Things to see & do in Bangkok
Our Thailand Vacations
Thailand tailor made vacation, elephants, jungle & beach
Elephant encounters, jungle treehouses and stunning Thai islands
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A Tuk Tuk Adventure in the stunning mountains of Thailand
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Explore Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai & Koh Samui
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A 2-week, fully guided photography tour of Thailand
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A fabulous family vacation including the best of Thailand
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Activity packed family vacation in the land of smiles.
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Temples, ancient ruins & exotic markets of Northern Thailand
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Highlights of Thailand vacation
Bangkok, Northern Thailand, Khao Sok National Park & Phuket
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Explore Pakbeng, Luang Prabang, Phonsavan, Viantiane & Pakse
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Awesome adventure through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand
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Cross three countries with contrasting recent histories
Family elephant refuge volunteering in Thailand
Family elephant refuge volunteering in Thailand
Thailand tailor made vacation, history & culture
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai & North Thailand
North Thailand group vacation, a food adventure
Experience the freshness, tanginess and spiciness of Thailand
Learn to drive a Tuk Tuk & vacation in Thailand
A unique adventure in the mountains of Chiang Mai
Thailand, Vietnam & Laos vacation
Some of Asia’s most remote but spectacular regions
Indochina tour, small group
Experience the diversity of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Thailand sailing vacation, 10 days
Join us in flotilla for "same, same, but different route"
Thailand island hopping vacation
White sands beach paradise in Koh Chang, Koh Maak & Koh Kood
Indochina vacation adventure
Laos and Cambodia; Luang Prabang, the Plain of Jars & Angkor
Thailand vacation, culture and beach
Experience Thailand's history, culture and tropical beaches
Family volunteering in Thailand
Family wildlife sanctuary volunteering in Thailand
Thailand family vacation
Express tour of northern Thailand
Thailand tour, mountains & rainforests
From Bangkok back-streets to Andaman Sea islands
Northern Thailand tailor made vacation
An action packed adventure in the land of smiles.
Bangkok’s historic central districts
Rattanakosin Island, within the central Phra Nakhon district, is home to many of Bangkok’s most important cultural heritage sites including the Grand Palace, City Pillar Shrine, Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. The large green space of Sanam Luang public park, sits at the center of Rattanakosin Island to provide local Thais with a green lung from where to fly kites and picnic whilst admiring the glittering golden spires of Wat Ratchanatdaram. This is the beating heart of Bangkok where backpackers play pool and purchase knock-off products on the Khao San Road whilst cultural sightseers seek out the National Museum, Pak Khlong Talat flower market and Little India’s curry restaurants on Phahurat Road.Over the water on the west side of the Chao Phraya River, Khlong San is another of Bangkok’s historic central districts and features the Princess Mother Memorial Park, close to Phra Pok Klao Bridge, that has an excellent souvenir shop where proceeds go to a number of charitable organisations. Alongside lesser-known temples, such as Wat Anongkharam and Wat Phichaiyat, sit several shimmering skyscrapers that form Chao Phraya’s contemporary riverside skyline – worth checking out at dusk from one of Bangkok’s many rooftop bars or top floor hotel viewing platforms.
Wats to see in Bangkok
Wat Arun is a beautiful Buddhist temple that sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok’s Yai district. Recognisable through its porcelain pearl white prangs (spires) surrounding a large stupa-like prang or pagoda, Wat Arun is dedicated to the Hindu god Aruna and features a mix of Hindi and Buddhist iconography within various statues, murals and riverside pavilions.Opposite Wat Arun, on the other side of the Chao Phraya, is one of the largest and oldest temple complexes in Bangkok, Wat Pho. Considered to be the birthplace of traditional Thai massage and a public center for learning science, literature, Buddhism and Thai medicine, Wat Pho is also home to more than 1000 images of Buddha including a 46m long golden reclining Buddha statue.
A procession of monks can be found outside Wat Benchamabophit every morning from 6am receiving alms including food, flowers, incense and toiletries. Featured on the back of the five baht coin – the flip side depicts the King, of course – Wat Benchamabophit is also known as the Marble Temple thanks to the many pillars, courtyards and giant singha (lion) statues made entirely out of white Italian marble. Well manicured gardens surround tiered temples with high ornamental gables to create a pocket of peace within Bangkok’s Dusit district.
Our top Thailand Vacation
Thailand tailor made vacation, elephants, jungle & beach
Elephant encounters, jungle treehouses and stunning Thai islands
This trip is only for tailor made departures throughout the year to suit your requirements
Where to find markets in Bangkok
All over Thailand you’ll find decorative flowers adorning everything from street shrines to royalty. Pak Klong Talat flower market sits just off Chakpet Rd, close to the Memorial Bridge over the Chao Phraya River. It’s where wholesalers, travelers and local Thai business owners mingle and meet as street stall sellers sit and thread mountains of phuang malai (jasmine and marigold garlands).Now if it’s a slightly less authentic market you’re looking for in Bangkok then a trip down the old Khao San Road will probably provide everything you could wish for, and plenty more besides. Cheap ‘brand name’ clothing, backstreet tailors, pool halls, street food stalls and more backpacker hostels than you can wave a Lonely Planet at; the Khao San Road in the Bang Lamphu area of Phra Nakhon district is a haggler’s paradise but not a real representation of a one true Thailand.
Please remember: all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold.
The world’s largest market takes place every weekend in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district with more than 15,000 stalls selling everything from drinks and food to antiques and furniture. Unfortunately, Chatuchak Market has, in the past, been responsible for the sale of illegal animals including birds, turtles and tortoises. If you see anything like this whilst visiting a market in Bangkok, please report it to a registered NGO, such as Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT).
How to get around Bangkok
It’s very easy to get around Bangkok with the capital’s Skytrain (BTS) taking you over the streets and the modern Metro (MRT) system that takes you underground. Maps are available in English and Thai with unlimited travel passes accessing even more affordable fares.There are also plenty of piers along the Chao Phraya River and corresponding canal waterways where you can hop on and hop off a public river ferry or flag down a water taxi to take you between the banks. Tourist boats and dining cruisers, with running commentary, also exist as do long tail boats and converted rice barges that can be included as part of a small group or tailor-made tour.
Just be aware: tuk tuk rides in Thailand can be a classic tourist trap. You might get taken to an out of town clothing emporium, a gem factory or anywhere that gives your driver a commission for having delivered an unsuspecting tourist to their door. Just be up front first. Agree a price for a destination before you get in and write it down. Only get into a taxi or a tuk tuk with a meter. Be aware that scams exist all over the world, Bangkok is no different and the disparity of wealth between foreign visitors and local cab drivers is absolutely vast. Tipping is recommended.