GruffyddA Journal Entry
After nearly 16 hours of travel, London to Qatar to Bangkok, we landed in early June, exhausted and running on fumes. We’d promised ourselves a nice hotel for the first night to reset before diving into the madness. Stepping out of the airport into the thick, humid air, it hit us instantly: Bangkok doesn’t do quiet. The city roared to life around us, horns, motorbikes, and a kind of organised chaos that makes you question whether there are any rules at all. The taxi crawl through traffic set the tone for what was to come: this city moves, but never quickly.
Despite the fatigue, there was a buzz of excitement. We didn’t yet know whether the busyness would be energising or overwhelming, turns out, it was both.
Where We Stayed
After that one night of comfort, we switched to hostels. Being early twenties and wanting to meet people, it felt like the right move. Our first one, however, was picked purely because it was cheap, a rookie mistake. It was small, quiet, and completely out of the way. Not the social hub we’d hoped for.
Two nights in, we made the switch to a much better spot, still small, but clean, friendly, and most importantly, central. Only a short tuk-tuk ride from Khao San Road, it changed everything. Lesson learned: location matters far more than saving a few pounds.
Bangkok’s full of extremes, from rooftop infinity pools above five-star hotels to backpacker dorms filled with laughter and fans struggling against the heat. We couldn’t afford the luxury, but we did sneak into a few fancy rooftops later on for a drink and a view of the skyline. And even though we weren’t staying there, it was impossible not to be impressed.
One thing stood out everywhere we stayed: the staff. Always smiling, always kind, that quiet Thai warmth that became a theme for the whole trip.
Exploring the Place
Our first full day started with a tuk-tuk tour. It seemed like a great way to see the city — temples, culture, local life, though we quickly learned that in Bangkok, “great deal” often means “mild scam.”
The driver whisked us between temples (which, to be fair, were stunning and peaceful among the city’s noise), before suddenly pulling up at a random travel agency. Inside, a woman launched into an aggressive sales pitch to plan our entire Thailand trip. When we said we’d think about it, she turned from friendly to furious in seconds. That’s when we learned rule number one: if someone mentions Lucky Buddha Day — run. Apparently, it happens “only once a year,” no matter what day of the year it is.
Still, there was beauty in the madness. We explored using the Skytrain, wandered into side streets that looked like movie sets, and found ourselves inside huge malls with food courts the size of small cities. The smells changed every few steps, sizzling skewers, durian fruit, fried noodles, petrol fumes. Bangkok engages every sense, whether you want it to or not.
One night, we stumbled across Mad Monkey hostel running a bar crawl and decided to join. Best decision we could’ve made. Khao San Road was alive, neon lights, deafening music, people selling scorpions to eat, and strangers offering you… well, things you probably shouldn’t say yes to. But it was fun, chaotic, and full of energy. The best part? Some of the people we met that night popped up again later on our journey, in completely different parts of Thailand. Backpacker déjà vu at its finest.
Moments That Stuck
Bangkok taught us how to travel, to expect scams, laugh them off, and trust your instincts. But more than that, it reminded us that behind the noise, most people are genuinely kind. When someone wasn’t trying to sell us something, they were offering help, smiles, and stories.
It was the city that gave us our first taste of Southeast Asia’s rhythm, unpredictable but unforgettable.
Things I Didn’t Expect / Would Do Differently
Bangkok was hot, not just warm, but that sticky kind of heat that clings to you all day. The traffic was relentless, and while everything was cheaper than home, it wasn’t the “£1 a meal” kind of cheap we’d imagined.
Looking back, two full days would’ve been enough. You can see the highlights, temples, markets, nightlife, and move on before the chaos becomes exhausting. It’s definitely worth going once, but not somewhere I’d stay long.
If You’re Heading Here Next
Download Grab, your new best friend. You can order taxis or motorbike rides without the tuk-tuk negotiations. Speaking of which, do ride a tuk-tuk once. You’ll laugh the whole way, wind in your face, the city zipping by like a fever dream.
And when someone tells you it’s Lucky Buddha Day, smile, say thank you, and keep walking. Visit the temples on your own time, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, even the Grand Palace, they’re stunning and better without a rushed tour.
Final Thoughts
Bangkok wasn’t my favourite stop in Thailand, but it was definitely the most memorable. It’s hot, chaotic, overwhelming, but also alive in a way few cities are. It’s where the trip really started, where the idea of travel went from an Instagram dream to something real, messy, and human.
You might not fall in love with Bangkok, but you’ll never forget it. It’s not a city you ease into, it’s one that grabs you by the shoulders, shakes you awake, and says: welcome to Thailand.
