The capital of Thailand and the most popular city in Southeast Asia, Bangkok is packed with numerous sites and activities for travelers to indulge in.
The city has a history going back thousands of years and has long been a cultural and political center of Thailand. As a result, there are historic sites, palaces, and Buddhist temples scattered all through the city.
Bangkok has a modern side to it too, with shopping malls, entertainment centers, and unique culinary experiences.
If you have time, head out of the city and go on an excursion or two. Public transport in the city is excellent!
Start with the Suvarnabhumi airport guide to help you get in and out. Make the best use of the bus and the MRT network (The Metropolitan Rapid Transit) as they’re cheap and efficient.
Check also: What to see in Thailand in 14 days? Complete itinerary.
Top things to do in Bangkok, Thailand
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Accommodation in Bangkok
I chose a couple of high-rated hotels & guesthouses within different budgets to make planning easier for you ๐
Chakrabongse Villas – if you’re not on a budget you will enjoy staying in these amazing villas. You’ll get amazing food, perfect views and stunning conditions to relax. Guests call this place a hidden gem!
ASAI Bangkok Chinatown – a great hotel near Chinatown. Guests appreciate the location, good breakfasts and a convenient shop 7/11 which is open non-stop ๐
Thanabhumi – an inexpensive apartment very close to Khao San Road, guests appreciate comfort and amazing value for money!
Lamphuhouse Bangkok – budget but good accommodation. Near Khao San Road but quiet and with nice common areas to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Again, great value for money!
1. Khao San Road
A backpacker street located very close to the Grand Palace area. Khao San Road is known for its party vibe, youth population, and numerous budget hostels and hotels.
Visit here in the night to soak in the electrifying vibe, to see people partying on the streets swaying to the music played by the bars and clubs.
If you are just arriving in Bangkok, take public transport from DMK airport, and you will be here in no more than 30 minutes. Khao San Road offers lots of attractive and budget-friendly places to stay in Bangkok.
2. The Grand Palace
Spread over a large complex, the Grand Palace of Bangkok is as huge in scale as the name suggests. Though you cannot step inside the main building which is still used for official purposes, you can visit one of the several dozen buildings that are located within these walls.
The palace complex also houses Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the temple of Emerald Buddha.
The Emerald Buddha, enshrined in Wat Phra Kaew, is a small, green statue that holds religious and cultural significance. The statue is ceremonially dressed by the Thai King to reflect the changing seasons.
The temple boasts an impressive golden Chedi and a richly decorated altar. Since the queues can be quite long it is recommended to book your ticket in advance.
3. Wat Pho
The temple is part of a larger complex consisting of numerous other religious structures. The main attraction of this beautiful Thai temple is the statue of the reclining Buddha. Gigantic in size, the statue measures 46 meters in length and is decorated with gold leaves.
Popular activity amongst the visitors includes donating coins to the 108 bowels placed on the temple’s premises. Wat Pho is located quite close to the Grand Palace and the two can be easily combined.
4. Wat Arun
The temple of Wat Arun is located opposite Wat Pho on the other side of the river. The central tower, or prang, is the main feature of Wat Arun. It’s famous for its beautiful architecture and the colorful porcelain and ceramic tiles arranged in intricate patterns, depicting mythical creatures and scenes from Thai literature.
Wat Arun is also called the temple of dawn as the name Arun is synonymous with the God of dawn. Climb up the 80 meters of the high main tower, Phra Prang, for a sweeping view of the area.
When the sun goes down thousands of people gather on the other side of the river to see Wat Aaron lit up brilliantly, it is quite a sight!
5. Jim Thompson house
Jim Thompson was an American businessman who single-handedly put Thailand on the fashion map for silk clothing.
Made entirely of wood that was brought from different parts of the country, the house is elegantly decorated and furnished with antique furniture.
A visit to his house is a must if you want to know more about Jim Thompson’s contribution and see his art collection. People visit his house to enjoy the unique architecture and the pretty garden, and to learn about the man who made Thai silk well-known globally. It’s a great place for both locals and tourists to explore and appreciate Thai heritage.
6. Chinatown
To get a bite of the Chinese culture head to Bangkok’s Chinatown district which is located on Yaowarat Road.
It offers numerous Chinese restaurants which serve the best authentic Chinese dishes. Wander through the little alleys and shop for curious and rare oriental souvenirs.
The breathtaking Wat Traimit, with its huge golden Buddha, is also a major draw of the area.
The best time to visit Chinatown in Bangkok is of course the Chinese New Year, which is usually celebrated towards the end of January or the beginning of February.
To get here take the MRT subway and get down at the Hua Lamphong stop.
7. Bloomfield park
Located in the heart of Bangkok the park provides an excellent opportunity to visitors to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Bangkok streets.
Follow the walking tracks in this green lung of the city as you spot the wildlife that dots these greens. And don’t be startled if you come across a few Malay lizards they sure look somewhat like Komodo dragons but are far more benign.
Kids would also enjoy their day out in the park’s playgrounds and ponds with boat rides.
8. Floating market
The floating markets are unique to Southeast Asia, and there are quite a few to explore in and around Bangkok. The idea is that you get around on a boat and buy from the vendors selling from their boats. The lively scene of busy criss-cross canals is a photographer’s delight, be ready with your best equipment.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of the most popular ones, located around 100 km away from Bangkok. Some other notable names include Amphawa and Taling Chan Floating Market.
I recommend going to the floating market on an guided tour. The guide will arrange transportation from Bangkok and boat reservations, and will also tell you about the history of the market, local customs, and trading traditions. You will learn how to negotiate prices and how to recognize authentic souvenirs. You can book such an organized trip to the Damnoen Saduak floating market on the Get Your Guide website here.
9. Chatuchak market
If you love shopping you need to visit Chatuchak market. Spread over an area of 25 acres are rows upon rows of stalls selling everything from tourist trinkets to cheap fashionable clothing.
Visit the market on your way out of Thailand to take back a bag full of souvenirs home! It’s a good place to buy souvenirs in bulk. Just remember – everything is negotiable, don’t hesitate to haggle.
10. Thai boxing
Muay Thai is a form of boxing quite popular in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand. Watching a game of Muay Thai is a unique experience for its high-charged atmosphere and the thrill of seeing the best display of the art form.
Tickets for popular matches tend to sell out so it is recommended to book in advance. And if you are feeling extra adventurous take the training and hit the ring yourself.
11. Boating on Chao Phraya River
Apart from road transport, Bangkok has an excellent network of water transport as well, and seeing the city through a boat trip on the Chao Phraya River is an experience you will never forget.
You can either go for a guided trip or choose your own adventure with one of the ferry services. You can take an evening cruise and enjoy dinner on board as you take in the beautiful cityscape.
12. Attend a cooking class
If you can’t have enough of Thai food perhaps it is time for you to learn how to cook one. There are culinary classes taught by expert chefs or unassuming locals.
There are classes for every budget and you can even book these online. Some classes will even take you to a busy market and show you how to buy the right ingredients for your meal.
One important thing you will get to know is the nuance that differentiates an authentic Thai dish from an average one.
13. Relax with a Thai massage
After a day of running around in the hot sun who wouldn’t mind an evening of relaxation? Thanks to the omnipresent massage shops you don’t have to go far.
The two popular forms of massage are the foot massage and the full body massage, lasting for anything from half an hour to an hour.
14. Shopping malls
Bangkok is also known for its wide variety of shopping malls that sell everything from low price items to luxury goods. There are floors upon floors of small shops selling everything from clothing items to electronics and more.
Some of the bigger ones are located in and around Siam Square, including names such as Siam Paragon and MBK. Terminal 21, IconSiam, and Central World are some other big names. Visiting one of these makes for a good rainy day activity.
And remember just because you are inside a shopping mall doesn’t mean that you don’t haggle. Prices are often jacked up and you may negotiate practically everything.
15. Asiatique The Riverfront
Located by the river Chao Phraya, Asiatique is a well-developed waterfront offering its visitors an eventful evening with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
The whole area comes to life at night when it is brilliantly illuminated and is abuzz with a mix of locals and travelers. The thousands of stalls, small and big, that are located here sell everything from street food to fast fashion.
Saphan Taksin is the nearest BTS station and from there you can catch a free 10-minute ferry to Asiatique.
This post was written by a guest author – Vidyut from triplyzer.com. Thanks! ๐ Here’s a little bit about him:
An otherwise regular lad, Vidyut suffers from an advanced staged OCT – ‘obsessive compulsive traveling’. At one corner of his home office, you can always spot a packed backpack, which often gets picked inadvertently and disappears with its owner. He is also the writer of the book The Himalayan Tsunami and shares his escapades through his blog triplyzer.com. You can follow him via the following social media channels: Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
Check also the following posts:
What to see in Thailand in 14 days? Complete itinerary.
10 things to do in Chiang Mai you can’t possibly miss
Full guide to the most stunning Ayutthaya temples and attractions.
Let me remind you of good accommodation options in Bangkok! ๐
Chakrabongse Villas – if you’re not on a budget you will enjoy staying in these amazing villas. You’ll get amazing food, perfect views and stunning conditions to relax. Guests call this place a hidden gem!
ASAI Bangkok Chinatown – a great hotel near Chinatown. Guests appreciate the location, good breakfasts and a convenient shop 7/11 which is open non-stop ๐
Thanabhumi – an inexpensive apartment very close to Khao San Road, guests appreciate comfort and amazing value for money!
Lamphuhouse Bangkok – budget but good accommodation. Near Khao San Road but quiet and with nice common areas to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Again, great value for money!
Check also the following posts:
What to see in Thailand in 14 days? Complete itinerary.
10 things to do in Chiang Mai you can’t possibly miss
Full guide to the most stunning Ayutthaya temples and attractions.
