One of the best parts of staying at No.31 is your chance to experience a more authentic side of Bangkok, away from the main tourist hubs but still buzzing with life. Here are some of our personal recommendations for shopping, dining, and essentials right here in Pinklao.
You are just a short ride away from Bangkok's historical heart and some incredible local spots. Here are our recommendations, divided into the world-famous landmarks and some of our favorite local gems.
The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
What it is: The city's most famous landmark. A dazzling complex of temples, halls, and pavilions, and the spiritual heart of the Thai kingdom.
How to Get There: The easiest way is to take a taxi ride, which takes about 15-20 minutes without traffic.
While You're There:
Eat at: Tha Maharaj - This is a modern, riverside community mall right next to the pier with a great, clean food court and several good restaurants and cafes. It's a perfect place to rest in the A/C after visiting the palace.
Drink at: Blue Whale Maharaj - A very famous and photogenic cafe known for its blue, butterfly-pea-flower lattes.
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
What it is: Located right behind the Grand Palace, this temple is famous for its gigantic, 46-meter-long gold-plated Reclining Buddha. It's also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
How to Get There: It's a 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace, or a short taxi ride away.
While You're There:
Eat at: Err Urban Rustic Thai - A cool, modern restaurant by renowned chefs serving high-quality Thai food and creative cocktails. It's a great spot for dinner in the area.
Relax at: Get a traditional Thai massage at the Wat Pho massage school itself! It's one of the best and most authentic experiences you can have.
Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
What it is: The stunning, temple with its iconic spire, located directly across the river from Wat Pho. It's especially beautiful when lit up at night.
How to Get There: From Tha Tien Pier (N8) next to Wat Pho, take the cheap and quick cross-river ferry (costs about 5 THB) directly to the temple entrance.
While You're There:
Drink at: Amorosa Bar (at Arun Residence) - A famous rooftop bar with an absolutely perfect, direct view of Wat Arun. Go for a sunset drink.
Khao San Road
What it is: The world-famous backpacker hub, a vibrant street packed with bars, budget-friendly food, market stalls, and travelers from all over the globe.
How to Get There: Take a short taxi or Grab ride (10-15 minutes). You can also take the Orange Flag boat to Phra Arthit Pier (N13), which is a 5-minute walk from the road.
While You're There:
Explore: Don't just stay on Khao San Road! The adjacent, slightly more relaxed Rambuttri Alley has a wonderful atmosphere with great restaurants and bars under lantern-lit trees.
If you have more time or want to explore beyond the main highlights, these places offer a more unique and local experience.
The Artist's House (Baan Silapin) at Klong Bang Luang
What it is: A beautiful, old wooden house right on a quiet canal (klong), giving you a glimpse into the old "Venice of the East" lifestyle. It's a cafe, art gallery, and community space all in one.
Why Go: It's a peaceful escape from the city bustle. On weekends, they often have free traditional Thai puppet shows (check their Facebook page for schedules), which are a rare and wonderful art form to witness.
How to Get There: This is best reached from our side of the river! A short taxi or Grab ride is the easiest way. Ask for "Baan Silapin, Klong Bang Luang." See location on Google map
Wat Rakhang Khositaram
What it is: A major local temple right on the river, next to Wang Lang Market.
Why Go: It is a beautiful and important temple for Thais but sees far fewer tourists than Wat Arun or Wat Pho. You can experience a temple with a more local, serene atmosphere. Its name means "Temple of the Bell," and its bell tower is famous.
How to Get There: Take a short taxi ride to Wang Lang Market and walk to the temple on the riverfront. See location on Google map
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market (Weekends Only)
What it is: Another fantastic weekend floating market, often considered even more local and less crowded than Taling Chan.
Why Go: It's an absolute food paradise. While there are boats selling things, the real highlight is the huge market on the land next to the canal, with an incredible variety of authentic Thai food. It's a great alternative or addition to Taling Chan.
How to Get There: A 15-20 minute taxi ride from No.31. See location on Google map
Museum Siam
What it is: A modern, interactive museum focused on the question "What does it mean to be Thai?".
Why Go: Unlike traditional museums with glass cases, this museum is fun, engaging, and uses creative displays. It's fantastic for families and anyone interested in culture presented in a fresh way. It's located very close to Wat Pho.
How to Get There: Take the Orange Flag boat to Tha Tien Pier (N8). See location on Google map
Siriraj Medical Museum (A Quirky & Graphic "Hidden Gem")
⚠️ Please Note: This recommendation is not for everyone and is not suitable for young children or those who are easily squeamish. It is often nicknamed the "Museum of Death."
What it is: A collection of medical museums within Siriraj Hospital, featuring anatomical specimens, forensic pathology exhibits (including from famous crime scenes and tsunami victims), and medical oddities.
Why Go: It offers a fascinating, if sometimes gruesome, look into the history of medicine in Thailand. It's a truly unique and memorable experience for the curious traveler.
How to Get There: Located inside Siriraj Hospital, just a short taxi ride away and next to Wang Lang Market. See location on Google map
Central Pinklao
What it is: The main shopping mall and hub for the entire area. It's a large, modern complex where you'll find everything from fashion brands and department stores to a cinema, a large supermarket, and dozens of restaurants.
Renovation Note (as of June 2025): Please be aware that the mall is currently undergoing a major renovation project. While it remains open for business, some shops or zones may be temporarily closed or relocated. There is no official completion date announced yet, but you will still find a wide range of stores and services available.
How to Get There: A 15 minutes walk or A short taxi ride (approx. 5-10 minutes) from No.31.
Central Pinklao's location on Google map
Indy Market (Pinklao)
What it is: A bustling, trendy night market next to the Bang Yi Khan MRT station. A great place to experience local youth culture.
What to Expect: Affordable clothes, handmade accessories, and a huge variety of street food, often with live music.
Location: Right next to the Bang Yi Khan MRT station exit. An easy 8-minute walk from No.31.
Pro Tip: The market comes alive in the evening, usually from 6:00 PM to midnight (closed on Mondays). For a great first meal after arrival, take a short walk here in the evening for fantastic street food!
Indy Market location on Google map
Lotus's Pinklao (formerly Tesco Lotus)
What it is: A large hypermarket—think of it as a one-stop shop for almost everything.
Why Go?: This is the perfect place for all your grocery shopping needs. You'll find a huge selection of fresh food, local snacks, drinks, toiletries, and even simple clothing and home goods. It sells regular-sized products, making it more convenient than Makro for most travelers.
How to Get There: Lotus's is located on the same side of the road as Central Pinklao, making it easy to visit both. A short taxi or Grab ride is the most convenient way to get there. For those who enjoy exploring on foot, it's about a 10-minute walk, and you'll find many interesting street food stalls and snack vendors along the way.
Lotus's Pinklao location on Google map
Makro (Pinklao Branch)
What it is: A wholesale warehouse store, great for stocking up on drinks, snacks, and groceries if you are staying longer.
Why Go?: This is a fantastic option if you're staying longer and want to stock up on items in bulk quantities at excellent prices.
How to Get There: We recommend a short taxi ride. It is also a 20-minute walk for those feeling energetic.
The Sense Pinklao
What it is: A relaxed "community mall" focused on dining (Japanese, Korean, Thai hotpot, cafes) and lifestyle services.
How to Get There: Located just down the road from Central Pinklao, a short taxi ride away.
The Sense Pinklao location on Google map
Wang Lang Market
What it is: A classic, chaotic, and incredibly authentic daytime market by the river, famous for its cheap clothing and amazing street food. A true feast for the senses!
How to Get There: Best reached by a short taxi ride to the Siriraj Hospital area.
Wang Lang Market location on Google map
Pro Tip: This market is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon. Go with an empty stomach!
Taling Chan Floating Market (Weekends Only)
What it is: A charming and accessible floating market focused on food, especially grilled seafood. A perfect, relaxed half-day trip where you can also take a canal boat tour.
How to Get There: A 15-20 minute taxi ride from No.31.
Taling Chan Floating Market location on Google map
Pro Tip: This market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays (roughly 8 AM to 5 PM).
Feeling hungry after all that exploring? We've put all of our personal favorite neighborhood restaurants and food stalls on a dedicated page. Please see 'Our Favourite Local Eats' guide for our insider tips!
Closest Convenience Store: For all your immediate needs—water, snacks, drinks, and basic toiletries—the nearest Convenience Store is just a short walk from our door. It's open 24/7.
Tops Daily : A great mini-supermarket. To get there, walk from No.31 towards Bang Yi Khan Station; it's just past the bus stop. location on Google map
7-Eleven (Option 1) : Walk from No.31 towards Pata Pinklao; you'll find it on the ground floor of the Lumpini Suite Pinklao condominium. location on Google map
7-Eleven (Option 2) : There is another 7-Eleven on the opposite side of the main road. For your safety, we recommend walking down from No.31 to the nearest marked crosswalk to cross the street. location on Google map
Closest Pharmacy: The closest phamacy is eXta Plus next to 7-eleven across the main street. You can find several local pharmacies on the main road with a green cross symbol. They can assist with common medications. For a large selection, we recommend the Boots or Watsons inside Central Pinklao and Tesco Lotus.
Closest Thai Massage: Health Land Pinklao: For a high-quality, clean, and professional Thai massage or spa treatment, we recommend Health Land. They are a well-known chain and offer everything from a 2-hour traditional Thai massage to longer spa packages. They are open daily from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. A short walk is the best way to get there (approx. 6-10 min). Location on Google map
Closest Hospital: Chaophya Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเจ้าพระยา) For any serious medical needs, this is the nearest major private hospital with a 24-hour emergency room. It's about a 10-15 minute taxi ride away. In a medical emergency, dial 1669 for an ambulance.
Chaophaya Hospital location on Google map
🔔 A Note on Our Neighborhood Charm
Experience our unique location: No.31 is a peaceful retreat nestled within a quiet, authentic local neighborhood. You might even hear the delightful bell of a traditional Thai food cart passing by – a true slice of local life!
This list is just a starting point. Bangkok is a city that rewards curiosity! Please don't hesitate to ask us (Nymph & Tawan) if you have any questions or would like more specific recommendations. We're happy to help you discover the best of our city!