10 Things to do in Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is an amazing city. There are a plethora of attractions here, suitable for every preference. From beautiful temples to lovely markets and from the Jim Thompson House to Baiyoke Sky Tower, the highest building in Thailand, and from the beautiful river to tasty food, Bangkok is a great destination. Here are the top X things to do in Bangkok to help you better plan your itinerary.
An interesting thing to remember is that Bangkok is the number one city in the top 20 international cities based on visitor spending in 2016, as presented in a previous article on the blog. Many people visit this city and are impressed, some sharing their experiences on a top traveling blog.
The Grand Palace
It’s called The Grand Palace with a good reason: this palace is impressive and a definite must see while in Bangkok. Home the Kings of Siam since 1782 (though not for the present king), the palace is a great way to discover Thai art, decorations, and artefacts. The architecture of the palace is impressive in itself.
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The Dusit Palace
Built between 1897 and 1901 as a place to get away from the heat of the Grand Palace, the Dusit Palace is an interesting building to see. The architecture is very different from that of the Grand Palace. But there is an impressive reason to visit this palace.
The main structure here is the Vimanmek Mansion. This is considered the largest golden teak wood house in the world. With the richly decorated interior, this mansion is an attraction by itself, but don’t miss the garden an dthe other buildings, part of the complex, either.
Wat Arun
One of the most famous temples in Bangkok, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is very well maintained and home to several important Thai artefacts. It is one of the 10 things to do in Bangkok and a great chance to see a Thai place of worship.
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The Chatuchak (Weekend) Market and The Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market)
No visit to Bangkok is complete without a visit to one of its market. There are two major options for someone visiting the city. The Chatuchak (Weekend) Market is a market that takes place on Saturdays and Sundays. Expect huge crowds here – they say that 200,000 people visit it during each weekend. This is a market where you’ll find pretty much anything – from clothing to food and household appliances, all at „local” prices.
The Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market) is another attraction, part of the 10 things to do in Bangkok. Open daily, this market is a great place to take a look at local products (if you don’t plan on buying some). Don’t be fooled by the name: you will find flowers here, but also food – fruits, vegetables, and street food.
The Baiyoke Sky Tower
Built in 1998, the Baiyoke Sky Tower is the tallest building in Thailand. It also includes a lounge bar and a hotel, but the most interesting thing about it is the observation deck at the top floor, a place from where you’ll enjoy impressive views of the city.
Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Another item on the top 10 things to do in Bangkok list is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha – Wat Phra Kaew. This is said to be the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand and it is home to an emerald Buddha statue made from semi-precious green stone and covered in gold. You definitely saw its photo online, as it is famous among the locals, and at an international level as well. Don’t miss the chance to see it up close, especially since it is, in fact, located in the precincts of the Grand Palace.
Chao Phraya River
When in Bangkok, you can’t miss the chance to take a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River. Such a trip will give you the chance to see the mix between old and new – of wooden houses and fancy hotels, located in different parts of the city.
Jim Thompson House
If you want to see many traditional Thai arts and crafts all in one place and, in the same time, to see several buildings from the 1950s and 60s, then you should include the Jim Thomson House on your Bangkok itinerary.
The Bangkok National Museum
As you know, I love going to museums. I think they are great windows both to the past and to the local culture and traditions. For this reason, I am recommending the Bangkok National Museum as part of the top 10 Things to do in Bangkok. The museum is home to the largest collection of artefacts and Thai art. Don’t miss it!
I am going there is just a few weeks. So excited. Thanks for the tips of things to do!
It looks like there are so many fascinating things to see in Bangkok. Love your photos! I had planned to attend TBEX Asia in Bangkok, but ended up changing my plans — sure wish I’d been able to do get there.