My Top 10 Places To Visit In Bangkok This Time Round.

Oh, how I've missed Bangkok.

I traveled to Bangkok on the 26 - 29 September 2019. This is probably the longest time gap since my last visit to Bangkok (you can read more about my previous Trips to Bangkok Here). Close to a year maybe? To be honest, I have been extremely sluggish in my travelling plans this year, so I vouch to push myself to see more from here.

In this very short trip, I visited some of the newer, and trending locations in Bangkok - temples, shopping malls, cafes and local restaurants. It was fun and fulfilling, like every other visit here.

I stayed at 2 hotels throughout my trip - Novotel at Siam Square and Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit (you can read my review here).

Huge shoutout to Travel Recommends pocket wifi, for keeping me connected throughout my trip.

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For my first night in Bangkok, I stayed at Novotel Bangkok, one of the most convenient hotel that I've stayed at, keeping me very close to some of Bangkok's key landmarks.

1. NOVOTEL BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE, THAILAND

Address: 392/44 Siam Square, Soi 6, Rama I Road, 10330 Pathumwan, Bangkok Thailand

Email: https://www.novotelbkk.com/contact-us/

Phone Number: (+66)2 / 209 8888

Website: https://www.novotelbkk.com/

Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square is a 4 Star hotel in Bangkok, approximately 2-minutes walk away from the Siam BTS Skytrain, and just a stone's throw away from Bangkok's key shopping district, making it one of the most convenient hotels to stay at in Bangkok. 

Room rates starts from RM490.00/night (equivalent to THB3,500.00). Novotel at Siam Square Room Types and Rates Here.

DELUXE ROOM

For the strategic location, the IG-ish Gourmet Bar at the lobby, and the Eggs Benedict with Crab at The Square.

Newly revamped Deluxe Room, at RM490.00 (equivalent to THB3,500.00), for 1 night, inclusive of Breakfast.

Smacked at the center of Siam Square, Novotel at Siam Square is definitely the most conveniently hotel that I've ever stayed at in Bangkok. There was no need to move around a lot, most of what I wanted to see and do was within walking distance from the hotel. The other thing that I really liked about the hotel is the picturesque lobby, from the swing chairs, to the Gourmet Bar, marked as the centerpiece at the lobby. Picture-taking starts right at the entrance. To note, there are a few Novotel Hotels, located at prominent landmarks in Bangkok City, so depending on your agenda, there's definitely a Novotel for you out there.

Gourmet Bar at the lobby of Novotel at Siam Square.

The newly revamped Deluxe Room.

Breakfast at The Square.

This is probably my favorite breakfast dish at The Square - Eggs Benedict with Crab on Freshly Made Croissant. 

2. HOUSE OF EDEN, CENTRAL WORLD

Address: Groove ชั้น 2, G218 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Phone Number: +66 62 420 7999

Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm Daily

Outlets: Central World & Siam Discovery

Mixed Berry Smoothie (THB160) | Lychee Smoothie (THB160)

There are two cafes that I was really looking forward to visiting this time round - Lhong Tou Cafe and House of Eden - notably because of the aesthetically pleasing pink interior. Admittedly though, I really just came for the pictures, not so much of the food and drinks, which I thought was just average all in all.

3. LHONG TOU CAFE, THE MARKET

Address: 111 Ratchadamri Rd,G Floor ,The Market Bangkok, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Phone Number: +66 64 935 6588

Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm Daily

Outlets: The Market & Yaowarat Chinatown

Chinese Breakfast (THB129) | Cha Hoo (THB85)

Where else can I find a cafe that has a double-storey setting? I have stumbled upon so many pictures of this trending cafe online, so I knew I had to drop by this time round. I chose to go to The Market outlet, located right next to Central World. It was a much more convenient option for me, as the other original outlet was quite a distance away, at Chinatown. Served in a dimsum basket, the Chinese Breakfast is probably one of the most popular dish here (very instagram-friendly too). To me, the dish felt very Hakka inspired, my friend aptly called it an overpriced-porridge dish. I also enjoyed the Cha Hoo - a combination beancurd beneath and thai tea on top.

4. SOM TUM NUA, SIAM SQUARE

Address: Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Phone Number: +66 2 251 4880

Opening Hours: 10.45am - 9.30pm Daily

Opening Hours: Siam Square & Central World

Papaya Salad (THB80) | Fried Chicken (THB120) | Grilled Pork Shoulder (THB120) | Sticky Rice (THB30) | Iced Lime Juice (THB75)

Over the years, Som Tum Nua have gradually grown in one of my default Thai restaurant to go to in Bangkok. I come here almost every single time I visit, and almost always order the same few dishes. This time round, I noticed that the Siam Square outlet went to through a revamped, the interior looked much more spacious now, with higher ceilings, and less cluttered. I prefer the old setup however.

5. INTER RESTAURANT, SIAM SQUARE

Address: 2599 Phatthanakan Rd, Suan Luang, Bangkok 10250, Thailand

Phone Number: +66 2 722 2283

Opening Hours: 11am - 9.30pm Daily

Radish Cake (THB90) | Chicken Omelette (THB85)

Having late lunch at Inter Restaurant was purely coincidental. The initial plan was to have local lunch at one of the hawker stalls along Siam Discovery, but decided otherwise when I walked pass Inter, notably because of the crowd gathered outside the restaurant. When there's a queue, food should be good right? Being one of the more popular Thai restaurants around, the place was notably touristy, mostly filled with Chinese patrons, and I also felt that the menu crafted to fit the Chinese palate also. Food was average and value for money. 

6. SIAM PANDAN, SIAM SQUARE

Address: Siam Square Soi 6, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Opening Hours: 11am - 6.30pm Daily

Pandan Treats (THB40/9pcs) | Sticky Rice (THB40/9pcs) | Roll Pancake (THB40/8pcs) | Butter Pancake (THB40) | Egg Cake (THB40/8pcs)

I walked pass Siam Pandan on my way back to Novotel Hotel. There was a 20-30 minute wait, so even though I have not come across this place in my food list, my guess is that it's essentially quite popular. Notwithstanding, I'm not entirely sure what this local dessert is called, but they call it Pandan, and at 40 baht, I enjoyed 9 pieces of local pandan sweet treat. Apart from this, there are also a handful of other local desserts available. I would definitely recommend.

7. CHA BAR, LIDO CONNECT

Address: 141 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Phone Number: +66 65 937 7144

Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm Daily

Stopping by another trending location of late, Lido Connect, a popular hangout hotspot for school kids, to shop and trade for hipster goods. While I was there, I noticed that there were a whole lot of vintaeg cameras and photography equipment for sale. I'm not too sure if this a permanent setup however. There are also a handful of bubble tea and cafes within the building. Hipster indeed. 

8. KUB KAO KUB PLA, TERMINAL 21

Address: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm Daily

Outlets: Terminal 21, EmQuartier, Thonglo, Central World, IconSiam, Siam Paragon, etc.

Tom Yum Noodles (THB240) | Chinese Style Stir Fried Egg Noodles (THB190)

The name of the restaurant is clearly not tourist friendly. I was walking around Terminal 21 pondering on what to have for lunch and decided with this Thai restuarant, a little bit more upscale than what I had in mind but food was actually quite good. I'd recommend the Tom Yum Noodles. 

9. GRAM CAFE & PANCAKES, SIAM PARAGON

Address: 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Phone: +66 61 469 6745

Opening Hours: 9.30am - 10pm Daily

Premium Pancakes (THB295)

Gram Cafe & Pancakes have been on my to-eat list for awhile, famed for it's souffle pancakes, and claimed to be one of the best in Bangkok. For me, with all honesty, the pancakes came way overpriced, and I've definitely had better. I do not recommend.

10. WAT ARUN, TEMPLE OF DAWN

Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand

Opening Hours: 8am - 6.30pm Daily

Entrance Fee: THB50

Now, bit of patience please, this leg of my trip may be wordy, but definitely worthy to note.

If you are coming from town, I'd highly suggest you cover both the Grand Palace, then Wat Arun, and if there's time, drop by the newly opened Iconsiam. The Grand Palace is about 45-60 minutes drive from the city center, whereas Wat Arun is about double that during peak hours. Both landmarks are seperated by the Chao Phrya River. It's really quite far off, so do optimize and make your journey worthwhile. 

As for me, I took a GRAB ride to Grand Palace first, then a 10-minute walk to the Ferry Pier, where I then took a boat ride across the Chao Phrya River, at THB4 only. Dirt cheap but the ride is really only a minute away. Wat Arun is just right in front of the pier.

Entrance fee for the Grand Palace is THB400 and Wat Arun is THB50. Take note that there is a dress code for both females and males, long pants are essential and no sleeveless clothings. Long pants are available for sale only (no rent) within the Grand Palace for THB500, but I'd highly advise buying it from outside the palace. There're plenty of street vendors selling it for a mere THB150.

I have been to Grand Palace previously, so no pictures of the Grand Palace in this trip.

Strangely though, Wat Arun, or also known as Temple of Dawn does not have a dress code. I spend a good one-hour within the temple, soaking in the beautiful temple architectures. There's just something about Thai temples that does not ceased to amaze me. Still, nothing beats the temples I saw in Chiang Rai, Thailand (read about that here).

The GRAB ride from Wat Arun back to Bangkok City was a tiring 2-hour journey, from peak hour traffic mostly. I did not get to visit Iconsiam this time round, as I was running late for a dinner appointment after that.

I always have a lot of fun writing travelogues. Maybe because it brings back a whole lot of holiday memories while penning it down. I think I enjoy writing about my trips more than anything else on this blog. Although admittedly, it's always written in a hurry because as time goes by, I realized I tend to lose touch on those tiny-weeny details that matters; sometimes I lose the pace-to-write also.

Do other writers out there experience this too?

Till my next trip xoxo.