The top 100 things to do in Bangkok
Built from official sites, awards and guest ratings. The numbers order the list, they are not a rating yet.
Landmarks & Temples
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Bangkok's essential sight: the palace compound holds Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha. If you only have one morning for the old city, spend it here and arrive at opening. Daily 08:30 to 16:30. Tickets 500 baht, sold until 15:30. Check before you go.
Phra Nakhon
Sunrise at Wat Arun
The Temple of Dawn rises from the west bank, its prangs covered in Chinese porcelain. First light from the water or the east bank gives you the view without the midday crowds. Sunrise comes before the grounds open, so watch from the river and go in afterwards. Check hours.
Thonburi, west bank
Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha
Bangkok's oldest and largest temple sits next to the Grand Palace and holds a reclining Buddha about 46 metres long. Pair the two in one morning, then cross the river by boat. Listed as open daily 08:00 to 18:30.
Phra Nakhon
The Golden Mount at Wat Saket
A man-made hill with a winding path up to a summit chedi and views across Bangkok. Climb it in late afternoon for one of the best views in the old city. Listed as open daily 07:30 to 19:00.
Pom Prap
Loha Prasat at Wat Ratchanatdaram
A royal temple from 1846 with a square, three-storey structure topped by 37 spires, said to be the only surviving example of its kind. Worth an hour if architecture interests you more than crowds.
Phra Nakhon
The Marble Temple, Wat Benchamabophit
Built by order of King Rama V in 1899, with an ordination hall of white Carrara marble and a veranda of 52 Buddha images. A calmer, more elegant stop than the riverside temples. Sources disagree on hours and fees. Check before you go.
Dusit
Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
A royal temple with a large Buddha image, close to the Giant Swing. It stays open into the evening, which makes it an easy addition after a day in the old town. Listed as open daily 08:30 to 21:00, 100 baht for foreign visitors.
Phra Nakhon
Wat Traimit and the Golden Buddha
Home to the Golden Buddha at the edge of Chinatown, a short walk from Hua Lamphong MRT. Visit late in the afternoon, then stay on for an evening of food in Yaowarat. Generally open 08:00 to 17:00. Exhibition areas may close one weekday.
Chinatown
Mahanakhon SkyWalk
A glass-floored observation deck on top of King Power Mahanakhon, with a sweeping view over the city. Go just before sunset, then stay for a drink at Sky Beach in the same tower. Tickets vary by time of day, from 500 to 1,200 baht. Last access 23:00.
Silom
Wat Ratchabophit
Founded by King Rama V in 1869, with a circular ordination hall blending Thai and European styles. A quiet stop for anyone who has already seen the headline temples and wants something different.
Phra Nakhon
Culture & Museums
Jim Thompson House
The former home and art collection of silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, seen on a guided tour. One of the best hours you can spend in central Bangkok if design and history interest you. Daily 10:00 to 17:00. Adults 250 baht. Buy only through the museum's own channels.
Pathumwan
Khon masked dance at Sala Chalermkrung
A 25-minute performance of classical masked drama in a royal theatre. It is short enough to fit between the Grand Palace and lunch, and a palace shuttle takes you straight there. Monday to Friday at 13:00, 14:30 and 16:00. 400 baht at the theatre.
Phra Nakhon
Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles
Royal court textiles shown in a dedicated museum inside the Grand Palace grounds. Add it to a palace visit, since an unhurried hour here explains much of what you have just seen. Daily 09:00 to 16:30, last entry 15:30.
Grand Palace
Bangkok National Museum
Thailand's national collection, set in the old Front Palace near Sanam Luang, including its historic halls. Allow two to three hours, and hire a guide if you want the context. Wednesday to Sunday 09:00 to 16:00. Foreign visitors 200 baht.
Phra Nakhon
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
A contemporary art museum north of the centre with changing exhibitions. Pair it with Or Tor Kor and Chatuchak for a full morning away from the river and the main tourist routes. Check hours before you go.
Chatuchak
National Museum of Royal Barges
A boathouse on Khlong Bangkok Noi holding the ceremonial barges, including the Suphannahong. It takes about an hour and works best as a stop on a private boat through the canals. Daily 09:00 to 17:00, foreign visitors 100 baht. Closed New Year and Songkran.
Bangkok Noi
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
The city's main public art centre, opposite MBK, with rotating shows on floors seven to nine. Easy to reach by BTS, and a useful cool hour between shopping in Siam and Jim Thompson House. Tuesday to Sunday, typically 10:00 to 20:00. Closed Monday.
Pathumwan
Museum Siam
A museum on what Thainess means, told through history, architecture, food and dress, on Sanam Chai Road in the old city. It suits a hot afternoon after the temples, and it is easy to reach. Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00.
Phra Nakhon
On the River
A private longtail through the khlongs
Take your own boat along Khlong Bang Luang past wooden canal houses, the Artist's House and the giant seated Buddha at Wat Paknam. This is the Bangkok that river cruises never show you. Two hours. Go at 09:00 to avoid the heat. Private bookings can include hotel pickup.
Thonburi
Manohra dinner cruise
A restored teak rice barge for up to 60 guests, based at Anantara Riverside. Choose it over the large buffet boats if you want a quieter evening and a proper set menu on the river. Confirm boarding point and departure time when you book.
Thonburi and Chao Phraya
Dinner at Sala Rim Naam
The Mandarin Oriental's traditional Thai restaurant sits across the river and is reached by the hotel's shuttle boat. The crossing is part of the evening, and it suits a first night in the city. Book through the hotel and ask about the current menu.
Across from the Mandarin Oriental
Thonburi Food and Canals Adventure
Five hours through wet markets, canals by longtail and a river return past the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, eating as you go. Book it privately and you get your own guide daily. Private rates exclude transfers to the start at Talad Phlu BTS.
Thonburi
Sunset at the sala rattanakosin rooftop
A 15-room boutique hotel on the east bank whose rooftop bar looks across the river to Wat Arun. For a drink with the temple in front of you, few places are better placed. Go well before sunset, and ask whether tables can be reserved.
Rattanakosin
The Chao Phraya Express Boat
The working river bus costs very little and skips the traffic on the way to the old city. Ride it once for the views along the banks, even if you have a driver on call. Fares vary by flag colour. Some routes run on weekdays only, so check the schedule.
Nonthaburi to Sathorn
Lhong 1919
A riverside compound with lanterns, aged wooden facades and a courtyard honouring the sea goddess Mazu. Time your visit for late afternoon, then cross the river by boat for dinner in Chinatown. Reach it by boat, or by taxi from BTS Krung Thon Buri. Check hours before you go.
Khlong San
Stay
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
The city's classic grand hotel, with a restored Victorian wing, butler service throughout and three MICHELIN Keys. Choose it if history and service matter most, and ask for a room in the newer river-view wings.
Bang Rak, riverside
Capella Bangkok
An urban resort on the east bank with 101 rooms and suites, many with river views, and three MICHELIN Keys. Pick it for space and calm, with two-starred Côte on site.
Yannawa, riverside
The Siam
A three-Key hotel on the Chao Phraya with art, antiques and pool villas in about three acres of gardens. Choose it for a more secluded feel on the river, with a shuttle boat into town.
Dusit, riverside
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok
Just 52 suites inside seven-acre Nai Lert Park, with a large Aman spa and medical wellness. The choice if you want a high level of privacy in the centre rather than a river view.
Pathumwan
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Mid-rise buildings by Jean-Michel Gathy among gardens and pools, with works by Thai artists throughout. A polished all-rounder with two MICHELIN Keys, BKK Social Club on site and three strong restaurants.
Sathorn, riverside
Rosewood Bangkok
A 30-storey tower on Ploenchit Road with two MICHELIN Keys and houses that come with butlers and plunge pools. Best for those who want a downtown base and a serious bar upstairs.
Ploenchit
The Sukhothai Bangkok
A garden hotel in Sathorn with a 25-metre infinity pool, a spa and two MICHELIN Keys. Book it for quiet grounds in the business district, without giving up easy access to the city.
Sathorn
Park Hyatt Bangkok
Occupies most of the Central Embassy building, with 222 large rooms, a saltwater infinity pool and two MICHELIN Keys. Ideal for a shopping-led trip, since the mall is directly below your room.
Ploenchit
Dusit Thani Bangkok
The 1970 landmark, rebuilt with interiors by André Fu and reopened in 2024. Two MICHELIN Keys and windows over Lumpini Park in every room make it the obvious modern pick in Silom.
Silom
The Peninsula Bangkok
All 370 rooms have river and skyline views from the west bank, and the hotel's fleet runs from tuk tuk to helicopter. A sound family choice, with an outdoor pool and colonial-style spa.
Khlong San, riverside
Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
A resort-style hotel beside Siam Paragon, with several restaurants and a spa on site. Choose it if you want to walk straight into the shopping district and still return to a pool in a garden.
Siam
Fine Dining
Sorn
Three MICHELIN stars for Southern Thai cooking built on seafood such as Tapi River prawns and Phuket lobster. One of the harder tables to get, and the one to chase first if you plan ahead. Dates look limited until the full menu launch in January 2027. Check the site.
Sukhumvit 26
Sühring
Modern German cooking in Yen Akat, promoted to three MICHELIN stars in the 2026 guide. Go for a style of fine dining you will rarely find in Asia, and book well ahead of your trip.
Yannawa
Gaggan
A theatrical tasting menu of progressive Indian food, where you are asked to leave your phone and camera behind. Book this if you want a show as much as a meal. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Book direct through the restaurant.
Sukhumvit 31
Potong
Chef Pam's Thai-Chinese tasting menu in Chinatown, with one MICHELIN star. Dishes draw on her heritage and memories, and the Opium bar upstairs makes it easy to extend the evening without moving. Closed Wednesday.
Chinatown
Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie
Two MICHELIN stars for contemporary French cooking on the fifth floor of the Mandarin Oriental, overlooking the river. Pick it for a formal lunch or a celebration in a room with history behind it. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Bang Rak
Côte by Mauro Colagreco
Two MICHELIN stars at Capella Bangkok for seasonal Riviera cooking led by Davide Garavaglia. The dining room overlooks the river, and it suits anyone who prefers bright, modern food over heavy classics. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Yannawa
R-Haan
Two MICHELIN stars for Chef Chumpol Jangprai's Thai menus, which change with three seasons and use herbs from across the country. A strong choice for traditional Thai cooking with full fine-dining polish. Dinner daily from 18:00.
Sukhumvit 53
Baan Tepa
Tam Debhakam's seven-course Thai menu is built on local produce and the restaurant's own garden, with two MICHELIN stars. It is further out, so allow time and make it the evening's main event. Wednesday to Sunday. Book direct by phone.
Bang Kapi
Gaa
Garima Arora's contemporary Indian tasting menu in a 60-year-old Thai house, with two MICHELIN stars. Worth booking for classic Indian flavours reworked with modern technique, even if you have already been to Gaggan. Dinner daily from 17:30, plus weekend lunch.
Sukhumvit 53
Mezzaluna
Two MICHELIN stars on the 65th floor of State Tower, where Ryuki Kawasaki serves a narrative menu of French technique and Japanese sensibility. Reserve around sunset, since the height is half the reason to come. Smart elegant dress required. Free changes up to 72 hours before.
Silom
Chef's Table
Two MICHELIN stars for contemporary French cooking on the 61st floor of the Tower Club at lebua. A good fit for a long, late dinner, since service runs well into the night. Closed Monday.
Silom
INDDEE
Two MICHELIN stars for contemporary Indian cooking on Soi Lang Suan, promoted in the 2026 guide. A convenient central address if you are staying downtown and want one serious dinner without a long drive. Open daily 17:30 to 23:30.
Lumphini
Thai Food & Street Food
Jay Fai
The street cook with one MICHELIN star, known for crispy crab omelettes and stir-fried prawns in yellow curry. Expect to stand in line, and treat it as an event rather than a quick meal. Wednesday to Saturday. Cash only.
Phra Nakhon
A Yaowarat evening food tour
Three hours through Chinatown's fish ball soup, dim sum, seafood and sweet ginger desserts with a guide choosing the stalls. Book it privately to skip the guesswork and eat at your own pace. Private tours Tuesday to Sunday, 18:00 to 21:00. Not for seafood allergies.
Chinatown
Nahm
Chef Pim Techmuanvivit's contemporary Thai cooking at COMO Metropolitan, with one MICHELIN star. A reliable first serious Thai dinner, with no long trip across town if you are staying near Sathorn. Dinner daily from 18:00.
Sathorn
Nusara
Chef Ton's colourful Thai menu, inspired by his grandmother and the Tha Tien area, with one MICHELIN star. Book it after a day in the old town, and expect playful bites before sharing plates. Confirm dates when booking.
Tha Tien
A private evening food tour by tuk tuk
Four hours by tuk tuk between street food stops, with a drive around Rattanakosin Island and dessert in Chinatown. The easiest way to see the city lit up, with a local guide alongside. Private tours start 16:00 to 19:00 with pickup. Confirm days when booking.
Thonburi to Chinatown
Thai cooking masterclass at the Mandarin Oriental
The hotel's cooking school sits across the river and is reached by its private boat, with a lunch of your own making to finish. Pick the private class for a chef to yourself. Three hours. Confirm the current price and format with the hotel.
Across from the Mandarin Oriental
Blue Elephant cooking school
Royal Thai cooking in a century-old colonial mansion on South Sathorn Road, with a school and restaurant under one roof. A good choice if you would like a class followed by a long lunch. BTS Surasak. Ask about the current class schedule.
Sathorn
Bo.lan
One MICHELIN star for farm-to-table Thai sharing dishes in a traditional Thai house, using older recipes and small producers. Bring a group and order widely, since this food is made to share. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sukhumvit 53
Krua Apsorn
A MICHELIN Bib Gourmand kitchen known for yellow curry with large prawns and fiery stir-fried pork. A low-cost, high-reward lunch when you want classic Thai food without a tasting menu. Cash only. Open daily 10:00 to 20:00.
Dusit
Mango sticky rice at K. Panich
A MICHELIN Bib Gourmand name serving mango sticky rice made to a family recipe of about 80 years. It is close to the Giant Swing, so stop here during a morning in the old town. Monday to Saturday 07:00 to 17:00. Cash only.
Phra Nakhon
Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu
A MICHELIN Bib Gourmand pad thai shop on Dinso Road, known for char-grilled pork loin over the noodles. Open late, which makes it a useful stop after an evening of bars in the old town. Open daily 10:00 to midnight.
Phra Nakhon
Rooftops & Bars
Sky Bar at lebua
The open-air bar on the 64th floor of State Tower, 247 metres up. Touristy, and worth it once: go for one drink at sunset and take in the view of the river. Walk-in only. Smart casual, no flip-flops, no luggage or backpacks.
Silom
Dry Wave Cocktail Studio
Ranked No. 4 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 and named the best bar in Thailand. Reimagined classics at a marble bar where you watch the work, on the second floor in Thonglor.
Thonglor
Bar Us
No. 6 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, from the team behind Messenger Service. A small, lab-style room serving a multi-course cocktail menu, for those who enjoy ideas as much as a drink.
Sukhumvit 26
Lennon's at Rosewood
A vinyl-lined speakeasy and cigar lounge on the 30th floor, and a top-10 debut on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. Come on Friday for jazz, and settle in for a long evening. Daily 17:00 to midnight.
Ploenchit
The Bamboo Bar
The Mandarin Oriental's jazz room, with live music most nights and a long history behind it. The most elegant way to end an evening in Bangkok, and it does not take reservations, so come early. Live music from 20:00 most nights. Confirm hours with the hotel.
Bang Rak
BKK Social Club
The Four Seasons bar led by Philip Bischoff, No. 20 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. Garden-style decor, courtyards for cigars and a party mood make it the livelier of the hotel bars.
Sathorn
Bar Sathorn
No. 17 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, in the historic House on Sathorn at W Bangkok. Drinks draw on local history and archives, in a mansion that once housed a Soviet embassy.
Silom
Opium
No. 25 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, on the top floors of a century-old shophouse above Potong. Theatrical cocktails and house gins make it the natural finish after dinner downstairs.
Chinatown
Sky Beach
The rooftop bar in the King Power Mahanakhon tower, billed as the city's highest open-air rooftop. Pay the cover and go at dusk, then book dinner at Ojo nearby if you want to stay. Daily 10:00 to midnight, last access 23:00. Prices rise in high season.
Silom
Above Eleven
A Peruvian-Japanese rooftop on the 33rd floor of Fraser Suites, with ceviche, pisco cocktails and live music. A good choice if you want dinner and a view in one booking rather than just a drink. Daily 17:00 to 02:00. Men need closed shoes.
Sukhumvit 11
Tichuca
A jungle-themed rooftop bar on the 46th floor of the T-One Building, known for its plant-filled design. Pick it for the look and the photos, and arrive early because it takes no reservations. Walk-in only. Age 20 and over, original passport required. Check before you go.
Sukhumvit 40
Spire at Dusit Thani
The rooftop bar at the rebuilt Dusit Thani, with a 360-degree view across the city and over Lumpini Park. Pair it with Pavilion or Cannubi downstairs for a full evening at one address.
Silom
Nights Out
Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium
Thailand's historic stadium runs live fights nearly every night, with traditional five-round bouts on some evenings and faster knockout cards on others. Take the better seats and go for the atmosphere as much as the sport. Gates open 17:00 or 18:00. Check the card and seat types online.
Pom Prap
Sing Sing Theater
A theatrical club themed on 1930s Shanghai, with cabaret performers and dance music. Time Out lists it among the city's best clubs in 2026, and it suits a dressed-up night out for couples. Check opening nights before you go.
Watthana
Saxophone Pub
A two-storey wooden pub with big band, blues and fusion played most nights by the Saxophone All Stars. Arrive before the first set at 19:30 to get a seat near the stage. Daily 18:00 to 02:00.
Phaya Thai
Brown Sugar Jazz Pub
Going since 1985 and now on Soi Nana in the old town, with an acoustic early set and a full band later. Make it the second stop on a Chinatown night after dinner. 17:00 to 01:00, closed Monday.
Chinatown
Siwilai Radical Club
A design-led venue with a sprung dance floor that turns from dining room to disco after dark. Book dinner and stay on for the dancing, which turns one reservation into a whole night out. Check dates and door policy before you go.
Thonglor
Calypso Cabaret
A cabaret show with a transgender cast, mixing pop numbers and traditional pieces over about one hour, with a Thai restaurant on site. An easy early evening if you are already on the riverfront. Check seats and prices on the booking site.
Asiatique, Charoen Krung
Markets & Shopping
Tailor a suit at Rajawongse
A long-established Sukhumvit tailor known for classic cuts rather than trends, and a fair reason to allow a few spare days in your trip. Have it finished here and shipped home if needed. Book your first fitting early in your trip. Hours vary by source, so call ahead.
Sukhumvit Road
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Thousands of stalls across 35 acres, selling everything from clothing to antiques and homewares. Go at 09:00 on Saturday or Sunday with a clear list, because the heat and the crowds build quickly. Whole market open Saturday and Sunday, 09:00 to 18:00.
Chatuchak
ICONSIAM
The large riverside mall on the Thonburi bank, with luxury brands in ICONLUXE and a multimedia water show. Arrive by boat in the evening and combine shopping with dinner at Blue by Alain Ducasse. Check the event calendar. The illumination runs to 25 December 2026.
Khlong San
Or Tor Kor Market
A premium fresh market run by a state agency, known for durian, mangoes, curry pastes and cooked food to eat at the tables. Go in the morning, and expect prices above neighbourhood levels. About 06:00 to 18:00. MRT Kamphaeng Phet, exit 3.
Chatuchak
Central Embassy
A luxury shopping centre on Ploenchit Road below the Park Hyatt, with exclusive fashion labels, food and a cinema. A good address for serious brand shopping on a hot afternoon. Open daily 10:00 to 22:00.
Ploenchit
One Bangkok
A large recent development on Wireless Road, with retail and dining in Parade and The Storeys. Worth a look if you want recent architecture and a fresh mix of brands rather than a familiar mall. Check store hours before you go.
Lumphini
Siam Paragon
The city's best-known luxury mall, with Dior, Louis Vuitton and Rolex, an aquarium and a dining floor. Use it for a rainy day or for shoppers with children to keep entertained. Open daily 10:00 to 22:00. Ask about the tourist VAT refund card.
Siam
Pak Khlong Talat flower market
A working wholesale flower market on the riverside, open around the clock and busiest from late evening into the small hours. Go late for the working side, and bring a camera rather than a shopping list. Reach it by express boat to Saphan Phut Pier.
Phra Nakhon
Jodd Fairs Ratchada
One of the city's best-known night markets, now on Ratchadaphisek Road near Thailand Cultural Centre MRT, with food stalls and casual shopping. Worth one evening for the atmosphere, even if you will buy little. Hours differ by source, roughly 16:00 or 17:00 to midnight or later. Check first.
Din Daeng
Wellness
The Oriental Spa
A restored century-old teak house across the river from the Mandarin Oriental, with Thai and Chinese therapies on the menu. The boat crossing sets the tone, and this is the classic Bangkok spa booking. Book well ahead. Treatment prices are on the hotel's site.
Across from the Mandarin Oriental
Aman Spa at Aman Nai Lert
A 1,500-square-metre spa with Banya Spa House, a clinic for medical wellness and a recovery programme by Novak Djokovic. Choose it for structured recovery work rather than a single indulgent massage. Ask whether non-residents can book.
Pathumwan
An executive check-up at Bumrungrad
Bumrungrad calls this one of the largest check-up centres in Southeast Asia, in a JCI-accredited hospital, with same-day specialist consults. Use a free day in Bangkok for this, since it is worth more than another temple. Daily 08:00 to 15:00. Fast for 12 hours. Prepayment and passport required.
Sukhumvit 3
Traditional massage at Wat Pho
The temple's Thai Traditional Massage School is a long-standing centre of the craft, offering body, herbal and foot massage. An hour here after the Reclining Buddha is the most fitting way to rest. Services listed daily 08:00 to 17:00.
Phra Nakhon
Divana
A Thai spa group with four Bangkok houses, each built around one theme and signature treatment, from heritage to longevity. Book one if you want a quiet, themed spa without staying at a grand hotel. Reservations confirmed only after payment.
Chidlom, Silom, Sukhumvit, Thonglor
Let's Relax Spa
A dependable Thai chain with clear prices and onsen at selected branches including Thonglor and Lumpini. Use it for a quick massage between sights when a grand hotel spa would take half a day. Thai massage from 1,300 baht for two hours.
Several branches
Out of Town
Ayutthaya Historical Park
The ruined temples of the old capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Wat Mahathat with its Buddha head held in tree roots. Take a private car, allow a full day, and leave early. Explore by bicycle or long-tail boat once you arrive.
Ayutthaya
Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak
Stalls fold back as trains pass at Maeklong, then a longtail takes you to the floating market at Damnoen Saduak. A private day trip handles the early start, the driving and the timing. Seven to eight hours from 07:00 or 08:00. Hotel pickup included.
Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi
Bang Pa-In Palace
A royal summer palace with a pavilion in the middle of a pond and buildings in Thai, Chinese and European styles. Add it to an Ayutthaya day for a change of pace from the ruins. Daily 08:30 to 17:00. Cover shoulders and knees.
Ayutthaya province
Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai Bridge
About 128 km west of Bangkok, with the rebuilt bridge, the war cemeteries and the Death Railway train. A sobering, valuable day, better done with a guide who can explain the history. The River Kwai Bridge Week runs late November to early December.
Kanchanaburi
Amphawa Floating Market
Wooden row houses along about 800 metres of canal, with seafood grilled through the evening and firefly boat trips after dark. Go from Friday to Sunday, and stay overnight if you can. Open Friday to Sunday, 12:00 to 20:00. Firefly boats start around 18:30.
Samut Songkhram
Bang Krachao by bicycle
The green peninsula known as the lung of Bangkok, a short boat ride from Khlong Toei Pier, with traffic-free cycling trails and a botanical park. The easiest half-day escape from the city. Bikes are rented at the dock. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Samut Prakan
The Ancient City, Muang Boran
A vast open-air museum of Thai architecture at about 40 minutes by car from Suvarnabhumi. Best on the way to or from the airport, and a good way to see the country's architecture in one place. Daily 09:00 to 19:00. Tickets sold until 18:00.
Samut Prakan
The Erawan Museum
A three-headed elephant about 20 metres high, with a museum inside its body rich in stained glass and porcelain. An odd, memorable half-day, around 29 km southeast of central Bangkok, easily combined with Muang Boran. Listed as daily 08:00 to 17:00, adults 150 baht.
Samut Prakan
The top 100 things to do in Bangkok
Our guide as a free PDF, with the best of Bangkok by email.