This trip felt very real the moment I boarded my flight and realised… I had forgotten my debit cards.
Tired? Yes.
Panicked? Also yes.
Sweating? Absolutely.
Luckily, I had brought some cash which I then thought I had also lost, only to rediscover it hidden in a secret pocket like a reward for past me’s organisational skills.
Lessons learned before even leaving:
Always leave a spare set of keys with a trusted friend
Appreciate said friend forever when they save your trip
Double-check your packing list when you’re tired (seriously)
1 Month in Bangkok: Heat, Chaos & a Very Real “Should I Move Here?” Moment
Week 1: Settling In, Jet Lag & Immediate Food Priorities
I’m finally back in Bangkok!!! the heat, the traffic, the energy, and most importantly… the food.
There’s something about Thailand that just switches my brain off in the best way possible. The moment I arrive, my whole body relaxes, even if the city is doing the exact opposite.
I didn’t even make it out of the airport before getting: an iced lemon tea and a bowl of khao soi
Basic survival requirements after a 12-hour flight if you ask me.
This trip came with a question: “Could I actually live here?”
Five weeks to figure it out. No pressure.
The first few days were about adjusting to the heat, the food, the jet lag but also just getting back into the rhythm of the city.
I always make a point to walk around my neighbourhood. No amount of online research beats simply wandering and getting lost (in a controlled, Google Maps-enabled way).
One of my first unexpected highlights?
A drone and fireworks show at Chao Phraya Sky Park. Completely unplanned, slightly chaotic, very worth it. Also, Thai crowds remain impressively orderly in all situations. What a breeze.
My debit cards finally arrived… A quick 48-hour DHL rescue mission later. And then I didn’t use them for another two weeks.
The drama for nothing.
I ended the week exploring the new Dusit Central area, sipping jasmine iced tea while overlooking Lumphini Park — a view I kept coming back to (for the scenery…)
Weeks 2–3: Cafés, New Friend & Accidental Adventures
Week two brought one of those moments that can completely shape a trip:
I met a new friend through a Facebook group (GGI Bangkok).
We met for noodles, naturally, followed by a stop at 108 Juice, a place I had low expectations for (thanks, social media), but it turned out to be genuinely good and very refreshing.
From there, the trip took on a slower, more social rhythm. Lots of cafés, long chats, and wandering.
One standout was Piccolo Viccolo; tucked away in a tiny alley that requires real commitment to find. The café itself is nice, but the real charm is outside: plants, small independent shops, locally printed zines: Spacebar Zine Bangkok, vintage books, postcards, great outdoor space… the kind of place you accidentally spend hours in.
On a random day (was it a Tuesday or Wednesday?) my body requested Western food.
Cue lunch at Roast, followed by vintage shopping and a visit to One Bangkok, a massive new shopping complex where I somehow spent more time admiring the “Christmas” lights outside than actually shopping.
The Most Unexpected Local Experience
I stumbled upon a Red Cross fair at Lumphini Park and was not prepared.
Crowds, food stalls, lottery tents with giant teddy bears, fried everything, and even a shadow puppet show. It was chaotic, overwhelming, and probably the most local experience of the entire trip.
I loved every second of it!
A Surprisingly Good Detour: Sea Life Bangkok
On a whim, I visited Sea Life at Siam Paragon (bit hefty of a price if you ask me: 30€)
But honestly? It was great. Way bigger than expected, with species I’d never seen before and an entire section dedicated to sharks.
To say I probably spent an hour watching sharks might be an understatement. No regrets.
Weeks 4–5: Gift Hunting, Slow Days & “I Might Cry at the Airport”
The final weeks were a mix of:
Gift hunting
Revisiting favourite spots
Ticking off the last few things on my list
Quietly reflecting on the whole experience
There was also a rooftop moment (mosquito spray required) with a great view and no overwhelming crowd — always a win.
One unexpected discovery?
The sheer number of tarot decks available in Bangkok. Entire bookstore sections dedicated to them. Make of that what you will.
Slow Days & Hidden Gems
I visited the Bangkokian Museum, a small, free museum showing a traditional Bangkok home filled with personal memorabilia. Peaceful, interesting, and worth a stop if you’re nearby.
Followed, of course, by a Thai tea at Balzac Café, a French-inspired spot filled with second-hand books, records, and postcards. The owner is lovely, and it’s the kind of place you don’t rush.
The “Trust Me” Sunset Spot
One evening, my friend took me to a hidden spot across the river.
The entrance? Through a slightly questionable car park.
The welcome? Plants everywhere and a 70s poster of a naked woman (apparently there were more upstairs…).
I had questions. But the view? Worth it. The vibe? Even better.
This one stays a gatekept gem.
Dinner afterwards turned into a mini adventure: got a bus to a market that had not much going on, so we took a taxi that tried to scam us, then a 2nd taxi that took us to the correct location and then the reward: sushi ! It was good sushi though.
Slightly chaotic, mildly stressful, but ultimately worth it.
A Little Self-Care Moment
I was gifted a Panpuri onsen and spa experience (Gaysorn Tower), and it might have been one of the highlights of the trip.
Lovely staff, calm atmosphere, a beautiful onsen, a quiet resting room (with light background snoring), and an incredible massage.
I finally got my onsen experience (didn’t do it in Japan cause I’m tattooed and was a little lazy to do my research) and yes, I’ll be back.
New Year’s Eve wasn’t exactly what I expected but it was celebrated.
The next day with a strong social hangover, I ordered a hojicha latte and a cookie for breakfast and received the sweetest message to start the year.
A quiet, perfect moment.
A Permanent Souvenir
A week before leaving, I booked a tattoo, something to mark this chapter and remind me to come back. (If safe to do so, I recommend a tattoo as a souvenir)
The artist was so gentle… I fell asleep mid-session. Highly recommend that level of trust.
The Final Days
As the trip came to an end, I found myself wanting to:
Eat all my favourite meals one last time
Share one last dinner with my friend (with a view of Wat Arun, obviously)
Return to a restaurant from my previous trip and still just as perfect, even with bats occasionally dropping twigs from above.
Leaving (Reluctantly)
One last Thai tea at the airport, tears in my eyes and a very full heart.
Final Thoughts
I never imagined I’d be able to do something like this — spend a full month in one city, living slowly, building routines, meeting people, and genuinely considering a life there.
It was everything I hoped for and more.
I left with:
A head full of memories, a promise to return and the feeling that next time… it might be for even longer
And maybe, just maybe, with a bigger project than I ever imagined for myself.