Â鶹APP

Top 10 Things to do in Bangkok

It is true to say that most visitors to Bangkok, especially if it is their first time, may be more than a little bemused by the colourful, lively, edgy chaos that confronts them. It may also be true to say that a large proportion of the 20-odd million visitors per year may end up being harangued and bustled around ‘hot-spots’ that might be termed standard and ‘tried-and-tested’  venues included in any practical (and sometimes not so practical) tourist package.

Traditional Thai dancer, image sourced from Pixabay

The places deemed most worthy of spending time in are likely to vary, and the best areas from the seeming multitude of choices on offer are not always the ‘package’ variety. Without some kind of reasonable plan in a place like Bangkok then, the chaos may likely take over. This guide aims to include some of the places not to be missed in Bangkok, including some of the well-known, along with some of the lesser-known best things to do.

Wat Arun temple, image sourced from Pixabay

The first thing that will hit you is obviously the humidity, especially in the city centre of this South-East Asian city with a population of more than 8 million, where unmoving, clogged traffic is the norm and most of the surrounding scenery is concrete. Literally a concrete jungle, which has many different flavours, influences and exotic delights on offer.

Bangkok SkyTrain, image sourced from Pixabay

The good news is that there is a readily-accessible, expanding transport system other than cars or taxis that will enable you to cover a fairly expansive range of the city, namely the BTS ‘Skytrain’ system and the MRT underground system. Although many visitors like the somewhat unique experience of the Bangkok ‘Tuk-Tuk’, the metro system is the absolute best and quickest way to avoid the congestion, the heat, and any dodgy ‘dual pricing’ that is likely to be encountered by private operators. The places listed as worth visiting in this guide are all accessible by either method.

A map of the BTS and MRT metro system in Bangkok

Light Green & Dark Green – SkyTrain
Purble & Blue – Underground Metro

1. Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Market, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

One place to start when trying to get some kind of feel for Bangkok is the 30 + acre weekend market in Chatuchak (Access by BTS and MRT). Although it only opens on Saturdays and Sundays, it will provide the visitor with an insight into the bustling, chaotic atmosphere of the city in both an indoor and outdoor market setting, and if that gets too overheated there is also an air-conditioned mall (JJ Mall) in the immediate vicinity.

Many people come to Bangkok because they like shopping, which is synonym for ‘hobby’ in Thailand. There are some stunning shopping malls for sure, but Chatuchak Market provides more of an earthy, local backdrop, where bartering is always going to be part of the process, and the smells, sounds and visions make it more of a unique experience.

With everything from food, clothes, handicrafts, accessories, plants, books, restaurants, coffee shops (need I go on?), you may find that visiting this market and possibly its close by mall will provide an excellent day out. It is also right next to some of the biggest and best-kept parks of the city, namely Chatuchak Park, The Train Park (Suan Rot Fai), and Queen Sirikit Park with its breathtakingly well-maintained bright and exotic scenery.

Free entry
OPENING HOURS: 9AM-6PM
ADDRESS: KAMPHAENG PHET ROAD 2, CHATUCHAK, BANGKOK 10900
BTS: MOR CHIT (WEEKEND MARKET EXIT)
MRT: CHATUCHAK OR KAMPHAENG PHET

2. The Golden Mount Temple (Wat Saket)

Wat Saket, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Although the ‘temple tour syndrome’ has become something of a cliché in recent years, no visit to Bangkok would be complete without at least one temple stop-off.

The Ayutthaya-era Golden Mount Temple, situated in the ‘old quarter’ of the city, is somewhat unique in Bangkok city terms, as it resides at the top of a relatively steep, (man-made) hill (around 80m – 300 steps), capped by the famous ‘golden’ chedi at the pinnacle. (Bangkok is largely a flat terrain, originally comprised of rice paddies).

The height allows for a distinct change in atmosphere, and provides breath-taking panoramic views of the city. With the delicate, Thai-style architecture and fine decorative features found in most Buddhist temples in Thailand, this temple allows for moments of quiet contemplation in a breezy (if you are lucky), serene setting with views offering a far-off, different perspective of the city.

Free entry
OPENING HOURS: 8AM-5PM
ADDRESS: 344 CHAKKRAPHATDI PHONG, BAN BAT, PROM PAP SATTRU PHAI, BANGKOK, 10100
MRT: HUA LAMPHONG
BTS: NATIONAL STADIUM

3. Mahanakhon Skywalk

MahaNakhon building, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Completed in recent years and now ranking as Bangkok’s tallest building, The Mahanakhon will undoubtedly provide some of the city’s best views from more than 300m up. With both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, accessible via glass lifts that take you up past the 75th floor. When you continue the ascent and reach the 78th floor you will be confronted with possibly one of the largest glass floors in the world today, where many people head for the panoramic splendour, and sip cocktails whilst watching the Asian sunset.

ENTRY FEE: APPROX. 1000B – PRICES MAY VARY – Concessions rates are available
OPENING HOURS: 10AM-MIDNIGHT
ADDRESS: KING POWER MAHANAKHON, 114 NARATHIWAS ROAD, SILOM, BANGRAK, BANGKOK 10500
BTS: CHONG NONSI, EXIT 3 (SILOM LINE)

4. ‘Asiatique’

Open-air mall ‘Asiatique’, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

This is another kind of Bangkok shopping experience that has combined two tried-and-tested formulas – a modern mall and a night bazaar – to come up with another popular hangout for those willing to push the boundaries of the boutique shopping experience.

has well over 1000 boutique stores on offer, most of them open-air, and around 50 restaurants, it is also possible find entertainment, with shows like the ‘Ladyboy Cabaret’ or recently-added puppet shows – there really is no shortage of things to do here. On top of that, Asiatique just happens to be situated next to an expansive riverfront on the Chao Praya (which means a brief boat ride to get there, in the form of a free shuttle ferry).

Free entry
OPENING HOURS: 4PM-MIDNIGHT
ADDRESS: 2194 CHAROEN KRUNG ROAD, KHWAENG WAT PHRAYA KRAI, KRUNG THEP MAHA NAKHON 10120
BTS: SAPHAN TAKSIN (10 MINS)

5. ‘Talad Rot Fai’ (Train Market)

Train Market, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Night markets are big in Bangkok, but location and goods available will determine experience, along with the clientele that frequent them (i.e. tourists, locals, teenagers, retailers).

This particular night market is not the usual, beer-swilling tourist in flip-flops infested affair that you may be likely to encounter in more central areas of the city. This market is quite popular with locals and has plenty of vibrancy and variety in terms of goods, food and atmosphere.

Free entry
OPENING HOURS: 5PM-MIDNIGHT
ADDRESS: RATCHADAPISEK ROAD, DIN DAENG, BANGKOK 10400
MRT: THAILAND CULTURAL CENTRE

6. Chinatown

Chinatown in Bangkok, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

This area is home to the largest concentrated Chinese community in Bangkok, and the main reason that most people are likely to venture to the area is the food.

The usual lively, bustling and chaotic scenes are evident, with endless food stalls lining the streets (along with a huge amount of gold shops which are meant to be the best in terms of quality). Arguably the best Chinese food in Thailand is also to be found here, with everything from the standard to the slightly more exotic being available with a little investigation. There are also markets selling wholesale goods but these are usually for local traders and can sometimes be difficult to find.

Admittedly not that easy to access in terms of the metro lines, so the best bet would be to get as close as possible via the underground MRT line then jump in a taxi.

Free entry
OPENING HOURS: 24-7
ADDRESS: YAOWARAT ROAD, KRUNG THEP MAHA NAKHON 10100
MRT: HUA LAMPHONG (THEN SHORT TAXI RIDE)

7. Khao San Road

Khao San Road, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

If you are still looking for more after Chinatown and are interested in watching how other visitors are behaving whilst in this city, then stop off at the ever-popular Khao San Road. Really not too far away from Chinatown and hence accessible by similar means (or a short taxi ride from Chinatown), this is where many Westerners will head to end up their night amongst the restaurants, bars, market stalls, boutique stores and nightclubs.

Obviously there is plenty of Western food available in this area along with the local but slightly higher-priced than usual Thai fayre. Possibly not for the faint-hearted due to the somewhat zealous nature of some of the late-night revellers; but if you have reached that point where you fancy a little of that ‘home-away-from-home’ then this could be the place to head.

Free Entry
OPENING HOURS:10:00 AM- 2:00 AM
ADDRESS: KHAOSAN ROAD
MRT: HUA LAMPHONG (THEN SHORT TAXI RIDE)

8. Khlong Lat Mayom/Taling Chan Floating Markets

Taling Chan market, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

With floating markets having been one of the obligatory ‘to-do’s’ on most Bangkok tourist check-lists for as long as anyone can remember, at least one should be included here. However, as most of the famous ones visited by tours are actually quite a way out of Bangkok, the Khlong Lat Mayom is much easier to get to but also quite a bit smaller than many of the more commonly-visited ones such as Amphawa.

Like any floating Thai markets vendors sell a plethora of goods from their boats down in the water and along the banks. This a really a local market, so it is quite small – however, you will still be able to sample some of the local fayres and, if you find your appetite whetted, then you may be able to combine this visit with a trip to one of the larger, more well-known markets, Taling Chan.

Don’t expect too many other tourists to be around though, but this may add to the experience, and if visiting both markets it might be an idea to do it at the weekend.

Taling Chan is around 12km from Bangkok, and is a genuine (again local) style market with all kinds of food in the form of market stalls, snacks and restaurants providing a good place for lunch. This market tends to be busier on weekends when musicians can sometimes be found playing, and you might even allow yourself to try a foot massage under a tree by the riverbank for an authentic Thai experience. Certainly something to consider when looking for the best things to do in Bangkok.

Free entry
OPENING HOURS: 8AM-5PM
ADDRESS: VILLAGE 15, BANG RAMAT ROAD, BANG RAMAT, TALING CHAN, BANGKOK 10170
BTS: BANG WA, SILOM LINE (THEN A TAXI)

9. Bangkok Classical Bicycle Tour

Bike tour, image sourced from GetYourGuide

A lesser-known, delightful way to take in the city of Bangkok is via a . This activity tends to be centred around Chinatown or ‘Old City’ area, in the region of the Chao Praya River. The backstreet jaunt, at a pace more suited to the climate, provides a different perspective on the daily goings-on and culture of Bangkok .

The trip takes around 3 hours, usually done sometime between 8:00 AM and 2:00PM, with the assistance of an English-speaking guide. The direction of the journey heads towards backstreets and markets, taking in Art Villages and temples, with a broad, diverse, residential community also forming part of the backdrop.

ENTRY FEE: APPROXIMATELY 1000BAHT
OPENING HOURS: 8:00am – 2:00PM
ADDRESS/STARTS AT: CHECK DESTINATION FIRST – MAY VARY

10. ICONSIAM

Iconsiam interior, image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Well it simply would not be a complete ‘things-to-do list’ involving a city like the ever-decadent Bangkok without at least one glitzy shopping mall, another thing the Thais seem to love resolvedly of all the best things to do in Bangkok.

It is difficult to make a single selection from an ever-rising number of high-end ‘super malls’ that have appeared over the last decade. These malls, with their no-expense-spared, automatic sliding doors and temperature-controlled environments – are all very modern, if not futuristic visions of materialistic splendour.

is one of the recent additions, having opened in 2018, at a beautiful riverside location on the Chao Praya River. The venue is accessible by a free, shuttle ferry boat.

With evening shows by the riverside between 6 and 9 PM, and a backdrop of stores inside the elegant building purveying the highest quality, imported designer brands, the atmosphere is intense.

Inside are restaurants offer stunning food in stunning surroundings, alongside the diverse and impressive scenescape that has been created around this fairly amazing mall including a market, a garden, and many other delights that could only really be found in a shopping mall extraordinaire in Thailand.

Free entry
OPENING HOURS: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
ADDRESS: 299 CHAROEN NAKHON SOI 5, KLONG SAN DISTRICT, BANGKOK 106000
BTS: SAPHAN TAKSIN