This is a question that may seem trivial but that often comes up. People tend to have reservations about this megacity too often wrongly described as "too noisy", "too polluted", because they will want to favor the southern islands to rest or otherwise go explore the mountains of the north.
Is it really worth stopping in Bangkok?
Personally, this kind of remark always surprises me, because it comes down to saying "should I visit France without visiting Paris?", because yes, that's exactly it.
How can you imagine visiting Thailand without its capital?
Not just because it's the capital, or even because your plane will take you there first (usually), but because there are interesting things to see.
Just as when visiting Paris in France, we see one of the symbols of our country which is the Eiffel Tower or the Champs Elysees, here the equivalents would be the Grand Palais combined with Wat Phra Kaew (the temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Champs Elysees would be Ratchadamnoen Avenue leading to the Royal Square of Sanam Luang (itself facing the Grand Palais).
But if Bangkok has many other temples and palaces, Wat Pho, Wat Saket (golden mountain), Wat Arun to name just a few, Bangkok is also:
– its canals (which earned it the nickname of Venice of the East, although today many of these canals have been blocked to serve as new axes/streets in the city becoming congested),
– its many markets including the magnificent flower market near Bangkok’s first bridge, the aptly named Memorial Bridge,
– walks in the typical neighborhoods of Chinatown or Little India right next door and other strolls in the small streets of Bangkok to discover the Thai pace of life (the locals often hang around outside) and which makes Bangkok this “lively” city, teeming even.
As for Bangkok's reputation for being teeming, it is certainly a justified general feeling, but, fortunately, there are corners that are not very touristy and even not very frequented by locals while remaining interesting. I can cite the example of Kudee Jin Sino-Portuguese Quarter, yet located right opposite the flower market!
Finally, yes, Bangkok is regularly plagued by huge traffic jams, and depending on the season, significant pollution, but that doesn't happen all year round either. Blue skies are quite possible in Bangkok. To find out about pollution levels, you have the air quality index on this site.
Obviously a stay in Bangkok is not complete without tasting the delicious dishes that can be found everywhere, and again for many, right on the street where you can taste delicious fresh fruits as well as typical dishes like noodle soups or even more exotic ones with insects (but that remains rare).
To end your stay, there is nothing better than a visit to one of the many shops, getting lost in these labyrinthine "shopping malls" for some or the famous Chatuchak weekend market is an activity that wonderfully ends a trip to the land of smiles and which will not fail to quench your thirst for souvenir purchases and products of all kinds for prices that sometimes defy all competition.
Many companies serve this dream destination that is Thailand, several of them are considered the best in the world, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines without forgetting of course Thai Airways (which also has the advantage of offering direct flights, the only one to do so with Air France).
Depending on when you buy your ticket you can get flights for less than 500 euros but prices generally vary between 500 € and 700 €.
Remi Lacaze
Great site!!!