Bangkok is the capital (and the largest) city in the country of Thailand. Just three short decades ago, it was said to rival Venice, Italy for the number of canals and tributaries that meandered through the region. These canals and tributaries were an important part of the Thai culture because the Thai people would travel them by boat, doing everything from conducting business to farming. There are still many waterways and floating markets in Bangkok today, but the area is much more commercialized than it was 30 years ago. Highways and other roads have replaced many of the ancient canals in the name of progress. Today, Bangkok is home to just over nine million residents, which are spread out over 600 square miles of the city. Bangkok has a tropical climate, with average low and high temperatures ranging between 70 and 90 degrees. The Fall months in Bangkok tend to be the wettest, in terms of precipitation.
Bangkok is a tourist hotbed for many reasons. Most importantly because it acts as the gateway to other areas of Thailand. Millions of tourists pass through the Bangkok gateway each year on their way to interior points and most of those tourists are taking the time to see Bangkok as well. A percentage of Bangkok tourists are first timers, but just as many – if not more – are returning tourists who visit the city year after year. We’re going to look at some of the more popular tourist places to visit in Bangkok to see which ones are making the tourists return time and again.
1- Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is actually a compound of several palaces and was home to the Bangkok monarchy for 150 years after being built in the mid-1700s. The Grand Palace is also home to the Emerald Buddha, which was carved from a solid block of real emerald in the 15th century. Sorry, nobody can touch it and no cameras are allowed inside the palace.
2- Floating Market
Imagine the biggest farmer’s market you’ve ever seen. Now imagine all those vendors peddling their ware from rowboats instead of street-side stands. Floating markets were once a way of life in Thailand, before the world became so commercialized.
3- Khao San Road
Khao San Road is part entertainment district, part open air market and part street party. This is where you can really sink your teeth into all that is Bangkok. There’s always something to do on Khao San Road, whether you’re looking for a bite to eat, a club to mingle in or a few shops to browse. You’ll find it all – and more – right here.
4- Siam Ocean World
Visitors to the glamorous downtown malls may never know that an entire man-made ocean lies beneath them. Siam Ocean World is an underground aquarium in the basement of a shopping mall that houses 30,000 species of aquatic life. Visitors to the aquarium can feed the sea life, swim with the dolphins, peruse massive glass tunnels or take a trip via a glass bottomed boat. Who knew the underground of Bangkok was just as happening as the street level?
5- Siam Paragon
The Siam Paragon is a sprawling, modern complex comprised of several stories in one building. It’s sort of like a city within a city. There’s shopping, spas, world-class restaurants, theaters, bowling alley, kids playground, schools and educational venues, hotels, banks and conference venues. There’s even a supermarket! All of these wonderful venues in just one location makes the Siam Paragon one of the hottest tourist draws in all of Thailand.
6- Spa Athenee
No, spas and spa treatments aren’t rarities. In fact, many tourists indulge in them wherever they travel. However, Spa Athenee offers a service that no other spa in the world does – spa treatments tailored toward specific blood types. How do they do that? With oils and aromatic creams and lotions combined with “the essence of the individual”. Does that mean blood? We aren’t sure.
7- Snake Farm at Thai Red Cross Institute
Although it sounds a little gross, this snake farm actually does more good than harm. It’s where workers harvest venom to create anti-venom, which is used to treat snakebite victims around the country.
8- Thai Massage
Traditional Thai massages are highly sought after in spas around the world. What better place to treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage than in Thailand? Not only that, there are many instruction schools that will train you in the fine art of Thai massage so you can take it with you wherever you go.
9- Thai Cooking Schools
Thai food is just as, if not more, popular as Thai massage. Of course, you can eat all the Thai food you can stand while in Bangkok, but if you want to take more home with you than a doggy bag, you can attend one of the many cooking schools in the area to learn to prepare the delicious meals yourself.
10- Calypso Cabaret – LadyboysShow
If you’re in the mood for some high glitz and glamor entertainment – complete with beautiful performers in gorgeous costumes in ritzy surroundings – a visit to the Calypso Cabaret should be on your To Do List. The entertainers in this venue sing and dance their hearts out in such a way that you’ll completely forget they are actually transvestite female impersonators.
11- Erawan Shrine
The Erawan Shrine sees thousands of visitors each day. They come to ask favors of the four faced Buddha housed there and then return to offer him tokens of appreciation when he answers their calls for help. Flowers and incense are what most visitors bring to seek his favor. These can be purchased inside the shrine. Beware of the street vendors out front selling the same merchandise as the shrine sells, but at several times the cost.
12- Chinatown
The Chinese converged on Bangkok in the 1700s and settled in the area of town that now bears their name. Today Chinatown in Bangkok is like one big Chinese street party. It’s a bustling area where something is always going on. Street vendors, theaters, markets and various celebrations draw thousands of tourists to the area. Chinatown also has the highest number of gold dealers in the city.
13- Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson is the American credited with starting the Thai silk industry after WW II. His home is a look back into his life as well as a museum of sorts for a variety of Thai artwork and artifacts related to the silk industry.
Before you Go:
- There are a lot of temples, shrines and holy places in Bangkok which are also major tourist draws. Bare skin is frowned upon in these places so be sure you are covered before you visit them.
- The general rule in Bangkok is “Behave”. Public displays of affection or emotion (shouting, showing anger, etc) are not acceptable in public. Neither is picking your teeth.
- Traffic in Bangkok is crazy, at best – deadly, at worst. Be very vigilant of other drivers. Motorbikes are a common hazard even for pedestrians because they are known to speed and take more dangerous chances than automobile drivers do.
