I booked a solo trip to Bangkok for my birthday.
By the time I actually got on the plane, I had somehow convinced eight of my favorite people to join me.
Here’s how we spent 5 days in Thailand.
Arrival and First Impressions
We left the Philippines on May 29, 2025 around 7 PM and landed in Bangkok around 10 PM. After getting through immigration and sorting out transportation, we reached our accommodation around 11 PM.
Even arriving late at night, the Silom area was full of energy. I immediately noticed the inclusive atmosphere. There were many gay men in the area, which was really nice to see as it showed me how welcoming and inclusive Bangkok is.
We had a very late dinner at a Korean restaurant next door to our hostel – the perfect way to fuel up after our journey. The dinner was not only delicious but also surprisingly affordable, giving me my first taste of Bangkok’s incredible value for money.
Silom Space Hostel
Located in the heart of Bangkok’s Silom district, we stayed at Silom Space Hostel.
We booked 2 rooms for 3 people each – a loft-type room with a double bed at the top and a single bed at the bottom, plus a private bathroom.
Each room cost us around 1,500 pesos (about $27 USD) per night only.
Silom Space Hostel was an excellent choice for several reasons:
- Prime location – Right in the middle of Silom
- Easy access – Walking distance to markets and public transportation
- Dining options – Countless street food vendors nearby and walking distance to Silom Edge cafeteria
- Great value – Unbeatable price for a group our size
The hostel provided the perfect base for our Bangkok adventures, giving us easy access to both the business district during the day and the lively entertainment scene at night.
Day 1: Food Scene and Luxury
We woke up refreshed and ready to explore. Our first stop was KFC for breakfast – sometimes familiar comfort food hits the spot when you’re adjusting to a new place.
I had green curry chicken and my girlfriend had Thai chili chicken, both items we don’t have in the Philippines. It was good to try these local KFC variations and see how they adapt their menu for Thai tastes.
After breakfast, we walked down to explore the famous Patpong area, but during the morning hours when it transforms into a local food market. This was completely different from the nighttime scene Patpong is known for.
Here are 2 highlights:
- Sausage pancake – we tried this unexpected street food gem and it was absolutely delicious
- Local morning atmosphere – seeing how locals start their day with authentic Thai breakfast options
Next, we visited a speakeasy cafe tucked away in Bangkok’s streets.
This wasn’t just any cafe – it was highly rated by locals and finding it through the narrow alleys added to the excitement of our first full day.
Our main destination for the day was IconSiam, one of Bangkok’s most impressive luxury shopping destinations.
The mall itself is a spectacle with several standout features:
- Water fountain – cascading 20-30 feet from the ceiling, creating a mesmerizing centerpiece
- International brands – Alo, Lululemon, and other stores we don’t commonly see in the Philippines
- Massive Apple Store – something we don’t have back home, only resellers.
- Lunch at BonChon – a familiar comfort in our new surroundings
As night fell, we made our way to the legendary Khao San Road.
The energy was infectious – street food vendors, backpackers from around the world, and the constant buzz of tuk-tuks created the perfect introduction to Bangkok’s famous nightlife scene.
Day 2: Chatuchak and Pre-Birthday
We started our day with a visit to Don Don Donki, a Japanese-style department store that offers an interesting cultural contrast to traditional Thai markets. It’s like a treasure trove of unique items and snacks from Japan.
Next, we made our way to Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the world’s largest markets with over 15,000 stalls.
Food Experiences at Chatuchak
Here are some of the stuff we tried at Chatukchak:
- Local food stall – we ate first at a small, authentic eatery that served some of the most delicious local Thai food
- Coffee break – needed fuel for our shopping marathon
- Famous frozen Coke – I had to try this local favorite that everyone talks about
- Premium Thai milk tea – rich, creamy, and absolutely worth the hype
We spent the rest of the day browsing through countless stalls, discovering cool items and unique finds that you can only get at Chatuchak.
The variety was incredible – from vintage clothing to handmade crafts to quirky souvenirs.
After returning to our hostel to rest, Lei surprised me with a birthday cake before dinner. The thoughtfulness of the gesture made the night before my birthday extra special.
We headed back to Khao San Road to party and welcome my birthday. The street was alive with energy, music, and people from all over the world celebrating.
We came home pretty drunk, so we grabbed some street food along the way and hung out at the hostel, sharing stories and laughs from our day. It was the perfect way to end the night before my birthday.
Day 3: My Birthday
We started the day a bit late at 9 AM – not surprising after our Khao San Road adventures the night before! But it was my birthday, so sleeping in felt well-deserved.
For the day, we hired a private van to take us to some special cafes outside Bangkok. Having our own transportation made it so much easier to explore multiple locations without worrying about public transport or finding taxis.
Here’s where we went:
- After the Rain Coffee and Gallery – beautiful, serene setting despite the heat, perfect for photography
- Bubble in the Forest – more expensive food but absolutely magical ambiance (10/10 for atmosphere!)
After our cafe hopping, we went to the Pride march.
This was Lei’s first Pride celebration, and sharing this colorful, joyful experience with her on my birthday added such special meaning to the day.
The energy, acceptance, and celebration of diversity perfectly embodied Bangkok’s welcoming spirit.
We ended the day with a thrilling tuk-tuk ride through Bangkok’s streets – exhilarating and slightly terrifying at the same time!
For my birthday dinner, we surprisingly ended up at Burger King, which reminded us how much more expensive international fast food is compared to the incredible local cuisine we’d been enjoying.
Day 4: Ancient City Museum Adventure
This was our cultural deep dive day – we dedicated the entire day to exploring the Erawan Museum, and the Ancient City Museum, two of Thailand’s most impressive attractions.
We started early and took public transportation to reach the first Museum. The journey itself was part of the adventure, giving us a chance to see more of Bangkok outside the tourist areas.
Erawan Museum
Our first stop was the Erawan Museum with its iconic three-headed elephant statue. The massive, intricate sculpture feels almost mythical – truly breathtaking and unlike anything we’d seen before. The incredible interior details throughout the museum made every corner worth exploring.
Pro tip: No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed inside, but they provide cover-ups at the entrance.
Ancient City Museum Experience
The Ancient City Museum is truly one of Thailand’s most unique attractions. It’s an open-air museum that houses replicas of the country’s most significant temples, palaces, and monuments all in one massive park. What makes it special is that you can see representations of Thailand’s most important cultural sites without having to travel across the entire country.
Here’s why we enjoyed it:
- Pre-booked tickets – we got them through Klook for convenience
- Golf cart rental – simple process with just a driving license required
- 3 hours of exploration – replicas of Thailand’s most important temples and historical sites all in one location
- Buffet lunch – decent food and fair value for the price
While these weren’t the original temples, the craftsmanship and attention to detail made each structure feel authentic and significant. It was like getting a condensed tour of Thailand’s most important cultural sites.
To end Day 4, we went to Jodd Fairs, a popular night market known for its variety of food stalls and local atmosphere.
We enjoyed exploring the different food options and trying various Thai dishes – the perfect way to wrap up our cultural day with some authentic local flavors.
Day 5: Last Minute Shopping
For our last day, we returned to IconSiam mall for some last-minute shopping. It felt nostalgic going back to where we started our Bangkok adventure on Day 1. We picked up final souvenirs and gifts to bring back home.
For our last meal, we chose Baan Ice, and it turned out to be the perfect ending to our culinary journey in Bangkok. The restaurant delivered an exceptional dining experience that gave us one last taste of authentic Thai flavors.
What we tried:
- Exceptional tom yum soup – rich, spicy, and aromatic – possibly the best we had during our entire trip
- Perfectly seasoned stir-fried chicken – tender and flavorful
- Pork in sweet soy sauce – beautiful balance of sweet and savory flavors
It was the ideal way to conclude our Bangkok food adventure – ending on a high note with incredible authentic Thai cuisine that reminded us why Bangkok is considered one of the world’s best food destinations.
Conclusion
Five days in Bangkok flew by faster than we could have imagined. Honestly, it wasn’t enough time to fully explore everything this incredible city has to offer.
My Trip Highlights:
- Favorite destinations: The Erawan Museum and Ancient City Museum definitely stole my heart. The three-headed elephant statue and the incredible collection of Thai cultural sites in one location made for the most memorable experiences of our trip.
- Favorite food: Tom yum soup became my absolute favorite – rich, spicy, aromatic, and authentically Thai. Every bowl we tried was better than the last.
- Best memories: Sharing Lei’s first Pride celebration, the surprise birthday cake, our late-night adventures, and exploring Thailand’s cultural heritage with my favorite people.
I would definitely come back to Bangkok in a heartbeat. There’s still so much to explore, eat, and experience. Next time I return to Thailand, I’m planning to visit Pattaya to see a different side of the country and expand my Thai adventure beyond Bangkok.
Bangkok proved that the best trips are the ones shared with the people you love most.