What to Do in Bangkok (Besides Eating & Shopping)
Bangkok has recently taken over Paris and London to become the world’s most popular city according to Channel NewsAsia. Yasss! After all, the Thai capital is undoubtedly every shopaholic and foodie’s paradise. I mean, just look at the legions of shopping malls, cafes, night markets, street food stalls... it’s no wonder travellers from all around the world keep going back to Bangkok for more.
Admittedly, I did lots of eating and shopping during my recent trip to Bangkok. But I also squeezed in time for some other activities. If you’re keen to find out what else you can do in (and outside of) Bangkok, keep reading!
1. Go for a workout in Bangkok 🥊
I know what you’re thinking, “Exercise while you’re holidaying? Crazy!” But trust me, all the eating in Bangkok will cause lots of stress on your waist (and weighing scale). To avoid that, consider spending some time at the gym.
When I was in Bangkok, I climbed out of bed at 8am one morning (better than nothing right), took a Grab and headed to the Virgin Active gym at Siam Discovery. Checking in was a breeze; I just had to show the staff my membership card, complete my registration and I was ready to change into my workout gear. And since it’s located within a mall, the reward after the sweat sesh was... an afternoon of shopping — hooray!
Photo: Instagram/@classpassth
Don’t have a gym membership? Don’t worry. Just sign up for ClassPass and check out the studios around your hotel. From spinning to boxing, you’ll be spoilt for choices when you’re on the ClassPass app. Some of the studios that are on ClassPass include Absolute You, Pilates Plus, Tribe and more.
To check out ClassPass, click here. Psst, they’re offering a complimentary 7-day membership for first-timers so be quick!
Virgin Active Siam Discovery is at สยาม ดิสคัฟเวอรี่ 989 ศูนย์การค้า Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand. For Google Maps location, click here.
Facebook — @virginactivethailand
Instagram — @virginactivethailand
2. Enjoy Japanese style onsens ♨️
After a long day of shopping, I’m sure your body and soles are aching. The solution? Head to Panpuri Wellness at Gaysorn Tower for a dip in their onsens. The luxurious spa has five onsens for you to enjoy; other facilities include a wellness bar, wellness studio (for classes such as tai chi, yoga and HIIT), relaxation lounge and private onsen rooms.
I’m especially impressed by its clean facilities and welcoming staff. Upon registration, you’ll be given a Panpuri tote bag which has towels and a set of clothes to change into if you wish to head to the lounge later. Amenities like combs, hair dryers, deodorants, hair gels and skincare products are also available for visitors to use at the changing area.
💡 Learn more about onsen etiquette here.
Before heading off, don’t forget to check out Panpuri’s range of beauty products including hair treatment masks, facial serums, body balms and more. Fans of clean beauty will be glad to learn that Panpuri’s products are free of harmful ingredients (a whopping 2,300 questionable nasties are out of their products’ ingredients lists).
Photo: Facebook/@panpuriofficial
The onsen pass is priced at THB 750 but you can get it at a cheaper rate (SGD 27) by using Klook. I’ve used the Klook app for some of my travel bookings and I must say that it’s very user-friendly and confirmations are almost instantaneous. They definitely deserve a thumbs up! 👍
Panpuri Wellness is at 12th Floor, Gaysorn Urban Retreat, Gaysorn Village
Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand. It opens from 10am to 11pm daily. For Google Maps location, click here.
Facebook — @panpuriofficial
Instagram — @panpuriofficial
My friend recommended me to check out the historic city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of Thailand’s oldest cities, Ayutthaya promises a visual and education treat with its abundance of temples, sacred statues and rich history.
I booked a day tour using Klook and it costed me SGD 40.45. The best part about Klook is that it gives credits to users when they complete their purchased activity; these credits can then be used to offset your next booking with Klook.
Oh, and if you leave a review, you’ll get to earn extra credits. So if you haven’t tried Klook before, check it out here. PS: This is not a paid endorsement, okay. I genuinely like using it.
