Bangkok, Thailand — Where to Go
Bangkok Sightseeing Overview
The sprawling city of Bangkok is full of interesting attractions for tourists, but the heavily congested traffic means it is difficult to cover a lot of ground in a single day. Sightseeing should be selective if time is short or restricted to one area per day, although the Skytrain and Metro do help visitors travel across town more quickly.
An excellent way to appreciate the city's layout is to go to the observation deck on the 77th floor of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, one of the tallest hotels in the world.
Many of the main places of interest, such as the Royal Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the National Museum, are to the east of the Chao Phraya River (west of the north-south railway line) in an area called Rattanakosin Island, which is also home to many hotels. However, some visitors may stay to the east of the railway line in the Sukhumvit Road area, where there is excellent shopping, nightlife and tourist sights, such as Suan Pakkard Palace Museum and Jim Thompson Thai House.
Apart from the major sights (see Key Attractions), which are all ‘must-see', there are numerous other attractions, including over 400 temples. To the north of the Royal Grand Palace is Sanam Luang, which is a huge public area surrounded by old tamarind trees. This area is used for many ceremonies throughout the year, such as the Ploughing Ceremony, as well as being a popular place for kite-flying and just passing the time.
The revamped Museum of Siam, on Sanam Chai Road, traces the history of Thailand up to the modern day using interactive exhibits. Siam Ocean World is an aquarium attraction with a variety of deep ocean habitats and the opportunity to dive with sharks.
Chinatown is a lively area located between the river and Hualampong railway station. The area is fascinating for its maze of narrow lanes and open-fronted shops selling a cornucopia of items. On Yaowarat Road, Wat Trai Mit houses a gleaming solid gold Buddha, 3m (10ft) high and weighing over five tons. Close to Chinatown is Phahurat, the main Indian area, crammed with colorful fabric shops and excellent restaurants.
On Si Ayutthaya Road, in an elegant area full of government buildings and the current royal residence, is Wat Benjamabopit, mainly built with Italian marble and a mix of European and Thai architecture. Lumphini Park is a haven of tranquility in the heart of the city, dotted with pavilions and two small lakes.
For visitors who do not have time to travel in the rest of Thailand, the Ancient City is an open-air museum with full-size and scaled-down replicas of famous buildings, monuments and temples from all over the country. It covers an area of 112 hectares (280 acres) and is 33km (20 miles) southeast of the city center.
Well worth a visit is Bang Pa In, 60km (37 miles) north of Bangkok, the former summer residence of the royal family in the 17th century, which is a collection of buildings reflecting Oriental and European influences.
Whether visiting palaces or temples, it is important to dress respectfully. Entry can and will be refused if this rule is not followed.
Bangkok Tourist Information
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
First Floor, 1600 New Phetburi Road
Makkasan, Rajatevee
Tel: (02) 250 5500.
Website: www.tourismthailand.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.
The TAT Call Center (tel: 1672) is open daily 0800-2000. The tourist police provide 24-hour assistance for complaints and emergencies through the toll-free hotline (tel: 1155).
Key Attractions in Bangkok, Thailand
Royal Grand Palace
The Royal Grand Palace is a glittering walled complex that houses several palaces, all highly decorated with tiles and ceramics. Building began in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand. The complex houses Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all Thai temples, where the sacred Emerald Buddha rests, not covered in emeralds but jade. There is a strict dress code and visitors wearing shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will be refused entry, although it is possible to hire trousers and plastic shoes.
Na Phra Lan Road
Tel: (02) 623 5500.
Website: www.palaces.thai.net
Opening hours: Daily 0830-1530.
Admission charge.
Vimanmek Palace
Vimanmek Palace is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak. It used to be a royal summer retreat and was dismantled and rebuilt in Bangkok in 1900. The 81-room mansion stands in carefully manicured lawns, located close to the current royal residence, and contains 31 exhibition rooms. Visitors are not free to wander but must take a guided tour, which take place every 30 minutes. Highlights include Thailand's first indoor bathroom and the oldest typewriter with Thai characters. The dress code is the same as for the Royal Grand Palace.
Ratchawithi Road
Tel: (02) 628 6300.
Website: www.palaces.thai.net
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1515.
Admission charge (included with ticket to the Royal Grand Palace).
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and houses an enormous gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46m (150ft) long and 15m (49ft) high. Today, the temple is also renowned for its teaching of herbal medicine and traditional massage. There is a strict dress code.
Thai Wang Road
Tel: (02) 225 9595.
Website: www.watpho.com
Opening hours: Daily 0830-1700.
Admission charge.
National Museum
One of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the region, the National Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from the Neolithic period through to more recent periods. The building, begun in 1782, is fascinating in its own right, having been built in traditional Thai style. The museum is so large that it needs more than one visit, however if time is short, it must be spent in the lovely teak pavilion, which houses personal royal belongings. Free guided tours in English are given by volunteers at 0930 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and are highly recommended.
Na Phrathat Road
Tel: (02) 224 1333/1370.
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 0900-1600.
Admission charge.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the 17th-century Wat Arun has a 79m- (259ft-) high tower decorated with multicolored ceramic tiles, which makes it a landmark along the river. The effect of the tiles is best observed at a distance. The temple was the first home of the Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaeo in 1785. There is a nightly light and sound show between October and May.
Arun Amarin Road
Tel: (02) 465 5640.
Website: www.watarun.org
Opening hours: Daily 0730-1730.
Admission charge.
Jim Thompson Thai House
Jim Thompson was an American who came to Bangkok after WWII and the Jim Thompson Thai House was his home until he mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. He completely revived the Thai silk industry and his house, traditionally Thai in style, is now a museum showing his collection of Asian artifacts. The house is a complex of six traditional Thai teak structures brought to Bangkok from various parts of Thailand and its construction was completed in 1955. The house can only be visited on a guided tour.
6 Soi Kasemsan 2 Song, Rama I Road
Tel: (02) 216 7368.
Website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (last tour at 1630).
Admission charge.
Royal Barge National Museum
The royal barges are rarely used by the royal family these days because of their age. A few of them are now preserved in the Royal Barge National Museum on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. The eight long, narrow boats on display are intricately gilded and each need between 50 and 60 rowers to take their oars. The figure on the bow of each boat signifies whether it carries the King and Queen or other members of the royal family. The most important barge is the Suphannahong, exclusively used by the King.
Khlong Bangkok Noi
Tel: (02) 424 0004.
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission charge.
Further Distractions
Suan Pakkad Palace Museum
Suan Pakkad Palace used to be the residence of Princess Chumphot, one of Thailand's leading art collectors. Eight traditional wooden Thai houses, brought to Bangkok from around the country, are set in one of the loveliest gardens in the city. The museum houses an important collection of antiques.
Sri Ayudhaya Road, Rajathevi
Tel: (02) 245 4934.
Website: www.suanpakkad.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1600.
Admission charge.
Ban Kham Thieng
Ban Kham Thieng is a 200-year-old classic northern-style teak house, brought from Chiang Mai and reconstructed in Bangkok. The house was owned by a worker and shows the simplicity of rural life in the north during the last century. It contains a collection of traditional implements used by farmers and rice field fishermen.
131 Soi Asoke (Soi 21), Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 661 6470.
Website: www.siam-society.org
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 0900-1700.
Admission charge.
Ko Kret
Some 20km (12 miles) to the north of the city, Ko Kret is a tiny island community virtually untouched by the nearby metropolis. There are no roads on the island and many of its residents rely on its potteries for employment, as well as fruit and flowers from its many plantations. The island can be reached via Highways 31 and 35, then ferry from Pak Kret Pier. The Chao Phraya Express Boat (tel: (02) 623 6143; website: www.chaophrayaboat.co.th) runs an excursion every Sunday from Sathorn Pier departing at 1000.
