Last updated on April 17th, 2024
Grand Palace, © liondw – Fotolia.com
Visit Bangkok – Grand Palace
The Grand Palace and the Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), are the most popular sights when you visit Bangkok. They are both in the Grand Palace complex. King Rama I built the Grand Palace in 1782. The Grand Palace has a daily morning Buddhist almsgiving called tak bat. Around many temples, buddha sculptures are wrapped in cloth, which is then changed to different colors with the seasons according to the Buddhist calendar.
Intricate Designs, Grand Palace Complex, Visit Bangkok
Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) is across the river from the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo. The National Museum is just north of the Grand Palace complex. A few blocks east of the Grand Palace complex, visit the Wat Suthat Temple of the Giant Swing and the Loha Prasat & Wat Ratchanatdaram Temples too.
Wat Pho Temple, Visit Bangkok
Visit Bangkok – Wat Pho
The Wat Pho temple complex is immediately south of the Grand Palace complex and Wat Phra Kaeo, so there’s a lot to see in a small space. Wat Pho is Bangkok’s oldest and largest temple. The Chapel of the Reclining Buddha is found at Wat Pho. Rama III built the Chapel of the Reclining Buddha, which is a 150 foot (46 meter) high sculpture.
Chapel of the Reclining Buddha, © Can Stock / javarman
Visit Bangkok – Floating Markets
Bangkok Floating Markets are extremely popular with tourists and locals. In Bangkok, visit the Taling Chan Market by boat. The Floating Market of Damnoen Saduak is another popular spot, which is an hour southwest of downtown Bangkok. So plan a day trip if you choose Damnoen Saduak. Try to arrive at the floating markets before 9 am for the best experience. You will be paddled through the narrow canals. Other boats beside you will sell you fruits, vegetable and other food while you stay in your own boat. Try the Floating Markets of Damnoen Saduak Cruise Day Trip from Bangkok.
Chao Phraya River Cruise
Visit Bangkok – Ayutthaya Temples
Another popular day trip from Bangkok is a visit to the Ayutthaya Temples or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is the former capital of Siam. Ayutthaya is just over 1.5 hours north of Bangkok. Take an Ayutthaya Temples and River Cruise from Bangkok and enjoy the voyage on the Chao Phraya River too.
Loha Prasat, © liondw – Fotolia.com
Khao Yai National Park
Travel north of Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park. Look for bears, gibbons, elephants and hornbills.
National Museum, Bangkok
Bridge on the River Kwai
American tourists love to travel 2 hours west of Bangkok to see the ruins of the Bridge on the River Kwai. The 1957 movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai” detailed how American WWII prisoners blew up the bridge on the Japanese. The Bridge is part of the Thai Burma Death Railway, which earned its name from all the prisoners who died building the railway for Japan.
Ayutthaya Ruins near Bangkok, thanks Pixabay
Visit Bangkok – See the Sights
- Dusit Park – see Dusit Palace, Dusit Plaza and the Wat Benchamabophit Marble Temple.
- Take a Tuk Tuk Small Group Adventure Tour.
- Visit the laid back Soi Cowboy red light district or visit the up and coming areas of Silom and RCA for the younger crowd.
- Yaowarat Road – center of Chinatown.
- Khao San Road – center for backpackers.
- Victory Monument
Wat Phra Kaeo, Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Visit Bangkok – More Sights
- Jim Thompson House Museum – home of a famous American silk merchant who disappeared in 1967.
- Siam Niramit Theatre – cultural performance on the history of Thailand.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ Market)
- Pak Klong Talad Flower Market
Bangkok Street Food
Savor the Tastes of Bangkok
- Asiatique the Riverfront – Open Air Mall with lots of restaurants.
- Sunset cocktails at the Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar on top of the Banyan Tree Hotel. Great city views at night.
- Baipai Thai Cooking School Class
- Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River
Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn, Visit Bangkok
Visit Bangkok – Hotels
- Avani Atrium Bangkok
- Riva Arun Bangkok
- Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Can Stock / Reeed
Get to Bangkok
In 2006 the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) took over as the major access point to Thailand and the best way to get to Bangkok. The economic boom that started in the 1980s made Bangkok largely a city of private vehicles. So, Bangkok experiences major traffic congestion. The rapid transit system did not start until 1999. The 3 rapid transit lines operated by BTS are the BTS Skytrain, the MRT and the Airport Rail Link.
Monks, Visit Bangkok
The Airport Rail link provides high speed service from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai station, which is also serviced by the BTS Skytrain. There are metered taxis at the airport too. The central rail station in Bangkok is Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Cruise ships dock at Laem Chabang Port, about 90 minutes southeast of the city. Taxi is the best option to get to Bangkok from the Laem Chabang cruise terminal.
Bangkok Weather
Bangkok weather is hot regardless of the time of year. During the monsoon season from May to October, average highs are 92 F (33 C) and average lows are 78 F (26 C). Rainfall for the month of September can exceed 13 inches (340 mm). In the dry season from November to March, temperatures are only a couple of degrees cooler. December is likely the best time to visit Bangkok for the best weather.
Visit Bangkok – Background
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and its largest city. Nearly 15 million people live in Bangkok. The city is located on the Chao Phraya River delta where it enters the Gulf of Thailand. The Ayutthaya Kingdom established the city of Bangkok in the 1600s.
Bangkok has been a strong economic center in Asia since the 1980s. The city is known for its night life and its sex trade.
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