ASIA

The Beautiful Thailand: Bangkok Edition

During a month long trip throughout Asia I spent a week in Thailand and fell completely in love with it. Thailand is as fun and outrageous as it is beautiful! Known for gorgeous beaches, extravagant temples, and their lady boys. There’s tons of temples to visit, the food is delicious, the people are nice and the nightlife is like no other. Who wouldn’t want to visit Thailand?!?

My first stop in Thailand was Bangkok. I stayed at the Peninsula Hotel, which was the perfect choice. It is across the river from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, so it offers tranquility that the city can’t, along with sweeping uninterrupted views (win-win).

View from our room at the Peninsula Hotel | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

View from our room at the Peninsula Hotel | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

First thing first, I had to do what every tourist wants to do… go to the restaurant/rooftop bar where the Hangover 2 was taped. Duh! You know, the big dome on a rooftop bar?! It’s called Sky Bar, and it’s the world’s tallest open-air bar, located on the 63rd floor (rooftop) of the Lebua Hotel. We were exhausted after just arriving in Thailand, but we quickly got ready and headed to the Lebua Hotel.

The famous rooftop dome from the Hangover 2 | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

View from the rooftop of the Lebua Hotel  | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

The famous rooftop dome from the Hangover 2  | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Besides the cool dome and the beautiful view, the rooftop also has Sirocco, an incredible Mediterranean restaurant. Half-way through our meal on the rooftop, it started to rain. The staff quickly came around with large umbrellas so we could finish our meal.

Dinner at Sirocco on the rooftop of the Lebua Hotel  | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Hiding from the rain during dinner at Sirocco at the Lebua Hotel  | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

The next morning, we got up early and spent the day around the city in a tuk tuk visiting some of the amazing temples. Make sure your knees and shoulders are  covered up for the temples… it’s required. Otherwise you’ll end up purchasing a scarf to wrap around yourself so you can enter. We visited the famous Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Grand Palace, amongst others.

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Monks at the Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Bangkok Temples | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Grand Palace | Bangkok Temples | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting Temples in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

That night, we had dinner reservations at Lord Jim’s in the Mandarin Oriental (right across the river from our hotel), a fine dining seafood restaurant with beautiful views of the city. Apparently they also offer a great lunch buffet that we never made it to, but you might want to consider. Our dinner was great and the dessert they sent us was as delicious as it was beautiful! Staying across the river was never an issue, most of the hotels on the river have little boats that take you across whenever you need them, so getting to dinner was a breeze.

Taking a boat across the river to dinner at Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Dinner at Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

Dessert at Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

After dinner, we hit the streets of Bangkok to check out the nightlife. Unfortunately a lot of the clubs were closed that night. We would have to save the partying for Phuket, our next stop.

Night Market | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

The last day in Bangkok we were up at sunrise so that we could enjoy a full day dedicated to the markets, specifically the railway market and floating market. We woke up to the most beautiful sunrise ever.

Sunrise over Bangkok from the Peninsula Hotel | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk | Muay Thai at the Rajadamnern Stadium

For the markets, we had the best guide I’ve ever had. I had such an amazing experience that I dedicated a whole post to it. If you’re going to Thailand you have to do this tour. Here’s a link to that post: Railway Market & Floating Market.

After a long day at the markets, we headed to a Muay Thai fight at the Rajadamnern Stadium. Sitting ringside was quite an experience!

Front row at the Muay Thai fight at the Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk

Front row at the Muay Thai fight at the Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk

After seeing the best of Bangkok in such a short time, it was off to Phuket. My visit to Phuket was without a doubt my favorite part of Thailand. A whole post on Phuket will be up soon.

Hoping to be back next year. Trust me, you can never get enough of Thailand!

Everything you must see & do in Bangkok | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok |  Riding in a tuk tuk  #bangkok #thailand
Everything you must see & do in Bangkok | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok | Riding in a tuk tuk #bangkok #thailand
Everything you must see & do in Bangkok | Bangkok | Thailand | Peninsula Hotel | Lebua Hotel | the dome Sky Bar from Hangover 2 | Peninsula Hotel | Temples | Wat Arun | Wat Pho | Grand Palace | Lord Jims at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok | Riding in a tuk tuk #bangkok #thailand
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2 Comments

  • Reply Veronica Guerra August 8, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    Hi there! I’m also going to spending a week in Thailand (later this year) and was wondering if you had any recommendations for other cities. We’re planning on going to Phuket also which you mention in the post. Thanks!

    • Reply The Traveling Red August 12, 2019 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Veronica! We only did Bangkok and Phuket when we visited Thailand, but I hear there’s soooo many beautiful cities if you have the time for them. You can also visit another country nearby and see something completely different. I loved Vietnam. Really depends on what you want to see and do.
      P.S. I have the best tour guide in Bangkok! I can give you her info.

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