Best places to stay:
Staying in Bangkok’s Chinatown has its perks: you can stumble into bed after late-night eats at its neon-lit night market or be the first to sample fresh patongko (Chinese crullers) and congee right after sunrise.
The downside, however, is the cacophony of tuk-tuks, street vendors and temple bells this district is infamous for.
ASAI Bangkok Chinatown, a hyper-smart design hotel that walks the line between ‘business’ and ‘boutique’, offers a fine compromise. Its location, a five-minute stroll from the district’s noisy main drag, puts you close to Chinatown’s highlights, but far enough to have them out of earshot at bedtime.
With a restaurant frequently hosting Bangkok’s hot-shot chefs for kitchen takeovers, clued-in staff and a shop selling local design products, this is a great place to discover Chinatown beyond its tropes.
Set in a quiet street away from Chinatown’s rowdy main drag, ASAI is a welcome refuge from the bustle of this notoriously noisy district.
The hotel is connected to a small mall with a handful of chain restaurants and a convenience store, while street vendors set up curbside restaurants from breakfast to dinner right across the street.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand[0.5 miles]
Bicycle tours through the back-alleys of Chinatown and Bangkok’s rural suburbs offer a fascinating peek into the daily lives of the city’s residents.
Best for ages: 13+ | £20 | 3-5 hours
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand[2 miles]
The former home of silk magnate Jim Thompson – who mysteriously disappeared in the jungles of Malaysia – is a must-see for its well-preserved teak buildings and art.
Best for ages: 13+ | £4
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand[2.2 miles]
Blood, sweat, and muscled men in tiny shorts – there are few better ways to see Thailand’s national sport than a Muay Thai match at Bangkok’s Rjadamnern Boxing Stadium.
Best for ages: 16+ | £11 | 3.5 hrs
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand[2.3 miles]
Thailand’s most famous cultural site is a glittering complex of jaw-dropping magnificence dating back to 1782. This former seat of power of Siamese kings houses the Emerald Buddha – Thailand’s palladium.
Best for ages: Any | £11
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand[1.5 miles]
Flaming woks balancing on tiny canoes, mountains of fresh fruits – Bangkok’s floating markets are a kaleidoscope of Thai-tinged wonder. That said, their old-timey charm has long faded as souvenirs shops have replaced most noodle joints. It’s a fun day out, but no longer an authentic experience.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand[1.6 miles]
Heaving with jasmine, orchids and marigolds, Bangkok’s flower market is a mesmerising riot of colours, floral scents and boisterous vendors. Visit after midnight, when wholesalers drop off their wares and the market is at its liveliest.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand[1.7 miles]
One of Bangkok’s most popular little museums. The charming, 70-year-old restored teak house offers a compelling glimpse of family life in Bangkok from the 1930s to the 1960s.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Bangkok, Thailand[2.5 miles]
With galleries, concept stores and art markets amalgamating into a kaleidoscope of creativity, Bangkok’s de-facto design district offers an excellent primer on the city’s burgeoning creative scene.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Central Thailand, Thailand
From dazzling temples to dizzying nightlife, Thailand’s capital is a dish of delicious contradictions, and one of the world’s most dizzying, fast-paced cities.
