Everyone loves a holiday, but we all know that vacations can be both expensive and a hassle to plan. Which is why I am so grateful for affordable budget flights and convenient travel portals for ease-free booking, both of which are rolled into one package on AirAsiaGo!
What Is AirAsiaGo?
AirAsiaGo is one of the fastest growing online travel portals in Asia, offering travellers an extensive selection of hotels, flights, hotel and flight packages, activities and travel services to meet every budget and activities of every kind at competitive rates.
With over hundreds of thousands hotel partners worldwide and AirAsia's complete flight inventory made available on the site, travellers can book everything they need for a holiday - rooms to meet every budget, activities of every kind and travel services to complement.
The AirAsiaGo brand is managed by AirAsiaExpedia, the joint venture company between the world's leading online travel company, Expedia Inc. and the world's best low cost airline, AirAsia.
It's amazing! If you already fly AirAsia (which I do), AirAsiaGo makes holidays ten times easier and better.
With AirAsiaGo, you can enjoy the lowest holiday package price to all of Air Asia’s destinations, with more than 282,000 hotels & service apartments globally, and 10,000+ reliable activities, tours & airport transfers across 100 countries!
Be it booking your AirAsia flight, flight + hotel, hotel or even activities - AirAsiaGo offers all these and more on a single portal, at value-for-money prices!
Singapore to Bangkok via AirAsia - Let's Go!
AirAsiaGo held a social media contest recently, in which four lucky winners won an all-expenses paid 3D2N trip to Bangkok via AirAsiaGo! As for me, I was invited along to experience Bangkok in a whole new way thanks to AirAsiaGo, and to share my experience, of course!
I hopped onboard my AirAsia flight from Singapore to Bangkok, all ready for an exciting adventure with AirAsiaGo!
In-Flight Tip: Highly recommend ordering Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak, which remains one of my favourite in-flight meals ever! Really yummy nasi lemak with flavourful and spicy chilli, it's delicious!
Warmly received at Don Mueng Airport by the AirAsiaGo team: Here are the winners of the AirAsiaGo Punny Challenge!
Despite having visited Bangkok so many times before, this trip with AirAsiaGo was especially memorable because of all the uniquely cultural experiences as well as delectable local delights I got to try for the first time!
Without further ado, here are the 14 things you ought to eat and do in Bangkok, Thailand!
1. Try delicious duck noodles at Sampeng, Chinatown!
Nothing says local like one of these old-school shops dishing out bowls of springy noodles, with a fork tender duck drumstick right on top! Take your pick from noodles in soup or dry noodles, I personally enjoyed the noodles in soup very much!
This was our first stop right after arriving in the Land of Smiles, and boy, was it a satisfying meal!
Some of us girls even asked for seconds, it was that good! I was reserving my stomach space though, because our next stop was...
2. Get a Sugar Overdose at After You Dessert Cafe!
This shouldn't be new to the BKK regulars, but if you've yet to try After You's famous ice cream toast, you absolutely have to! There are a few different branches all over Bangkok, and two in Siam alone.
I don't know anyone who doesn't like this. Because it's so heavenly! Think thick fluffy toast that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, drenched in butter, then topped off with ice cream and whipped cream.
One toast is good to share for two, but I promise you'll love it so much that you might want to order another one just for yourself!
Give their wide array of drinks a try too, my favourite is the Earl Grey Milk Tea!
3. Learn Authentic Muay Thai at Boxing King
Muay Thai boxing is something I've always found interesting, and I was pleasantly impressed when we stepped into Boxing King, an established gym that specialises in Thai Boxing!
Our Thai instructors were so professional and just a little bit intimidating initially, but WOW was I amazed with their agility and skill!
Getting all serious and ready to kick some ass!
It was way tougher than I expected but also extremely fun! What a great work out! We learnt the basic Muay Thai manoeuvres and how to coordinate our hand/foot work - Next time I get mobbed in a dark alley somewhere, I might stand a fair chance of making a quick escape, maybe?
4. Go Night Shopping & Enjoy Thai Food at Asiatique The Riverfront
One really popular spot for shopping and food is Asiatique The Riverfront, a large open-air mall right in front of the Chao Phraya River.
A sumptuous seafood feast at Ko Dang Talay made our tummies very happy before we spent our evening shopping, there are an abundance of shops at Asiatique, ranging from apparel to accessories and trinkets/sovenirs!
I left Asiatique The Riverfront with some pretty accessories and small souvenirs, all very affordable, too!
5. Indulge in Luxury living at Pullman Bangkok Hotel G
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G (my review of the hotel here) is my new favourite Bangkok hotel since I discovered it this year, and I've stayed at Pullman Bangkok Hotel G a grand total of three times in the past few months alone! It's just one of those places that feels like home but almost better with its luxurious rooms and fantastic restaurants.
Kway tiao soup for breakfast before setting off for the day!
The breakfast buffet spread at Mistral, the all-day dining restaurant at Pullman Bangkok Hotel G has got everything you'd want for a power-packed breakfast!
6. Up-close Elephant Experience at Ayutthaya
We took a car ride out to Ayutthaya, an hour away from Bangkok. Ayutthaya is the glorious former capital of Siam, and is now home to ancient ruins and old temples.
At Ayutthaya Elephant Palace, we rode on these beautiful creatures around the ancient ruins of Ayuttaya, before visiting Elephant Stay, a non-profit organisation that takes care of elephants, funded by guests who stay and learn how to look after them!
Initially, I felt really bad for riding on the elephants, but these elephants would not have any means of income as they can't be used for wood logging which is now illegal in Thailand. The money earned from elephant rides goes towards feeding and upkeeping these elephants. The elephants are cared for and treated very well!
Gazing upon the ruins of Ayutthaya Palace.
We even had the opportunity to bathe an elephant in the river at Elephant Stay, and our elephant enjoyed the bath so much! They are such intelligent and playful creatures, and truly majestic and awe-inspiring unclose.
Our playful charge giving us a shower as well by spraying water from its trunk!
A clean, happy elephant that made us all very happy as well :)
7. Slurp Traditional Thai Boat Noodles at Blue River
Thai boat noodles, also known as kuai tiao ruea, are popular with both locals and tourists alike, and I can never get enough of these iconically small bowls of delicious noodles, you definitely won't stop at one!
I had at least five bowls of these and every bowl tasted as good as the first!
Finished off the hearty lunch of boat noodles with bingsu (Korean shaved ice)!
8. Learn How to Make Candy Floss (Roti Sai Mai)
I've seen these colourful candy floss around in Singapore, but I never knew that roti sai mai was a Ayutthaya speciality and traditionally hand-made from scratch without the use of machines!
Roti sai mai is cotton candy wrapped in a paper-thin bread. The simple roti is made of wheat flour, water and a little salt. The silky thread is actually spun sugar, a substance made from boiled sugar until it is sticky enough to be stretched out repeatedly, and ends up ultimately as thin as silky thread.
Pretty mind-blown at how this slab of melted sugar got transformed into fine strands of floss right before my eyes!
I tried stretching out the candy floss myself and gosh it was so difficult! Lots of respect for these candy makers who make a tough job look so easy.
Making the sweet roti pancake!
Little packages of sweet delight, you can find them easily around Ayutthaya and Bangkok!
9. Find Zen at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
A famous spot for sight-seeing in Ayutthaya is the Buddhist monastery of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, where you'll see the distinctive shape of a huge bell-shaped structure known as a chedi.
The chedi was built in 1592 by one of Ayutthaya's greatest kings, Nareusan the Great, to commemorate a victory over the Burmese won in the same year. The temple itself was established earlier, in 1357, by King Ramathibodi as a meditation site for monks returning from pilgrimages to Sri Lanka.
It was a grandiose sight, and you can climb up the steps of the 60m tall chedi to peek into its ancient crevices and space!
Despite being hundreds of years old, these large Buddha statues are in good condition and festively draped in gold colors, making them an imposing sight.
It was such a peaceful and serene place! Regular meditation sessions are still held by Buddhist monks at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, even to this day.
10. Enjoy a Pampering Spa Session at Let's Relax Spa
You can't visit Bangkok without going for one of their famously affordable massage/spa sessions - I make it a point to enjoy a Thai massage/spa every single day if possible!
Refreshing welcome drink at Let's Relax Spa before our massage session!
I personally love a good Thai massage, it's a combination of relief and some times pain as my muscles are pressed, stretched and kneaded out.. Feels so good!
11. Master the Art of Thai Massage at Chetawan Health Center
Since I love Thai massage so much, I was intrigued and interested to learn the art of Thai massage, too! We had a really fascinating session conducted at Chetawan Health Centre, one of the traditional Thai massage schools in Wat Po area, famous for their Thai massage schools.
Apart from learning Thai massage techniques that we could perform on ourselves, we also learnt how to administer Thai massage techniques on another person as well!
We took turns being both guinea pigs and masseurs and it was a hilarious sight! No worries, no one got hurt in our lesson! Haha. It certainly wasn't easy and required a lot of strength, finesse and skill!
Enjoying my time as a guinea pig, I think my partner got the gist of those massage techniques!
It was a very enjoyable and fun session with our experienced teachers and I definitely learnt something new!
12. Enjoy Vibrant and Exotic Street Food Haven at Yaowarat, Chinatown
You can't miss out on street food when in Bangkok! One of the best areas for street food is Yaowarat in Chinatown, where the bustling street food markets will keep your stomach busy throughout an entire stretch of tantalising and delicious food!
Pomegranate juice and fruit stalls are a common sight along the street markets! They are refreshing and healthy, so why not?
For the adventurous, deep-fried critters can be bought for just a couple of dollars! Truly for the brave-hearted.
The best plate of basil pork rice I've had, and it was so cheap and good!
Khanom bueang, a crispy crepe filled with cream and sweet toppings!
I can't miss out on my favourite coconut ice cream!
We saw a massive queue for these jam-filled buns and had to get our hands on them!
Don't be deceived by their unassuming appearances, these sweet and fluffy pillows were filled with coconut jam, condensed milk or chocolate cream and literally burst with flavour at every bite! Highly recommended if you can muster up some patience for the long wait.
Durians for you?
This adorable fur kid we came across at the street market melted my heart!
13. Go Riding in a Tuk-Tuk
Of course, if you haven't yet experienced living life on the edge, zipping through congested traffic in one of these colourful tuk-tuks, you haven't truly been to Bangkok!
Tuk-tuks or 'sam lor' (three-wheeled) used to be everyone's favourite way of getting around Bangkok before the BTS, MRT and colourful taxis took over. Originating from an old-fashioned rickshaw during the second World War, a tuk-tuk is essentially a rickshaw with a small engine fitted in.
It may very well be the best way to travel short distances around Bangkok, especially during congested timings as a tuk-tuk can squeeze through traffic and traverse through a traffic jam like no other vehicle can!
We had all five of us squeeze into one tiny tuk-tuk (it's an accomplishable feat!) that whizzed us around on the roads of Bangkok!
14. Visit the Magnificent Grand Palace
The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is undoubtedly the city's most famous landmark, and one of the most sight-seeing worthy spots in Bangkok!
Built in 1782 - and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government - the Grand Palace of Bangkok wows with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, and until today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom.
PS. There is a dress code for entering the Palace - No bare shoulders, shorts and see-through clothes are allowed, so take note! Men should be in long pants, and ladies should be wearing skirt or pants beyond the knee. (Fit-flops weren't an issue when I visited, though it is advisable to wear covered shoes!)
Check out the amazing architecture and intricate details!
The palace structures were literally a dazzling sight.
Try to reach the Grand Palace early to beat the tourist crowds if you can, the earlier the better! The palace grounds are beautiful and the huge throngs of people can detract away from the magnificent sights.
Remember to take some OOTDs while in the Grand Palace, they'll be stunning!
That marks the end of my 14 things to eat and do on your next trip to Bangkok! Of course, don't forget to book your AirAsia flights, as well as hotels and activities at attractive prices, all via AirAsiaGo!
With great flight, hotel and activities deals at the lowest package prices in the market and the vast array of cultural activities to choose from, I'm sure you'll have an unforgettable vacation with AirAsiaGo.
xoxo
