How to spend a month in Bangkok

Bangkok is not a city you visit once and feel like you've seen it all. It surprises you at every corner, and the longer you stay, the more it reveals. Whether you're a slow traveller, a digital nomad, or simply someone who finally has the time to explore a destination properly, a full month in the Thai capital is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. Here's how to make the most of every week.

Week 1: Get your bearings in the old city

Spend your first few days resisting the urge to rush. Start in the historic heart of Bangkok- the area around Rattanakosin Island- and give yourself time to wander without an itinerary. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are non-negotiable on any first visit, but go early, around 8 am, before the crowds thicken. Take a longtail boat through the canals of Thonburi to see a side of the city that feels untouched by time. In the evenings, explore the riverside stretch of Charoenkrung Road, now one of Bangkok's most creative districts, with independent galleries, speciality coffee shops, and excellent restaurants spilling out of old shophouses.

Week 2: Eat your way through every neighbourhood

Bangkok's food scene is arguably the best in Southeast Asia, and a month gives you enough time to truly explore it. Dedicate your 2nd week to eating intentionally! Have breakfast at a local market- try the ones near Victory Monument or along Sukhumvit Soi 38 for noodle soup and fresh-pressed sugarcane juice. Spend a morning at Or Tor Kor Market, just north of Chatuchak, considered one of the finest fresh produce markets in Thailand. Sign up for a Thai cooking class midweek- you'll learn to balance those 5 essential flavours and leave with skills that last a lifetime. By Friday, allow yourself an indulgent dinner in one of the rooftop restaurants above the city, where the skyline and the food compete equally for your attention.

Week 3: Go deeper into local culture

By your 3rd week, you'll have found a rhythm. This is the time to go deeper. Visit lesser-known temples like Wat Suthat and Wat Ratchanatdaram, both stunning and rarely crowded. Take a day trip to the ancient city of Ayutthaya- just over an hour by train- and spend a few hours cycling among the ruins at your own pace. Back in Bangkok, explore the art scene at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), or duck into the permanent collection at the Museum of Siam to understand Thai identity through a genuinely creative and thoughtful lens. If you're staying in the Sukhumvit area, you'll find that your hotel becomes a real anchor during this part of the trip. Hotels such as NH Bangkok Asoke, set right in the pulse of this neighbourhood, offer a comfortable base with easy BTS access that makes these longer excursions much more manageable.

Week 4: Slow down and savour

Your final week should feel earned. You know the city now- where the best pad kra pao is, which BTS exit drops you where, which streets to avoid at rush hour. Use this time to revisit your favourite spots and tick off the last few things on your list. Spend a morning at Lumpini Park watching the city wake up. Browse the weekend market at Chatuchak, vast enough to get genuinely lost in. Treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage- the kind that leaves you feeling fully relaxed. And one evening, take a sunset boat ride along the Chao Phraya River. The view from the water, temples lit up and ferries gliding past, is something you'll carry home with you.

When planning a month-long stay, where you sleep matters more than it does on a short trip. If you're researching top hotels in Sukhumvit Bangkok, look for properties that offer strong connectivity, comfortable working spaces, and a location that puts you within easy reach of the city's key transport links.

A month in Bangkok is genuinely enough time to feel like a local- at least a little! The city rewards curiosity, patience, and a willingness to step off the tourist trail. Come with an open mind, a good pair of walking shoes, and a healthy appetite. The rest, Bangkok will handle.