Where to go to Bangkok

Sightseeing Overview

The sprawling city of Bangkok is full of interesting attractions for tourists, however, the heavily congested traffic means that 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 does help visitors travel across town more quickly. An excellent way to appreciate the layout of the city 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 19th-century Wat Suthat on Bamrung Muang Road is renowned for its murals depicting the lives of Buddha. In front of the temple is Sao Ching Cha (Giant Swing), which was the site of a Brahmin ceremony until the 1920s. Only the posts of the swing remain.

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, three meters (10 feet) high and weighing over five tons. Close to Chinatown is Phahurat, the main Indian area, crammed with colorful fabric shops and excellent Indian 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.

Tourist Information
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
1st Floor, 1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Tel: (02) 250 5500. Fax: (02) 250 5511.
E-mail: center@tat.or.th
Website: www.tourismthailand.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

There is another office at 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Pomprab (open daily 0830-1630). The TAT Call Center (tel: 1672) is open daily 0800-2000. The tourist police provide 24-hour assistance for complaints and emergencies from their office on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue or through the toll-free hotline (tel: 1155).


Key Attractions:

Royal Grand Palace
The Royal Grand Palace is a glittering walled complex that houses several palaces, all highly decorated with tiles and ceramics. Building was begun 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 even a scale model of Angkor Wat. 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) 222 6889.
Website: www.palaces.thai.net
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Daily 0830-1530.
Admission: B200.


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
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1600 (last tour at 1515).
Admission: B100. Free once a ticket to the Royal Grand Palace has been purchased (ticket valid for 30 days).


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.

Thai Wang Road
Tel: (02) 225 9595.
Website: www.watpho.com
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Daily 0800-1700.
Admission: B20.


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.
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 0900-1600.
Admission: B50.


Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the 17th-century Wat Arun has a 79m-high (259ft) 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. It 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.
E-mail: cmo@cm.co.th
Website: www.watarun.org
Transport: Boat from Tha Tien Pier.
Opening hours: Daily 0730-1730.
Admission: B20.


Jim Thompson Thai House

Jim Thompson was an American who came to Bangkok after World War II 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.
E-mail: info@jimthompsonhouse.com
Website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com
Transport: Skytrain National Stadium station.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (last tour at 1630).
Admission: B100; concessions available.


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
Transport: River taxi.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission: B30.


Khon Masked Dance at Sala Chalermkrung Theatre

Khon is Thailand's classical masked dance that is regarded as one of the most refined of performing arts. It was originally limited to the royal court. Performances are extremely expensive to produce, requiring lavish costumes, elaborate masks and headgear, and stage accessories that require highly skilled craftsmen to create. The scenes performed in the traditional Khon are taken from the Ramakien, a series of significant episodes in Thai literature based on the Indian epic of classical mythology the Ramayana that greatly influenced the literature of almost all nations in Southeast Asia.

Khon at Sala Chalermkrung is performed every Friday and Saturday at 8.30 pm.  Tickets cost 1,000 baht and 1,200 baht.  Call Sala Chalermkrung at Tel: 0 2224 4499 or visit  or Thaiticketmaster at Tel: 0 2262 3456 or visit www.thaiticketmaster.com for reservation. For more information about the performance and Sala Challermkrung visit www.salachalermkrung.com 


Bang Lamphu

One of the oldest parts of town
Bang Lamphu district has become famous over recent years due to the emergence of Khao San Road as the popular destination for the worlds young budget travellers. The area has an interesting history as it is located in the Rattanakosin Island area.

It gets its name from the lamphu trees that used to grow here. This tree has vertical roots and is a favourite gathering spot for fireflies. The canal that makes Bang Lamphu part of Rattanakosin Island was dug during the reign of King Rama I and has had many names including Klong Ong Ang because there used to be a community here making the big earthenware pots called ong.
The first palace was built here by Princess Chakjesda, a relative of King Rama I. Although the palace has now gone, a small part of a wall remains on Phra Sumen Road, opposite the hexagonal-shaped Phra Sumen Fort. This fort is one of the original 13 constructed to defend Bangkok.

Bang Lamphu has been the location of many of the major events in Thailand's recent history. The Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road has been the rallying point for many political movements. There is a house on Phra Arthit Road, where Pridi Banomyong lived when he established the Seri Thai organization to fight the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Today, Bang Lamphu is an interesting mix of buildings built over a century ago in the colonial style side by side with modern buildings and shop houses. It is well worth a visit to what is possibly Bangkok's first suburb.
Old Bangkok Walking Tour
Siam Soundtrek presently have Mp3 tracks available for 15 sites within Bangkok's historical Rattanakosin Island, including the Giant Swing, Wat Suthat, and the Brahmin Chapels. All these sites are found within walking distance from Khao San Road.
Mp3 tours and maps can be downloaded for free at www.soundtrek.org, or Mp3 players can be rented at the Rim Khob Faa Bookstore next to the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Road.


Bank of Thailand Museum 

Bank of Thailand Museum is located in the Bang Khun Phrom Palace, one of the splendid historical sites in Bangkok with artistic beauty in architectural designs and decorative arts.  The Palace has a long history tracking back to nearly one hundred years.  It was originally a royal residence of H.R.H. Prince Baripatra Sukhumbhand, a son of H.M. King Chulalongkorn and H.M. Queen Sukhumala Marasri, and was a government office for a period of time until 1945, when it became the office premise of the Bank of Thailand and was renovated to house the Bank of Thailand Museum in 1992.  The opening ceremony of the Museum was graciously presided over by H.M. the King and the Queen on January 9, 1993.

The main objective of the Museum is to preserve Thai currency, one of our important cultural heritages, as well as to stimulate the research and study on the history and evolution of Thai currency.  The exhibitions started from the prehistoric medium of exchange the ancient currency, used in different eras up until the present day.  In addition, it also highlights the roles and responsibilities of the Bank of Thailand, the governors, as well as the history of Bang Khun Phrom Palace and H.R.H. Prince Baripatra Sukhumbhands life. The exhibitions compose of 14 rooms such as:
Ancient Coins Room: The exhibition in this room dated  back to the  prehistoric era when medium of exchange such as shells or beads were used as money  until the introduction of coins, including Funan coins,  Dvaravati coins, Sri Vijaya coins, as well as Lanna and Lanchang money, which had been used before the Kingdom of Thailand was found.

Pot Duang Room displays Pot Duang coins, circulated from Sukhothai period up to the reign of King Rama V of Rattanakosin period, as well as their methods of productions.
Thai Coins Room displays Thai flat coins which were initiated by King Rama III up to the present day.
Thai Banknotes  Room displays the evolution of the Thai paper  money from the first issuance of paper money called Mai in King Rama IV reign through the issuance of banknotes series circulated in the present day, including the commemorative banknotes issued on special  occasions.
Gold and Commemorative Coins Room displays commemorative gold coins, silver coins, nickel coins, gold bond, as well as gold bullions which are used as currency reserves.
Bank of Thailand 60th Anniversary Room displays the history, the roles and responsibilities of the Bank of Thailand as well as the important events of the Bank, in chronology.
Baripatra Memorial Room displays the life, works, activities, and the talents of H.R.H. Prince Baripatra Sukhumbhand.

Admission requirements:
 1. Free admission.
 2. Please dress respectfully and take off shoes before entering the Bang Khun Phrom Palace Building.
 3. Visitors should not touch exhibited items and display cases.
 4. Photography is not permitted inside the Museum.
 5. Smoking is strictly prohibited.
 6. Food and beverages are not allowed in the Museum.
 7. Avoid making excessive noise during the visit.

How to visit the Museum
The museum is open for pre-arranged group visitors from 9.30 a.m. 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Please contact the Museum at least one week in advance at

The Bank of Thailand Museum
273 Samsen Road, Bang Khun Phrom,
Bangkok, 10200
Tel. 0 2283 5286, 0 2283 6723, 0 2283 5265
Fax. 0 2283 5283


Khao San Road

Where the worlds young travellers meet.
Khao San Road is a favourite crossroads for the young travellers on a budget. It has evolved over the last two decades from just one small hostel providing low-budget accommodation become one of the worlds most well-known destinations. It has been featured in many movies and television documentaries.

During the day, Khao San Road is the scene for back-packers looking for a cheap room while others are arranging transport to their next destination in Thailand or overseas. Some will be just chatting with friends over a cup of coffee or a bowl of noodles.
At night, it turns into a lively thoroughfare lined with street stalls selling cheap clothes, handicrafts, souvenirs and thousands of other items. The lights are on at the many bars where the travellers tell tales of the days adventures and discoveries and the plans for tomorrow. Khao San Road is not just for foreign travellers, many young Thai people like to hang out there, including members of the TV and film production industries.

The location is very convenient for visiting the many tourist attractions on Rattanakosin Island. It is just a 10-minute walk to Sanam Luang and The Grand Palace.

During April when Thais celebrate the Songkran Festival, Khao San Road becomes a fun-filled battleground as everyone, Thais and foreigners indulge in splashing each other with water.
The area is also well-known for the wide variety of inexpensive food. This ranges from spicy Thai Tom Yum Gung soup to the ever-popular banana pancake.

How to get there:
Bus routes 3, 9, 32, 64, 39, 44, 53, 59, 503, 509, 511

King Rama I the Great Memorial

Built in commemoration of Bangkoks 150th anniversary celebrations in 1932, the monument is situated at the foot of Pathom Boromrachanuson or Rama I the Great Memorial Bridge on the Bangkok side. King Rama I was the first king in the Royal House of Chakri and founder of Bangkok as the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, as Thailand was formerly known. He was born in Ayutthaya, one of Thailand's former capitals, on 20 March, 1736, accessed to the throne on 6 April, 1782, and passed away 27 years later.

Open : Daily

Admission : Free


King Rama III Memorial

The monument was built by the Fine Arts Department in 1990 near the Royal Reception Pavilion in front of Wat Ratchanatdaram on Ratchadamnoen Road. The bronze statue, half larger than life size, is seated on a throne. The surrounding area is decorated with beautiful plants, with the Royal Reception Pavilion and three minor pavilions known as Sala Rai nearby.

Open : Daily

Admission : Free


Maenam Chao Phraya

The Chao Phraya River is the most important waterway in Thailand. Boats of all sizes ply this river ranging from huge container ships that berth at Klong Toey Port to small dugouts. Its most recognized water transporters are the rice barges and the long-tail boats. Then there are cross river ferries and the river express boats serving as water-born buses bringing commuters to the city from as far up-river as Nonthaburi.

A cruise on the Chao Phraya River gives you a new perspective on Bangkok as you pass by the imposing Prangs of Wat Arun, the majestic Grand Palace and the Temple of The Emerald Buddha.

You'll see a different side of commerce as huge lines of rice barges are towed by a small tugboat and other barges carrying cargo as diverse as sand and gravel, even soft drinks and beer.

There are a number of ways you can experience life on the river. You can take a voyage on a luxuriously converted rice barge leaving from Bangkok on a leisurely journey all the way up to the ancient capital at Ayutthaya. There are also purpose-built luxury cruisers making the same trip. Or you can see the river life the same way the locals do by catching a river express boat.

There are converted rice barges and Chinese junks that offer lunch and dinner cruises. The evening dinner cruise can be particularly romantic, sipping fine wine at a candle-lit table.

For those who want a more budget-priced journey, there are small river boats that are available for hire by the hour


Pak Khlong Talat

London has its Covent Garden, Paris has Les Halles, Bangkok has Pak Khlong Talat which is the biggest fresh flower market in the city.

The Thai people have a great appreciation for fresh flowers, both for the beauty and the fragrance. This is where those who have time and the florists come to buy their flowers at wholesale prices.

The variety includes roses, daisies and more exotic species such as orchids in every colour and shade imaginable.

Most of the flowers are grown in the neighbouring provinces of Nakhon Prathom, Samut Sakon and Samut Songkram although the best roses come from the cooler climate in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Unfortunately, the main activities at the market take place late at night and in the early morning but there are flower sellers there all day and in the surrounding streets.

How to get there: Chao Phraya River Express to Pak Khlong Talat Pier.
Bus routes 2, 5, 8, 53, 60,73, 512


China Town

Lying south of Dusit and Banglamphu, the Chinatown (เยาวราช,Yaowarat) district is one of the oldest areas of Bangkok as Chinese merchants were originally moved to this area in the early 1780's when Bangkok was founded. One of the main streets of this area, Charoen Krung (translating as 'Prosperous city'), was actually Bangkok's first paved road, so it's English name, New Road, couldn't really be more inappropriate nowadays. The area has got a somewhat seedy historical reputation for large numbers of opium dens, brothels (which hung green lanterns outside, giving it the name of the Green Light district), pawnshops and a fondness for gambling. Today, gold shops and pawnshops are still very popular in Chinatown and can be found almost anywhere. Drug dealing, prostitution and gambling (all now illegal in Thailand) are also still thought to be widespread in this area, though they are not likely to be very noticeable to the average visitor.





When you come to Chinatown you will know straight away that this is Chinatown. Do you know why? Because you will see most signs written in Chinese and the colours red and white.






Nevertheless, Chinatown remains a pretty interesting area to visit. With the exception of Wat Traimit, it's almost completely untouristy, though this has the downside that most people round here speak very little English. Though the main roads are not very dissimilar to those of other parts of Bangkok, the genuine Chinatown lies down the busy numerous smaller roads, narrow alleys and backstreets. The Chinese in Chinatown have been living in Thailand for generations, and generally consider themselves very much as Thais - most can no longer speak any Chinese.



Yaowarat at Night
The China Town starts from the symbolic China Gate
and follows mainly Yaowarat Road. A lot of gold shops,
Chinese foods, eating places, restaurants, souvenirs,
etc. are available along the long road and in several
allays. It is almost unbelievable, unless you see them
by yourself.




Very close to the intersection of Charoen Krung and Yaowarat road is perhaps the only real top attraction in Chinatown, Wat Traimit (วัดไตรมิตร), the Temple of the Golden Buddha. At first glance, the 3m high Buddha image in here looks distinctly average and undeserving of the busloads of tourists that visit every day. What attracts them all however, is the remarkable fact that it's made of 5.5 tonnes of solid gold. The story behind the image is that in 1957 a large stucco Buddha image was being moved by crane during development of a port. To the horror of all concerned, the crane operator accidentally dropped the image, sending it crashing towards the ground. Instead of smashing however, the stucco covering merely cracked and in the process revealed the solid gold image hidden underneath. It is thought to have been covered like this during the early Ayuthaya or Sukhothai period, apparently to protect the image from the invading Burmese, and remained that way for several hundred years. Just north of here is Hualamphong (หัวลำโพง), Bangkok's main train station.

Though other attractions as such are thin on the ground, Chinatown is an interesting place to just wander around. A couple of Chinatown's most interesting roads are Yaowarat road (ถนนเยาวราช), leading westwards from near Wat Traimit, and Sampeng Lane (ถนนสำเพ็ง, also sometimes known as Soi Wanit), running parallel south of Yaowarat.

Busy Yaowarat road is Chinatown's main street, and has surely one of greatest concentrations of gold shops anywhere, reflecting the love of gold the Thai-Chinese are often thought to have. There's dozens of them, all dazzlingly brightly colored, and with mainly very good prices. There's also plenty of restaurants round here also, where you can get birds-nest soup, dim sum, shark fin soup and other traditional Chinese delicacies.

The narrow, crammed Sampeng Lane was previously infamous for the gang fighting and high numbers of murders that took place here. Nowadays, it's a very busy predominately pedestrian street, with the main danger being the odd motorbike that tries to get past. The street is a hive of constant commercial activity, mostly in textiles and cloth, and while it's not really a great place for buying anything, it's an interesting authentic experience that doesn't seem to have really changed in decades.

The Thieves Market, or Nakhon Kasem is slightly north of the western end of Sampeng Lane. Though legitimate today, it was so named because this was where goods stolen from houses inevitably turned up. It's now a good area for looking or buying Thai or Chinese antiques. There's quite a number of shops and reasonable range of supposedly antique and second hand goods.

Detail :

Entrance to Wat Traimit is 20B, it's open from 9.00am to 5.00pm everyday. The markets in general are open until the late evening. Chinatown is not far from the Ko Rattanakosin area, including the attractions there such as Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Banglamphu is also just a short distance north of Chinatown.

Ordinary buses 1, 7, 8, 37, 49 and 75 will take you into Chinatown, some stopping on Charoen Krung, others on Worachak road (near the Thieves Market) though the river is normally a better bet due to the consistent traffic jams round here. The Tha Ratchawong pier is just a few hundred meters from Yaowarat road and Sampeng Lane.


Chatuchak Weekend Market

Covering 70 rai (35 acres) of land with over 15,000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors every Saturday and Sunday, Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is the mother of all markets - and possibly one of the biggest and most famous markets in the world. If bargain-hunting gives you an adrenalin rush, get ready for a head-spinning, earth-moving experience. Conquering this massive market is no easy feat though. The reward for taking a lot of patience along - together with a bottle of water - is that you can find pretty much anything here.







Section 21, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok








There are two ways to approach your shopping excursion. Firstly, to get a free map from one of the information kiosks and (try to) plan your adventure through the never-ending maze of crowded, narrow alleys that are, surprisingly, numbered. But, it's so big that even with a map you might find yourself going around in circles. Areas are also demarcated in colour zones with clothing and fashion items grouped together, a section for household goods, crafts, pets, art and collectables, plants, wholesale items, food, and everything in between. Through the years vendors haven't always abided to the colour-coding, resulting in what could be called 'organised chaos'. The second way is to just follow your instincts and leave it all up to karma. Either way, it's virtually impossible to see it all in one day - and even more unlikely that you won't find something to get excited about.





At the Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok

Fashion Lifestlys, Shopping at Chatuchak
just speed up your walking passing there











Chatuchak DenimShop

Denim Shop in Chatuchak Weekend Market





If you are able to keep track of where you're going and can cover a big part of the market, you'll be amazed with the sheer variety of merchandise. From roosters and chopsticks to vinyl records and a pair of Levi hipsters that you haven't seen in shops for years. You can buy a python, beautiful orchids, garden furniture, and camo wear. Or beads, fake antiques, the latest Café del Mar CD...  The earlier you get there, the better too. Not only to make sure you have enough time to cover it all, but also to get a head-start before it gets too crowdy and hot.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is the perfect place for bargain shopping and to put your bartering skills to the test. A friendly attitude and big smile are your biggest allies to secure the best possible deal. There are a few ATM's scattered about, but they are not always easy to find. So take along enough cash, as not many vendors or stall owners accept credit cards. A fascinating aspect of the market is that many emerging Thai artists, craftsmen and business people have started their successful careers with a stall at Chatuchak. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of raw talent, innovation and craftsmanship. And then there are some very interesting vendors who have been selling their merchandise at the market for decades, and it's clear that they love what they do.







Bunnies, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok














Section 32 , Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok







As is customary anywhere in Thailand, you can find plenty to eat and drink all over the market. Check out some of the unusual delicacies too, like grubs, frogs and scorpions, mostly deep-fried and spiced heavily. It's very easy to get your hands on an ice-cold beer too, which is often the best way to quench a thirst in extreme heat and humidity. As long as you make sure to drink lots of liquids to avoid dehydration - and wear light clothing! Chatuchak is also like any other big market in the world; crowdy and busy. So watch out for pickpockets and keep your personal belongings safe.

How to get there: Take the skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station and exit down the right-hand stairs, follow the crowd for a five-minute walk, and you're there. Another option is to take the subway (MRT) to Chatuchak Park station, and follow the
signage directives. For the plant and flower section, get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station (exit 3).
Items at market: Clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, ceramics, pets, vintage magazines / stamps / coins, collector's items, knick-knacks and just about anything and everything else one could want from a Thai market, or any market. And then some!
Hours: 08:00 - 18:00 on weekends and Fridays (wholesale day). Plant shops are open Wednesdays and Thursdays too from 07:00 - 18:00.


Khao San Road

The Centre of the Backpacking Universe
Khao San Road (ถนน ข้าวสาร Thanon Khao Saan; also spelled Khaosan, Kao Sarn, Koh Sarn and many other variations) is, technically speaking, a small street about three blocks long located about a block from the Chao Phraya River in the Banglamphu district northwest of downtown Bangkok.







The famous Khao San Road is a fascinating kaleidascope of people from around the world










Backpackers and budget tourists are drawn by some of the cheapest accommodation in Thailand - most guesthouses charge around 150 baht a night and a bowl of noodles is 20 baht or less - and great bargains on tour and transport.

The first business to open on Khao San Road was a small hotel aimed at serving civil servants from the provinces who came to Bangkok on business. The hotel was followed by Sor Thambhakdi, a shop selling monks' accessories. It was followed by four similar businesses, and khao San became known as a "religious road".

Word soon spread about the easy lifestyle and friendliness of the locals. Friends told friends, and before long the owner of the house started to charge 20 baht for food and lodging. The first commercial guesthouse, called Bonny, opened with six small bedrooms.

On a more practical level there are also pharmacies, internet cafes, money changing booths, ATMs, shoe stores, laundry, and optometrists.

Accommodations and restaurants are hard to recommend, since places spring up and disappear on a monthly basis.

Khao San Road: Information Guide  

Located in the Banglamphu area, Khao San Road is where budget travellers converge, exchange tales, party and prepare for their next stint on the road. The popular book 'The Beach' called it "the centre of the backpacking universe", and judging by the flip-flop wearing masses that use it as their base for exploring the rest of Thailand and Southeast Asia - and who have done so for the past 20 years - it's a phrase that sums it up perfectly.

At under 1km in length, it packs in countless budget guesthouses and mid-range hotels, fusion restaurants, clubs, bars, bookshops, budget travel agents, tailors, chemists, clothing and counterfeit stalls, internet cafes, food carts, tattoo shops and much, much more. So much in fact, that the shops, people and party spirit have spilled over into Soi Rambuttri, within walking distance away.

With its carefree, anything-goes vibe it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok and, probably, the world. In recent years there's been a subtle makeover, with an influx of fast-food outlets, swanky bars and mid-range hotels helping the area to shed its shabby image. Only slightly though - it's still got an in-your-face energy that is all its own, and is still the stage for a cast of bizarre, kaleidoscopic characters. Today, so infectious is its atmosphere that it's also popular with locals, especially artisans and art students. Stay too long though and it may all wear a little thin.

Khao San Road: What to see & do 

Most Popular Khao San Road Attractions: People watching, Shopping, Food, Bars, Pubs, Clubs, Old City, Grand Palace, National Museum, Sanam Luang

Located within the Old City (Rattanakosin), Khao San Road makes an ideal base from where to explore the city's ancient attractions. Only a short walk or even shorter taxi ride away is the Grand Palace, the National Museum, the historical Sanam Luang Area, Democracy Monument, the Golden Mount Temple, and the bohemian vibes of leafy Phra Arthit Road. The soothing charms of the Chao Praya River, and a nifty ferry taxi stop, are but a ten-minute stroll away, from where it's easy and dirt cheap to navigate your way up and down the river.

The road itself is an exhilarating and often contradictory melting pot. If you come here to do only one thing, it should be to do a bout of people watching. Entire afternoons or evenings can easily be spent watching a bizarre procession of all colours, nationalities and persuasions saunter by, nearly all of them on a hedonistic mission of some sort or other. Do so while chomping on some fusion foods at a trendy restaurant, while sipping on a beer or while getting your hair braided at one of many makeshift hair salons.

Khao San Road: Shopping 

Stuffed to overflowing with shops, market stalls and vendors, Khao San Road has a million and one fun, tacky and some useful things too for you to blow your baht on. Shops give backpackers - and the upscale Birkenstock brigade who also now flock here - everything they need, from travel agents and tailors to chemists, convenience stores, banks and bookshops. Free-wheeling commerce - market stalls, shops on wheels and vendors - do brisk trade too.






The perfect time to embark on your shopping spree, unless you want to end up bad tempered and pouring sweat, is in the evening. Not only is it cooler, but its also the time when things liven up (except on Mondays)






This multicolored assortment includes funky beach attire alongside jewellery, fisherman's pants, textiles, Thai crafts, knock-off CDs, computer programs, hammocks, ethnic jewellery, shoes and anything else you can squeeze inside a backpack. The best time to head out shopping is in the evening, when it's cooler and the range of things on sale is even more intriguing. Enterprising, baby-faced Thais come down to sell everything and anything from funky hair accessories and exotic blouses to one-off T-shirts and vintage clothing.

Khao San Road: Where to eat 

While great for adjusting to the culture and climate, Khao San Road is also a great spot to ease yourself into the sensory mélange that is Thai cuisine. You'll find that most of the local food available here has been toned down to cater to the unadjusted Western palate, with the spiciness of curries, salads and noodle dishes all reduced considerably compared to what you find locals eating. If you like it spicy, the phrase 'ped maak' should do the trick.

But don't think its all tame variations on Thai cooking, alongside Western junk food. With the upsurge in quality restaurants and bars, the variety and exoticism of the food available has also rocketed. Menus offering creative fusions of Thai with Western cooking are plentiful, while there are many places specialising in international cusine, with pizzas, sushi, falaffel and pasta all getting a look in.











Thailand : Bangkok : Khao San Road backpacker
comfort food











Of course, a trip to Khao San Road wouldn't be complete without sampling the street vendors' famous 'pad thai', their own unique take on the popular Thai dish that's tasty, nutritious and, above all, cheap. There are Thai-style omelets, and for vitamin and protein bursts, natural produce in the form of fresh fruit, fruit shakes and - if you're brave or drunk enough - an assortment of fried bugs.

Once you have exhausted Khao San Road's eateries and completed your initiation into spicy food, try Banglamphu Market, just around the corner to the right on Chakrapong Road. It has an exciting array of street stalls selling noodles soups, curries, grilled oddities and strange looking deserts - welcome Thai alternatives to the traditional backpacker diet of pad thai, banana pancakes and watermelon shakes.

Khao San Road: Nightlife 

Khao San Road really takes off at night; restaurants, bars and pubs pump up the volume, and the throngs begin thinking about the long, typically alcohol-fuelled night in front of them. And there's no shortage of choices when it comes to tipples. From the (relatively) upscale Silk Bar and Cinnamon, to the quiet tranquility of the back-alley Hippie de Bar, or the crude charms of a kerb-side cocktail shack complete with plastic stools and ghetto blaster, there's something to suit every mood, taste, budget and state of cleanliness. The truly thrifty may even opt to purchase beers from the local 7/11 and drink on the street, hobo style. 







Khao San Road comes alive at night.










Later at night, typically at around 23:00, Khao San Road's clubs kick off. These play mostly hip-hip, house and pumping pop, alongside a dash of indie, rock and reggae. Some of the most popular venues for beat heads include Lava Bar, The Club and Immortal, with locals DJ's working up a storm that pulls in a crowd most nights. For those not given to being pummeled by electronic beats, there are several pubs and bars with live music. Brick Bar and Shamrock are especially noteworthy for their slick bands and popularity among both locals and visitors.

Khao San Road: Getting Around 

Sanam Luang or Thung Phra Men

A vast open ground situated near the northern wall of the Grand Palace and the eastern wall of the former Viceroy Palace or Wang Na. At the time when Bangkok was first established, the ground was a rice field and was sometimes used as a location for a royal crematorium, Phra Men in Thai. The ground was, thus, otherwise called as Thung Phra Men which means the crematorium ground. In considering that the name was inauspicious, King Rama IV had the ground renamed as Thong Sanam Luang, or the Royal Ground, and the rice farming there cancelled. Later, King Rama V had the Wang Nas eastern wall demolished and the area of Sanam Luang enlarged to cover a total of 78 rai as it does nowadays. The place has been used as the crematorium ground for kings, members of the royal family and nobility, in addition, to being a royal sporting ground. The king also had 365 tamarind trees planted around it.

Open : Daily

Admission : Free


Wat Ratchabophit

The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho.  Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign.  The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them.  The exterior of the chapel is in the Thai style, but the interior is decorated in the European style.

Open : Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission : Free

Tel : 0 2221 0904, 0 2222 3930


Wat Ratchanatdaram

Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846.  Loha Prasat, the temples main attraction, standing 36 metres high with 37 surrounding spires, is the only one of its kind left in the world.   Next to the temple is the area for welcoming an important foreign guest and a memorial statue of King Rama III.

Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 

Admission : Free

Tel : 0 2224 8807, 0 2225 5749


Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram

Situated to the north of Saran Rom Park, the temple is relatively small and covers a total area of approximately 2 rai. It was built in the reign of King Rama IV who intended it to be a temple in the Dhammayutika Sect as well as to be one of the 3 major temples as required by an old tradition to be situated within the capital. The place was originally a royal coffee plantation in the reign of King Rama III. With his personal donation, King Rama IV bought the plantation and had a small temple constructed there, naming it Wat Ratchapradit Sathitthammayutikaram. Later, he had the name changed to Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram. A place of interest in this temple is Phra Wihan Luang - the royal image hall - which houses mural paintings depicting The Royal Ceremonies over 12 Months and legend of the solar eclipse phenomenon.

Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Admission : Free

Tel : 0 2222 0855


Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing 
 
A visit to Wat Suthat Thep Wararam, situated almost in the center of old Bangkok, gives you an opportunity to see both the Giant Swing and one of the first-class Royal temples. The surrounding area is also worth exploring as there are many shops selling religious items.

The building of the temple was commissioned by King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok, in 1807. Its location in the center of Rattanakosin Island. This was in keeping with the Buddhist belief that it is like Mount Phra Sumeru being the center of the universe. Phra Sri Sakayamunee, the principal Buddha image, was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai to be placed in Phra Wihan Luang in Wat Suthat in 1808.

Wat Suthat is surrounded by an impressive wall 1.94 metres high and 0.85 metres thick. There are a total of 15 doorways leading into the temple compound. Within the temple grounds the most important building is the Phra Wihan Luang which is the Royal Temple. The mural paintings, covering all the interior walls are some of the finest to be seen anywhere. Each has stone inscriptions describing the pictures.

Surrounding the Royal Temple is Phra Wihan Khot terrace which is really impressive with 156 Buddha statues, mostly in the seated meditative attitude called Smathi.

The chapel, Phra Ubosot at Wat Suthat is possibly the most beautiful in Thailand and is also the largest measuring 72.25 metres in length and 22.60 metres in width.

There are four pavilions (sala) within the compound that are elevated to the height of the temples walls. These are used for various royal functions and for viewing the previous functions at the Giant Swing in front of the temple.

The annual ceremony was held up until the 1930s but was discontinued to the high fatality rate as young men tried to swing high enough to grab a sack of gold on a pole about 25 metres in the air.

How to get there: Bus routes 12, 15, 42, 73, 96, 508

Open daily: 8.30 am. to 9.00 pm.

Admission fee: Baht 20

Contact: Tel: 02 224 9845
Website: www.watsuthat.org


Wat Thepthidaram

Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III with a mixture of Chinese architectural styles.  Sunthon Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets, had resided in this temple during his monkshood from 1840 - 1842. 

Open : Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission : Free

Tel : 0 2222 5067


Further Distractions:

Suan Pakkad Palace Museum
Suan Pakkad Palace used to be the residence of Princess Chumphot, one of Thailand’s leading art collectors. Five 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.
E-mail: info@suanpakkad.com
Website: www.suanpakkad.com
Transport: Skytrain Phaya Thai station.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1600.
Admission: B100.


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.
E-mail: info@siam-society.org
Website: www.siam-society.org
Transport: Skytrain Asoke station and Sukhumvit subway station.
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 0900-1700.
Admission: B100.


Ko Kret
Beyond the airport, 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 Mit Chao Phraya Express Boat (tel: (02) 225 6179) run an excursion every weekend from Tha Chang Pier departing at 0900. The trip lasts 7.5 hours and costs B200.