Bangkok attractions
Bangkok is perhaps Thailand’s number one attractions with its gaudy palaces, exotic pagodas and many regal sights. Even though it was only founded in the late eighteenth century, it has been the centre of Siam and Thailand through several glorious eras that have resulted in all sorts of impressive sites. Over the centuries grand palace compounds, souring chedis, giant swings, lofty temples and teak mansions have all been added to the city’s façade. Among the modern skyscrapers and highways are plenty of cultural gems to keep tourists occupied for days. Then there are the contemporary drawcards like the Backpacker haven of Khao San Road, and the shopping district of Siam Square. Here are the main attractions in Bangkok, in order of popularity. Three popular day trip destinations have also been included at the bottom.
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: located in the grounds of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew is among the top attractions, attracting tourists with its stunning temples, towering golden chedi, ornately decorated interiors and the much reverred though diminutive Emerald Buddha. The palace, although not as impressive as the surrounding temples, is an interesting example of new-Baroque architecture. Fine murals are also on display, and there is a decorations and coins museum on site. It’s the one site all tourists get to while in Bangkok. Located in the historic Rattanakosin district.
Open: daily 08.30 to 15.30
Admission: 200 baht for both the palace and the temple, Thais free.
More on the Grand Palace
Wat Po: located beside the neo-baroque Grand Palace, Wat Po is a complex of stunning temples with intermingling spires of intricate and ornate design. The most outstanding attraction is the massive, 40 meter reclining Buddha which is one of the most impressive and certainly the largest in all of Thailand. Also noted for its ancient school of massage.
Open: daily 08.00 to 16.00
Admission: 20 baht
Wat Arun: with its spectacular river side location and the soaring 82 meter spire set right in the centre of the temple, Wat Arun is another of Bangkok’s top attractions. It’s also one of the oldest, pre-dating the founding of Bangkok when the original capital was set up in Thon Buri in across the river. Makes an excellent sunset backdrop from river boats. Located opposite Wat Po, catch boats from Tha Tien pier behind the Grand Palace.
Open: daily 08.30 to 16.30
Admission: 10 bahtv
The National Museum: is home to a large and impressive collection of Thai art spanning many eras. It’s probably one of the most important repositories of Southeast Asian antiquities in the world with many impressive items on display covering Buddhist art spanning 1500 years. There are also displays on the history of Thailand, with information in English. Large enough to keep you occupied all afternoon, the museum has a wide ranging collectio of artefacts covering all aspects of ancient and recent Thai history. Located beside the Grand Palace opposite the Sanam Luang ground.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 09.00 to 16.00
Admission: 50 baht
Vimanmek Teak Mansion and Dusit Throne Hall: this is the world’s largest teak construction, located within the complex of the Dusit Palace. The impressive architecture, design features and exemplery works of art are some of the finest examples in the country, while the photograph collection of King Bhumibol is an interesting insight into the lives of the Thai monarchy. Well preserved, it offers a good glimpse into Royal life during the reign of King Chulalongkorn in the late Nineteenth Century when Siam was at its zenith. Located opposite Dusit Zoo, in the leafy Dusit suburb, easily reached from Khao San Road and the Grand Palace. The adjacent neo-classical Throne Hall was one of King Chulalongkorn’s European inspired fancies and is used for ceremonies, such as the King’s 60 year reign celebrations where hundreds of thousands packed the arcade in front, it looks impressive but is off limits to the public.
Open: daily 09.30 to 15.30
Admission: 100 baht
Jim Thompson’s House: Jim Thompson is credited with the international revival of the Thai silk industry. His Bangkok home is one of the best preserved examples of a traditional Thai residence, with an outstanding collection of art and antiques from throughout Southeast Asia. Located near Siam Square (National Stadium BTS station).
Open: daily 08.00 to 17.00
Admission: 100 baht
Royal Barges Musuem: this museum is home to the spectacular barges that are used by royalty for very special ceremonies. They are astoundingly ornate and more curious in appearance than beautiful, but certainly worth a look. Riverfront, near Pingklao bridge.
Open: 08.30 to 16.30
Admission: 30 baht
Thon Buri canals (trip): a trip along Bangkok’s canal is one great way to see a number of the major sites from an interesting perspective, without the hassle of having to navigate Bangkok’s city streets. A leisurely cruise along one of Bangkok’s water ways affords passengers a glimpse inside the daily life of locals. Boats can be boarded from any pier along the canals. The Chao Phraya Express boat passes many of the city’s major sites. The quiet canals of Thon Buri, across the river are a world away from modern Bangkok and show how Bangkok once was when it was described as the ‘Venice of the East’ a century ago.
Open: daily, early morning to evening
Admission: 500 baht per boat per hour tour.
Chinatown: for some of the best in Chinese food, a bustling and diverse market and fine examples of architecture, Chinatown is an experience not to be missed. Although the streets are jam-packed with stalls and shops and crowded with people at the best of times, the sweat lost will be worth it for a truly new experience. Chinatown has the biggest concentration of gold shops in the city, but you will also find a host of ornaments, whole sale jewellery, textiles, antiques, musical instruments and ancient Chinese medicine shops. There are some good and not so good guesthouses and hotels. Trty wandering down some of the quieter lanes to witness an unchanged Bangkok. (Hua Lampong Metro station and some walking).
Open: 24 hours
Admission: free
Khaosan road: this is the bohemian and backpacker capital of Asia. There is a constant flow of tourists from every conceivable corner of the world as well as ‘out there’ Thai’s who come and go in a never ending stream. People watching is taken to a new extreme here with 24-hour performances from random passers-by. The area is packed with tourist agents, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, while the street stalls offer a good selection in cheap clothing and counterfeit goods. If you really want to go the whole hog while travelling, Khaosan is the place to have your fake dreadlocks sewn on. Located near the Grand Palace.
Open: 24 hours
Admission: free
More on the Khao San road
Siam square: a modern cosmopolitan area which makes a good effort at being the ‘Times square’ of Bangkok. The bustling hub is packed full of large shopping malls with the best in designer names, upmarket outlets, restaurants and bars, cyber cafés and fast-food outlets - you name it, Siam square’s got it. It’s a popular hangout spot for the young and trendy, who use the area as a large catwalk. (Siam BTS station).
Open: daily.
Admission: free
Patpong: despite being one of Bangkok’s original red light districts, Patpong attracts loads of tourists to its market with its vast array of fake designer goods and prices that are hard to beat. The goods are of decent quality and most people will probably only realise their lacking authenticity on close inspection. It’s an excuse for the more curious to pop in on the go go bars and ‘ping pong sex shows’ upstairs, most leave them disappointed by the boring shows and expensive beer. Silom area, (Sala Daeng BTS station.)
Open daily: 18.00 to 01.00
Admission: free
Red Light districts: it is not certain why so many tourists feel that it is a must to check out the seedy red light districts that Bangkok has become so famous for, but it is common for all types of tourists to hit some sort of sex show while in town. There are three distinct areas, including Patpong, Nana plaza and soi Cowboy, which at night turn into centres for all sex related activities, (Sala Daeng, Nana and Asoke BTS stations respectively).
Open: from early evening to early morning
Admission: free
Chatujak weekend market: this crammed labyrinth of market stalls is hard work, but it’s completely worth it for the range of offerings and jaw-dropping bargains to be had. With everything from Thai handicrafts and souvenirs to the hippest of second-hand clothing, Chatujak is the place to fulfil your heart’s shopping desires. Drink plenty of water, take regular breaks and you may just be able to keep going until you’ve shopped the place bare, (Mo Chit BTS station).
Open: Saturdays and Sundays, 06.00 to 17.00
Admission: free
Suan Pakkad Palace: a curious little museum tucked away in pretty gardens among the bustle near Siam Square. Meaning Cabbage Patch Palace, Suan Pakkad was built as a residence for a Rama V era princess and has been well preserved as an indication of regal Nineteenth century Thai living, containing many interesting items form the era, along with an interesting collection of Thai musical instruments from Prince Paributra. Conveniently located, a good time filler, (BTS Phaya Thai).
Open: 09:00 to 16:00 daily,
Admission: 100 baht.
Wat Saket and the Giant Swing: This is one of the more important impressive of Bangkok’s many temples and a chance to experience a temple compound without too many tourists. Nearby is the recently renovated Giant Swing - a bizarre and unique sight used in Brahman rites festivals. In the Grand Palace vicinity near the Democracy monument.
Open: 08:00 to 18:00 daily,
Admission: free.
Temple Mount: this was once the highest point in the city until skyscrapers arrived in the second half of the twentieth century. Built on the remains of a collapsed giant pagoda, this elevated temple offers magnificent views of the city, and is attached to Wat Saket, it supposedly holds a Buddha relic.
Open: 08:00 to 17:00 daily,
Admission: 10 baht.
Wat Traimat: is yet another temple, noted for its 5 tonne, three meter tall solid gold Buddha which curiously lay hidden beneath a stucco cover for centuries, saving it from marauding Burmese. The gold was accidentally discovered 40 years ago while it was being moved and became damaged. Gets busy with tourists. Near Hua Lampong station (Metro station).
Open: 08:00 to 17:00 daily,
Admission: free.
Lumpini Park: located in the heart of the city, this expansive area is a nice escape from the city madness. Early morning in the park, you will find hundreds of residents out for their morning yoga, tai chi or jog. There are a number of Thai restaurants and boats are available for hire for a peaceful cruise on the lake in the heart of the park, (Lumphini Metro station).
Open: daily 04.30 to 21.00
Admission: free
Outside of Bangkok
Floating Market: most tours include the delightfully chaotic Floating Market on itineraries but its an early start to get to the area in Damnoen Saduak, an hours drive southwest of the city and an organised tour is the best option. The sights, sounds, smells and array of goods on offer can be slightly overwhelming, but you won’t find this experience many places in the world. Although quite touristy, it reflects a typical central Thai market that uses the many canals instead of streets for commerce.
Open: daily 06.30 to 10.00
Admission: organised tours start from 650 baht
Ancient City: offers tourists a step back in time and almost perfect replications of Thailand’s most historically renowned sites and monuments. In some cases original structures have been moved here and others were rebuilt from plans, to recreate originals that have long since disappeared. This open-air museum is located amid tranquil lakes and beautiful gardens and is a great way to see historical sites from all over Thailand without travelling! Located in Samut Prakarn, an hour south of the city by taxi, but worth it - highly recommended.
Open: daily 09.00 to 18.00
Admission: 300 baht, chidren 200, Thais 100 baht.
Koh Kret: about an hour’s drive from the city centre, Koh Kret is a small, picturesque island and a place of great historical value, dating back to the Mon settlement of the 6th century. It is the perfect getaway from the overwhelming buzz of Bangkok, with ceramic artists who open their workshops to visitors and sell their beautiful designs on-site.
Open: always
Admission: free
