Founded in 1782 by the first king of the Chakri dynasty (the dynasty that still rules today), Bangkok covers an area of around 1500 sq km and around 10% of Thailand’s population lives within the metropolitan area. There is no question about it – Bangkok is one of the must see destinations in Asia, an exotic, exciting, bustling metropolis, offering an intoxicating blend of age old culture and traditions, a pulsating nightlife, almost endless breathtaking sights, and food to die for. Almost all visitors to Thailand will start or end their journey in Bangkok – for some, for whom the sheer dynamism of the city is thrilling, a stay here is an unmissable treat, but for others the hectic pace of life, the heat, humidity and traffic can prove a bit overpowering. Whatever your first impressions of the city, dig deeper and you will discover an almost unending list of attractions beneath the surface of this most vibrant city in South East Asia. Around every street corner you will find examples of where old meets new, and where East meets West – towering skyscrapers coexist with ancient temples; ramshackle dwellings crouch in the shadows of modern luxury hotels and down by the river, entire communities continue to live their lives in stilt houses, earning a living using century old traditions; and saffron-robed monks weave their way through rush hour traffic, collecting alms.Through the centre of Bangkok flows the Chao Phraya River, the lifeline of the city which teems with all manner of boats, from traditional long-tailed boats and rowing boats, motorboats and river taxis. To gain the best views of the city, take to the water on any one of these craft, and marvel and the sheer size and scale of Bangkok.
Given the huge volume of traffic on Bangkok’s streets, it can be time consuming trying to get from one attraction to another, so you should plan your sightseeing carefully to minimise travelling – restrict yourself to one area each day, or if you are pressed for time, accept that you are probably not going to get to see everything – a good excuse for a return trip! Having said this, the Skytrain is a good way of getting around the city and will enable you to cross the city more quickly. Many of the most popular tourist attractions, including the Royal Grand Palace, the National Museum and Wat Pho lie to the east of the river and west of the main railway line, in the area known as Rattanakosin Island, where there are also many city hotels. Many visitors to the city do however stay on the other side of the railway line, in the area around the lively Sukhumvit Road, home to some excellent nightlife and shopping, and other tourist attractions such as Jim Thompson’s House. Wherever you stay, you are never far from a stunning tourist sight or some great shopping opportunities – with more than 400 Buddhist temples, glittering palaces, shopping centres that are too numerous and varied to count, and a veritable treasure trove of unique attractions, this is a 24 hour city that cannot fail to impress and amaze. Enjoy!

Fast Facts About Bangkok

Location: On Thailand’s Central Plain
Population: Approximately 7 million people live in Bangkok City, and if you count the entire metropolitan area, the population is closer to 10 million.
Time Zone: GMT+7

Getting Around Bangkok

Bangkok is well served by public transport, and the network covers most places tourists would want to visit, as well as being cheap. The newest addition to the system is the Skytrain, an elevated monorail that has two lines running across the city – the Silom Line leaves from Sapham Taksin and makes the journey through the commercial centre of Silom, through Siam Square to the National Stadium. The Sukhumvit Line is potentially of more use to visitors to Bangkok as I tunds from On Nut along the Sukhumvit Road to Siam Square, Phaya Thai Road, the Victory Monument and Mo Chit. Wherever you are heading on either of these lines, the Skytrain is definitely the quickest way of reaching your destination and there are plans to extend the system across the Chao Phraya River as well as to the south. 

There are also trains that operate from 6am through til midnight, and passes are available if you think you are going to be travelling a lot – one day passes are also available which provide unlimited access to the system for a whole day. 

Bangkok also has a relatively new metro system which handily serves those parts of the city which are not covered by the Skytrain. There are 18 stations across the city, three of which intersect with the Skytrain stations. Like the trains, the underground services operate from 6am through to midnight each day, and passes again are available for one or three days. 

In addition to the train and metro systems, there is also an extensive though complicated bus network operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority – get a route map from your hotel. 

There are many, many taxis in Bangkok, and they are usually reliable, though due to the traffic congestion at many times of the day, they can end up being quite expensive if you opt for a metered one – if you do, ensure the meter is turned on before you leave. If the taxi is unmetered then ensure you have agreed on the price in advance. 

Certainly one of the most popular modes of transport in Bangkok is the famous tuk tuk, small three-wheeled taxis that travel at sometimes alarming speeds through the city streets. Ensure you negotiate a price before you set off! 

One of the most scenic ways to see Bangkok is from the river, and there are numerous river taxis that plough up and down the Chao Phraya River. There are different boats available, including express boats, some of which only operate during rush hours and may only have limited stops. There are smaller boats that simply cross the river. 

Self drive in Bangkok is not recommended for visitors, because of the density of traffic as well as the sometimes complicated road systems

Top Ten Things to See and Do in Bangkok

1. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace Complex in Bangkok is definitely the foremost tourist attraction in the city and no stay here would be complete without a visit to this the city’s most impressive architectural attraction. The palace sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and the highlight of a the tour is the chance to see the Emerald Buddha, confusingly made from jade and not emerald, which sits in the Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is the holiest of all Thai temples. Other attractions within the temple complex include the central Throne Hall, and a room on the second floor which is a shrine for the ashes of previous Kings of Thailand. The Grand Palace itself if a walled complex of several palaces, all of which are highly decorated with colourful tiles and ceramics. Construction of the complex began in the 1782, when Bangkok replaced Sukothai as the capital city of Thailand. Since then the temple has been a symbol of the Thai Royal Family, though the family does not reside there, and just uses the palace for ceremonial occasions. The Grand Palace is open to the public daily from 8.30am to 3.30pm, other than when there are special royal ceremonies taking place. You can get to the Palace by Skytrain to Taksin Station then a Chao Phraya River Express Boat to Tha Chang Want Luang Pier, from which it is just a short walk to the palace. There is a strict dress code for Visitors to the Grand Palace – prohibited items of clothing include shorts, short skirts, tight trousers, see-through or sleeveless tops, or flip flops/sandals without ankle/heel straps. 

2. Wat Pho
There are numerous temples to explore in Bangkok, but after the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most famous ,most visited and perhaps the most interesting is Wat Pho, or the temple of the reclining Buddha. The temple also has the honour of being both the oldest and the largest temple in the whole city and its main attraction is of course the 150ft long and 49ft high gold plated reclining Buddha, which is inlaid with mother of pearl. Apart from this obvious attraction, the temple also is a centre for medical science, meditation and tradition massage training. If you are interested in learning more about tradition Thai medicine, or in receiving treatment, then visit the pavilion within the temple, where at the end of the day practitioners of various traditional treatments dispense herbal remedies. For a nominal charge, you can also have a traditional Thai massage here. As with the Grand Palace there is a strict dress code.

3. Vimanmek Palace
Vimanmek Palace,a stunning example of 19th century Thai architecture, is the largest construction in the world made entirely from golden teak. Previously the summer palace retreat for the royals, built for King Rama V, who used it until 1906, it was later dismantled from its original home and then reassembled at the present location. Located close the residence of the current royal family, it is set amongst carefully manicured lawns, and contains 81 rooms, 31 of which are full of exhibits and are open to the public. Visitors are not allowed to wander freely through the palace but instead must join a guided tour, which are available every half hour. The main highlights of the palace include exhibits such as the oldest typewriter in the world with Thai characters and the first indoor bathroom in the country! Dress code is as at the Grand Palace, and if you have purchased a ticket to the Grand Palace, this will also be valid at the Vimanmek Palace on the same day.. 

4. Chao Phraya River
It is not often that a river forms one of the main tourist attractions of a city but in the case of Bangkok an exception can be made. The Chao Phraya River bisects Bangkok and is the life blood of the city, providing a home and livelihood for many of its inhabitants, as well as being the most important river in the country. Gain some of the best views of the city from the river on board a cruise – there are numerous tourist vessels ploughing up and down stream with popular stops being the Grand Palace Network, and the Temple of Dawn. There are also numerous restaurant boats which offer moonlight cruises including dinner – a very popular tourist excursion. For something a bit different, cruise up the river on board a converted rice barge to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Not for nothing is Bangkok called the “Venice of the East” and the Chao Phraya River has an extensive network of canals – explore these by traditional longtailed boats and see the local floating markets. The canals, called “klongs” in Thai, are where you can witness traditional lifestyles, and there are numerous popular excursions – the most popular of which starts on the Bangkok side of the river and crosses over to Thonburi, travelling up Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai canals, passing the Royal Barge Museum, and the colonial Thonburi Railway Station. Travelling further out of the city, you pass through tranquil rural areas, where villagers cultivate vegetables, fruit and flowers, particularly orchids, that are then sent to market in the city. Alongside the canals are temples, with their resident saffron-robed monks, as well as Thai women in boats selling drinks and snacks to passing tourist boats. 

5. Floating Markets
A perennial favourite with visitors to Bangkok is a trip to the floating markets. Take a long tailed boat along the narrow canals of the Chao Phraya River and see the local merchants selling their wares from their laden canoes – fruit and vegetable, flowers and sweets, as well as tourist ware is on sale. The markets within the city are worth a look but for an even more colourful experience take a trip out to the Damnoen Saduak Floating market 50 miles west of Bangkok (see below under day trips from Bangkok). 

6. Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson is synonymous with Thailand and Bangkok in particular – we was an American who moved to Bangkok after the Second World War, and made his home in the city until his mysterious and so far unexplained disappearance in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia in 1967. He was an avid collector of Thai arts and crafts and Asian art in general, and he was responsible for a revival of the silk industry in Thailand after the war. Much admired by the Thai people for what he had done to one of their traditional industries, Jim Thompson was rewarded for his work with the royal award of The Order of the White Elephant. His home in Bangkok is a fantastically well preserved traditional Thai style teak house, similar in style to the Vimanmet Teak Mansion (see above), and houses a wonderful display of South East Asian art, as well as being an excellent example of Thai architecture in itself. When he lived there, he was a popular and well known host, and visitors such as the writer Somerset Maugham known to have spent time at his home. The hose is located on the Mahanak Canal, across the river from Ban Khrua village where Jim Thompson’s silk weavers lived and worked. The house itself is constructed from six original teak houses that were brought from various parts of Thailand, and was completed in Bangkok in 1959. To get to the house, take the Skytrain to National Stadium Station, or there are also numerous buses. The house is open every day from 9am to 5pm and you can only visit the house on a guided tour, and these depart regularly throughout the day. 

7. The National Museum
Well worth a visit, and providing a welcome break from the heat and bustle out on the streets, the National Museum in Bangkok is home to a massive collection of Asian artefacts dating all the way back to the Neolithic period, as well as telling the history of the country and giving an insight into the lives of Thai people over the years. Artefacts include examples of secular and religious art, pre-historic finds such as Neolithic tools and bronze objects. Also on display in the teak pavilion are belongings of the Thai royal family. Quite apart from the exhibits, the Museum is worth a visit from the point of view of the architecture of the building – over 200 years old and build in traditional Thai style, it is a fascinating construction. The museum is open between Wednesday and Saturday between 9am and 4pm, and there are free guided tours in English on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9.30am, which are to be recommended. The museum is on the other side of Sanam Luang from the Royal Palace, and the best way is to take the Skytrain to Taksin Station and then board a Chao Phraya River Express boat to the Tha Prachan Pier. There are also numerous buses that go to the museum from central points in the city.. 

8. Royal Barge National Museum
On the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River is the Royal Barge National Museum, which houses preserved royal barges, no longer used by the royal family due to their age, though they are brought out for the Royal Barge Procession, when the King presents new robes to the monks of Wat Arun. There are eight long narrow boats on display, though the full fleet numbers 52 vessels in total, and each are ornately decorated with gilt and are quite amazing in size – each boat would need around 60 rowers. There is a carved figure on the bow of each boat and this signifies which member of the royal family would have been carried in the boat, and the most important is the Suphanahong, built in 1911 and 46m long which was used exclusively by the King of Thailand. To get to the museum, take the Chao Phraya Ferry across the river to Bangkok Noi Train Station Pier. The museum is open daily between 9am and 5pm. 

9. Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn)
On the western shores of the Chao Phaya River lies the Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, which is a 17th century temple with a 79m high tower, decorated with colourful ceramic tiles – the tower is best viewed from a distance, ideally from the river, so as to gain a view of the colours to best effect. The Emerald Buddha was originally housed here before it was moved to the Wat Phra Kaeo at the Grand Palace in 1785. The temple is lit up by a spectacular sound at light show each evening between October and May. 

10. Traditional Thai Houses
There are a few other examples of traditional Thai architecture to be found in the city, and a couple of the best examples are Ban Kham Thieng and the Suan Pakkad Palace Museum. The former is a 200 year old teak house from Chiang May, which was brought piecemeal from the northern city to Bangkok where it was painstakingly reconstructed. Unlike some of the fancier examples of traditional Thai homes, this was home to a worker and showcases the simplicity of the rural lifestyle in the north of the country in the 19th Century. Displays inside the house include tradition tools used by northern farmers and by rice field fishermen. The latter example is an altogether grander affair – it was formerly the home of Princess Chumphot, who was an avid collector of Thai art. The palace museum comprises a number of traditional wooden houses which were brought to Bangkok from a variety of towns and villages around the country, and they are all set within one of the most picturesque gardens in Bangkok.

Other Attractions

PARKS:
You can be forgiven for thinking that Bangkok is comprised purely of high rise modern buildings and glittering temples, bustling street markets and congested roads. But what many people do not realise is that there are many open spaces in the city where it is possible to relax and enjoy a slightly greener backdrop. Here is just a small selection of Bangkok’s parks: 

1. Lumphini Park: 
Originally an open field in the centre of the city belonging to the royal family, King Rama VI donated it to the people of Bangkok in 1927 making it the first public park in the country, named after the birthplace of Buddha. Covering 58 hectares, this park is an oasis in the centre of the city, and has plenty of attractions – there are two lakes, a library, lush green lawns, and it is also a popular place for jogging or a spot of tai chi. During December and January, the park also plays host to free concerts. The park is open daily from 5am til 8pm, and is best accessed by Skytrain to Saladaeng Station followed by the subway to Lumphini Station.

2. Queen Sirikit Park: This 80 acre site near Chatuchak Weekend Market incorporates a botanic garden, the Children Discovery Museum, a flower garden and forest park.

3. King Rama IX Park: This 200 acre park is one of Thailand’s most significant botanical gardens, and is divided into six zones – the first is the Garden of the Great King, symbolising the majesty of the King; the second is a botanical garden, which specialises in research; the third is a reservoir, which symbolises the efforts made by the King to improve Bangkok’s flooding problems; the fourth area is an open garden featuring miniature replicas of Thailand’s landscape; the fifth is an open field which is used for festivals and other entertainment; and the sixth and final zone is an area of wetlands and jungle which is home to fish and waterbirds. There are also several other miniature international gardens.

4. Benchasiri Park: This is a relatively small park that was developed to celebrate the Queen’s 60th birthday in 1992, and features an enormous sculpture of the commemorative coin issued at the time, and 12 contemporary artworks.

5. Saranrom Park: Close to the Grand Palace, this park was previously the royal garden of the palace of the same name. There is a marble monument in the garden which is dedicated to the Queen and Prince who died in a boating accident during the reign of King Rama V.

6. Rommanimat Park: This is a park with a difference – set in the grounds of the former prison near Wat Suthat, the park features the Corrections Museum which showcases various instruments of punishment, as well as charting the history of punishment in Thailand. 


TEMPLES:
Bangkok is home to around 400 temples, and although the most famous and most visited have been mentioned above, there are plenty of others with individual characteristics which make them well worth a visit. Just a few are listed below:
 
1. Wat Benchamabophit: 
Known in English as the Marble Temple, Wat Benchamabophit was constructed during the reign of King Rama V, and architecturally stunning. Clad in Carrara marble, the temple is ornately decorated inside with lacquer and gold, and in the courtyard there is an impressive collection of bronze images of Buddha. It is best to visit this temple early in the morning, when local people offer alms to the resident monks, who do not venture out of the temple confines. At sunset also, the main doors of the temple are bathed in light, which is a beautiful sight.

2. Wat Suthat Thep Wararam: 
Located right in the centre of old Bangkok on Rattanakosin Island, this temple was commissioned by the founder of the city, King Rama I, in 1807. It is also here that you can see the Giant Swing, originally built in 1784 and proclaimed a national historic site in 1949, which is one of the iconic symbols of the city. Here, up until the 1930s an annual Brahmin religious ceremony was held to pay homage to Shiva, but was then discontinued due to the high fatality rate when young me used the swing to try and reach a sack of gold that was suspended on a pole 25m high up in the air.

3. Wat Trai Mit: 
This temple, close to Bangkok Railway Station, houses the famous Golden Buddha, the 3m high stature which is made of over five tonnes of gold. Thought to be between 700 and 800 years old, the statue was moved from its original location in the 1930s at which point it was covered in plaster and no-one knew that it was in fact made of solid 18 carat gold, a fact which only came to light in 1955 when the figure was damaged as it was moved. 


OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS 

1. Siam Ocean World: 
One of Bangkok’s newest attractions, Siam Ocean world was opened in December 2005 and is the biggest aquarium in South East Asia. It is home to more than 30,000 marine creatures, including sharks and penguins, and has a 360 degree panoramic oceanarium. It is open daily between 9am and 5pm, and is located near Siam Station in downtown Bangkok.

2. Safari World: 
This is a 170 acre park, where wild animals roam free – you can tour the park either by bus or in your own car, a journey of around five miles that takes about 45 minutes. Highlights include lion and tiger feeding, as well as a boat ride through the jungle, which culminates in a exhilarating log flume drop.

3. Dusit Zoo: 
Established in 1938, Dusit Zoo, in the Dusit district of the city, is home to over 3000 creatures, and is one of Bangkok’s most popular wildlife attractions. Highlights include the children’s zoo, the reptile and amphibians centre, and an amusement park. The Zoo is open daily between 8am and 6pm.

4. Siam Park City: 
This is a water park, which includes numerous waterslides, a man-made beach, as well as playgrounds, a zoo and botanical garden, making it a great day out for all the family. It is open everyday of the week from 10am until 6pm.

Suggested Day Trips from Bangkok

Within easy reach of Bangkok are a number of attractions which are ideal day trips, providing a break from the hectic pace of city life, but also attractions which will give you a more varied taste of this fascinating part of the country. Here are some of our favourites: 

1. The Bridge over the River Kwai: 
Synonymous with the horrors of the Second World War, the infamous bridge over the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi and the beginning of the Death Railway offer a poignant reminder of the fate of the thousands of allied prisoners of war who lost their lives here during World War Two. Most day tours from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi include a visit to the war museum and a train ride on the railway itself. There are also a couple of Allied war cemeteries just outside the town. Kanchanaburi is 76 miles from Bangkok and is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, surrounded by forested mountains and picturesque valleys. 

2. Ayuthaya: 
Just 47 miles north of Bangkok lies one of the city’s predecessors as capital of Thailand, Ayuthaya, which was capital of the ancient kingdom of Siam for 400 years until it was destroyed in 1767. Here you can see some spectacular temples, some of which are still intact, some are ruins. This is a truly stunning place, and was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The best way of getting to Ayuthaya is by boat, though there are also buses and trains making the journey, as you get to witness life on the water en route. 

3. Khao Yai National Park: 
For a breath of fresh air, leave the city behind you and head for the Khao Yai National park, the oldest and most protected nature reserve in all of Thailand. Made up of over 1300 square miles of jungle, grassland and protected forest, the national park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including wild elephants, gibbons and birds. There are numerous walking trails making this the ideal getaway, providing a refreshing break from the city, yet within easy distance for a day trip.

4. Ko Kret: 
Just 12 miles north of Bangkok lies Ko Kret, a tiny island community, whose proximity to the city is barely evident – there are no roads at all on the island and most of the islanders make their livelihood from pottery, or working on the fruit and flower plantations. From Bangkok, take the highway and then a ferry from Pak kret Pier. You can also take a weekend excursion to Ko Kret from Sathorn Pier on board the Chao Phraya Express Boat.

5. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: 
50 miles to the west of Bangkok is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a much more colourful and authentic floating market experience than those on offer in Bangkok itself. You will have to make sure you get an early start though as the market has packed up by 11am. You can travel from Bangkok to the market by bus but it is easier to join an organised tour. 

6. Rose Garden Cultural Centre: 
Just 20 miles south west of Bangkok and a popular half day excursion from the city lies the Rose Garden Cultural Centre, which incorporates a typical Thai village, some beautiful landscaped gardens and various displays of Thai cultural activities including dancing, sword fighting, elephants at work, and Thai boxing.

Bangkok's Nightlife

As you would expect from a city that has such a frenetic pace during the day, the nightlife in Bangkok is well worth experiencing too! Much of the most popular nightlife is centred around the red light districts of Patpong (the area between Silom Road and Surawong Road) and So Cowboy (Sukhumvit Road area), so called as the first bar on the road was called the Cowboy Bar. It is true to say that Bangkok’s nightlife is every bit as colourful as the reputation that precedes it, and there are numerous sex clubs and massage parlours – but leaving these aside, there is a also a fantastic range of bars and restaurants and the crowds that throng these areas in the evenings make it a fun place to spend an evening. Most bars stay open all day and late at night, though officially they are supposed to shut at 2am. Dress code in bars and clubs is generally relaxed but it is worth making sure before you go.

Shiopping in Bangkok

Bangkok, like so many other Asian cities, is renowned the world over for its wonderful shopping opportunities, and the options are almost endless – shopping malls and department stores, markets and bazaars are all available and prices are generally much lower than you would expect at home. In the markets and small shops, bartering is the norm, and can be fun for both buyer and seller alike – just make sure you are armed with plenty of patience and a sense of humour and both parties should emerge happy! The area around Silom Road is packed full of shops, including department stores, shopping plazas, as well as more traditional antique and silk shops and tailors. Also worth exploring is the Emporium on Sukhumvit Road, where you can find various international brand names, as well as restaurants and other entertainment.
But it is the street markets and bazaars that are the most colourful and popular with tourists. Try Sukhumvit Road – the market is open in the day but it is at night that it truly comes to life, and there are stalls upon stalls selling clothes, gifts, and tourists souvenirs. There is also a night market in Patpong.
Another market worth exploring is the weekend market at Chatuchak Park, where you can buy pretty much anything including flowers, furniture, carpets, clothes, watches and much more.