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The Ultimate Muslim Friendly Guide For Your Girls' Trip To Bangkok

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Iyesha Maria •  Mar 20, 2019

Round up your girlfriends! It’s time for an exclusive fun-filled girls-only Bangkok weekend getaway ?

Credit: Giphy

There’s nothing like travelling with our best friends, who probably know us better than anyone else in the world. The girls you can be silly with, the girls who know your entire life story, or the girls who are just there when you need them. What better way to keep that bond going strong than to go on a trip of a lifetime together ?

Spend your days shopping Bangkok's iconic malls and markets, ride on tuk-tuks around the city, explore temples and palaces, rejuvenate with a foot massage, savour authentic Thai delicacies or just a cosy hotel for an all-girls pyjama party! We've got you and your squad covered for your trip ?

1 - Shop till you drop ?

Shopping with your girlfriends is the best! They don't mope around waiting to leave (unlike some people we know). Nope, girls who shop together, stay together  ?‍♀️

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Bangkok is the place to be whether you’re looking for luxury goods, thrifty clothes or one-of-a-kind collectables. Between their interconnecting malls and maze-like markets, there is always something to find when shopping in Bangkok. What's even better is most of these malls and markets have halal food nearby to refuel the dedicated shopper.

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Shop through supermassive colossal malls like Central World, the ultra-lux Siam Paragon or quirkily themed malls like Terminal 21 and IconSiam. Find international brands and local designer brands at luxurious to budget prices.

There are more to Bangkok's malls than just shops. Almost every mall has its own speciality - IconSiam has its own floating market indoors, Siam Paragon has Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, and  Terminal 21 themed each floor according to a city. Bangkok shopping is definitely an experience you and your girls will enjoy!

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Or if you're feeling a little vintage and thrifty, bargain your way through street markets like Chatuchak, Damnoen Sadak Floating Market or one of the train markets (Srinakarin or Ratchada). Browse through locally made and designed trinkets, or check out vintage cars and furniture, Bangkok markets are like no other!

Time to call the girls up -  an epic shopping spree awaits.

2 - Tuk-tuk your way through temples and palaces ?

Just because it's a girls trip does not mean it can't be educational and cultured too ?.

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Tuk-tuk rides around Bangkok are a fun way to get around the city! Hail a tuk-tuk from the roadside (or your hotel) and make your way to the three must-visit places in Bangkok - the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho.

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The impressive historical structures will take your breath away. Explore the area and be amazed by the amount of detail and effort that was put into creating these buildings. Every tile, every carving, and every wall has its own intricate detail.

#HHWT Tip: Beware of well-spoken gentlemen in suits or official-looking outfits, often found lurking outside the Grand Palace, who will con you into purchasing entrance tickets from them or taking a tuk-tuk tour of nearby temples.

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Better yet, these beautiful places make amazing backdrops for your squad's OOTD photo ?.

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If you're feeling a little more cultured, drop by the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre too. The museum hosts exhibitions by international and local Thai artists. It also has an art library, cafe and a few shops.

3 - Rejuvenate your mind and feet with a quick foot massage ?

Do you know what you girls will need after a day or two of shopping and sightseeing? A foot massage. Nothing beats a relaxing foot massage after walking through malls, temples and palaces. Lucky for you, Bangkok is known for its Thai massages ?

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Drop by Lek Massage Bangkok for a pit stop and give your feet some much-needed care.

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Lek Massage has been around since 1997 and has been soothing many sore feet since then!

#HHWT tip: Remember to ask for a female masseuse when booking!

Address: 887/1 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

Opening hours: 9am - 12am daily

4 - Eat, and eat, and eat drool-worthy Thai food ?

No Bangkok trip is complete without a taste of authentic Thai food. From the must-eat spicy tom yum to yummy desserts, we've got it all covered for you.

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Once you've worked up an appetite from shopping and sightseeing, head over to Sinthorn Steakhouse for a feast! With its HUGE variety of food including grilled meats, steamboats, and Thai to Mediterranean cuisine, there will be no complaints ?

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: 19/2 Prasert-Manukitch Rd, Khwaeng Chorakhe Bua, Khet Lat Phrao, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10230, Thailand

Opening hours: 8.30AM to 3PM

Or if you're craving only Thai cuisine, drop by Usman Thai Muslim Food.

Credit: @tabrizihussin on Instagram

Dine on delicious tom yum, crab curry, deep fried sea bass, fried noodles, fried rice and so much more! By the time you're done with this place, you won't be able to walk.

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Address: Sukhumvit Soi 22 Next to Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Opening hours: Sat – Thur, 10am – 10pm, Fri 2pm – 10pm

Contact No: +66 81 855 7124

Street food is a must too! Bangkok is known for its variety of street food - both sweet and savoury. We even have a specially compiled list of Bangkok's halal street food so you won't miss out on any goodies!

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Try some Thai coconut hot cakes (Kanom Krok)! It's a sweet dessert made of coconut milk, tapioca starch and rice flour. The savoury bit of this dessert comes from the topping of green onions – all cooked on a circular cast iron pan. Usually crispy on the outside and melty-fluffy on the inside, this dessert definitely taste best when eaten fresh off of the griddle!

Found at most street food joints, one of the best can be found at Kao Wang Kanom Krok, across Ratchawat Market in Dusit!

And foodies, here is a list of all you can eat halal food in Bangkok ?

5 - #OOTD-worthy places ?

What's a girl's trip without a group #OOTD? ?‍♀️Bangkok has plenty of picturesque locations worthy of your social media feed ?. Aside from the usual tourist locations (don't dismiss these places either, they're great for photographs too!), Bangkok has plenty of other unique off-the-trail spots perfect for the gram!

Airplane Graveyard

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The aeroplane graveyard is just what it is - a junkyard of deteriorating aeroplanes and scrap pieces ✈️. The graveyard has grown in popularity among urban explorers and those looking for an off-the-beaten-track Bangkok experience - definitely a place for girls seeking adventure!

And the cross-sections of aeroplanes make extremely unique photographs!

#HHWT tip: Local Thai families who live in the area have claimed 'ownership' over the land and may charge a 200 baht entrance fee.

Jim Thompson House

Jim Thomspon was an American who started the silk industry in Thailand after the second world war. His house, which is now a museum, has an extensive collection of unique Asian art and other displays!

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You can't use your camera in the museum, but snap away outside in the beautiful courtyard with stunning tropical lush greens ?!

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Grab your girls for a quick tea or brunch at the cafe too!

Mae Klong Railway Market

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Another unique location for your OOTD shot! A Thai market built right by the side of train tracks ?. The wonder of this market is how the market stalls have adapted their displays to either pull back from the tracks or sit just below the carriages as they travel past.

Wat Samphran aka Dragon Temple

An enormous 16-storey temple wrapped in the clutches of a life-sized oriental dragon just on the outskirts of Bangkok! It's not a popular tourist destination yet, but it is gaining traction fast. Photos here seem almost surreal!

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The inside of the dragon's body is a staircase so you can climb all the way to the top.

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#HHWT tip:  It is being maintained as best as they can but conditions are still not great because they are not on the tourist list. Volunteers have done the best they can to maintain this wonderful site. We suggest you take safety precautions when exploring this area.

Some of the smaller temples including a turtle temple, a peacock temple and an elephant that you may or may not be able to climb inside depending on the current building maintenance.

6 -  Party in your PJ's at these awesome hotels  ?

And you'll need the best places for your late night all-girls pyjama parties! Reminiscent your sleepover days in these chic Bangkok hotels.

THEE Hotel Bangkok

THEE is a boutique hotel situated on Sukhumvit 20, just minutes away from Asoke BTS station so it's easy to get around the city from the hotel.

Credit: @natsineeu on Instagram

The hotel offers a modern interior that is elegantly complemented by a timeless hint of classical affluence that is perfect for a girl's getaway!

Credit: @thee20.hotel on Instagram

Salil Hotel Thonglor or Sukhumvit

This Spanish architectural style hotel is another perfect accommodation for a girl's only trip!

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Huddle up and watch late night TV while munching on snacks with the girls on their spacious king size bed!

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There's also plenty of OOTD places in the hotel for a group shot ?

There are plenty of other chic hotels to choose from too, and most under RM225/night! Make sure you've packed enough chocolates and sweets for some late night chats!

That's it, girls! Now it's time to start planning for those epic shopping trips, off-the-trail Instagram spots, and fun sleepovers!