It’s nearly Valentine’s Day and Bangkok is bulging with activities for hopeless romantics – whether it’s flowers or chocolates you’re after, we’ve got you covered.
Dine on the Chao Praya
If you’re planning a big night out for Valentine’s Day, why not take to the Chao Praya to dine on the water? There are plenty of cruise options but the Banyan Tree Bangkokís Apsara is one of the best known and most reputable in Bangkok. This year, they offer dinner for B4888 per couple, offering a range of delicious signature Thai dishes, including Tom Kha Kam Poo with crab claw and coconut broth and Pla Hima Neung Manao, a steamed snowfish with chilli and lime.
If you don’t fancy dining while rocking up and down on the river you can, alternatively, head to the Banyan Tree on dry land and enjoy a five-course dinner at Vertigo for B8800 per couple.
Explore the flower market
If you fancy getting out and about on Valentine’s Day – maybe before you take your romantic cruise – drop in at Pak Khlong Talat, the flower market, to buy your bundle
of roses. The streets surrounding the flower market’s main building are already packed by mid-morning and make sure you don’t get run over by the ‘trolley mafia’, workers that go rattling up and down, pushing barrows stacked high with enormous pandam leaves.
It’s not just flowers on sale here – out the back, there are vast stores of fruit and vegetables. And you might need to stock up on krachay dam, or ‘black finger ginger’, a renowned Thai aphrodisiac popular with the hill tribes in the northern provinces.
Indulge in sweet treats
It may be a day for lovers – but also for chocolate-lovers. And there are a handful of top-notch chocolatiers and sweet shops preparing to raise their game.
Chocolab at Sofitel So uses the world’s best cocoa beans from the oldest plantations and offers an all-you-can-eat package between 4pm and 5.30pm for B750. Or check out
their chocolate-cooking class for B2900. The Chocolate Boutique at the Shangri-La gets creative, fashioning chocolate-covered raspberries, as well as chocolate tuk-tuks and chocolate lipstick sets.
Meanwhile, the Mandarin Oriental Shop is offering a selection of Valentine’s-inspired delicacies, including heart-shaped macarons, strawberry-filled pastries and artisanal chocolates. But why wait until Valentine’s Day? At the Dusit Thaniís bakery and patisserie, you can enjoy Valentine’s Day all month.
Take a cooking class
If you’re feeling a little more hands-on this Valentine’s Day, what’s more romantic than a loving couple working side-by-side in the kitchen, preparing a delightful meal? Well, at the very least, if you take a cooking course, your jointly prepared meal is less likely to be a complete disaster.
Bangkok has plenty of choices when it comes to cooking schools but there are a few stand-outs. Over on the Thonburi side of the river, Amita Thai runs a class in a charming old canalside home, where you’ll handpick ingredients from the garden.
The Baipai Cooking School is out near Chatuchak – so you can do a spot of shopping once you’re done – and is known for being particularly hands-on. Equally, Blue Elephant runs one of the best-known classes in the city, combining traditional Thai with some more innovative dishes. If you’re lucky, you’ll also pay a visit to the market before you start cooking.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Deals
The Square at Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit is offering an array of Valentine’s highlights for B2400 per couple, including two glasses of sparkling wine. Couples can spend a relaxed evening at Dee Lounge’s Beer Garden with a premium grilled seafood set plus one bottle of sparkling wine for B2600.
Rossini’s at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit presents a special five-course menu (B6000 per couple) with a different dish for him and her from February 10-16. With the restaurant’s knowledgeable sommelier on hand, diners are assured the perfect pairing for the extraordinary menu.
The special four-course menu will be something you’ve never tried at diVino before as Chef Roberto passionately prepares his special dishes for the occasion. The price is B4000 per couple, including a bottle of rose wine.
L’Appart at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit invites you to enjoy a very special evening with a gourmet four-course wine dinner at B3999 per person. The various fine dishes and desserts will be paired with premium wines.
The Landmark Bangkok provides lovers with a Valentine’s buffet at Atrium for B3200 per couple. An exclusive five-course dinner is also available at Rib Room and Bar for B12,000 per couple.
A five-course set dinner that includes a complimentary bottle of pink sparkling wine is offered for B9900 per couple at Elements restaurant at The Okura Prestige Bangkok from February 14-16.
An array of premium Italian dishes and desserts, such as lobster carpaccio, seared monkfish cheeks, Canadian lobster seared Rossini-style and Sicilian cannoli are offered on the Luce In Love five-course menu (B5950 per couple) at Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok.
The special six-course dinner set menu, priced at B3999, is offered at Crowne Plaza’s Panorama. For a truly memorable dining experience, couples will be given a welcome glass of prosecco and ladies roses.
Hua Chang Heritage Hotel Bangkok has an exquisite Thai set menu for B850 per person, including red roses and rose wine. Tantalise your taste buds with a set dinner of various Thai dishes and fresh tropical fruits as well as tea or coffee at the end.
An unforgettable dinner at The Royal Orchid Sheraton is guaranteed to dazzle. Enjoy the international and BBQ buffet dinner for B4000 per couple at Feast. There are also magnificent river views with a western set dinner at Sambal Bar & Grill for B3500 per couple, while an authentic Italian set dinner is available at Giorgio’s for B3500 per couple.
For one night only at Crêpes and Co., couples will enjoy an intimate four-course Mediterranean set menu for two. The price is B1798 for two people, including one glass of wine each.
A romantic Valentine’s night buffet is available at Patummat at The Sukosol Bangkok. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of western and Asian cuisine at B1200 per person.
Lebua at State Tower celebrates the romantic evening with an exclusive seven-course dinner at Sirocco for B21,999 per couple. At Mezzaluna, a seven-course tasting menu is available for B6500 per person. Try the international buffet at Café Mozu for B1550 per person.
At The Sukhothai Bangkok, enjoy a private zone of Celadon Herb Garden’s lovely and aromatic herb garden with a special Thai set dinner at B5600 per couple. Try the set menu at Celadon Restaurant for B4800 per couple.
At Sofitel So Bangkok, an exquisite four-course set dinner is available for B7500 per couple, including two glasses of champagne at The Water Club and Solarium. On the same night at The Box, there’s a six-course gastronomic dinner for two at B28,000 per couple.
Celebrate the day of love at amBar at Four Points by Sheraton. Only B4500 per couple for an impressive seafood appetiser platter, a full buffet and a great variety of desserts with a bottle of wine and an exclusive box of chocolate.
Over at Millennium Hilton Bangkok’s Maya, the 13-course Thai set menu for two is designed to make the evening special. The price is B3200 per couple. You can also enjoy a four-course set menu with a bottle of Champagne at Three Sixty for B14,000 per couple.
Treat your loved one to sweet offerings at Brasserie Europa. Enjoy a special eight-course, priced at B9999 per couple. Guests will also be eligible to enter a prize draw for a weekend stay in luxurious accommodation with a spa treatment and Sunday lunch for two at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.
