Bangkok
What you need to know before you go
Bangkok welcomes more visitors than any other city in the world and it doesn’t take long to realise why. Bangkok is a city of contrasts with action at every turn. Marvel at the gleaming temples, catch a tuk tuk through bustling Chinatown or take a longtail boat through floating markets. Food is another Bangkok highlight, from local dishes served at humble street stalls to haute cuisine at romantic rooftop restaurants.
Luxury malls compete with a sea of boutiques and markets, where you can treat yourself without overspending. Extravagant luxury hotels and surprisingly cheap serviced apartments welcome you with the same famed Thai hospitality. And no visit to Bangkok would be complete without a glimpse of its famous nightlife. Be it nightclubs, cabarets or exotic red-light districts, Bangkok never ceases to amaze.
What to see & do in Bangkok
Featured stories & fun stuffBangkok is as intoxicating as it is diverse; a melting pot of exotic aromas, interesting sights and visual delights. It's a city with infinite layers which you need to explore to reveal its hidden secrets. If you're planning a trip to Bangkok, make sure to allow enough time to see some of the treasures that have given this city iconic status. At least 3 to 5 days to get a... Read more
28 Best Things to Do in Bangkok
The best things to do in Bangkok tell the story of this fascinating city, which began as a small trading centre and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River some 200 years ago. Today, while the...24 Must-See Temples in Bangkok
Bangkok's temples are a unique part of the capital's heart and soul. A visit here would not be complete without...9 Best Tours in Bangkok
These best tours in Bangkok bring you the finest experiences in Thailand’s enigmatic capital. Taking advantage of rich cultural heritage...6 Floating Markets Around Bangkok
The floating markets in Bangkok are among the city's star attractions. Almost every traveller has a visit to at least...9 Short Things to Do in Bangkok
You have 1 day in Bangkok and need a list of things to do – what are the places you shouldn't...10 Best Free Things to Do in Bangkok
The best free things to do in Bangkok show why this is one of the most inexpensive travel destinations in...What to Do in Bangkok in 2 Days
With this guide, you can start to discover the best of Bangkok in just 48 hours! Mixing the finest cultural...12 Best Things to Do with Kids in Bangkok
Bangkok has loads of family-friendly activities that kids will love. These range from aquariums and theme parks to interactive...5 Best Islands Near Bangkok
These beautiful islands near Bangkok are all within a few hours’ drive (and quick boat trip) from the Thai capital...
Where & what to eat in Bangkok
Bangkok restaurants cater to all price ranges and are open all hours, proving that this city is certainly heaven for food lovers. A sensational culinary journey and taste experience awaits in Bangkok. Apart from renowned Thai cuisine with its blend of spicy, sour, bitter, sweet and salty, the array of options includes practically every other famous type of cuisine found in the world. Eating options are limitless, night or day... Read more
18 Great Restaurants in Bangkok
When you're looking for great restaurants in Bangkok, the question is not what, where, or even when to eat. With so many possibilities across the capital, you might be wondering how to make the most of it all. Whether you’re...Bangkok Street Food Guide
Street food in Bangkok provides convenient, delicious and cheap meals and it’s one of the purest ways to get in...10 Best Thai Restaurants in Bangkok
We all know that great Thai food can be found in the most humble shophouse or even by the roadside...
Where to shop & what to buy in Bangkok
Shopping in Bangkok is an experience to thrill and delight the most discerning of shoppers – whatever it is you're looking for. From the gleaming chrome of modern, air-conditioned mega malls, to the hustle and bustle of its famously buzzing street markets, Bangkok has all kinds of places to blow your baht. With everything from antiques to the latest pair of trainers to designer jewellery available, Bangkok has an equally... Read more
46 Best Bangkok Shopping Malls
Bangkok has plenty of shopping malls that suit all kinds of lifestyles and budgets. With onsite facilities like food courts, supermarkets, cinemas, games arcades, and multiscreen cinemas, it’s quite easy to spend an entire day exploring a single mall in...10 Best Bangkok Night Markets
Night markets in Bangkok are among the easiest and most enjoyable ways of getting up close and personal with local...6 Floating Markets Around Bangkok
The floating markets in Bangkok are among the city's star attractions. Almost every traveller has a visit to at least...
Where to go & what to do at night in Bangkok
Nightlife in Bangkok has evolved over the years, with the emphasis now firmly on swanky rooftop bars, lively nightclubs and hip cocktail lounges. The Thai capital has so much more to offer than just the adult-themed fun of Patpong, Nana and Soi Cowboy. Any discussion of nightlife in Bangkok can’t ignore the party scene at Khao San Road, or the more laidback Soi Rambuttri next door, while Thonglor across... Read more
19 Best Rooftop Bars in Bangkok
The best rooftop bars in Bangkok combine sublimely mixed cocktails and stunning views over Thailand's sprawling metropolis, and there are an awful lot to choose from. How many cities in the world can pretend to have more rooftop bars than...9 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Bangkok
Bangkok's nightlife experiences are some of the main reasons why so many people make the trip to this steamy metropolis...9 Best Nightclubs in Bangkok
The best nightclubs in Bangkok stay buzzing 7 nights a week, with both world-class mega-clubs and underground haunts...
Useful information
Bangkok certainly lives up to its reputation as a travel hot spot in Southeast Asia. The 'City of Angels' has funky markets, upmarket malls, a riverside full of surprises, a vibrant nightlife scene, many fabulous sights and attractions that reflect its unique heritage, and much more. Say goodbye to traffic jams by utilising the city's modern Skytrain and underground systems that cover a large area. Or explore the Riverside area... Read more
10 Things You Should Know When Taking a Taxi in Bangkok
Getting around Bangkok by taxi is the easiest and most convenient, besides taking the BTS and MRT. Most taxis are new, spacious and, in addition to the traditional green-yellow and red-blue, they also come in funky colours like...10 Things NOT to Do in Bangkok
We write a lot of articles offering advice on what to see and do in Bangkok, but from personal experience...5 Best Known Scams in Bangkok
Bangkok is a great city to visit, blessed with a very high level of safety compared to any other capital...
More information about Bangkok
Most people find planning a trip to Bangkok confusing. There are so many strange foreign words to learn and contradictory advice. Sound familiar? If you’re a first-time visitor or just someone curious about Thailand’s enigmatic capital, we are here to help.
What to do in Bangkok
Bangkok is a city that is alive for 24 hours a day. You can see well-dressed groups eating early morning noodles after the nightclubs close their doors, while market traders are just setting up for the day and orange-robed monks make their daily alms rounds. From Thailand’s most revered temples and shrines to fantastic shopping and party hot spots, Bangkok is what you want it to be. Take some time to indulge every face of Bangkok to try and make sense of this gnarly yet charming city.
Where to go at night in Bangkok
Nightlife is one of Bangkok's specialities and the city really comes alive after dark. The options span a wide range of tastes, styles and budgets. Dance parties, rooftop bars, chilled-out lounges with live music, cultural shows, street shopping and an electrifying gay scene all sum up the gist of what’s available. Explore Bangkok by night and get a taste of what it’s all about.
Where to go shopping in Bangkok
Shopping in Bangkok is an experience everyone should try. The sheer variety of shopping options is enough to make your head spin. The city is rightfully famed for its collection of markets, but there’s a growing number of air-conditioned megamalls and ancient retail enclaves, so whatever you’re looking for you have a good chance of finding it in Bangkok.
Hop on the BTS Skytrain to Siam for the city’s best collection of shopping malls or find antiques and handicrafts shops in Bangkok Old Town. For great bargains, try Chinatown, around Sampeng Lane, as well as Pahurat Textile Market. Pratunam Market is also great for ready-to-wear clothing.
What to eat in Bangkok
Thai food is bold and flavoursome, but the best restaurants and food stalls also understand the importance of balance and subtly. From the first-timers favourite of pad Thai to more complex flavours of curries and salads found in Bangkok, we encourage everyone to trust your eyes and nose and jump into Thai cuisine whenever the opportunity presents itself. Savour seafood at a local restaurant perched over the river, enjoy exquisite food from a swish hotel restaurant overlooking the city, or grab a quick snack in a shopping mall food court.