Holidays to Bangkok

Bangkok travel guide

• When is the best time to visit Bangkok?

  Bangkok can be hot, humid and hard work in late spring – earlysummer. Temperatures rarely dip much below 30°C throughout the year. November to February is the driest time with the rainy season running from May to October, making it a great destination for some winter sun with the family.

• Bangkok attractions

  Must See Sights

  The city can be divided into two by the north-south railway and by the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The slice between river and rail is the old town – an intoxicating procession of holy temples, crowded markets and traditional shops. North from here is Banglamphu and the tourist heartland of Khao San Road while fanning out from the railway terminal is Chinatown and Ko Rattankosin – the stunning Royal Palace complex.

  East of the railway is Bangkok new town – all gleaming skyscrapers, seedy massage parlours, international embassies and anodyne shopping malls.

  Ko Rattanakosin District

  Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace (Na Phra Lan Road) Open: Daily 8:30am-12:00pm and 13:00pm-15:30pm.

  With acres of gold and glass dazzling in the sun, this fabulous complex can’t – literally – be missed. Built 1782, the palace contains the sumptuous Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a royal chapel, extensive murals and grand ceremonial rooms. The largest palace room, the Chakri Mahaprasat was built by British architects, but looks more Italianate (or even French) than Thai. Strict dress code applies. No shorts, spaghetti straps or sockless feet.

  Wat Pho (0 2221 9111, Th Samanchai 8:00am – 5:00pm)

  Most visitors head straight for the massive reclining Buddha – and he’s certainly not something you should ignore. At 46 metres long and 15 metres high you’d have a job to anyway. But check out the subtle, more human scale Buddha images in the temples’ other rooms. Try to visit in the early morning. Here too is the famous Wat Pho massage school - perfect for easing big city stress.

  Wat Arun (0 2466 3167, Th Arun Amarin 8:00am – 5:00pm)

  Temple named after the Indian God of dawn (Aruna) featuring an 82 metre high prang (decorated tower) encrusted with Chinese porcelain. Inside, the murals - depicting the various stages of life – are particularly interesting.

  
  
  

• Top 5 things to do in Bangkok

  Lumpini Boxing Stadium

  Get a ringside seat at Lumpini Boxing Stadium for some Muay Thai (kickboxing) action, where grace and strength are equally important

  Grand Palace

  Visit the Grand Palace in Rattanakosin and marvel at the architecture, decor and heritage on display

  Wat Pho

  Pay your respects to the giant Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and feel incredibly insignificant as you stare into his mother-of-pearl eyes

  Street food

  Throw caution to the wind and sample some delicious street food. Try some hot and spicy noodles followed by deliciously sugary Thai sweets

  Damnoen Floating Market

  Experience the bustle and colour of the Damnoen Floating Market – ok, it's touristy, but, hey, you're on holiday!

• Bangkok food and drink

  Be brave. Thai food, in Thailand, is nothing like the sanitised versions you’ve had in Britain. For a start, the ingredients are all much fresher, the ritual of eating taken very seriously and the preparation (often in front of you) an elaborate set piece of theatre and deft culinary skill. Even street food (generally so fresh that you’re safe to experience it) is alive with colour and flavour.

  Crowded and chaotic Chinatown has many of the city’s best restaurants but, a word of warning - you’re unlikely to have fabulous food and fabulous surroundings. You’ll have to sacrifice one or the other. The plainer the establishment is, usually, the better the food. Thais eat little and often, grabbing four or five small meals a day: noodles, soups and hot salads specifically. For cheap food in Bangkok, try the streets around Banglamphu, with its always-busy street stalls and side-street, tiny establishments.

  For safe, lively drinking, head to the bars around Banglamphu and Sukhumvit and follow the crowds. For a more relaxed option, the streets around Th Rambutri and Soi Rambutri offer just as many watering holes, but here the volume of the music is kept at a level which makes conversation comfortable.

• Where are the best places for shopping in Bangkok?

  For many, Bangkok has the edge on even Hong Kong for full on shop-til-you-drop magic. Thai people take their shopping seriously – and strike a hard bargain whether they’re out for provisions for the evening meal, or about to get measured up for a formal suit. Even in glitzy malls the pace is frantic, and a wink and a nudge can get you a ‘one time only’ price. Make no mistake, you’ll have no trouble finding ways to part with your Baht. Fine local crafts, weaving, jewellery, top brand-name items (or, more likely, deceivingly well-made copies) and food markets – all offer great value and even greater entertainment.

  Antiques, images of Buddha or fine art can not be taken out of the country without the permission of the Fine Arts Department at Bangkok’s National Museum so, for hassle free shopping, chose instead ceramics, clothing and gems. But, another word of caution – only ever buy gems from reputable (i.e. longstanding) dealers. Genuine bargains can be found, but only from stores belonging to the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association. If it seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. Shop around, use your common sense.

  Amulet Market (Th Mahathat, 9:00am – 5:00pm)

  Just outside Wat Mahathat, a clutch of street and soir (small shops) sellers parade intricately carved talismans, herbal medicine and traditional massage.

  Nagi Arts (0 2253 2826 Th Withayu)

  An antique palace stuffed with all manner of oddities, from royal robes to gilded cages, iconography to teak furniture. A must see.

  River City Complex (Th Yotha)

  A one-stop shopping mall for all things Thai: art, antiques, maps, prints, costumes and jewellery especially.

  Central Department Store (0 2233 6930, Th Ploenchit)

  This venerable old store might look a bit worn around the edges but it’s still a wonderful, and very much alive, Thai institution. Ideal for buying Thai and international cosmetics, fashions and electronics.

  Johnny’s Gems (0 2224 4065, Th Fuang Nakhon)

  Unset or set, these gems are shining examples of the art of the gem cutter and offer bargains for the knowledgeable. If the prices seem steep compared to the street traders that’ll be because these gems are real.

  Markets

  Chatuchak Weekend Market (Talat Nat Jatujak, 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat-Sun)

  The biggest and best. A sprawling, uncontrolled city within a city, where (with a little haggling and a lot of patience) you can buy almost everything. Take a day, keep taking refueling breaks – at the excellent food stalls – and surrender yourself to the chaos. Don’t forget that pickpockets are rife in all Thai markets, but don’t let that put you off.

  Flower Market (Pak Khlong) (Th Chakkaphet)

  Wonderfully cheap, deliciously fragrant roses, orchids and more exotic blooms – fruit and vegetables too.

  Banglamphu District

  Wat Saket (0 2223 4561, Th Worachak 8:00am - 5:00pm)

  You can see the gleaming gold chedi at the heart of the Wat Saket compound long before you arrive at the hill from which it rises (appropriately enough called the Golden Mount). At 58 metres, it’s an impressive sight. Climb the 318 steps to the cupola and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Bangkok.

  Monk’s Bowl Village (0 2223 7970, Soi Ban Baht 10:00am - 8:00pm)

  A lovingly curated handicraft village churning out traditional rounded bowls that monks use to receive their food rations. Each bowl is hammered out from eight separate pieces of metal.

  Dusit District

  Dusit Park (0 2628 6300 – 100Bt adults/ 50Bt children)

  Wonderful traditional Thai architecture, carefully scrubbed gardens and plenty of shady spots for a picnic, Dusit is a much needed green lung in the centre of the city – with occasional outdoor performances of graceful Thai dancing. Within the grounds are the Elephant Museum, an Ancient Cloth Museum, Teak Mansion (the world’s largest golden teak building) and a Photography Gallery. Entrance to the park includes access to all these attractions.

  Chinatown District

  Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Neng Noi Yee, 9:00am – 6:00pm)

  An ancient Chinese temple packed with hushed worshippers lighting incense and making offerings

  Wat Traimit (0 2623 1226, Th Yaowarat 9:00am - 5:00pm)

  The stunning centrepiece here is the hefty, solid gold Buddha, weighing in at five and a half tonnes.

• What is Bangkok nightlife like?

  Bangkok is fast establishing a reputation as Asia's capital of cool, with a vibrant calendar of live music, jazz-and-blues clubs, serious clubs, great restaurants and exhilarating cabaret which would rival those found in Paris or Las Vegas.
  
  Microbreweries and beer gardens are open-air, relaxed places to enjoy an evening beer, away from the rowdy back-backers and stag parties. Set-ups come and go, but the most popular usually sets up below the World Trade Centre. Jazz, rock and traditional song and dance shows are also worth seeking out in the bigger resorts. Traditional masked dance dramas (khohn) are elaborate and ancient affairs treated with great reverence (make sure you cover up before entering the theatres).
  
  If you're after the - shall we say - hedonistic stuff that Bangkok achieved notoriety for, you'll find it in Patpong (Silom Road), Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy and several areas off the Sukhumvit Road, with go-go bars and raunchy shows.
  
  

  Some of the best places to visit in Bangkok are:

  Th Phra Athit

  A rickety line of centuries old buildings, once facing demolition, have had a visit by the style police. Now they’re the facades of trendy bars, cool cafes and easy-going hangouts for the city’s hip young things. Many have live music and all are frequented by a good natured crowd.

  Brown Sugar (0 2250 1825, Th Sarasin)

  Jazzy enclave where a good night is always guaranteed – especially if you like sax and drums with your Singha beer.

  Water Bar (0 2642 7699, Th Rangnam )

  The best place to sample the city’s drink of choice: a slug of whisky, a slug of coke and a splash of soda. Well, you’ll have to try it at least once.

  Patravadi Theatre (0 2412 7287, 69/1 Soi Wat Rakang)

  Epic poems and elaborate, long-winded choreographed operas are the stock in trade of this popular theatre troupe. Perfect for sampling traditional Khon - Thai theatre.

  Joe Louis Puppet Theatre (0 2252 9683, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, off Wireless Road)

  The puppeteers here are integral to the performance. Classically trained dancers imitate the movements of the puppets to literally bring them to life (with three puppeteers to each mannequin), capturing gestures and nuances. A wonderful family friendly spectacle.

  Thai Boxing, Ratchadamnoen Stadium (Sanam Muay Rachadamnoen)

  For around 800Bt you can experience the spectacle of the best Thai kick-boxers going about their business. It’s not for the faint hearted – not so much because of the athleticism on display, but for the highly charged histrionics of the crowd. Remember to purchase tickets from official vendors, not outside touts.

• Bangkok events - what's on when?

  January - Chinese New Year

  Bangkok's Chinatown has dragon processions, lion dancing, fireworks and plenty of food for this celebration.

  February - Makha Bucha

  The first of three Buddhist Lunar holidays in Bangkok during 2014. The Makha Bucha celebrates & honours the Buddha and his teachings - at every temple in the country people gather to 'wien tien'(walk around the temple three times with a lotus flower, incense sticks and a candle)>

  March - Bangkok International Fashion Fair

  Fashion shows and fairs with 700 companies across 1000 booths at the Impact Exhibition & Convention Centre.

  April - Songkran Festival

  During this Thai New Year festival people soak each other in the streets with water guns, buckets, etc.

  May - Visakha Bucha

  A holy day celebrating different occasions in Buddha's life, with candlelit processions and chanting.

  June - International Festival of Dance and Music

  A colourfuk festival with live performances by international musicians in venues throughout Bangkok

  July - Asalaha Bucha Day& Khao Phansa

  Candlelit processions take place on this holy day that commenorates Buddha's first sermon. Alcohol is banned.

  August - Queen's Birthday Celebrations

  Watch the processions & dancing at the Grand Palace and and along Ratchadamnern Avenue during this royal celebration.

  September - Full Moon Festival

  Experience one of Thailand's famous Full moon festivals in it's party capital Bangkok.

  October - Chulalongkorn Day

  A public holiday to commemerate the death of King Chulalongkorn with a ceremony at Royal Plaza.

  November - World Film Festival of Bangkok

  Over 80 independent films from across the world are screened, mainly at the Paragon Cineplex.

  December - Trooping of the Colours

  The Royal Guard perform their ceremonial parade in Royal Plaza in honour of the Thai king's birthday.