Bangkok is known for its nightlife and vibrant market. However what adds to the beauty of the city is the historical monuments, sprawling green parks and the museums which tells us stories about Bangkok art and antiques. Bangkok is the go to choice for any travellers and is a must visit place once in a lifetime of a traveller.
Here at TripFactory, we have listed out the top 10 places that you can visit in Bangkok if you are travelling to Bangkok for the first time.
1. Grand Palace Bangkok
There are a number of buildings in the Grand Palace Bangkok which is situated in the heart of Bangkok. It was built in 1782 and is the home of the King of Siam. Since then all the important events and ceremonies of the king are held in the Golden Palace. Grand Palace spans an area of around 2.4 million square feet and is covered by four walls. Within these four walls are the 100s of historical buildings , golden spires and glittering mosaics that are 200 years old which speak volumes about the great architecture of Bangkok. It’s a best place to visit in Bangkok for most of the tourists from all around the world.
Activities to do in the Grand Palace Bangkok
- Visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). It is one of the iconic temples in the Golden palace which has the statue of Emerald Buddha made from a single jade stone. This site should not be missed if you are visiting the Golden Palace.
- In the Phr Mondop you will find the Buddhist scriptures, Look at them and admire the beautiful scriptures’
- Explore the traditional Thai textiles and clothing in this Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles
- Witness Khon Performance which is a traditional Thai performance . You can enjoy the dance performance along with family and friends.
Opening hour
The Palace is usually open between 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.
Entry fee
Yes, there is an entry fee of 500 Baht for foreigners. It gives access to both the grand palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Direction
The easiest way to reach the Golden Palace would be to take the BTS skytrain to Saphan taksin Station. Then take a boat from the Chao Phraya Express boat at Sathorn Pier. You will reach Chang Pier. From the Chang pier you need to take a short walk and will reach the Golden Palace.
2. Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is one of the largest and the first public parks in the city. It is a lively space where you will find people of all ages from young toddlers to older folks, peacefully practicing Tai Chi. Moreover, the park features a beautiful lake where you can rent a boat and enjoy a relaxing ride.
Interestingly, Lumphini Park was once used as a ballroom dancing court and a venue for large-scale parties. However, today it has become a popular spot for a variety of outdoor activities such as playing games, exercising, jogging, practicing Tai Chi, reading books, and learning to dance. Cycling, though enjoyable, is allowed only between 10 AM and 3 PM, and smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere in the park.
Activities to do in the Lumphini park
- The park has expansive pathways that are perfect for walking, jogging and cycling
- Outdoor sports like basketball and football are available along with other sports facilities for those who enjoy playing games
- Parks make one of the best spots for picnic areas. So have a good family time by the lake. Do carry all the necessary items for a picnic like food, drinks, carpet and lots of fun games items.
- The spot has a diverse variety of birds making it a good spot to observe the birds and relax.
Opening hour
The park is usually open between 4:30 am – 10:00 pm.
Entry fee
No, there is no entry fee to enter the Lumphini park. It is free of charge for everyone to visit
Direction
The easiest and best way to reach the Lumphini park would be by renting a car or taking a bus or a train
3. Museum Siam
It is located on Sanam Chai Road, in the Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Subdistrict. Built in 2007, the museum was originally the office of the Ministry of Commerce. From the outside, it looks grand; however, as you step inside, you’ll find a unique mix of traditional art and antiques blended with modern art. The main motive behind the museum’s creation was to educate Thai people about their own identity and their relationship with neighbouring countries. Furthermore, the museum features 14 rooms that beautifully showcase Thai culture, history, and art through interactive elements. There is a lot to explore, and you can easily spend 2 to 3 hours discovering and learning about the rich heritage preserved within the museum.
Activities to do in the Museum Siam
- Explore the architecture since the museum is placed in a historical building with interesting architecture, including the ground-level architecture display.
- The museum has a small gift shop where you can find souvenirs to shop
- The museum features interactive exhibits along with exhibits on Thai culture, history and art
- Learn about Thainess since the museum provides a comprehensive look at what it means to be a Thai in the present and in the past
Opening hour
The museum is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entry fee
Yes, there is an entrance fee of 100 aht for the adults, 25 Baht for the children and it is absolutely free for the elderly people above 60 year old
Direction
You can easily reach the location via taxi, tuk tuk and train. You can exit through the front of the building from the same door which you used to enter
4. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
It is one of the famous floating markets in Bangkok, Thailand. The Damnoen Saduak Canal was made on the order of King Rama IV. It was made to connect Mae Klong and Tha Chin Rivers. In Bangkok most of the trade was done through the water channel and thus Bangkok was also known as the “ Venice of the east”. This place in Bangkok invites both the foreign and Thai people to the market to eat, drink and indulge in the serene atmosphere. One of the most important floating markets is the Lad Plee market. Later on the development of the road replaced most of the floating market by the mid 20th century.
Activities to do in the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Take the boat rides to explore the canals and see the market from the water. The charges for the boat ride may vary depending on the duration
- Explore the boats selling fresh produce, local delicacies, and unique souvenirs. Try popular treats like coconut pancakes, pad thai, and mango sticky rice
- The vibrant atmosphere and the traditional attire of the boat vendors offers great opportunities to take beautiful pictures
- Consider visiting other market like the Maeklong Railway Market, which is often included in tours with Damnoen Saduak
Opening hour
The market is usually open from 6:30 am to 11:00 am. It is best to visit during the morning hours as you will be able to avoid the crowd and experience the market at its peak
Entry fee
No, there are no entry fees to enter the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It is free of charge but to take the boat rides around the canal it is chargeable.
Direction
The market is located 100 km southwest of Bangkok, in Ratchaburi Province and will take 1.5 -2 hours to reach the destination. The easiest way to reach the market would be to hire a taxi or take a public bus.
5. Wat Arun
This renowned Buddhist temple in Bangkok is situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is most famous for its majestic central prang, a 70-meter-tall spire adorned with vibrant seashells and porcelain. The architecture is a great blend of Hindu and Buddhist design. The central prang represents the centre of the universe according to the Hindu and Buddhist scripture while the surrounding smaller prangs symbolise the four continents and the four major directions.
Activities to do in the Wat Arun
- Climb the central prang, although it is difficult to climb, the top will give a beautiful view of the Chao Phraya River.
- Explore the ordination hall, you will find a Buddha image and murals which depicts the stories about Thai culture and history which is quite insightful.
- There are many workshops that are held in the temple such as garland making and fruit carving. You can participate in the workshops.
- There are other famous places which you can explore nearby such as the Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, and the Museum of Siam
Opening hour
The temple is usually open between 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Entry fee
Yes, there is an entrance fee for the foreigners of about 200 baht
Direction
The easiest and best way to reach the Wat Arun would be by renting a car or taking a bus or a train
6. Chatuchak Market
Chatuchak Market market has existed since 1942. The prime minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram imposed a rule that every area must have its own market. Bangkok chose Sanam Luang as the market area. Late in 1975 the leader Kriangsak Chamanan asked the people to use Sanam Luang as an area for recreation and allowed the use of the south side of Chatuchak Park as a market area. In 1983 all the merchants flocked to the Chatuchak area and in 1987 it came to be known as the Chatuchak market. Today it is also called the JJ market. You get everything in this market from clothing, bags, decorations, earthenware, handicrafts, souvenirs, and food and beverage services.
Activities to do in the Chatuchak Market
- Explore the wide market and go through the different goods from clothes, plants, art and antiques
- Enjoy the classic Thai food to the refreshing drinks
- Bargain for the best prices especially the souvenirs and antiques
- Capture the vibrant market displays and the energy of the market
Opening hour
It is officially open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. It is also open on Wednesday and Thursday from 7:00 am to 6:00pm.
Entry fee
No, there are no entry fees to enter the Chatuchak Market
Direction
The market is right in the middle of Bangkok so the best way to reach the market would be to take the BTS Skytrain or hire a car or take the bus.
7. Safari World
This is one destination that is visited by thousands of tourists every year. It has two mian parks, the safari park and the marine Park. The safari park covers approximately 280 acres of land. You will find species mostly from Asia and Africa. To travel in the safari park it is best to hire a car or use your own car to observe the animals. The marine park occupies approximately 200 acres of land and here you will find a lot of aquatic species. The marine park has 7 different shows that happen multiple times in a day in different venues.
Activities to do in the Safari World
- View the wildlife: There are usually guides available in the wildlife sanctuary. You have two options either to take the car or walk on foot to observe the diverse creatures in their natural habitat.
- You can watch animal shows: Here you will find many shows where the animals are performing like the sea lions, elephants, or birds.
- Safari world provides the opportunity for the visitors to interact with the animals. They are allowed to feed the animals and in some cases also allowed to pet a few animals and get their pictures clicked.
- These kind of adventure parks usually comes with souvenir shops where visitors can shop items related to the park or animals they have met
Opening hour
It is usually open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm everyday except on Mondays when it is closed.
Entry fee
A combined cost for both the Safari and Marine park comes to around 1000 Baht
Direction
The easiest and fastest way to reach the Safari world would be to take a taxi, train or a bus. You can exit the park by following the signage that is available in the park throughout the area
8. Khao Yai National Park
The third largest national park in Thailand is Khao Yai. It attracts tourists from around the globe. While it is primarily located in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, the park also stretches into Prachinburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Nayok provinces. On the order of the prime minister Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, the National park was established on 18th September 1962 It is home to endangered species of all kinds from plants, mammals to birds. Therefore it attracts a lot of wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.
Activities to do in the Khao Yai National Park
- The part boast some nature trails which might require guided tours that helps the visitors to explore the unexplored path
- You can visit the The Nong Phak Chi, a centre point from which you can observe the diverse animals that the Park has in store
- Immerse in the nature beauty and marvel at the beautiful waterfalls that the park has such as Haew Narok Waterfall and Haew Suwat Waterfall
- If you want to witness the sunset then visit the Pha Diew Dai Viewpoint
Opening hour
It is usually open from 9:00 m to 6:00 pm everyday except on Mondays when it is closed.
Entry fee
Yes, there is an entry fee of 400 Baht for the foreigners and for the locals the cost is 200 Baht.
Direction
The easiest and fastest way to reach the Khao Yai National Park would be to take a taxi, train or a bus.
9. Jim Thompson House Museum
James Thompson owned the Jim Thompson House Museum. He was an American businessman and architect who started the silk factory after world war II. The museum has a collection of Asian art and many unique displays. It was built in the year 1959 in about half the size of a football field. He had a huge collection of antiques from Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Laos, China and Burma. His collection included the buddhist statues and Thai paintings made of wood, cloth and paper that depicted the story of the Vessantara Jataka.
Activities to do in the Jim Thompson House Museum
- Join the guided tour to learn about Jim Thompson’s life and house history
- Explore the art and antiques like the collections of pottery, figures, and paintings
- Visit the art centre which organises the exhibitions and educational programs
- Take a leisurely walk through the house lush garden
Opening hour
It is usually open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm everyday
Entry fee
There is an entrance fee for adults of 200 Bahts. For the adults between 10 – 21 years there is a fee of 100 Baht. For children below 10 years old if they are accompanied by an adult, the entry is free.
Direction
Since it is located in the centre of Bangkok. It can be reached by taxi, tuk tuk , BTS skytrain. The museum tour will get over at the Silk sales outlet from here you can exit the museum.
10. Patpong
It started in 1960 with the main aim to meet the needs of nightlife in Bangkok. Patong road belongs to Luang Patpongpanich who purchased this plot of land when it was underdeveloped. He built the Patong road with many shops which were rented out. Today Patong has changed a lot. Over a period of time a lot of things have changed but what remains the same is the vibe of the place. The best time to visit the Patong market is during the evening time when the market is in full lively mode with stalls that are busy with people and the night life party is at its peak. People from all walks of life come here to celebrate Thailand’s nightlife.
Activities to do in the Patpong
- It is the best place to shop designer clothes t low cost and other souvenirs which you will find only in the Patong market
- Indulge in the Thai delicacies from a number of different stalls.
- Explore the nightlife, including go-go bars, clubs, and live music venues
- Some venues also offer traditional Thai performances
Opening hour
The market is usually open from 11:00 am to midnight.
Entry fee
No, there are no entry fees to enter the Patpong
Direction
You can easily reach Patpong by taxi, tuk-tuk, or train. It’s just a short walk from Sala Daeng Station on the BTS Silom Line and Si Lom Station on the MRT Blue Line.