Thailand’s ancient capital, established in the early 13th century, Sukhothai is located 427km north of Bangkok, and literally means “Dawn of Happiness.” For 120 years Sukhothai was ruled by many kings, the most famous being King Ramkhamhaeng the Great.
Thailand: Bangkok – 15 great things to do
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple
Bangkok is Thailand’s capital and most important city, with a population of over 10 million. Thanks to its growing economic development and massive popularity as an international tourist destination, it has become one of Southeast Asia’s most influential and modern cities.
Located on the banks of the country’s main river, Chao Phraya, the city relied on a wide system of canals (klong in Thai) for transport between the 16th and 19th centuries, leading to its nickname as the Venice of the East.
Under the shadow of Bangkok’s skyscrapers, you’ll find frenetic markets, snail’s-pace traffic jams, fascinating museums and stunning golden temples.
There are plenty of things to do in Bangkok. Below is a list of 15 ideas of places to explore when you come to this bustling metropolis.
Contents
1. Wat Arun
2. Wat Pho
3. Grand Palace
4. Golden Mount
5. Giant Swing
6. Chatuchak Weekend Market
7. Jim Thompson House Museum
8. Bangkok National Museum
9. Wat Suthat
10. Royal Barge Museum
11. Calypso Cabaret
12. Muang Boran – The Ancient City
13. Erawan Museum
14. Boat Tours
15. Visit a floating market
1. WAT ARUN
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or wat arun, “Temple of Dawn” is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun.
2. WAT PHO
The rambling grounds of Wat Pho cover eight hectares, with the major tourist sites occupying the northern side of Th Chetuphon and the monastic facilities found on the southern side. Wat Pho’s highlight is the impressive Reclining Buddha, housed in a pavilion within the temple complex.
3. GRAND PALACE
Bangkok Grand Palace, found in the heart of the city, is a key tourist attraction and the major architectural symbol of the Thai Royal family. Whilst the royal family no longer reside here, the palace is used for ceremonial purposes and attracts over eight million visitors every year.
4. GOLDEN MOUNT
Widely regarded as one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, Wat Saket Golden Mount was built in the Ayutthaya period, which spanned from the 1300s to the 1700s. It has been continuously renovated by various monarchs since its completion, most notably by King Rama V.
5. GIANT SWING
Standing nearly 90 feet tall, the Giant Swing is located in front of Wat Suthat in the heart of Bangkok. The teak archway, originally used in religious ceremonies, was constructed toward the end of the 18th century, during the reign of King Rama I
6. CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET
The Chatuchak Weekend Market, on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, is the largest market in Thailand. Also known as JJ Market, it has more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors, divided into 27 sections.
7. JIM THOMPSON HOUSE MUSEUM
American Jim Thompson was an officer at the OSS, stationed in Thailand during World War II. After the conflict ended, he stayed in the country to work on a new business plan. In 1947, he sent bolts of vibrant, hand-woven Thai silks to fashion heavyweights in New York City.
8. BANGKOK NATIONAL MUSEUM
A visit to the National museum reveals the History of Thailand And how people lived during the different periods. It gives you a view through the windows of the past. The National Museum was established in 1887 by King Rama V. The original building was formerly the palace of a vice-ruler.
9. WAT SUTHAT THEPWARARAM
The Wat Suthat is one of the most important and one of the oldest temples of the Rattanakosin era in Bangkok. It is one of the six temples in Thailand of the highest grade of the first-class Royal temples.
10. ROYAL BARGE MUSEUM
The Royal Barge Procession is one of the most spectacular events in the world. It is performed occasionally during the Tod Kathin Buddhist Festival. These ornately decorated Boats are maintained by the Royal Thai Navy and docked at The Royal Barge National museum on Bangkok Noi.
11. CALYPSO CABARET
Thailand is infamous for their beautiful kathoey, or ladyboys. The term is used to refer to a transgender woman or a man who likes to dress up as a woman. If you are into drag shows and want to support the local kathoey community, then you must go to Calypso Cabaret.
12. MUANG BORAN – THE ANCIENT CITY
Muang Boran, translated “Ancient City”, is a museum park in Thailand located in Samut Prakan, just outside of Bangkok. This is not an amusement park, but instead is a real-life open-air museum where the most famous monuments of the country are replicated.
13. ERAWAN MUSEUM
Erawan Museum is one of the more interesting and unique museums in Bangkok. The museum’s centrepiece is a massive bronze statue of a three-headed elephant. As well as being a museum this is a popular place of worship for Buddhists.
14. RIVER AND CANAL BOAT RIDES
One of the best ways of exploring Thailand’s capital is by boat, either on the mighty Chao Phraya River or on a long-tail boat tour along the city’s canals (klongs).
There are a myriad of options for travelling around Bangkok aboard a boat.
15. VISIT A FLOATING MARKET
Visiting a floating market seems to be one of the most recommended things to do in Bangkok, and Damnoen Saduak is one of the most popular floating markets close to the capital city of Thailand.
Getting to Bangkok
Bus
While trains don’t reach all of Thailand’s provinces or popular tourist destinations in neighbouring countries, buses or combined train and bus routes will get you there.
The Eastern Bus Terminal, located near Ekkamai BTS station and conveniently locally known by the same name, is the place to go for buses heading to places in eastern Thailand, and the same rule applies to the Southern Bus Terminal.
Go to the Nothern & Northeastern Bus Terminal (located near Mo Chit BTS station and again often sharing this name) for – you guessed it – all northern and northeastern destinations, as well as international destinations including Pakse (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Vientiane (Laos).
Train
Bangkok’s Hualamphong Train Station, which is located in Chinatown, is the main rail terminus for trains heading to and arriving from all points south, north, northeast and east. While the temptingly cheap domestic and short-haul international flights are the quicker option, trains can be great if you’ve got time to spare and want a more immersive experience on your trip to Thailand.
The most popular train journey is between Bangkok and Chiang Mai on the sleeper train. The overnight option saves you the cost of a night’s hotel accommodation, gives you an incredible sunrise view in the morning and is super eco-friendly too!
Flying
Return flights between the United States or Europe and Bangkok vary depending on the city and the season.
Most international flights arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which took over from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) as the city’s main airport in 2006. The latter is mainly used for domestic flights and some international flights from other cities in Southeast Asia.
From Suvarnabhumi, there is a train that takes you to the centre of the city where you can catch buses or the metro to all parts.
Getting around Bangkok
Skytrain
The Skytrain is an elevated train that is also known as BTS.
The system consists of 62 stations along three lines with a combined route length of 70.05 kilometres (43.53 mi). The BTS Sukhumvit Line runs northwards and south-eastwards, terminating at Khu Khot and Kheha respectively. The BTS Silom Line which serves Silom and Sathon Roads, the central business district of Bangkok, terminates at National Stadium and Bang Wa. The Gold Line people mover runs from Krung Thon Buri to Klong San and serves Iconsiam.
Metro
Bangkok’s metro system (MRT) is also good for travelling between the Sukhumvit or Silom districts to reach Hualamphong Train Station. Ticket costs on the Metro are inexpensive.
The popular Chatuchak Weekend Market is located at Mo Chit station on the Sukhumvit BTS line and Chatuchak Park on the MRT line.
Boats
Bangkok is split in two by the Chao Phraya River, and the west bank (formerly Thonburi) is still home to a pretty extensive canal system. One of the best ways (although not necessarily the quickest) to visit sights along the river bank, like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho Temple, is by boat. The main pier (Tha Sathon, or Central Pier) connects with the Saphan Taksin BTS station.
The Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange flag) departs every 10 – 20 minutes between 6 am and 7 pm. The tourist boat (blue flag) runs from Central Pier to Phra Athit/Banglamphu Pier (number 13 on our map). It departs every 30 minutes from 9:30 am to 5 pm and stops at 8 main piers on the route.
To cross the river, countless ferries run every few minutes all day and into the night.
Taxis
Travelling around Bangkok by taxi is surprisingly cheap – sometimes even more so than the Skytrain – plus, it’s comfortable and easy, and the drivers are usually really friendly.
Taxis have to use their meters – if a driver refuses to do so, find a different taxi!
Don’t expect your driver to speak English. An address written in Thai is a good bet to ensure you’ll get to the right place! You can also try using Google Translate on your Smartphone.
Grab
This ride-hailing app is a great way to get around Bangkok. Journeys are reserved via a mobile application, and the journey has a fixed fare meaning that you’ll avoid arguments and haggling with taxi drivers. The application allows payment by card, or you can pay the driver in cash.
Tuk-tuks
Those iconic motorized rickshaws are used by locals and tourists alike for short journeys that aren’t worth the taxi fare. Tourists, however, are usually overcharged for these noisy and polluted trips! Always try and haggle the price and agree on a price before setting off. Super cheap tuk-tuks are usually too good to be true and will take you to gem shops and massage parlours in the hope of some commission.
The best time to visit Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand, lies within the ‘Aw’ Köppen climate zone, demarcating the predominance of tropical wet and dry conditions or more commonly known as ‘Savanna’. The geographical positioning of Bangkok within the lower central part of the country, close to the Gulf of Thailand, contributes to its distinctive tropical climate.
A consistent pattern can be discerned in the city’s climate throughout the year, with average monthly temperatures remaining relatively warm, ranging from a lowest average of 31.7°C to the maximum of 35.4°C. The relative humidity hovers between 66% and 79%, reflecting the tropical nature of the city’s climate. Rainfall varies dramatically, with the months of January and December experiencing just 13.3 and 6mm of rainfall respectively, compared to the deluge of 334mm in September. As far as sunshine is concerned, the city basks in between 5.2 to 9 hours of sunlight per day; this is complemented by daylight hours that range from 11.3 hours to 12.9 hours annually.
Remarkable patterns in Bangkok’s weather include the marked decrease in rainfall towards the tail end of the year and the relatively steady temperature throughout. This pattern of a pronounced dry season, coupled with uniform temperatures and fluctuating humidity levels, offers a distinctive characteristic of Bangkok’s tropical savanna climate.
The best time to visit Bangkok
Visiting Bangkok from November to February could be an enjoyable experience as these months witness relatively lower temperature ranges, from 31.7°C to 34.4°C and least rainfall, from 6mm to 50mm on average. With up to 8.5 hours of sunshine daily and a modest UV index of 9 to 10, these months provide an ideal opportunity for visitors to explore the city’s bustling streets and numerous attractions without the discomfort of extreme weather conditions.
The worst time to visit Bangkok
Planning a visit between May and October may prove to be challenging due to the substantial increase in rainfall, with September witnessing the highest rainfall of 334mm on average. June to September also have the highest relative humidity of 79%, potentially leading to discomfort due to the muggy climate. Temperatures from May to October do not provide much respite either, with the mercury hovering between 32.8°C and 35.4°C.
Where to stay in Bangkok
Siam Square
Siam Square is a shopping mecca, full of luxury shopping centres and bargain department stores, designer labels, and trendy fashion boutiques. The small sois of Siam Square are alive with record stores, bookstores, cafes, and bars. Siam Square has the best shopping in Bangkok and is full of amenities, like cinemas, massage parlours, and salons. Siam Square is busy and safe at all hours.
Sukhumvit
If you want luxury hotels, top-notch restaurants, and lively nightlife, Sukhumvit is the place to go. This is where many ex-pats live and where tourists can find the top facilities in Bangkok. Many cosmopolitan clubs and restaurants line Sukhumvit while calm and atmospheric cafes are hidden in the sois leading off the main street. The Skytrain runs the length of Sukhumvit making it easy to explore. Also, Sukhumvit is famous for two red-light districts, Nana Plaza on Soi 4 and Soi Cowboy, just off Soi 23.
Khao San
Khao San Road is a 1 km stretch of shops, bars, restaurants, and street vendors and is home to the backpacker scene – though it is adding more mid-range hotels and boutiques every year. (Banglamphu is the name of the surrounding neighbourhood.) People either love it or hate it but it is well worth a visit. It’s centrally located and close to many of Bangkok’s top attractions (like the Grand Palace). If you’re arriving late at night and don’t have a hotel reservation it should be your top choice as the neighborhood stays up late and is easy to traverse on foot. The nearby sois (sidestreets) are offbeat arty areas that surprisingly retain a genuine Thai feel. The Skytrain and Metro don’t connect to the Khao San area, so you’ll be dependent on buses, taxis, and tuk tuks to get in and out of the area.
Bangkok Old Town
Bangkok Old Town (also Rattanakosin) is a historic area, bordered by the Chao Phraya and canals which served as moats for the old city. Bangkok’s most revered historical attractions are located in Rattanakosin. The area is home to a plethora of Buddhist temples, palaces, monuments, and museums. The Old City area is relatively small and ideal for walking to explore the area.
Silom
Silom is Bangkok’s Wall Street (through the day). After nightfall, the people and environment changes considerably. The skyline is lined with skyscrapers boasting the names of local and international financial institutions, law firms, and corporations. The small sois between Silom Road and Surawong Road become alive with people, street life, sidewalk stalls, and street food vendors. Tourists and locals come here to see the infamous Patpong red-light district.
Chinatown
Chinese merchants moved to the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in the early 1780’s, making Chinatown the oldest neighborhood in Bangkok. The neighborhood was defined by trade then and still is today. These days, Chinatown isn’t set as a tourist attraction. It is a genuine Chinese neighbourhood where people work and live. The streets of Chinatown are vivid and hectic – packed full of people, market stalls, and a concentration of gold shops. The only drawback is there isn’t much nightlife or amenities aimed at the typical tourist.
Thonburi
Thonburi comprises the entire west bank of the Chao Phraya River – across the water from the city’s center. If you’re sensitive to breathing polluted air then staying in Thonburi can make a noticeable difference on allergies. On this side of the river there’s a slower, more relaxed Bangkok that gives visitors a glimpse into traditional Thai culture. Canals make their way through the relatively isolated neighborhoods. Vendors sell noodles from old Thai long tail boats and locals prefer to bicycle through the sois. The most popular tourist activity is to hire a long tail boat and explore the waterways and floating markets.
1. THE FIG LOBBY
The Fig Lobby is a bright and bold beacon to modern art lodged in an older traditional area of Bangkok. It is bright and ballsy and hard to miss with its bright colours and irregular patterns.
In the heart of Bangkok, The Fig Lobby is within a 5-minute drive of MedPark Hospital and Terminal 21 Shopping Mall. This 4-star hotel is 3.3 mi (5.3 km) from CentralWorld Shopping Complex and 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from MBK Center.
2. MID-RANGE – WHITE IVORY BED & BREAKFAST
We have stayed at this small hotel a couple of times when visiting Bangkok. It is a cosy, off-the-beaten-track boutique hotel with a friendly and helpful staff. The hotel is not in a touristy area and is surrounded by local shops and small businesses. If you are looking for a more authentic Bangkok experience this could be the place for you. There is a BTS station with a few minutes walk and many buses pass close by, so it doesn’t feel cut off at all.
The lobby area looks like a cafe, but I have never seen them serve any food or drink here. It is more of a hangout area for guests. Breakfasts are available at the sister hotel around the corner or you can walk to the main road where there are several ‘western’ style cafes to choose from.
3. BUDGET – NAPPARK HOSTEL AT KHAO SAN
This newly-opened hostel is perfectly located in the very centre of Bangkok. It is close to many tourist attractions, including the Grand Palace, Khao San Road, the Temple of Dawn, Wat Pho, and the famous nightlife and shopping of Bangkok. This hostel was specially designed for backpackers looking to experience a real Thai home styled with a colourful, friendly attitude, fun and sociable atmosphere.
More to Explore
