Historic building - Temples - Museum - Top sights

Rattanakosin

Rattanakosin is the historical heartland of modern Bangkok, spiritual epicentre of the Kingdom. King Rama I located the capital here in 1782 because he thought it would easier to defend than previous site Thonburi.

Surrounded by man-made Klongs (canals) and the Chao Phraya River and immune to high-rise developments, its charms.

National Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace

Places you almost 'have to' visit! Rather close to Khao San Road and Banglamphu. You can go there by taxi, tuk tuk or why not a cheap river boat on the Chao Praya river to pier Tha Chang. From there it's just walking distance to this beautiful temple and the amazing Grand Palace.

located in the grounds of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew is among the top attractions, attracting tourists with its stunning temples, towering golden chedi, ornately decorated interiors and the much reverred though diminutive Emerald Buddha. The palace, although not as impressive as the surrounding temples, is an interesting example of new-Baroque architecture. Fine murals are also on display, and there is a decorations and coins museum on site. It’s the one site all tourists get to while in Bangkok.

Open: Daily 8.30 am - 3.30 pm,

Admission Fee: Foreigner 200 Baht for both the palace and the temple

Bar at Millenium Hilton

at Sofitel Silom

Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha

Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon as the Thai's often names it, is the largest and one of the oldest temple in Bangkok. You'll find it on Chetuphon road.

located beside the neo-baroque Grand Palace, Wat Po is a complex of stunning temples with intermingling spires of intricate and ornate design. The most outstanding attraction is the massive, 40 meter reclining Buddha which is one of the most impressive and certainly the largest in all of Thailand. Also noted for its ancient school of massage.

Open: Daily 8.00 am 5.00 pm

Admission Fee: Foreigner 20 Baht

and it is opened every day between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm.

The National Museum

National Museum is home to a large and impressive collection of Thai art spanning many eras. It’s probably one of the most important repositories of Southeast Asian antiquities in the world with many impressive items on display covering Buddhist art spanning 1500 years. There are also displays on the history of Thailand, with information in English. Large enough to keep you occupied all afternoon, the museum has a wide ranging collection of artefacts covering all aspects of ancient and recent Thai history. Located beside the Grand Palace opposite the Sanam Luang ground.

Open Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

Admission Fee: Thai 20 Baht, Foreigner 100 Baht.

Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing

This is one of the more important impressive of Bangkok’s many temples and a chance to experience a temple compound without too many tourists. Nearby is the recently renovated Giant Swing - a bizarre and unique sight used in Brahman rites festivals. In the Grand Palace vicinity near the Democracy monument.

Open: Daily 8.00 am - 6.00 pm

Admission: free

Wat Mahanat

Located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University, the temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners. O

pen daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m..

Golden Mount and the Wat Saket

this was once the highest point in the city until skyscrapers arrived in the second half of the twentieth century.

Built on the remains of a collapsed giant pagoda, this elevated temple offers magnificent views of the city, and is attached to Wat Saket, it supposedly holds a Buddha relic.

Open: Daily 8.00 am - 5.00 pm

Admission: 10 baht.

Khao San Road- Thanon Khao San

This is the bohemian and backpacker capital of Asia, there is a constant flow of tourists from every conceivable corner of the world as well as ‘out there’ Thai’s who come and go in a never ending stream. People watching is taken to a new extreme here with 24-hour performances from random passers-by. The area is packed with tourist agents, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, while the street stalls offer a good selection in cheap clothing and counterfeit goods. If you really want to go the whole hog while travelling, Khaosan is the place to have your fake dreadlocks sewn on.

Find in the Banglamphu area (Phra Nakhon district), in the West of Bangkok City, not so far from the Chao Phraya river and the Grand Palace.

Vimanmek Teak Mansion and Dusit Throne Hall

this is the world’s largest teak construction, located within the complex of the Dusit Palace. The impressive architecture, design features and exemplary works of art are some of the finest examples in the country, while the photograph collection of King Bhumibol is an interesting insight into the lives of the Thai monarchy. Well preserved, it offers a good glimpse into Royal life during the reign of King Chulalongkorn in the late Nineteenth Century when Siam was at its zenith. Located opposite Dusit Zoo, in the leafy Dusit suburb, easily reached from Khao San Road and the Grand Palace. The adjacent neo-classical Throne Hall was one of King Chulalongkorn’s European inspired fancies and is used for ceremonies, such as the King’s 60 year reign celebrations where hundreds of thousands packed the arcade in front, it looks impressive but is off limits to the public.

Open Hours: Daily 9.30 am - 4.00 pm.

Admission Fee: Student/Monk 20 Baht, Adult 75 Baht, Foreigner 100 Baht.

Dusit zoo

Dusit zoo, managed by the zoological park organisation, is where visitors can inspect various species of tropical animals. in the middle of the area is a large pond with boat and paddleboat services.

Open: Daily from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Admission fee is 30 baht for adults and 10 baht for children

Phra Athit Road

Bohemian cafes, a tranquil park and an old fort converge upon one tree-shaded street.

Ratchadamnoen Stadium - Thaiboxing

The national sport of Thailand. You should absolutely not miss it if you enjoy action sports!
Ratchadamnoen Stadium is located on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue.

Fight nights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, starting at 6.30 pm.

Rattanakosin - Thonburi - Chinatown - Sukhumvit - Silom & Sathorn - Pathumwan - Ratchadaphisek - Phahonyothin - Around Bangkok