Updated April 3rd, 2025 In 2020, right before the pandemic hit, I decided to travel to Thailand. It would turn out to be one for the ages, and I am going to share how Thailand inspired me to travel the world just 2 years later. This was the first trip where I wasn’t staying at an all-inclusive resort, no 5-star hotels (Ok, maybe 2 nights at Lebua State Tower in Bangkok). I decided to rough it a bit, staying in dive and budget hotels, stripped-down beach huts, and even renting an Airbnb in Phuket.
The Bangkok Scenes from the Hangover 2 Inspired Me to Travel to Thailand
When did I start to fantasize about traveling to Thailand? That was in 2011 when I watched The Hangover 2 for the second time. What was it from the Hangover 2 that inspired me so much? It started when they woke up in the dive hotel after a wild night of partying. Being the Vegas guy that I am doing the first Hangover many times I knew Bangkok and I would hit it off. I needed to create my own Bangkok story! One that would include a wild night of partying and waking up with a new tatt in a dingy hotel down a back alley with no idea how I got there.
Okay, none of that happened, but I did stay at Lebua State Tower and spend a night at Sky Bar on the 63rd floor. This was the location where they filmed the famous scene on the steps the next morning. I did manage to get a picture in front of the steps and even had a Hangovertini or two. This cocktail served at Sky Bar was made for the Hangover crew during filming. But this was night 2 in Bangkok.
I arrived in Bangkok at 2 AM
The first night, I arrived after midnight, so I took a taxi to my hotel (The Prince Palace), and I was surprised at how quiet everything was. After all, Bangkok is a city that parties 24/7. I discovered quickly this wasn’t always the case.
My First Experience with the Bangkok Chaos
The next morning I stepped outside the hotel and it was total chaos. I was overwhelmed as street vendors were smothering me the second I stepped on the street. Tuk Tuks were everywhere, huge crowds of locals and yes my first experience with Thai street food. I was so hooked I already knew I wanted more. This was the beginning of how Thailand inspired me to travel the world.
My First Street Food Experience on My Trip To Thailand
I began my journey for breakfast as I was very hungry and I bet I walked the area for a good 2 hours thinking “ok how do I do this?” After doing a few laps one of the vendors came on to the street grabbed me by the hand knowing I was a first timer. She showed me a menu with pictures of food to help with the language barrier then grabbed me a pale for me to sit on. She then read my mind by serving up some hot sauce and I was good to go. If you haven’t had a Thailand street food omelet it’s definitely worth the trip.
My First Muddy Water River Taxi In Bangkok
Next, I stumbled upon my first river taxi through the muddy waters of the famous Chao Phraya River. After a quick look at the map, I was ready to give this a shot. After being turned away by the first two taxis, I was finally allowed to jump on. The boat operators who were looking out for me led me to Wat Saket and the Golden Mount, my first temple and Bangkok attraction.
My First Attraction, Temple and Scam Experience on my Thailand Travel Journey
Wat Saket and the Golden Mount was definitely a mesmerizing Bangkok experience. Add in my first Bangkok attempted scam at the Royal Mount dock and we have a trifecta. The classic the temple is closed for the day, but they can take me to a better temple and bring me back when they re-open in a few hours scam. It’s amazing what I saw and experienced in my first few hours in Bangkok. To help avoid falling for the many Bangkok scams I suggest you read my blog, How to Avoid These 3 Common Scams In Bangkok.
In just three hours, I experienced the chaos of 8 a.m. in Bangkok, street food, street vendors, my first tuk-tuk, meeting some beautiful locals, my first water taxi, a Buddhist temple with an unbelievable view of the city, and an attempted scam. Knowing that I could make my way around Bangkok without starving to death was a victory in its own right.
Some Other Thailand Highlights
- I found nightlife like I had never experienced
- Beaches and rock formations that I never imagined
- Elephants up close and personal
- Monkeys in the jungle
If you are planning a trip to Thailand but do not know where to start, check out my blog, Ultimate 3-Week Thailand Itinerary For First Timers
I knew that this was the start of a new travel journey. Stay tuned for what’s next as I travel the world and search for adventure like no other, thanks to Thailand. Simply put my trip to Thailand inspired me to travel the world.
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