There are so many things to do in Bangkok, by day and by night. It is loaded to the hilt with attractions and landmarks, nightlife and shopping, shops and restaurants, and simply buzzes all times of the year. While Bangkok’s nightlife is the obvious allure to many travelers to Bangkok, it's not all about that and there are alternatives.
During the day and away from the masses, you could take to the Thonburi canal system and tour parts that most tourists never see, or perhaps relax in a hotel spa and have a Thai massage. At the other end of the scale, Thai kickboxing matches go off at venues all over the city, plus many of the big shopping malls come with side attractions, such as Ocean World at Siam Paragon.
Wat Po near the Grand Palace does proper Thai massage and certificated courses and arguable has the best hands in town. It is not hard to find one of Bangkok’s massage parlors or spas as they are everywhere, however, although Thai massage is not advised if you have neck or back problems.
Thailand has its fair share of festivals and Bangkok is a fun place to be for the family during the big ones. Songkran Festival in April is the traditional Thai New Year when the people head for the street to throw water over one another. It is lots of fun along Khao San Road in particular. The King's Birthday Celebrations on December 5 at the Grand Palace and on Ratchadamri Road is another popular event.
Known as muay Thai in local speak, kickboxing is the national obsession, with fights taking place at locations all over the city. The best spot is at the Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, or at Lumpini Stadium on a Saturday.
Southeast Asia's supposed largest indoor aquarium is located inside the Siam Paragon shopping mall and shows off tens of thousands of creatures from all over. You can even go diving with the sharks at Siam Ocean World and it's a good attraction for the whole family as you can also eat and shop.
Bangkok's nightlife is electric and eclectic, ranging from cultured nights at the National Theater to all out mayhem at the realms of go go bars and karaoke joints. Silom's strip of bars along Patpong is the best known sleazy area, while the self-contained Nana Entertainment Plaza on Sukhumvit is also along these lines. Backpackers looking for Bangkok nightlife head for Khao San Road in the west of town.
