25 Best Things to Do in Bangkok (Thailand)

The capital city of Thailand, Bangkok has so much to offer tourists how can only take in so much on a single trip. Any one who visits will surely be amazed by the sights and sounds of this incredible city. With eight million inhabitants living within the city, you’re bound to encounter many different kinds of people working in a variety of different industries. 

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, there’s a lot to see and do in this remarkable city of which visitors never seem to get tired!

Let’s have a look at the top things to do and see in Bangkok:

1. Visit Wat Pho To See The Reclining Buddha

A visit to Wat Pho is a must for any traveler to Bangkok. This temple houses the Reclining Buddha, depicting Buddha lying on his right side in the ‘start of meditation’ position as he reached enlightenment. The Reclining Buddha is huge at nearly forty seven meters in length and fifteen meters high! Now that may be hard to imagine— especially standing before it. 

In fact, even the toes are longer than my own height! As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the statue is covered entirely in gold 24-carat gold paint and has become a treasure of Thailand.

2. Visit the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace was once the home of royalty but is now a whole lot more. The striking structure has served as the chief seat of the monarchy alongside the government of Thailand for over 200 years. 

A visit to this remarkable place – and there’s certainly many places in Bangkok to see – should be sure to top your list of must-dos.

3. Ride the Sky Train

There is only one way to get around Bangkok ANYTIME at speed whilst keeping cool throughout the journey and that is to jump aboard one of the sky trains. 

With air-conditioned carriages available there’s no better way to get around. In most instances you are high above the traffic below as well, giving you a view of the city but also this train takes a VERY direct route. With nearly every part of Bangkok you would want to visit having a train station nearby, travel could not be simpler.

4. Take a trip around Chatuchak Market.

If you like shopping you need to check this place out. If you hate shopping you need to give this place a wide berth. With nearly 27 acres of space, more than 8000 stalls and 200,000 visitors that attend every weekend, it is said to be one of the largest markets in the world. 

Like many tourist spots, the market offers both local-priced goods and not-so-local priced goods but regardless you should consider getting a map before making your way around or risk getting lost for hours on end as everything blends together pretty quickly.

5. Take a Boat Trip along the Chao Phraya River

Some refer to Bangkok as the “Venice of the East” because it is home to one of the largest rivers in the country. Despite the presence of modern high-rise buildings and hotels, some areas along this river remain undeveloped, just like Venice. 

It’s even possible to board a ferry and travel down the banks of this massive body of water! It doesn’t matter where you start your journey; every second is filled with jaw-dropping landscapes.

6. Shop Till You Drop At Siam Paragon

A massive shopping mall in Thailand, the CentralWorld mall is a shopper’s paradise which houses many different shops catering to high-end fashion designers and their patrons as well as having numerous other facilities such as an aquarium and multiplex cinema.

7. Visit The Bangkok National Museum

I recently got to tour the Bangkok National Museum in Thailand. It was impressive! I remember the three words the tour guide kept saying over and over again: “is amazing.” Indeed, it was! They had many art pieces from different time periods in Thai history and they were put into rooms plus there are informational signs around each piece to better explain them if you would like a closer look. 

The museum is currently showing away 600 years of Thai history! One of my favorite things about the gallery itself is that it’s small enough that you can see everything there is to see without feeling bored or rushed. That automatically makes a trip to this beautiful museum more enjoyable — especially if you’re a fan of Asian art in general or interested in learning more about Thailand’s past (like how they decorated their temples before).

8. Have a Thai Massage

Whatever country you come from you may have heard of Thai massages and perhaps even seen one online. But there is absolutely no way you can truly experience a traditional Thai massage anywhere else in the world but where it originated – Thailand!

9. Spend an Evening in Nana Plaza (Soi 4)

Nana plaza is just outside the BTS station called Nana. This large complex in Bangkok houses numerous gogo bars with women flocking inside to meet with tourists who can pay for their company. It is easy to get caught up in a sea of bodies and loud music, but it’s definitely worth spending some time sitting down to observe people as they enjoy themselves over drinks.

10. Climb the Sathorn Unique Tower

A modern condominium complex in Bangkok, Thailand called Sathorn Unique, a 49 story skyscraper has, since 2010 remained incomplete. It all began when the Thai property market experienced rapid growth and became overheated which skyrocketed the construction sector to abnormally high levels. Eventually economic tides shifted and the country was slapped with a financial crisis prompting a dramatic fall in property prices and demand for housing across the board that caused construction of Sathorn Unique to be stopped.

11. Take A Stroll Through Lumpini Park

Also known as “Rama IV”, Lumpini Park is an important green space in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. At around 500,000 sq. meters (1.4 million square feet), it is used by locals and tourists alike for a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy city center. The name of the park originates from the Lord Buddha who was born in Nepal where “Lumpini” refers to a type of melon/gourd which has spiritual significance as a lotus flower grows out of this kind of fruit.

12. Eat Out At Chinatown

Every major city has at least one Chinatown district and Bangkok is no exception when it comes to this. The ceremonial Chinese gates act as a sign that you’re almost there, because once you’ve been let in by them you know you’re entering Chino Town itself. If food is on your mind and especially if this is the kind of Chinese food you want, then this is the place to try many different kinds, even if they are cheap.

13. Go For A Drink On Top Of The City

When you’ve had a long day, there’s nothing like ending things by relaxing on a beautiful rooftop bar with a drink in your hand. Vertigo at Banyan Tree and Lebua Al Fresco at the Four Seasons Bangkok both offer unparalleled views of the city of lights that really make you feel like you’re living it up like a bona fide celebrity. Unlike most rooftop bars, they have outdoor spaces one can sit in without being encumbered by walls so be mindful when drinking because the last thing each one of them wants is to get sued!

14. Eat Street Food

People in Thailand often choose to eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This has contributed to the popularity of Thai street food portions that can be eaten on-the-go – at any time of day. One might have heard of Pad Thai but there are so many more scrumptious dishes to try out while strolling along a busy street food hub or luxurious restaurant row. You can find a diverse range of tasty treats from Som Tam (papaya salad) to Squid – all cooked in front of you and served up fresh, on the spot!

15. Take a Motorcycle Taxi

The roads of Bangkok can be frustratingly congested, yet for many people the best way to travel from one place to another is via sky trains or the subway. Unfortunately, not every location comes equipped with an efficient public transportation system. As such, it’s helpful to know that some areas do come equipped with motorcycle taxis which are much more flexible compared to a cab or a tuk-tuk.

16. Watch Kickboxing (Muay Thai)

Everywhere you look in Thailand, martial arts is deeply rooted in its history. Muay Thai is a national obsession with every person throughout the country fixated on kickboxing. People can talk about nothing else but kicking, punching, and everything related to their craft because it’s such an integral part of what makes them who they are. Nobody ever wants to lose face especially not to foreigners so make sure that you always remember your respect for Thai culture when engaging in public spectacles like fighting!

17. Visit Dusit Zoo

Dusit Zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Thailand. It was first opened back in 1952 with the intention of providing local people with wildlife experiences that would be entertaining as well as educational. Back then, there was a lot less to offer people in this regard than what they get today but the goal of providing a zoo that went beyond simply exhibiting wild animals remained unchanged. Nowadays, there are approximately 1600 animals (including birds) living inside the zoo’s grounds and going to them can be a very quirky experience.

18. Take Part in a  Water Fight During Songkran

A noteworthy holiday known as the New Years Festival, Songkran marks the beginning of a new year in Thailand. Celebrated between April 13th and 15th every year, Songkran is observed by many people in Thailand. During this time, Buddhists believe that they need to atone for their sins through immersion in water, usually with a natural source such as a river or stream. In recent years, this ritual has created an opportunity for all members of society to cleanse away their sins so that they can start off the new year on the right foot and burnish their luck for prosperity. With the huge crowds of Bangkok around during this festival, there’s no better place to experience it than in the city itself!

19. Explore the Bangkok Nightlife

Bangkok is famous for it’s nightlife scene and has grown to be one of the best cities in the world for all that jazz! You’ll find an array of exciting nightclubs, amazing rooftop bars, hip cocktail bars and much more. If you’re up for some adult fun (no pun intended) then Soi Cowboy and Patpong should be your go-to places, where the party scene reigns supreme at Khao San Road . For those who want just a good night out dancing the whole night away, this bar crawl tour will definitely not disappoint.

20. Visit The Bangkok Puppet Show

An absolute must for all tourists to Bangkok, the Puppetshow theater is typical of many puppet theaters in Asia—but this one distinguishes itself by allowing the audience to see the artist manipulating the puppets. This theater is known for presenting classic stories with traditional puppetry techniques.

21. Visit Jim Thompson House

A visit to the Jim Thompson House & Museum located in Bangkok is guaranteed to give you an insight into the history and story of the man who founded one of Thailand’s most well known fashion brands during the ’60s and who, at one time, held a passport for multiple countries because he was also a spy for the US Government. This exquisitely restored home presents what Thai hospitality once was and features six traditional teak buildings that have been built into one. There’s also a café on location where you’ll find something delightful awaiting you!

22. Visit Wat Arun

More than 31,000 Buddhist temples are spread throughout Thailand and among them is Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of Dawn). Supposedly named after the Hindu *** of Dawn – Ardhanarishvara or Aruna, it stands clearly visible on the bank of Chao Phraya River. Highlighting the temple are two giant statues which represent mythical creatures called Yaksa. You can probably make out their facial features, posture and body structure.

23. Feast Yourself On Durian

Durian is a peculiar fruit. Some people think it smells and tastes great, while others are repulsed by it. It is often banned from hotels and public transportation. Locals often grow them in their backyards for friends and family to enjoy, but without fencing Durians can do a lot of damage if left to the mercy of other people’s property.

24. Visit Erawan Shrine

Located in one of the busiest areas of Bangkok is Erawan Shrine, a product of Thai culture and tradition. Though small and unassuming, this Hindu shrine has attracted millions of visitors since its construction, including a number of Westerners because they believe that all who pray there are blessed with prosperity.

25. Visit Vimanmek Mansion

Built in the latter part of the 19th century, Vimanmek Mansion is considered to be one of the world’s finest examples of teak architecture. The queen had it built on behalf of herself and her husband at that time. It wasn’t used for a very long period though just until 1915 when King Rama V moved his court down south to Hua Hin.

Sample Itineraries for your Referance…

Get inspired with our sample tour itineraries as append below. You can have any tour, tailor-made for your private travel.

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