Bangkok

Things to see and do

Temples

Wat Arun

One of Bangkok's most famous and historic landmarks Wat Arun, or the Temple of the Dawn, stands proudly on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. In 1768, when King Taksin planned to move the capital from Ayutthaya to Thonburi he travelled down the Chao Phraya River by boat, arriving at dawn ... read more
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

Built in 1782 by King Rama I, Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is home to the most sacred image in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha – actually made of jade. Wat Phra Kaew is the grandest temple in Bangkok and the standard against which all others are measured. The Emerald Buddha ... read more
Wat Pho

This immense and awe-inspiring complex is the largest temple in Bangkok and is reputed to be Thailand's oldest learning centre. Quite fittingly, it also contains the oldest and largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. The feet of the Buddha, which are over 3 metres long, have been inlaid with ... read more
Wat Saket and the Golden Mount

Sitting atop an artificial hill surrounded by heritage buildings near Democracy Monument, the Golden Mount of Wat Saket is one of Bangkok's signature landmarks. A temple has occupied the site since at least the 1600s, and in the early days it doubled as a crematorium and burial ground for plague ... read more
Wat Traimit

The incredible five-metre high Buddha image here is solid gold and weighs around five tonnes. As the largest solid gold Buddha in the world, it is one of Thailand's greatest treasures. The Buddha is over 700 years old but was discovered to be made of solid gold in 1955. At some stage the Buddha ... read more
Wat Benchamabophit

The white Italian-marble Wat Benchamabophit was restored and enlarged in 1899 by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). According to the King's wishes, some of his ashes are now interred at the base of the central Buddha image. The wat houses a huge collection of Buddha statues of different periods from ... read more
Wat Bovornivet

Within the walls of Wat Bovornivet is Mahamakut Buddhist University, one of the oldest in Bangkok. Since its founding in 1826 – when it was originally known as Wat Mai – this wat has been home to a number of royals who entered the monkhood, including the present king, King Bhumibol. Many ... read more
Wat Prayoon

Wat Prayoon lies within a compound surrounded by lush trees on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. It is a little out of the way, but if you are in the area it is definitely worth poking your head in. The most memorable aspect of this temple is the Khao Mor cemetery. Comprised of ... read more
Wat Rachabophit

One of the most beautiful and underrated temples in all of Bangkok, Wat Rachabophit is an unexplored gem blissfully free of tourist gridlock. Sitting just at the outskirts of Chinatown, the temple shows off its Chinese influence through magnificent shimmering Chinese tiles that cover every ... read more
Wat Pathum Wannaram

The most amazing thing about Wat Phatum Wannaram is that despite its location right next to Siam Paragon, it is still a very traditional forest wat. Once inside the leafy grounds, which have a solid reputation as a meditation centre, you can almost forget that there is a bustling city right ... read more
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

This Hindu temple (Thai's often refer to it as Wat Khaek) features intricately decorated roofs and loads of colourful statues of Hindu deities and idols. One of only a couple of Hindu temples in Bangkok, as the temple's name indicates, it is dedicated to the Goddess of Death, Maha Mariamman (also ... read more
Wat Indraviharn

Located to the north of Khao San Road, Wat Indraviharn is home to one of the tallest Buddha images in Thailand. Standing 32 metres tall, this Buddha is built in the modern style with a topknot enshrining a Buddha relic brought from Sri Lanka. Built during the reign of King Rama IV, the Buddha ... read more
Wat Mahathat

Just a few blocks from all the Wat Phra Kaew tourist madness sits Wat Mahathat, a welcome respite from the neighbourhood's traveller overload. The wat itself is fairly unremarkable but it is home to Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the most highly esteemed sites of Buddhist learning ... read more
Wat Leng Noi Yi

Wat Leng Noi Yi, or the Dragon Flower Temple, dates back to 1871 and is one of the most important sites for the Chinese in Thailand. The original temple was built using donations scraped together from the residents along Sampaeng Lane. Today, the temple's name has been officially changed to Wat ... read more
Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat is best known for its fine murals, dating from the 19th century, and expansive collection of Buddha images. Large and airy feeling, the wat's grounds are fairly big with some cute buildings and beautiful corridors to explore. Construction on the wat began in 1807 during the reign of ... read more
Wat Ratchanatdaram and the Amulet Market

Built in 1846 during the reign of King Rama III, Wat Ratchanatdaram's main attraction is the Loha Prasat, or "Iron Monastary." Loha Prasat stands 36 metres high and is surrounded by 37 spires, representing the 37 virtues needed to attain enlightenment. It is safe to say, there is no other wat quite ... read more
Wat Chakrawat

Presented as a royal temple in 1825, Wat Chakrawat - or the crocodile wat, as it should be known - boasts three live crocodiles along with a stuffed specimen. Supposedly brought here as strays, the three live beasts sit in two separate ponds to the left as you enter the main temple. The croc in ... read more
Wat Rakhang

If you're interested in seeing what a bustling temple looks like in modern day Thailand, Wat Rakhang (meaning Temple of the Bells) will deliver. Wat Rakhang sits on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya and is abuzz with people feeding fish, ringing bells and making merit. Architecturally the ... read more
Wat Chai Chana Songkhram

Just to make life a little more confusing, Bangkok is home to two temples named Wat Chai Chana Songkhram. One of these wats is in Chinatown while the other is near Khao San Road. Meaning “war victory” it makes sense that Chai Chana Songkhram would be such a popular name and we've got them both ... read more
Boonsamakan Vegetarian Hall

This small, tricky-to-find hall is worth a look both during the vegetarian festival when it is a highlight and the rest of the year as well. The hall features some intriguing wood carvings, particularly some three-dimensional work on the upstairs front area along with the usual dragons and ... read more
Sikh temple - Sri Guru Singh Sabah

The entrance is difficult to spot from Chakraphet Road, but those who make the effort will be rewarded by seeing a side of Thailand most don't even know exists. You can ask one of the men hanging around the lobby if you can go upstairs. Both men and women receive an orange cloth to cover their ... read more
Wat Mahannaparam and Chao Phaa Sua

Located near the Great Swing, these two religious sites couldn't be more different. The Buddhist temple Wat Mahannaparam is a quiet spot famous for a Buddha image that is made predominantly of gold. There are only a few visitors wandering around, and the grounds provide a quiet place to sit or ... read more
Wat Suwannaram

Built during the Ayutthaya period before Bangkok was the nation's capital, Wat Suwannaram, meaning the Golden Monastery, was given its name by King Rama I. Also called Wat Amarin, this temple appears fairly ordinary from the outside. What makes Wat Suwannaram a worthy stop, however, are the ... read more

Museums

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace was constructed in 1782 to commemorate and house the current dynasty of Thai royals. Most of the walled-in palace compound is still used by the royal family and therefore closed to the public. The magnificent buildings within the compound were built over the reigns of several ... read more
National Museum

Thailand's first museum was established during the reign of King Rama IV when he used two of the buildings within the Grand Palace to showcase his personal collection. Opening as the first public museum in 1874, the National Museum and was relocated to the current site in 1887. It is now the ... read more
Vimanmek Palace

This incredible teak mansion is a must-see site. Originally constructed on Ko Si Chang in the mid-19th century, King Rama V decreed that it be moved to Dusit Gardens following a trip to Europe in 1897. Four years later the mansion was officially opened and the King adopted it as his permanent ... read more
Jim Thompson's House

This site is often overlooked by travellers passing through Bangkok but is one of the city's must-see sites. The former home of American entrepreneur Jim Thompson, the house is a stunning work of design and a beautiful spot to spend an hour or two. Jim Thompson is widely recognised as the man ... read more
Monk Bowl Village (Baan Bat)

During the late 18th century King Rama I established a series of villages responsible for crafting bat, the rounded bowls used by monks to collect alms. Today only one of those villages survives. You will hear Baan Bat, or "House of Bowls", before you see it; winding down the alleyway the repeated ... read more
Dusit Throne Hall

This 1903 white hall built for King Rama V and originally used for meetings and banquets, houses a mother-of-pearl throne topped by a regal umbrella. The umbrella may appear a bit tatty, but that's because it is only changed when a new king accedes to the throne, and the current King Bhumibol ... read more
Ananta Samkhon Palace

A former reception hall within Dusit Palace, the Ananta Samkhon Throne Hall is now a museum as well as a one of the most unique, and Western looking, landmarks in Bangkok. Planned during the reign of Rama V and completed in 1915, the edifice was constructed in the Italian Renaissance and Neo ... read more
Mr Kukrit's House

Thailand's prime minister in 1974-75, M.R. Kukrit, was one of the kingdom's few truly intellectual leaders and this stunning wooden house bears witness to a life lived simply and intelligently. The home, which he lived in from 1980 until his death, remains exactly as it did when he passed away in ... read more
Neilson Hays Library

This charming library was built in 1921 to honour the memory of Bangkok resident Jennie Neilson Hays. Ms. Hays, a Protestant missionary first sent to Phetburi in 1881, was part of a small group of women who in the 19th century comprised the Bangkok Ladies' Library Association. As books were very ... read more
Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall

This beautiful new museum devotes itself to the history of Rattanakosin, the oldest section of Bangkok. Visiting the museum involves a mandatory two-hour tour, so do keep that in mind when you're planning a visit. Hands-on multimedia exhibits with videos and interactive activities, the museum ... read more
Royal Barges National Museum

The royal barges are used only rarely, when the royal family takes part in stunning processions down the Chao Phraya River. Although the procession consists of 26 boats, only a handful of these are designated as royal with others performing the roles of escorts. The National Museum of Royal Barges ... read more
Bangkokian Museum

Difficult to find but worth the search, this unexpected museum displays the home of a middle-class Thai family during the years surrounding World War II (1937-1957). Relatively unchanged since the family lived here, the house provides an authentic and interesting look back at Thai life during the ... read more
Siam Society

Founded in 1904, the Siam Society was instituted in order to preserve Thai culture and promote education and learning about Thailand and its neighbours. While most of the society's offerings are only available to members, there is a frequent rotation of lectures, concerts and exhibitions which can ... read more
Suan Pakkard Palace

Originally constructed in 1952 as the private home of their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga, Suan Pakkard Palace opened to the public as a museum in 1987. Comprised of several fine traditional wooden Thai houses, bristling with antiques, traditional furnishings, ... read more
Kamthieng House

This charming 120-year-old house was built in Chiang Mai on the Ping River in 1844 but was disassembled, shipped to Bangkok and carefully pieced together again in 1964. Today it houses a museum aimed at preserving and displaying elements of northern Thai Lanna culture such as folk art, costumes ... read more
Museum of the Department of Forensic Medicine

Ghouls and doctors, this is your thing: A room stuffed with all sorts of body parts and gruesome medical curiosities. The main attractions here are the mummified remains of infamous Thai murderers, but the shelves are also chock full of skulls marred by bullets, aborted foetuses and an array of ... read more
King Prajadhipok Museum

This wonderful and under-the-radar museum, takes visitors through the life of King Prajadhipok, otherwise known as Rama VII. Beautifully presented and designed, this modern museum takes you from the birth to the death of this controversial King. Reigning from 1925 to 1935, King Prajadhipok was ... read more
Royal Elephant National Museum

Just inside the Thanon U Thong Nai entrance at Dusit Park, sits the charming but quaint Royal Elephant National Museum. Built as the stables for a sacred white elephant given to King Rama V, the buildings have been home to numerous sacred royal elephants since then. Today the museum displays ... read more

Public Parks and Zoos

National Stadium

Bangkok's National Stadium actually boasts several stadiums and athletic facilities over a sprawling area just west of MBK and the Siam Square shopping district. The original and largest of these is Supachalasai National Stadium, a 55,000 seat football and track venue built in 1937. Today, ... read more
Lumpini Park

Established in the 1920s by King Rama VI, this large green square in the heart of the city is among the world's best centrally located urban parks. An imposing statue of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) greets those entering through the park's main western gates near Silom Road. He's credited with ... read more
Sanam Luang

This large grassy oval is located immediately north of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew and is used for royal ceremonies. Deceased royals are cremated here, and every May the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is held to ensure a bountiful rice harvest in the coming growing season. In February and ... read more
Dusit Zoo

Dusit Zoo is set around an artificial lake near Dusit Park. It's a leafy green zoo with lots of attractions for kids and adults, including a train, paddle boats on the lake (50 baht/hr) and animal shows daily (11:00, 13:30, 14:30; 30 baht adults/ 10 baht kids). There are a few places to eat ... read more
Queen Saovabha Memorial Snake Farm

Run in cooperation with the Thai Red Cross and the World Health Organization, the Queen Saovabha Memorial Snake Farm raises venomous and non-venomous snakes for use in extracting venom to produce antidote. The farm staff run an educational program twice a day on week days at 11:00 and 14:30, and ... read more
Benchasiri Park

This veritable oasis in the midst of Sukhumvit's relentless noise and pollution was originally the site of the Meteorology Department. Luckily, it was converted to a park to commemorate the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit in 1992. Less luckily, an array of huge old trees were cut down as they didn't ... read more
Siam Ocean World

Siam Ocean World is one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia, and is a great place to bring kinds (especially during the rainy season). Broken into seven different zones that explore different parts of marine habitats, visitors pass from rocky shores to the open ocean, with deep reefs and ... read more
Phra Sumen Fort

Built in 1783, the Phra Sumen Fort is an imposing structure and one of the many forts built by King Rama I as defence for what was then the new capital, Bangkok. While impressive looking, at the time of writing all entrance to the fort has been blocked off making the draw to this spot another ... read more
Princess Mother Memorial Park

This lovely little park, standing on land donated by a local couple in Thonburi, is located near the community where the Princess Mother resided as a child. The house she lived in was demolished long ago but a replica is there. The cool park also features an eight-metre long sculpture to mark the ... read more

Interesting buildings

Shrines

Lak Muang (City Pillar)

Hidden away along the eastern side of Sanam Luang, you'll find the somewhat understated Lak Muang (City Pillar) for Bangkok. Considered to be Bangkok's foundation stone and the home of the city's guardian spirit and horoscope. This pillar's origins stretch back to 1782 when King Rama I order ... read more
Kuan Oo Shrine

According to legend, King Taksin would visit the Kuan Oo Shrine to worship before he embarked on his latest war campaign. Set on the western (Thonburi) side of the Chao Phraya River, the Kuan Oo Shrine is unremarkable save it's riverside location. It warrants a quick stop if you're in the area, ... read more
Chao Mae Tuptim (Phallic Shrine)

Surrounded by enough sculpted penises to make a sex shop envious, this shrine is tucked under a huge tree overlooking a khlong. Offerings, including penises, jasmine and lotus, are left to placate the spirit living there by women hoping to conceive. According to legend, the phallic image ... read more

Art Gallery or venues

1001 Nights Gallery

This cosy and unassuming but thriving art space is the brainchild of Zakariya Amataya, a soft spoken poet, political activist and winner of the Southeast Asian Writers Award. The son of illiterate Muslim farmers in the deep south of Thailand, Amataya writes in long, open-ended free verse that's ... read more
National Gallery

The National Gallery, housing both contemporary and traditional Thai art, is home to the best public collection in the kingdom. The building itself is architecturally beautiful and was originally built to be the Royal Mint. Constructed in a Western style and completed in 1902, the building was ... read more
Pridi Banomyang Institute

This interestingly-designed cultural centre is home to a few small rooms serving as art galleries and offices. The primary focus of the place is to view sporadically rotating art by local and international artists and to provoke cultural interest and discussion among young Thais. Named after ... read more

Historic Attractions

Democracy Monument

Impossible to miss as you drive towards Khao San Road, this art-deco monument was built in 1932 to commemorate Thailand's switch from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. The monument anchors the traffic circle on Ratchadamnoen Klang and has been a site for numerous public demonstrations over ... read more
October 14 Memorial

On October 14th, 1973, more than half a million protestors gathered on Thanon Ratchadamnoen Klang and around the country to demand a constitution from the then military government. In Bangkok, the student-led protest turned into a bloody riot and before the day was done hundreds of civilians had ... read more
The Giant Swing

One of Bangkok's most recognisable monuments the Giant Swing is…exactly what it sounds like. Officially called Sao Ching Cha, the Giant Swing was originally part of an annual Brahmin ceremony honouring the Hindu god Shiva's visit to earth. During this festival swingers would soar up to 25 ... read more
Rama V Memorial

This statue of King Rama V on horseback is the first monument to ever be dedicated to a Thai King. Built in 1908 to honour the 40th anniversary of Rama V's coronation the statue sits outside the Ananta Samakhom Palace. The statue is highly revered by the Thai people and there is a seeming ... read more

Markets

Or Tor Kor Market

Wet markets aren't too difficult to come by in Bangkok, but Or Tor Kor (pronounced aw taw kaw, every syllable rhyming with 'raw') is playing at a higher level than most. It's organised by a farmers' marketing association that closely scrutinises the quality of its vendors' products. Fresh organic ... read more
Khlong Suan old market

Well off the usual tourist map, this 100+ year-old market makes a worthy day trip from Bangkok for anyone wanting to experience an old-style Thai market and some fantastic food to boot. The market is named after the canal on which it sits, some 25 kilometres east of Suvarnabhumi airport. Khlong ... read more
Asiatique

Bangkok had a definite hole following the closure of Suan Lum night bazaar in 2011, but thankfully Asiatique has risen to the occasion and is now far better than Suan Lum ever was. This sprawling, mostly roofed night bazaar is home to 1,500 shops, dozens of restaurants to suit all budgets, a ... read more
Pak Khlong Talaart

Named after the canal it surrounds, this market is the epicentre of Thailand's flower trade. Before the massive Talaart Thai opened in the city's northern reaches, Pak Khlong Talaart was the largest wholesale vegetable market in the city. The north of the market is still one of the best places ... read more
Sampaeng Lane

Ever wish that one could purchase a few metres of gold lamé fabric, some pink plastic rhinestones to affix to your mobile phone, a heavy gold necklace, fairy lights, a new mp3 player, and some fried bananas in the same place? No? How odd. Sampeng Lane is the home to notions in Bangkok: for ... read more
Talad Mai and Talad Kao

There's nothing new about either the new or old markets in Chinatown. They are basically the same market: one long alley way stuffed with still-wriggling eels, worried crab, dried fish bladders, sharks fins, evil-looking (but amazing tasting) mushrooms and all manner of edible and non-edible ... read more
Pahurat Cloth Market

Phahurat fabric market is the centre of little India. While modern (and prosperous) Indian-Thais have largely moved away from this maze of alleys, this is still the cultural heart of the Indian diaspora in Thailand. The lanes are filled with bolts of fabrics for sale, some made in Thailand but ... read more
Thieves' Market

While it has a poetic name, most of the thieving activity has moved to the nearby Khlong Thom Centre. Khlong Thom is worth a look if you are in the market for car parts or stereos, some of which are bound to be legally obtained, north on Chakkrawat Rd one block. Meanwhile, the Thieves' Market ... read more

General Activites

Baan Chang Thai Arts and Muay Chaiya School

Set down a leafy alleyway off Sukhumvit Road, this Thai arts and kickboxing school dispels the notion that artistry and boxing are two entirely different things. The school is the creation of Kruu Khet, a relaxed yet intimidating master of many Thai art mediums and a particular type of muay Thai ... read more
Muay Thai

Muay Thai or kick-boxing is the world-renowned national sport of Thailand. Spend an evening here to witness several rounds of competitors thwacking each other in a colourful display of testosterone. While many kickboxers train by kicking truck tyres or heavy boxing mats, the Thais train by kicking ... read more

Cultural areas

Baan Pa Thue

If seeking a unique, off-the-beaten-track experience that brings you immediately into the midst of life in historic Thonburi, a trip to Baan Pa Thue to witness the process of bael fruit (mathum) candies being crafted the old way is well worth th Located down a quiet alleyway, the family run Baan ... read more