The metropolis of Bangkok offers various sights, museums and beautiful places to visit. Below we recommend Bangkok’s top 10 attractions for tourists.
Bangkok, the capital of the Asian country Thailand, has no fewer than fifteen million inhabitants. This enormous amount of people within the agglomeration leads to a lot of crowds, exhaust fumes and smog. It is not without reason that you see people walking around in the street wearing masks or doing their work. The chaotic traffic in Bangkok means that the travel time between the various sights can sometimes increase considerably. Even the relatively manoeuvrable tuk-tuks regularly get stuck in traffic. For Thailand visitors, a visit to Bangkok is actually almost obligatory. The city has a number of highlights that you will not find elsewhere in the country, such as the temple with the reclining Buddha.
- Temples
Bangkok has a large number of Buddhist temples, which are called ‘Wat’ in Thailand. Because Buddhism still plays an important role among the Thai population, new temples are even built every now and then. Most temples have beautiful golden gabled roofs, and are richly decorated both outside and inside. One of the oldest temples in Bangkok is the ‘Wat Pho’. This is the temple with the reclining Buddha and therefore the most famous. This reclining Buddha is the largest Buddha image in all of Thailand. Other famous temples are: Wat Phra Kaew at the Royal Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Saket, Wat Traimit and Wat Pathum Wanaram. There are several “temple tours” that can be booked.
2. Royal Palace of Bangkok
The Royal Palace of Bangkok is called ‘Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang’. The residents of this imposing palace were the former kings of Thailand from the 18th century. The palace is still used for royal rituals and ceremonies. The special construction and many golden accents make this palace a phenomenal attraction. Within the royal walls is also the temple ‘Wat Phra Kaew’.
3. Floating market
Bangkok had many canals, which are called ‘Khlong’ in Thailand. Because of this, Bangkok was nicknamed “Venice of the East”. You read that right. More and more of these ‘Khlong’ are closed up with concrete so that streets can be built there. These canals were often filled with crowded boats, in which all kinds of colorful and fragrant products were offered. Fortunately, there are still a few of these floating markets to be found. For example just outside of Bangkok there is ‘Amphoe Damnoen Saduak’ market which is very worthwhile.
4. Chatuchak Market
The Chatuchak Market is said to be the largest market in Bangkok and perhaps the world. Locally, this market is also referred to as ‘JJ’ among the population. It is therefore close to the JJ Mall. Also very close is the public Chatuchak Park with its many bridges and a train museum. At the market’s thousands of stalls, you will find many local products, art, live animals, books, music and flowers. This market can be visited on Saturdays and Sundays.
5. Lumphini Park
In the 1920s, this large city park ‘Lumphini Park’ was laid out on royal grounds. At that time, this area belonged to one of the outskirts of Bangkok. Now the park is in the center of the business district. In the early morning hours, there is already a lot of movement in the park. For example, people practice Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art, or jog around the park. In the evening there are again activities in the form of collective aerobics lessons. In the park is a statue of King Rama VI, who gave this park to the people. Bird spotters can spot more than thirty different birds in the Lumphini Park. In this park you will also find an older meeting center, library, center for street children, eateries and a youth sports center.
6. CentralWorld
Bangkok has plenty of shopping centers to offer. One of the largest is CentralWorld. CentralWorld is a huge shopping center in Bangkok, which was previously called the ‘World Trade Center’. You can find this shopping center on Rama I and Ratchadamri streets. The building has 7 floors with various shops. Cinemas can also be found in the complex.
7. Vimanmek Palace
Vimanmek Palace is a former royal palace, which is entirely made of teak. It is located in the Dusit district, near the ‘Dusit Zoo’. Today the palace is a museum with personal photos, art and handicrafts of King Rama V. There is also a clock museum, souvenir shops, restaurant, old carriages and beautiful gardens. The palace is also known as the largest golden teak mansion in the world.
8. Dream World
Dream World is an amusement park in Bangkok with different zones such as Dream World Plaza, Dream Gardens, Fantasy Land and Adventure Land. The main entrance immediately reminds you of Disneyland’s Main Street. Various roller coasters, haunted houses, fairy-tale themes and rafting attractions adorn this cozy family park.
9. Nightlife
Bangkok has a very varied nightlife. The Thai themselves believe that life should be pleasant as it shows. Many bars, restaurants, karaoke tents, operas and various clubs make Bangkok an amusement park in terms of nightlife. You can find these bars and clubs in Sukhumvit Street and Khao San Street. But actually every neighborhood has its own entertainment area. Prostitution is a common occurrence in Bangkok. It is very sad to know that this mainly affects poor country girls, who have sometimes been literally kidnapped to make money in prostitution. In the nightlife streets of the Silom district, at Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy you see girls numbered and already attract the attention of the men strolling by. Silom is also known in the gay scene. Many go-go bars can be found in the Patpong area.
10. Chinatown
The Chinatown district is a popular attraction in Bangkok. A lot is happening in the narrow streets of this area. Many small shops, Chinese temples, market stalls, restaurants, food stalls, medicine shops and gold shops make Chinatown what it is. A unique and colorful melting pot. In Chinatown, at the end of Yaowarat Road is the ‘Wat Trimit’ temple. Here you can visit the five meter high golden Buddha. At night it is busiest in Chinatown. The nightlife then begins, which in turn attracts many tourists.
