway will enable you to travel without fear of being trapped in a traffic jam should you feel like exploring more of Bangkok. You might wish to visit the Jim Thompson house, Bangkok’s Chinatown, or Chatuchak weekend market, for example. Being close to a mall will mean you will have plenty of meal and entertainment options if the weather is inclement.
3. Embrace mall culture. Malls are not usually what we would recommend to our readers, but when it comes to Asia, they can prove to be fascinating places. Bangkok's malls are especially stylish. The food halls and food courts offer a dizzying array of tempting choices and there are always cool, hipster shops for interesting made-in-Thailand souvenirs. A stroll through a fancy supermarket can result in unique finds too. Fancy some Thai longan honey? Some malls to check out: Icon Siam, EmQuartier, EmSphere, and Terminal 21 Asok.
4. Indulge in a foot reflexology massage or two. You’ve been on your feet for hours; you deserve some pampering. I recommend Footmaster for a more luxe experience, but there are many other good options available too. A word of warning, though: foot reflexology massages can be quite painful for the uninitiated. But they do get your circulation going and you should feel renewed after.
5. Book private airport transfers. They are not expensive if you reserve a car via Klook (a popular online travel booking site in Asia) and will save you the hassle of negotiating public transport. The downside is the heavy traffic, which will slow your journey down, but you at least will have a nice car to relax in. I went with Okasto for my airport transfers and found them to be a well-run and professional company. The cars were spotless and the drivers punctual and polite. Be warned, however, that meeting up with your driver at the airport can be a little chaotic. If you prefer a more streamlined meet-and-greet situation, book a pick-up with your hotel.
6. Download the Grab app, Asia’s version of Uber, if you do want to travel around by car. You can also use Grab to order a food delivery to your hotel.
7. I would avoid visiting in April and May. In recent years, this has been when
Thailand has been hit with unbearable heat waves. The end of the year is a touch
cooler, but there will be more rainfall.
Where to eat
If you plan to explore Chinatown, then this is a lively, bistro-like place you should check out. It has a well-deserved Michelin Bib Gourmand for its vibrant dishes. Look out for their use of unusual leaves and herbs. If you are a woman and travelling solo, you might want to opt for lunch, because Charmgang is located in a quiet alley and it might feel a little spooky walking to the restaurant at night on your own. Make sure to book in advance.
©Wendy Gan 2025
Kub Kao Kub Pla (Branches in several locations)
This is a very solid mall restaurant. It’s popular and has a wide range of Thai dishes. Whatever I ordered tasted very fresh and good. I highly recommend the yellow curry with crab!
©Wendy Gan 2025
Thong Smith boat noodles (Branches in several locations)
A very popular boat noodles chain. It was on my list, but I never got to try it because I simply did not have the time!
A dependable Thai restaurant where you will get to try a wide range of Thai classics. This came highly recommended, but again I ran out of both time and stomach space.
Where to stay
Bangkok does not lack hotels and there will be plenty to suit all budgets. My advice would to be choose your location well, paying attention to tip 2 above. I ended up staying at the Carlton Sukhumvit (it was excellent!).
