It is easy to see why Bangkok is such a popular travel destination. Bursting with color and culture, exuberant temples and delectable street food, it is no wonder that this is one of the world’s most-visited cities.
Last year, Bangkok welcomed 12.2 million overseas visitors, more than New York City (11.7 million), placing it seventh in the world for international arrivals, according to Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destination Index 2023.
While Bangkok remains affordable, friendly and safe (if you disregard the chaotic traffic situation), it is no longer the happy-go-lucky budget destination it once was. Instead, the Thai capital is making its name as one of the world’s leading spots for exquisite fine dining, luxury hotels, and avant-garde design.
"Bangkok is unique and has its own special charm. Chaotic yet beautiful, it’s truly a city that never sleeps, says Phachongkarn "Pear" Jumpolpong, Membership Communications & Content Manager, Soho House Bangkok.
Founded in London in 1995, Soho House began its life as a members’ club for people in the creative arts, film and media. Soho House has since expanded across Europe, the Americas and Asia, evolving into the preferred private members’ club for the creative ‘it’-crowd. Its global footprint spans many of the world’s most enviable locations, from New York to Los Angeles, Barcelona, Mexico City and Istanbul, with 42 Houses around the globe. Soho House Bangkok opened in early 2023 in a beautifully restored colonial-style building in a leafy corner of the Sukhumvit 31 neighborhood.
"Bangkok is a city with a bit of everything for everyone; from food to shopping and great spas where you can try the famous Thai massage," continues Jumpolpong, adding that one of the things that makes the city so vibrant and diverse is that both mainstream and sub-cultures are enthusiastically celebrated.
"Last but not least, the city is a true haven for foodies. Come hungry and explore what Bangkok has to offer—not only Thai food but also superb fine dining and cuisines from almost every corner of the globe," Jumpolpong says.
Here are Bangkok’s hottest spots to check out right now, selected in collaboration with Soho House Bangkok.
Few names in the culinary world have achieved the legendary status of Gaggan Anand, the pioneering Bangkok-based Indian chef who has been challenging the status quo since he burst onto the fine-dining scene back in 2010. His original eponymous spot, Gaggan, was named the best restaurant in Asia for four consecutive years. Now, he’s back, with two new ventures in one building. Downstairs, the boundary-pushing Gaggan Anand, where the chef promises to change your perception of fine dining through a 25-dish "food opera", where each dish is
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The 42nd Thailand Tourism Festival is scheduled to take place from 28 March to 1 April 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the event is set to present a plethora of distinctive tourism offerings with an emphasis on soft power and subculture. This year also marks the second time the event is holding a ‘Zero Waste to Landfills’ initiative in alignment with the push towards more sustainable and net zero tourism. The event is expected to attract 150,000 visitors and generate 20 million reaches.
Soho House, a brand offering members’ clubs and hotels, reported Friday that it lost $57 million in the fourth quarter but had seen a significant increase in its membership count.
The global post-lockdown travel boom has continued year after year with no slowdown in sight, but even by these standards Thailand’s capital is ultra-popular. Bangkok has never been hotter, and last year made travel industry headlines when a Mastercard report named it the most visited city in the world for 2023. This is a distinction a few places claim, and the numbers often conflict, but there’s no doubt that Bangkok is near the top of all cities on earth in popularity, is getting more U.S. travelers than ever, and is both a destination in its own right, the gateway to the rest of Thailand, and a major gateway to the entire Pacific Rim. When I visited the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel before the pandemic, I loved it. But when I returned at the end of 2023, it was even better.
Witnessing the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis belongs on every traveler’s bucket list. But determining where to see the northern lights is a complex matter—actually encountering the majestic and alien-ish green and purple glow of the night sky is not only about location, but also timing (December to March is ideal in many instances; August through April in other parts), positioning (typically from latitudes 65 to 72 degrees North), and plain ol’ luck (a clear, dark, and cloud-free sky).
Any visit to Bangkok presents an overwhelming selection of activities for visitors, from dining and shopping to spas and temples—but sitting in traffic should not be one of them. There are numerous ways to experience the Thai culture—this is a two-day itinerary that includes the famed floating markets, cocktail classes, Michelin-starred dining, where to find Thai wines, and swanky hotel digs with rooftop pool—all without the traffic.
If Balinese paradise makes you think of beautiful beaches or holistic retreats inspired by “Eat, Pray, Love,” you would be right. But, there’s more to it than that now, following a global pandemic that up-ended the way people travel and what they are looking for in a destination (or even new place to live either full-time or for a few months). Staying in places longer, visiting more than one resort in a given destination, switching to healthier diets and spending more time with locals are all top trends.
In between international gigs, actress, comedian and drag legend Lady Bunny lives where the West Village meets Chelsea. Lonely Planet correspondent Brian Healy recently talked with her about why she loves people-watching, where she enjoys the best late-night tacos in town and how you can blow a lot of money in the Meatpacking.
Located in Indigo Bay on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Vie L’Ven is a collection of 280-units which will include fully furnished residences and a five-star resort that are architecturally designed with both the island’s Dutch and French influences.
Holland America Line is setting sail for adventure with the opening of bookings for its 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises. With a focus on longer voyages and destination immersion, the premium cruise line is set to offer sailings out of five North American homeports on five separate ships for the 2025-2026 season.
In-flight drinking and dining are in the midst of a massive rebirth following the pause in food and beverage services during the pandemic. From Air France linking up with renowned chefs to curate its premium meals, to Delta’s new food and wine options across its cabin categories, and Hawaiian Airlines’ island-inspired in-flight meals, carriers are finding new and innovative ways to tantalize our taste buds, which isn’t always easy to do at altitude.
British Airways (BA) is returning to two major Asian capital cities. Bangkok will rejoin the route map in October, with Kuala Lumpur beginning in November.
The weather is starting to get warmer and a great way to welcome springtime is with a creative cocktail. Whether you and your guests prefer a flavored vodka, a tasty bourbon or an Irish gin, you can create an interesting beverage to enjoy al fresco. Below are six fun cocktails that will show off your mixology skills and make you everyone’s favorite host.