There are a hundred and one things to do in Bangkok even during a short holiday. Here are just five of them!

Enjoying Yaowaraj Streetfood

While Yaowaraj is hardly on top of the foreign visitor’s Bangkok to-do lists, locals love this area, especially in the evening when the gigantic neon signs are really alluring, and the streets are filled with food stalls, carts, and makeshift restaurants offering various goods and delicacies. If you like Chinese, try to find Soi Phadung Dao (Soi Texas) for the city’s best selection of Chinese restaurants. If you’re not that squeamish, just on a tight budget, or simply willing to try what the locals do, take a seat in one of the numerous street restaurants and enjoy eating for no more than Bt50. You might enjoy yourself. You can take buses – 508, 48, 25, etc — easily from anywhere in Bangkok to Yaowaraj; or you can take a boat from Saphan Taksin and get off at the Talingchan Pier.

Love the Nightlife at Suk 11

The hip soi (street) of Bangkok entertainment, Sukhumvit 11 offers just about everything a visitor wants to experience during a holiday. Its location makes it a Bangkok “hotspot” — within walking distance of hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs, spas and massage centers, shopping centers, tailor shops and street bazaars, and even internet cafes, banks and currency exchanges. The street was first made famous by resident expats who live in it or would frequent places like Cheap Charlie’s to network, make friends and enjoy an evening the inexpensive way. Today, it’s really a microcosm of what a Bangkok holiday is — whether you’re up for budget choices or have high-end preferences. The fastest way to Sukhumvit 11 is the BTS skytrain (Nana Station).

Haggling at Chatuchak

Chatuchak is a weekend market where you can buy just about anything. Said to be one of the world’s largest weekend markets, it covers an area of 27 acres (70 rai) altogether divided into 27 sections. It contains more than 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand. Popular to both locals and foreign visitors, an estimated 200,000 visitors go to Chatuchak on weekends. Many say goods here are sold at local prices (not tourist price) but there may be other places where prices are cheaper. Still, for a tourist who does not know Bangkok much, nothing compares to Chatuchak shopping. You can take the BTS skytrain to Chatuchak. Get off at the Morchit Station.

Cruising along the Chao Phraya River

Rivers and canals have always been vital forms of communication for Thais and the Chao Phraya River is especially central to the kingdom’s history. It was on this river that the Bangkokians first settled before gradually spreading into the core of the country. Traces of this past history can be seen in the varying architectural landmarks along the river. The river throbs with many river cruises that offer not only magnificent views but also delectable Thai food, topnotch service, and sometimes, even great live music. Tourists can book such a river cruise through travel agents or rent a boat at Tha Chang (Tel: 02 225-6179, 02 623-6169), a pier near the Grand Palace, or Tha Si Phraya (Tel: 02 235-3108) near the River City Shopping Complex.

Temple Trek: Wat Suthat

One of Thailand’s six most important temples, Wat Suthat is at the center of Rattanakosin Island. If you plan to visit only one Thai temple during your visit, and you have seen the Grand Palace already, this is a great alternative. This temple has the longest ubosot in Thailand (72m), and boasts temple murals painted by artisans in the reign of King Rama III. The temple is also adjacent to what is called the “Giant Swing,” a relic of the kingdom’s early Brahmin beliefs. Located on Bamrung Muang Road, you can get there by taking bus numbers 12, 15, 42, 73, 96, and 508. Admission is Bt20.

Of course, we can list some more, for, as travel experts say, “Bangkok has many faces and exploring everything it has to offer is a lifetime endeavor.” It cannot be all accommodated in any simple 10 things to do list! Enjoy!