Bangkok by Night: What to Do, Where to Go

Bangkok by Night: What to Do, Where to Go

Image by mathiaskrumbholz sourced from wikimedia commons

Bangkok plays host to thousands of visitors from all across the globe every year. In terms of where to go or what to do there, we first need to consider that the chaotic and eclectic capital city of Thailand offers a variety of fun activities for all age groups, day and night.

Exploring Bangkok after dark is to delve into a bustling city with a varied platter of exceptional cuisine and an electric nightlife scene. Depending on various factors like age and interest, a night in Bangkok could incorporate anything from huge, luxurious shopping centres, river cruises and romantic dinners, to ladyboy cabaret shows or trendy underground-style clubs.

 Indeed Bangkok’s nightlife experiences are to some degree the prime reasons why so many people visit the sprawling, highly-populated metropolis every year. From the partaking sky-high cocktails overlooking panoramic views to deep-down basement clubbing and past that – it may be surprising to find out just what variety of things there are to do at night in a city like Bangkok.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

What else can we do besides partying?

To many people the words Bangkok and night are likely to conjure images of clubs, bars, go-go bars, or some type of relentless or over-indulgent bent on the party angle.

Undoubtedly the less open-minded or clued-up visitor might not be aware that there is actually a wide variety of things to do in Bangkok at night besides drinking the night away and clubbing.  Some of those topics have been covered by us more in-depth on previous blogs.

Wat Saket, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Here are a few broader ideas about night-time life in a SE Asian capital city – some of which could be considered the best experiences to be had at night in Bangkok.

1. Cruise along the Chao Phraya River

The Chao Phraya River, lined with shacks alongside majestic temples and modern, luxurious hotel buildings, remains the perfect depiction of both traditional and modern aspects of Bangkok.

This can all be taken in with a cruise on the river with the added enjoyment of Thai and international cuisine.

Image by Preecha MJ sourced from wikimedia commons

Some cruises offer background music via either a subtle sound system or a live band along with atmospheric evening views view of historical landmarks such as the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Grand Palace from your dinner table.

Dinner Cruise Tickets are offered by Princess Cruise from the pier of the luxurious shopping mall ICONSIAM, making it possible to spend the day indoors at one of Bangkok’s most  impressive and trendy malls .

Princess Cruise

Address: ICONSIAM Pier, 299 Soi Charoen Nakhon 5 Charoen Nakhon Road Khlong Ton Sai Khlong San Bangkok 10600. 

 Nearest Station: Krung Thonburi BTS – from here, take the shuttle van to ICONSIAM (every 15 min)

2. Go to a night market

If you are more interested in going somewhere that younger locals might be inclined to head at night (but not only youngsters – it depends on the market), then why not check out a Bangkok night market?

‘Train’ night markets are one of the most popular night markets for locals, and they sell reasonably-priced products as well as some delightful food, desserts, and drinks.

Ratchada Train Market is one such example of a popular local night market, which has everything from ice-cream and beer to cool, retrospective second-hand sections of items that range from the weird to the wonderful.

Image by nightmarketinbangkok sourced from wikimedia commons

Then there is Chang Chui Plane Night Market, which is one of the more recent additions.

The latter is worth a mention in that it is a combination of artsy, urban and eco-centric all rolled into one.

The definite focal point of this Bangkok night market is Na-Oh Bangkok, a massive decommissioned military plane which has been turned into a dining experience that works really well.

The plane’s interior, which has been transformed into something that looks as if it came right out of the future, provides an unconventional backdrop to a fine dining experience.  Na-Oh’s dishes claim to incorporate local ingredients whilst stripping down and elevating them through an array of different cooking techniques.

Chang Chui Plane Night Market

Address:  460/8 Sirindhorn Rd, Khwaeng Bang Phlat, Khet Bang Phlat, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700

 Open – Tue-Sunday from 6 p.m. ’til late

Nearest Station: Bang Bamru station

3. Check out the rooftop bars

For those persons likely to partake of a drink or two to chill down in the evening, then what better place to do it from than a bar where Bangkok’s panoramic cityscape and skyline can be taken in?

Experiencing the city from the vantage point of one of Bangkok’s many rooftop bars, or the more upmarket ‘sky’ bars, is one of those ‘must-do at  least once’ things when you’re visiting Bangkok at night.

There has been something of an upturn in the trend of rooftop and skybars in the last few years or so, with the most famous one being the Sky Bar Bangkok on the 64^th floor of lebua Hotel. The fact that this was the one in the movie The Hangover Part II might have had something to do with this, but the bar definitely offers an unrivalled panoramic view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.

Image by Ninara sourced from wikimedia commons

BANGKOK SKYBAR

WHERE: LEBUA STATE TOWER, 1055 SI LOM, BANG RAK, BANGKOK 10500

WHEN: 6PM-1AM

Not too far from the sky bar is another prime Bangkok rooftop bar in the form of the Vertigo & Moon Bar.

This is another famous location with amazing views (especially around sunset) which is not quite as high as the sky bar, being on only the 61^st floor, this bar  is the Banyan Tree Hotel’s crowning glory.

Image by Mighty Travels sourced from wiki media commons

WHERE: SATHORN ROAD, KHWAENG THUNG MAHA MEK, SATHORN, BANGKOK, 10120

WHEN: 5PM-1AM

You can also enjoy breath-taking panoramic sunset views from The Octave Bar at Bangkok Marriot Hotel Sukhumvit.

This is another nice place with a great atmosphere, and more realistic and affordable prices than the previous two options which just happen to be newer and trendier.

WHERE: THE MARRIOT HOTEL, 2 BAN KLUAI NUAE, KHLONG TAN NUEA, WATTHANA, BANGKOK 10110 (BTS NANA)

WHEN: 5PM-2AM

4. Experience Bangkok night-time mall culture

Asiatique is a fairly recent addition to Bangkok’s ever-evolving evening mall culture. It comes in the form of a massive night bazaar and shopping mall located right on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, not too far away from IconSiam, and is comprised of more than 1500 boutiques and 40 restaurants all within the same vicinity.

Open-air mall ‘Asiatique’, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

The mall is divided into four main categories, and it is such a huge an area that the complimentary map of all the stores and restaurants is not that bad of an idea. It might help in navigating the enormous shopping arena, which contains charming stores with wide ranges of trendy local brands, as well as a plethora of markedly more affordable and inexpensive merchandise. All this can be found amidst a selection of upscale dining options which include Italian, Thai and seafood restaurants.

Asiatique also plays home to the famous Calypso Cabaret show, which is considered one of the best ladyboy shows in Bangkok. It comes complete with colourful cabaret performances by Thai ladyboys not to be missed.

Or if you are interested in a different slant on cultural proclivities then there’s the stage show Muay Thai Lives: The Legend. This works like a real life action movie and includes an up-close insight into Thai martial arts, incorporating swords and impressive acrobatics into the story line.

Image by cheehong sourced from wikimedia commons

Asiatique mall offers many perspectives of Bangkok by night, whether by way of a show, the local cuisine, shopping, or simply a late night walk along the promenade for another opportunity for a splendid view of the Chao Phraya river.

Asiatique The Riverfront

Address: 2194 Charoenkrung Road, Wat Prayakrai District, Bangkor Laem, Bangkok 10120

Nearest Station: Saphan Taksin Station. Exit 2, go to the pier and take the Asiatique Shuttle Boat

5. Relax at an onsen

You might already have considered a Thai massage, but how about an onsen spa experience? In Bangkok!

It’s true that onsens are more commonly-found in Japan, but there are a few in the city too. So why not get the best of both worlds by night in Bangkok, and combine a Thai massage with an onsen!

Image by Paulus Josal sourced from wikimedia commons

Here are a couple of examples of popular Onsen Spa’s in Bangkok’s trendy Thonglor district.

Kashikiri Onsen and Spa

Kashikiri’s very Japanese ideal is to ‘nurture and reconnect clients to the reserved Japanese traditional spa, while escaping from the chaos of city life’. Can’t say fairer than that.

All services in this establishment are derived from genuine Japanese spa styles. Service is serene and professional in nature. Guests will experience blissful levels of relaxation in an atmosphere exuding the invigorating allure of nature.

All of the latest onsen spa innovation is provided in this Onsen Spa, and they are currently operating 2 Branches.

ADDRESS: Wachiratham Sathit, Soi 32 (BTS Udom-Suk) and Sukhumvit 49 (BTS Thonglor)

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Let’s Relax Onsen Thonglor

Staying with the onsen theme for a while longer, we can find yet more onsen spa experiences in Bangkok without looking too hard.

‘Let’s Relax’ is a blissful environment centred around traditional Japanese bathing, This is a top Bangkok onsen experience which features a variety of treatments in the form of mineral bath tubs, saunas, steam rooms, warm and cold rooms, and an extended, rejuvenating and invigorating menu of massage and spa treatments that will pamper and indulge your mind and body.

Image by so spa sourced from creativecommons.org

Let’s Relax Onsen and Spa’s speciality is a bath enriched with minerals that are both powerful and luxurious in that they continuously protect, heal, and rejuvenate the body at cellular level.

If you want to step out of the city for a while and think and feel thoughts and feelings of health, rejuvenation, refreshment, relaxation and deep-cleansing – then you simply must experience the onsen in Thong lor in Bangkok for yourself.

Branch: 1 Branch, Located at: Grande Centre Point, Sukhumvit 55 (Near Thonglor soi 10)

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM

6. Watch a show in Bangkok

Apparently performed on the largest recorded stage in the world, ‘ Siam Niramit’  is a prime example of what to expect from a show at night in Bangkok.

It contains all of the key entertainment elements and comprises advanced sound and lighting systems, including a stage that somehow manages to change into a river somewhere close to the end of the show.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Along with the authentic, replica villages come the dancers and acrobats suspended from ceilings. This array of dancers and musicians, along with a sprinkling of animals, delight audiences with their dazzling performances.

This could be an engaging and entertaining way to do Bangkok by night for those interested in a more cultural-arts angle on the city. It does provide a few insights into the traditions of Thailand, through its remarkable and often dramatic depiction of Thailand’s heritage in historical and cultural terms.

Address: 19 Tiamruammit Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10320

Nearest Station: MRT Thailand Cultural Centre, Exit 1

7. Play games with friends

Possibly one of the better things to do in Bangkok at night, especially for younger folk who don’t much fancy clubbing, is play some games.

Game Over Lounge is a top example of a place where you can find all manner of game from board games, beer pong, to arcades, unsurprisingly Game Over is a popular place for gamers. There are also selections of food and refreshments available including ‘bar grill’ food and beer.

Lazgame is another game venue that takes things a few steps further by offering impressive, futuristic labyrinths to venture into on and around various levels and themes. The game costs around 350 baht and lasts for around 15 minutes.

Any active-type person playing as either an individual or within a group might find that this sci-fi game is a challenging but fun activity anytime.

Open – Monday to Thursday from noon to midnight, Friday 12 p.m. – 2 a.m., and Saturday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

8. Take a ride into the sunset

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

If you are not thinking ‘late night’, but rather prefer an evening time exploration – then perhaps Bangkok on a bike would be an interesting way to take in the surrounding local culture and lifestyle of the city.

Some companies like Bangkok Sunset Bike Ride  organise trips focused around an evening riding through the quaint Thonburi district area along the Chao Phraya River.

Catch a breath-taking sunset at the pinnacle of a bike ride around local district areas and restaurants then maybe take a break from all that pedalling at a local Thai restaurant. The journey continues after that along the river, and takes in some of the most magnificent landmarks of the city like the Temple of Dawn, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Reclining Buddha.

By bicycle, at night, in Bangkok.

Bangkok Sunset Bike Ride

Address: 2 Charoen Krong Road Soi 30, Bang Rak, Bangkok

Nearest Station: MRT Hua Lamphong