Here is how you can travel smarter and explore the real Bangkok beyond tourist spots

There are two things that make visiting a new destination truly authentic. The first is researching the place to immerse yourself in its environment, and the second is having a local friend to guide you off the beaten path. While it is not always possible to have a friend in every corner of the world, the Internet is the next best thing.

A seasoned traveller, however, will tell you that your best ally in a new city is your hotel’s front desk. This can be a gamble — you might find yourself in crowded tourist traps or discover a true hidden gem. How do you avoid the former? Ask someone whose job it is to know the city inside out.

At Renaissance hotels, a team of navigators helps guests experience the local culture. If you happen to find yourself in Bangkok, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong’s navigator Worathep S should be on your speed-dial. He moves effortlessly through the bustling streets and leads a group of enthusiastic explorers into the heart of Bangkok’s main railway station Hua Lamphong. “It is my job to tell you where to go and what to see. Tell me the kind of experience you are looking for, and I will help you with everything — from how to get there to how much it will cost you,” he says with a smile as we enter the railway museum.

Every year, the 170-plus Renaissance hotels across the world celebrate their ability to know each corner and crevice of their neighbourhoods with a day they now like to call the Global Day of Discover (GDOD). In 2024, Renaissance celebrated the 10th anniversary of GDOD, with Bangkok as the epicentre of the celebrations.

We were whisked away in a tuk-tuk in true Bangkok style, to Hua Lamphong (also known as Bangkok railway station), the 108-year-old railway station in the heart of the city. At the entrance were at least three fully functioning, life-sized vintage locomotive engines that made time stand still amongst the stained-glass windows. The subway leading to the functioning platforms was converted into a museum that depicted the evolution of Bangkok’s public transport system and the making of Bangkok railway station. “It is better to not get a daily pass or travel card when one comes to Bangkok. We have two different train systems and they use different cards. I suggest you buy tickets on the go,” advises Worathep about getting around the city. 

After the tour, we followed Worathep down an alleyway to a hidden gem. Nestled amidst greenery was Taiban Café, where friends and families sat with paints, brushes, and canvases, sipping drinks and enjoying desserts. Each one of us was handed tote bags and canvases and encouraged to paint and were given guidance if needed. As we blended into the lively chaos of the cafe the afternoon seamlessly turned into evening, and we all emerged as decent artists at the end. We savoured pandan custard toast and banana pancakes, then tucked our art away to carry back home as a reminder of this moment.

The day ended with a luxurious three-course Italian dinner at La Tavola, a restaurant at the hotel. After indulging in a decadent tableside Caesar salad, truffle mushroom arancini bites, burrata salad, and a pumpkin ravioli with numerous glasses of wine, the beds at the hotel felt just as luxurious. 

The next day began with a brisk morning yoga session by the indoor pool, followed by a big breakfast spread and lots of coconut water at the all-day dining outlet, Flavours. No trip to Thailand is complete without a Thai massage, and the Quan spa offered just that. A two-hour massage doubled as a relaxing nap before we headed out for some retail therapy. The hotel was located only a short walk from the major shopping malls such as Central World and Platinum.

As a part of the 10th GDOD celebrations, the lobby and outdoor areas of Renaissance were decked up to resemble the Bangkok Railway Station. Rows of street food carts were lined up along make-shift railway tracks, giving out delicacies like fried rice with pork belly, coconut water, local beer, egg pancakes, pad thai, skewered chicken, pandan desserts and more.

The celebration was marked by the signature Punchbowl Ritual (a ceremonial bowl where the first cocktail of the evening is mixed) presented by the hotel’s mixologists. The cocktail of the hour was called Mango Groove, which paid tribute to Thailand’s famous mango sticky rice. It was crafted with Chalong Bay Rum (made from Thai sugarcane), a creamy sticky rice syrup, ripe Thai mangoes, and topped off with coconut cream and peanuts. 

The event also saw the launch of Renaissance digital marketplace R-Finds, which helps local artisans, creators, and small businesses from over 20 countries showcase their products. It connects travellers with these vendors, helping them take a piece of the local experience back with them. From bespoke home decor made with dried palm leaves to medicated herbal inhalers, six vendors from Thailand presented their products at the event. 

The evening concluded with a performance from Thai singer, songwriter, and lyricist Burin Boonvisut with his band Burin & The Soulsmith, and a reminder that the perfect way to explore a new destination is to go where the locals go, and do what they do. 

This writer was in Bangkok for the Global Day of Discovery at the invitation of Marriott International