5 things you must do in Bangkok, according to Drew Arellano

Drew Arellano recently embarked on a Bangkok adventure for his travel show Biyahe ni Drew. With local guides, he uncovered the city’s well-kept secrets, much-loved traditions, and new and exciting offerings.

While watching the hour-long show, we took down notes for when we visit next — because you know, Bangkok is very easy to go to. It's only a three-hour flight away and it doesn't require a visa.

Below, are the 5 things you simply must do when in Bangkok.

1. Ride the tuktuk. If our jeepneys and our tricycles got married and had a child, it would be the tuktuk. It’s a three-wheeled vehicle that is dressed to impress. “Ang daming kulay,” observes Drew. Unlike our trikes, the tuktuk can seat three passengers at most — but that’s because the tuktuk will have the passengers comfortably seated, with much room for them to stretch their the legs.

2. Visit the Wat Pho. It is the oldest and the biggest temple in Thailand. There are about 1,000 images of Buddha at the Wat Pho but nothing is as awe-inducing as the Reclining Buddha. Apart from the unique position Buddha is in — it is the Buddha’s usual position while resting, symbolizing how he isn’t very different from people — check out the bottom of his feet! Carved into the mother of pearl are the three worlds that Buddhists believe in. BTW, the Reclining Buddha is the biggest Buddha in Thailand.

3. Look for the best pad thai. Says Drew — and affirmed by kilometric long lines — Thip Samai Pad Thai is the best in Bangkok. The place serves pad thai cooked in shrimp oil, using a special type of noodles, and wrapped in egg, omelette style. Thip Samai Pad Thai remains faithful to the 77-year-old recipe and loyal to the traditional cooking method, that is, on a charcoal stove.

4. Go shopping at the Chatuchak Weekend Market. With 15,000 stall shops, you’ll find everything here — clothes, accessories, furniture, antiques, keychains, magnets, teakwood knick knacks, animals. No wonder 200,000 people come here every weekend, when the market is open. Like Divisoria, Chatuchak vendors are very open to haggling. Ask them for the wholesale price, and for extra charm, haggle in Thai. Say “Tao Rai,” which means how much?

5. Feast on street food. You are in the street food capital of Asia after all. Swing by Talat Phlu at around 4-5pm when street food stalls start to open. — LA/KVD, GMA News