Bangkok

Peel back the layers of Thailand’s dynamic capital to find a city that’s intoxicating and authentic, never failing to surprise and delight

This three day-itinerary takes you from historic neighborhoods on the Chao Phraya River to eclectic shopping spots, lively night markets, and the most sought-after tables in town.

Morning:

Take a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Talat Noi, an eminently walkable historic district that has had an influx of young artists and entrepreneurs. Alongside opening galleries, cafés, and tea shops, they’ve also cloaked the side roads in vivid street art. A guide will help locate colorful spots such as Mother Roasters Coffee Shop and Rong Kuak Shrine, but it’s just as much fun to get lost and make your own discoveries.

Afternoon:

Have lunch at Araksa Tea House, a rattan and bamboo-clad drinking and dining space decorated with Hmong hill tribe tapestries and antique Burmese furniture. The menu is classic Thai – pomelo and toasted coconut salads, turmeric-battered squid, and creamy red curry – created using Araksa organic farm ingredients in Chiang Mai. Then shop for handcrafted ceramics at Heliconia Bangkok and bespoke furniture made from ethically sourced recycled teak at P. Tendercool.

Evening:

Dress up for dinner at Paste, a mineral-hued, high-end Thai restaurant helmed by Chef Bee Satongun, who has previously been named Best Female Chef by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Drawing inspiration from Royal Thai cuisine, star dishes include Hor Mok soufflé with red grouper and grilled wagyu striploin with tamarind nam jim jaew (dipping sauce).

Morning:

Chinatown’s old-school vendors offer everything from bolts of fabric and traditional medicines to religious trinkets and gem-encrusted gold jewelry. In between browsing, stop for fresh coconut water and a chicken rice breakfast at Plaeng Nam Chicken Rice.

Afternoon:

Enjoy a traditional Thai massage at the highly acclaimed Perception Blind Massage (a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride from Chinatown), where visually impaired therapists offer a unique take on the experience. Perception’s highly intuitive masseurs press hard with their palms, thumbs, and elbows to release deep-seated tensions and leave your muscles as loose as ribbons.

Evening:

Spend time at Bangkok’s trendiest night market, Rod Fai, where food trucks and stalls set up from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. It’s a roughly 45-minute drive out of town, so stay for dinner once you’re done shopping.

Morning:

Lumphini Park is at its most enchanting first thing in the morning – there are seniors practicing tai chi and monitor lizards plodding across lawns. Stroll over to Erawan Shrine, a religious altar believed to grant wishes. Don’t forget to cover your shoulders and knees before entering any Buddhist shrine or temple.

Afternoon:

One Bangkok shopping complex has more than 900 retail stores and 200-plus restaurants spread across three eco-certified buildings – just a short walk from Lumphini MRT station. Lunch on Thai tapas at Jim’s Terrace and order the fiery Isaan sausage with cabbage and ginger, crispy fried sea bass laab, and the grilled beef brisket.

Evening:

Set in a beautifully restored teak mansion at the end of a tiny soi (lane) in Sathorn, Sühring has held two Michelin Stars since 2018. The eponymous twin brothers, chefs Thomas and Mathias, deliver sophisticated dishes that meld the flavors of their native Germany with French cooking techniques. Seasonal menus might include Sakura trout with rhubarb and turnip, lobster with persimmon and hazelnut, or seven-day-aged duck with beetroot and cherry licorice.