Here are the top 20 things to do in Bangkok while you are in Thailand
Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. While the city itself is only around 500 years old, the area has been used for a far longer time. Historical landmarks fill the place, as well as newer, more modern buildings, since the Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. Thanks to that, the city is now a major regional force in finance and business, as well as art, culture and entertainment. It quickly became a larger and more important city than ever before. There are numerous great places to see if you come here, so we have collected the top 20 things to do in Bangkok, to make things easier.
- Wat Arun
The Wat Arun is quite possibly one of the most beautiful temples in the world. It’s a buddhist temple dedicated to the Hindu god Aruna, God of Dawn. Just like this suggests, the temple is especially beautiful at dawn or sunset, making even two visits worthwhile. It can be approached by boat, and visistors can also climb the temple, though it’s not necessary for a great experience.
2. Wat Pho
Another must-see among the things to do in Bangkok, is the Reclining Buddha at the Wat Pho temple complex. The most famous feature of the temple complex is the huge gold-plated statue called the Reclining Buddha. It depicts the entry of Buddha into Nirvana and the end of all reincarnations. It’s one of the most well known statues of Budda, especially due to its distint and unusual posture, laying down sideways. Needless to say, the other parts of the temple are just as spectacular, so be sure to see everything.
3. Chatuchak Weekend Market
If you think you’ve ever been to a big market, then you probably didn’t think of one as big as the Chatuchak Weekend Market. It’s a huge market in Bangkok with around 8,000 stalls, divided into 27 sections. They sell plants, antiques, pets, food and drinks, fresh and dry food, ceramics, furniture and home decor, clothing, and books, just to say a few. Definitely do you shopping here, but don’t forget to get a map due to the size of the market.
4. Grand Palace
The Grand Palace of Bangkok is the residence of the King of Siam. It’s a large are containing many kinds of official buildings, each being wonderfully designed. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year, so the place has become a popular tourist attraction.
5. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is a museum with a very mixed collection of art, having both peforming arts and regular ones like paintings and sculptures. Aesthetically, it is often compared to the The Guggenheim of New York, due to its more contemporary look.
6. Siam Paragon
If you wish for a more modern shopping place, then be sure to visit the Siam Paragon, a large shopping mall in Bangkok. Pretty much all kinds of shops can be found here, and those who love shopping can easily spend a whole day just here. Prices vary, so it is recommended for everyone. And if you perhaps not want to shop so much, then you can grab a bite of have a drink at one of the local restaurants and cafés.
7. Siam Ocean World
The Siam Ocean World is located inside the Siam Paragon. It gives home to around 30 thousand animals, and has many interesting features that are not in any kind of aquarium, including things like glass-bottom boat ride, a fish spa, and a dive with sharks. If you like sea animals, then this place must be high for you on the list of things to do in Bangkok.
8. Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson was an American businessman and architect who helped revitalise the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and 1960s, and before his disappearance, he built himself a charming house in Bangkok, which is now used as a museum. The architecture of the Jim Thompson House, along with its late owner’s enigmatic history, is what draws visitors here. The collection consists of Buddhist secular art and artifacts, as well as objects relating to the silk industry.
9. Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden
The Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden is the garden of a monastery filled with statues depicting the Buddhist hell, Naraka. Visitors can encounter statues of sinners boiled in cauldrons, sinners being torn apart by the dogs of hell, and emaciated sinners with protruding ribs. The place is obviously not for those who are easily disturbed, but those who can manage may find it interesting, albeit somewhat scary.
10. Amulet Market
The Amulet Market of Bangkok is a popular place for both citizens and tourists. People come here to search for and buy trinkets and amulets that are said to be bestowed with power to ward of evil, or grant protection and good luck. The form of the amulets can vary from Buddhas bearing a range of expressions, to shards of bone, medallions, chunks of wood from sacred spaces, or even real human parts, like hair. Those who believe in these may want to visit this place, as they are sure to find something that catches their eye.
11. Sathorn Unique Tower
The Sathorn Unique Tower is an unfinished and abandoned tower in Bangkok started when the economy was booming in the 1990s, but was never completed. The infrastructure exposed to the elements give it a post-apocalyptic look, which is quite fascinating in its own way. Climbing the building is possible, but both illegal and very dangerous, as the structure is quite fragile, so don’t even think about it. Seeing it from afar is quite enough.
12. Giant Swing
This Giant Swing played a central role in annual Brahmin swing ceremonies that symbolically reenacted elements of Hindu origin stories. It was built in 1784, and was used till 1935, when it was discontinued due to numerous fatal accidents. It was moved from its original location, and reconstructed due to being exposed to the elements and suffering damage. It now serves only as a tourist attraction.
13. Museum of Counterfeit Goods
The Museum of Counterfeit Goods is just like its name suggests, a museum dedicated to the counterfeit goods that scammers would use to decieve people into buying them. Most of the counterfeit goods are used as evidence in intellectual property court cases before making their way into the museum. The collection currently consists of around 3500 products, but only a smaller part of it is on display, including things like figurines from the anime Dragon Ball Z, or clothing and accessories supposedly from brands like Gucci and Adidas.
14. Bangkok Airplane Graveyard
Have you ever felt like exploring aircrafts that were abandoned and turned into homes? Well you can do so at the Bangkok Airplane Graveyard. These three aircrafts were brought here by a local businessman, who probably wanted to sell pieces of it slowly, like the seats, but since then some poor families moved in and made them their home, decorating it however they could. Be aware that though they allow tourists to see the planes for a smaller fee, this isn’t always so, and you should leave everything where it is.
15. Erawan Shrine
Erawan Shrine was built next to the Erawan Hotel to eliminate the bad karma believed to be caused by laying the foundations on the wrong, inauspicious date. The shrine itself is very beautiful, so it is worth seeing, though it’s not a very fortunate place, as it was vandalised in 2006, and a bomb exploded there in 2015 (by a turkish terrorist). It is safe now, but visitors might not want to go too near it, especially if they believe in bad luck.
16. Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute is an institute focusing on the research of venomous snakes, extraction of venom and vaccines such as rabies vaccine. Visitors can see the thirty-five species of venomous snakes kept in both indoor and outdoor enclosures. The facility also houses several species of other dangerous reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
17. Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
The Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University is the oldest buddhist university in Thailand, and its main campus is located in Bangkok. Since it’s public, any english-speaking person can study Buddhist Leadership, Philosophy, Chinese Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism and many other courses here. Apart from that, the university itself is quite spectacular, to say the least.
18. Democracy Monument
The Democracy Monument commemorates the 1932 Siamese coup d’état. It is, however, a bit misleading, as it shows a militaristic revolution, while no actual bloodshed happened. Nevertheless, the monument is still wonderful in itself, and it is often used for protests against the military and war.
19. Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit (also known as the marble temple) is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok. It typifies Bangkok’s ornate style of high gables, stepped-out roofs and elaborate finials, making it definitely worth seeing. Festivals are also often held here.
20. Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is a large park that offers rare open public space, trees, and playgrounds in the Thai capital and contains an artificial lake where visitors can rent boats. It is an excellent place for recreational purposes, like cycling, jogging, taking a stroll or just having a picnic.
