Overview

Bangkok's attractions are spread across its sprawling metropolitan centre. The most popular tourist attraction is the Grand Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew complex, where visitors can tour portions of the royal family's former residence as well as the city's famous Emerald Buddha. Other areas of interest are Khao San Road and Chinatown. A daytrip to the floating market at Damnoen Saduak is especially worthwhile, and travel time from the city centre is roughly two hours.

Grand Palace

Built in the late 18th century, this former royal residence now serves as a venue for royal ceremonies. Inside is the Royal Thai Decorations and Coins Pavilion along with a massive religious complex. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is also found here, housing the iconic Jade Buddha statue. Entrance to the entire complex, including royal palaces and temples, is included in a single admission.

Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak)

One of Bangkok's most unique cultural phenomena, the floating marketplace convenes in the midst of a river village where houses are arranged on stilts over the water. The canal teems with merchants peddling their wares (mostly flowers, fresh produce and other food products) from early morning until just before noon. Visitors can walk the perimeter of the canal or hire a boat and float out in the midst it.

Chinatown

Locally known as Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown district is situated between Hualampong Train Station and the river. Authentic Chinese restaurants and quirky shops are the main attraction here. Visit Trai Mit Temple in Chinatown for a chance to see the five-ton, solid-gold Buddha statue standing 10 feet tall.

Khao San Road

A mecca for backpackers, Khao San Road is home to a seemingly endless array of budget accommodation, quirky boutiques and raucous nightlife. Not for the faint of heart, Khao San Road can seem fairly tame during daylight hours, but things really pick up after nightfall when young, bohemian travellers take to the streets.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Bangkok's oldest temple was built around the same time as the Royal Palace (late 18th century), when Bangkok became Thailand's capital. More than 1,000 images of the Buddha are kept here in addition to the enormous statue of the Reclining Buddha. It is 50 feet tall, almost 160 feet long and plated with gold. The temple is adjacent to the Grand Palace.

Jim Thompson's House

American Jim Thompson came to Thailand following WWII and set about reinvigorating Thailand's stake in the international silk trade. He gained further celebrity in the late 1960s when he suddenly disappeared while travelling in Malaysia. His house now hosts a museum that displays his impressive collection of artefacts sourced from around the continent.

Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

Another 17th century temple, Wat Arun's soaring 80ft tower is adorned with glittering tiles that command attention from considerable distance. Once home to the Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun is now best known for the light and sound show it hosts each evening during the cool season. The temple sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is accessible by boat.

Overview

The most popular activities in Bangkok are cosmopolitan in nature, with an emphasis on shopping and fine dining. Even so, visitors will find that it's possible to enjoy a wide range of active pursuits while on holiday here. Taco Lake and Siam Park are great places to take the family to cool off during the hot season while other outdoor activities like golf and tennis are more popular in December and January, when temperatures are lower. Muay Thai is practiced indoors and is as fun to watch as it is to study and take part in.

Siam Park

An excellent family-style attraction, Siam Park is the largest water park in the city. In addition to traditional water rides, Siam Park hosts a few theme-park style rides and a small zoo. The water slides and wave pool are a welcome relief on hot summer days.

Muay Thai

Thai kickboxing is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular martial art forms. Competitors employ a holistic approach to combat, incorporating multiple parts of the body into their technique. Training courses are offered in Muay Thai centres throughout the city while spectators can take in matches at arenas like Ratchadamnoen Stadium, Channel 7 Stadium and Lumphini Stadium.

Water sports

While waterskiing doesn't immediately come to mind this far from the sea, tourists will find a cable-ski facility nearby on Taco Lake. This is a great place for visitors to escape the heat without straying too far from the city centre. Major shows are occasionally booked, when professional water skiers come to flaunt their talents.

Golf

There are several high-profile golf courses on the outskirts of Bangkok. Fans of the sport will find the full gamut of equipment available for hire from adjoining pro shops. Green fees vary considerably depending on the course, and some of the finer courses are relatively expensive. While full-play courses aren't located within the city itself, there are several driving ranges and putting greens close to downtown attractions.

Tennis

In recent years, tennis has gained a strong local following in Bangkok. Visitors will find several well-maintained courts throughout the city, and in most cases it is possible to hire all of the necessary equipment. Court fees are typically inexpensive and facilities are modern.

Walking

On first inspection, Bangkok doesn't strike most visitors as a walkable city. While it is true that this sprawling metropolis is a little decentralised, there are several large green spaces set aside for walkers and joggers. Lumphini Park is the most central of these green spaces and is suitable for jogging, picnicking and lounging. Large fitness centres are also on hand, and many malls and hotels have their own exercise rooms.

Dining and shopping

Bangkok fosters an incredible array of dining and shopping options. Given its status as the principle gateway into Southeast Asia, this cosmopolitan hub is awash with international cuisine as well as quintessential Thai fare. Shopping is equally well supported, with everything from massive, Western-style shopping malls to traditional, open-air marketplaces offering substantial bargains by Western standards.

Chatuchak Market is open at weekends in Bangkok's northern quadrant and operates tens of thousands of merchant stalls dealing in everything from kitsch souvenirs and fake name-brand apparel to fine home furnishings and jewellery. A visit to Chatuchak Market is a traveller's rite of passage and is worth it for the cultural experience even if you don't plan on buying anything.

After Chatuchak closes (around 18:00), several popular night markets open in major tourist districts. Silom Road lights up after dark as Patpong Night Bazaar and Suan Lum open for business. Prices are marked up in these areas, as they primarily cater to tourists. Major shopping malls include Siam Discovery Centre, Siam Paragon, Gaysorn Plaza, and Emporium Shopping Complex, all of which are found along BTS Skytrain routes.

Popular purchases in Thailand include antiques (both genuine and masterfully faked); jade, silver and gold jewellery; Thai silk; handicrafts and folk art; and electronics. The latter are best purchased from reputable super-centres like Pantip Plaza on Sukhumvit Road.

Clothing is the most popular product on store shelves. Visitors will find everything from mainstream name brands to traditional Thai fashions. If you're having trouble finding your size, you might consider visiting a tailor and ordering a custom-made ensemble. Thai tailors are well versed in Western fashions and able to perfectly emulate designer styles at a fraction of the price.

Dining is equally affordable. Local cuisine (especially street food) can be unbelievably inexpensive though even authentic Western cuisine is remarkably well-priced. The city's thriving expatriate community fosters a range of Italian, French, Indian, Greek and German restaurants along with English-style pubs. These are concentrated in touristy areas like Sukhumvit and Khao San roads.

Chinese restaurants abound in Chinatown, which supports its own subculture. Japanese food is also popular. If it's Thai food you're after, you'll find it everywhere and in every price range. Upmarket hotel restaurants serve gourmet creations inspired by local favourites though this doesn't mean you can't find outstanding curry or noodle dishes from more modest establishments.

Local cuisine is usually seasoned with fresh cilantro, lemongrass and lime juice. Curries can be brothy or creamy and are almost always powered by spicy Thai chillies. Tom kha gai (a coconut chicken milk curry) and gaeng massaman (a peanut-based Malay-style beef curry) are refreshingly mild.

Thais understand that Westerners may not have the palate for overly spicy food, and most restaurants that cater to tourists automatically cut back on chillies. In fact, visitors with a taste for spicy food may have a hard time convincing the waiting staff not to hold back.

Thais value their local beers (especially Beer Chang and Beer Singha) as well as whiskey. The latter is popular with groups who purchase a whole bottle and mix it with soda or water. International restaurants serve an excellent selection of beer and wine from around the world.

Bangkok's dining scene is comprehensive, and world-class Thai cuisine is not the only speciality at which local chefs excel. There are exceptional French, Italian and Chinese restaurants found here, just to name a few favourites. In most cases, the calibre of food and service greatly exceed the price, though there are plenty of upscale restaurants that are expensive by anyone's standards. The finest restaurants, many of which are operated in conjunction with five-star hotels, enforce a dress code. For the best concentration of memorable venues, visit the soaring State Tower with its rooftop bars and restaurants.

Overview

Bangkok's international airport is a major gateway to Southeast Asia, with countless connections to cities across the world. Those arriving from other cities in Thailand are likely to make use of the country's excellent bus and rail networks. Getting around the city is also convenient, as Bangkok hosts Thailand's only underground metro as well as the ultra-modern Skytrain.

Airports

Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport opened in 2006 and is found less than 20 miles east of the city centre. This is easily the largest and most important hub in the region, and it operates all of its services out of a single omni-terminal. Most of the world's leading carriers operate in Suvarnabhumi, connecting to virtually every major hub around the world.

There are seven concourses in the terminal. The first two offer domestic flights while the latter five are reserved for international flights. Facilities are exhaustive and include ATMs, currency exchange counters and business and postal services. Restaurants, bars and abundant shopping outlets are found throughout the terminal and many are open 24 hours.

There are several ways to arrive at the city centre, beginning with the airport express bus service. Public buses also travel from here to the city centre, though this requires a transfer via Suvarnabhumi's bus terminal. Passengers with luggage will find it much more convenient to charter a taxi.

Before 2006, international flights were routed through Bangkok's Don Muang Airport north of the city centre. Today, Don Muang specialises in charter flights, although two domestic carriers (Nok Air and Thai Airways) still operate a domestic flights here. If flying with either of these airlines, be sure to verify which airport is handling your flight.

Public transportation

Bangkok is Thailand's central transportation hub so there are several ways to arrive in the city. Long-haul buses connect here from around the country, and most depart from Mor Chit station (to the north) or the Southern Bus Terminal. Overnight VIP coaches are spacious and comfortable.

Thailand's rail network is well maintained, with lines from Bangkok connecting to cities around the country and even south into Malaysia. Hualamphong Station in central Bangkok is the busiest hub. Trains are slightly more expensive than buses and travel times are a little longer.

Once based in Bangkok, you'll have several modes of public transportation at your disposal. Traffic is a problem during rush hour, and taxis and public buses can be slow moving. Anyone planning on using the bus system is advised to purchase a map of the routes from a travel agency or book store. Three-wheeled auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuk) are also on hand for shorter point-to-point jaunts.

Express boats and river taxis ply the Chao Phraya River with service available to a number of riverside attractions. These are highly recommended for sightseeing, if not for actual transport.

The BTS Skytrain is a refreshing alternative to ground transportation, offering quick and convenient connections to a few downtown sectors. There are two major routes that operate from 06:00 until 24:00 covering nearly two dozen stops in the city centre. The Skytrain is currently expanding to offer broader service.

The underground metro (MRT) opened in 2004 with service to 18 stations. It crosses paths with the Skytrain in several key locations and keeps the same hours. Both the Skytrain and the metro offer bundled ticket discounts and all-day passes but bear in mind that tickets and passes for one mode of transport are not valid on the another mode.