worldtravellermagazine.com 65For the past three years, Bangkok has been
crowned the most popular place on the planet,
attracting more than 20 million visitors. Sprawling,
steamy and often smoggy, the Thai capital radiates
an infectious energy.
The city was founded in 1782 on the Chao Phraya
River by the Chakri royal dynasty, which is still
in place today. On the eastern riverbank, the Old
City is home to must-see sights such as the Grand
Palace, while nearby Chinatown is a colourful and
chaotic maze. Along the river, Bangrak is the centre
of the ever-evolving Creative District, with hip
restaurants and grand riverside hotels. Elsewhere,
Silom serves as the financial district by day and
buzzing nightlife destination by night; Siam is
the main shopping district; while the sois from
Sukhumvit Road offer bountiful shops and eateries.
Read on for our curated list of the best luxury
hotels, talked-about restaurants and only-in-
Bangkok experiences...
THE LONG WEEKENDclasses, spa treatments,
Muay Thai boxing sessions
or sunset cruises aboard an
historic rice barge.
In the heart of
Chinatown, Baan 2459
(baan2459.com) is a
romantic heritage hotel
which offers just four
rooms. Each one is unique;
plump for Room Two with
its own private entrance,
four-poster bed and
clawfoot bath.
Then there's the storied,
riverside Mandarin Oriental
Bangkok, forever ranked
among the world's best.muted earthy colours. Chill
out by the rooftop infinity
pool or in the spa, and
don’t miss the fabulous
Sunday brunch.
In tranquil grounds by
the river, The Siam is an Art
Deco-inspired gem with 29
antique-filled suites and 10
private pool villas. Lounge
by the infinity pool or fill
your days with cookingHEAVENLY HOTELS
From family-friendly resorts to boutique
boltholes, here are the best places to stayOpened last year in the
Siam shopping district,
the Waldorf Astoria
Bangkok has 171 rooms
ranging from spacious
to sprawling. There are
five restaurants and
lounges, while the 16th-
floor infinity pool boasts
Instagram-ready views
over the city.
In the same
neighbourhood,
the resort-like Siam
Kempinski Hotel
Bangkok has 401 rooms
and four saltwater pools
set amid landscaped
gardens. Foodies will love
the Michelin-starred Thai
restaurant, while families
will appreciate the
complimentary kids’ club.
Tucked away in acres of
gardens and lotus ponds
near Silom’s Lumpini Park,
The Sukhothai Bangkok
has 210 rooms outfitted
with silks, teakwood andsizzling
street food
Hit the streets to find
some of the city’s most
mouth-watering Thai food
Despite recent attempts
by city authorities to rid
the pavements of food
carts and stalls, Bangkok’s
street food scene remains
thrillingly vibrant.
Septuagenarian chef,
JAY FAI, is the undisputed
queen; her eponymous
shophouse in Rattanakosin
became the first and only
Thai street-food spot to
receive a star in Bangkok’s
inaugural Michelin guide in- Patient foodies won’t
mind the long wait for her
famous crab omelettes
and crab curries. Close
by, THIP SAMAI is widely
considered to serve the
city’s best pad thai.
In Chinatown; Yaowarat
Road and the surrounding
sois are street-food central,
with plastic tables set up
from around 5pm 'til late.
Keep your eyes peeled
for GUAY JUB OUAN
POCHANA, T&K SEAFOOD
and LIM LAO NGOW.
Opposite page: Lady selling fruit
from her boat at Floating Market
This page, from top: Chao Phraya
river flows through the city; The
Sukhothai, Bangkok