16-Year-Old Solo Adventure in Bangkok – Why Not?

Entry for the Travel Writing Contest “Free to Explore – Your Way” by Hải Nguyên about the solo trip to Thailand at the age of 16.

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There are many airlines operating flights to Bangkok, but the cheapest are Air Asia and Vietjet Air. I booked a week before the trip with Vietjet Air, and the fare was quite reasonable (around 2.5 million VND). Try to catch Air Asia's sales at the end of the year, book months in advance, or watch for Vietjet Air deals around 12 pm occasionally.

There are many rumors about Thai customs, suggesting that solo travelers need to carry at least 700 USD to enter, and this has been confirmed. However, during my visit, customs didn't check or ask anything; they simply stamped the passport. It's advisable to prepare 700 USD just in case they inquire.

You can easily purchase a 4G SIM card in advance on Klook and use the code BILLBALO for an 80k discount. Simply book online and show the QR code at the designated Klook counter in the airport to collect your SIM. The Klook counter may not be easy to find; you have to go down to the last floor near the Airport Rail Link, and a little further is the counter.

Additionally, there's another fantastic option I personally used – the hop-on-hop-off boat pass on the Chao Phraya River, only 180 baht per day from 8 am to 6 pm, allowing you to hop off at any pier. This is a convenient choice as the scenic attractions are along the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok offers a plethora of accommodation choices, ranging from luxury to budget-friendly. Hotels range from 30 to 200 USD per night, while dorm rooms in hostels, like the one I stayed in, are around 10 USD per night. I explored key areas like:

Khao San: A bustling street catering to budget travelers, vibrant and close to attractions.

Chinatown: Affordable prices, numerous budget accommodation options, delicious food, but limited transportation options.

Silom: Bangkok's administrative hub with modern buildings, convenient accommodations, efficient transport, proximity to famous sky bars, plenty of entertainment options, but somewhat distant from tourist attractions.

Siam: Convenient transport, renowned shopping centers, suitable for shopping enthusiasts, yet somewhat dull and less active in the evening.

Sukhumvit: Convenient transport, modern, reasonably priced, lively at night, but far from tourist spots and the old town.

Riverside: A collection of luxurious accommodations, suitable for families and resorts, but with relatively high prices.

Thai cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes. You can choose from fine dining to budget-friendly eateries, with prices ranging from 30 to 300 baht, depending on the location and area. Delicious dishes include pad thai, various rice dishes, salads, tom yum soup, and more. Especially, if you're on a budget like me, opt for local favorites, where you can enjoy super tasty meals for just 30 to 50 baht per serving.

Exploring Bangkok in 4 days is just right. Spend the first day wandering through the old town, day two in China Town and Silom, and day three in Siam and Sukhumvit for shopping and entertainment. I delved into some off-the-beaten-path spots not typically found in tour itineraries, like Lhong 1919, BACC, and the flower market, all of which I found charming and pleasantly uncrowded.

3:00 PM: Upon landing at Suvarnabumi Airport, swiftly headed to the Klook counter to pick up the pre-booked 4G sim from the day before. With the sim in hand, quickly connected to the internet to figure out the transportation to Khao San. Options were either a bus or taxi, as there's no Airport Rail Link to Khao San. Opted for the S1 red bus and arrived at the final stop – Khao San, where my booked hostel was located.

4:00 PM: Got off the bus, activated Google Maps (4G sim worked like a charm), navigated to the hostel, checked in, and settled into the dorm room with four beds, shared with fellow backpackers. Hard to believe I had finally made it to Bangkok!

5:00 PM: After resting, I headed to Khao San for some fun. It wasn't bustling yet as it wasn't evening, so I decided to stroll through the streets and have dinner at a nearby vibrant street (also within walking distance). Ordered a plate of chicken pad thai for 50 baht, quite reasonable for a touristy area.

8:00 PM: Finished dinner and decided to wander around Khao San. My overall impression was that it resembled Hanoi's Ta Hien with super cheap beer and lively bars. Partied until around 10:00 PM and headed back to rest for the next day.

9:00 AM: After breakfast at the hostel, I planned to visit the Grand Palace. However, the walk was tiring, and upon reaching, I discovered the hefty 500 baht entrance fee and the scorching crowd. Decided to skip going inside but still admired it from the outside; nonetheless, it's a must-visit spot.

9:30 AM: Unable to go to the Grand Palace, I headed to Wat Arun. While contemplating how to get there, a tuk-tuk driver kept following me, inviting me to join. Asked the price to Wat Arun, and he quoted 100 baht straight or 20 baht to the pier, where I'd buy a ferry ticket. Opted for the latter. A ferry ticket at Tha Tien pier costs only 4 baht, making it a total of 24 baht, much cheaper than the tuk-tuk option.

10:00 AM: Before entering Wat Arun, I explored a nearby temple, which I found quite beautiful with intricate Buddha statues and detailed patterns. The entrance fee to Wat Arun is 50 baht, only 1/10th of the Grand Palace, but much less crowded. The temple is impressive with a main tower and four surrounding towers, adorned with intricately patterned stone tiles, giving it a luxurious look. Asked someone to take a few pictures to capture the memories.

12:00 PM: Taking a break, I struck up a conversation with a Korean traveler exploring Southeast Asia. We shared travel experiences, and he was quite surprised to learn that I'm only 16 (!). Not knowing where to go, I decided to tag along with him to Siam. He suggested a budget-friendly way – buying a boat ticket from Wat Arun to BTS Saphan Taksin pier for 50 baht, then a BTS ticket to Siam for 30 baht. He guided me on buying BTS tickets, how to use the card, and navigating the stations. Excitedly, I took the BTS alone for the first time. At Siam station, I bid farewell to the Korean gentleman and explored the surrounding area.

1:00 PM: Siam is an immense shopping mall with three sections: Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery. Feeling hungry, I found dining options limited and time-consuming in Siam. After a 15-20 minute walk, I discovered a local eatery offering reasonably priced food compared to the expensive ones nearby. My meal included rice, minced meat, and eggs, all for just 30 baht.

5:00 PM: After eating, I spent time in Siam until 5:00 PM, then met up with Vietnamese friends I had contacted earlier. We visited BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Center) near Siam Discovery. The exhibition rooms were creatively designed and pleasantly surprising, even featuring art installations with real people.

7:00 PM: We went to Siam Center for dinner in the food court. I ordered Japanese rice for 90 baht, a bit pricey for my budget, but reasonable in the upscale shopping mall. Afterward, I continued to buy gifts for family and used Grab to return to Khao San for 70 baht.

10:00 PM: Back at Khao San, I strolled around again before resting.

8:30 AM: Took a morning stroll to sense the Thai way of life, finding their morning market activities quite similar to Vietnam. Khao San Road was oddly quiet and deserted, a stark contrast to its vibrant nightlife.

9:30 AM: Headed to Phra Arthit pier and decided to buy a hop-on-hop-off boat ticket for 180 baht (valid until 6:00 PM), a reasonable price for the flexibility to hop on and off at any pier within the specified hours. Utilized the boat time for a video call with family, enjoying the scenery and taking photos.

10:00 AM: Disembarked at Pakkhlong Taladd pier and was recommended to explore the Flower Market nearby. The market offered a variety of flowers, primarily for local Thais, with few tourists in sight. Unable to read Thai, I couldn't identify the types of flowers.

10:15 AM: Wandered to a nearby local market selling various vegetables and everyday items, giving a familiar feeling like home. Took the opportunity to capture snapshots of the market, trying to connect with the local atmosphere. Notably, fruits here were very affordable; I bought a bag full of watermelon for just 20 baht. This area had more locals than tourists, with houses displaying a nostalgic charm.

11:15 AM: Feeling hungry, found a Chinese-owned eatery selling a dish resembling Pho, but no one spoke English, so I communicated through gestures. The noodle dish was tasty and cost 40 baht. Later, I discovered it's called Kway Tiew Nahm Sai.

12:00 PM: After a brief rest, headed to the pier to catch a boat to the next stop – Chinatown. Getting off the boat, it took about 10 minutes to reach the main street, Yaowarat. Found a delicious marinated meat skewer vendor nearby, only 8 baht per skewer, the tastiest I've ever had. Chinatown was vast, with small lantern-lit streets, occasional temples reminiscent of Hoi An. Explored the narrow alleys for photo opportunities.

2:00 PM: Arrived at the next pier – Lhong 1919. It's a community of 19th-century Chinese shophouses transformed into a museum, an art space, and traditional craft shops. The most captivating aspects of Lhong 1919 are the street art-style wall paintings, retro-inspired patterns, and architecture that still exude traditional charm.

4:00 PM: Disembarked at the last pier, Saphan Taksin, the same pier I got off yesterday to take the BTS to Siam. Noticed some people walking up the bridge spanning the river near the pier to take photos, so I followed suit. The view from the bridge is stunning, offering a panoramic view of modern buildings and the Chao Phraya River.

4:30 PM: Decided to head to the next destination – Lumpini Park by buying a BTS ticket from Saphan Taksin to Salang Daeng station in the Silom area and then a 5-minute walk.

5:00 PM: Lumpini Park is quite spacious. Though I entered when the crowd was dispersing, the park itself was tranquil. Captured peaceful moments of Bangkok residents exercising and socializing. Later, I sat by the lake in the park to enjoy the sunset.

6:30 PM: Looked for dinner in the Silom area and found a local eatery where many locals dine, offering a meal with rice, stir-fried beef, Chinese broccoli, and boiled mixed vinegar eggs for 60 baht, quite reasonable.

7:00 PM: Continued to stroll in Silom, explored malls, and admired the nighttime street scenes. In my opinion, Silom's nightlife surpasses Siam because around Siam in the evening, it's somewhat dull without any street entertainment except in the main Siam area.

8:00 PM: Explored the route to Patpong, Silom's most famous night market and the largest legal red-light district in the city. Red-light bars discreetly nestled amid narrow alleys while on the other side of the street is a night market with countless souvenir, clothing, and jewelry options ranging from 20 to 150 baht. Bargaining is a must!

8:30 PM: Planned to walk to Silom MRT station and head towards Chinatown, but feeling quite tired and considering the early flight tomorrow, opted for a motorcycle taxi back to Khao San for 150 baht. Spent a bit more time in Khao San, then returned for a shower and rest.

9:00 AM: Woke up, had breakfast, strolled the streets for a while, packed up, and caught bus S1 about 10 meters from Khao San to the airport. Misjudged the flight time, arrived early, but once at the airport, all worries faded away. The journey concluded.

In total, I spent 4,200,000 baht (excluding souvenir expenses).

Flight ticket: 2.6 million baht

Hostel dorm room: 600,000 baht for 3 nights

Airport-city transportation: 80,000 baht for a round trip

City transportation: 300,000 baht (walking, motorbike taxi, grab, hop on-hop off boat, BTS)

Dining: 300,000 baht for 6 meals (including hostel breakfast)

Sightseeing: 30,000 baht (Only Wat Arun required an entrance fee)

Casual dining, bottled water: 150,000 baht

Incidental fees: 50,000 baht

Returning to Hanoi, feeling light and happy for accomplishing something incredible at this age. The best part is sticking to the planned budget, even spending less than 300,000 baht (originally budgeted 4.5 million baht). I will strive to fulfill my dreams of visiting India, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia before turning 20.

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