Eighteen must-see places in Bangkok

Swarming and lively, the Thai capital remains more interesting by its inhabitants and its districts than by its museums and monuments – mainly temples and palaces – finally quite few for a megalopolis of this size. Nevertheless, one will take pleasure in visiting about twenty sites of which here is the list…

What to see, what to do and visit in Bangkok ?

Baiyoke Tower II
What was for a long time the highest skyscraper of Bangkok (309 meters) offers as often for this kind of building a superb panorama from its top.

Chatuchak Week-end Market
It is the largest market of the country and an almost inescapable of Bangkok. It is located in the Chatuchak Park Complex, in the north of the city.

Chinatown
Like all the Chinatowns in the world, the one of Bangkok is animated, full of stores and especially to discover at nightfall. It is a guaranteed change of scenery especially when you arrive there by tuk-tuk to be already plunged in the atmosphere…

Khao San Road
Traditionally known by backpackers for its accommodations, its services to travelers and its animation, the district of Kao San has become little by little also a tourist attraction… which can sometimes leave perplexed.

Klong Lat Mayom Floating Market
This floating market (among others of the city) is one of the attractions of Bangkok. It is generally appreciated by the visitors for its “atmosphere” and its originality.

Klongs of Bangkok
These are the many canals (called ” khlongs “) located around the Chao Praya river. They can be visited by boat, offer another aspect of the city and allow you to discover the floating markets of Bangkok.

Jim Thomson’s house
In a luxuriant park, it is a beautiful set of traditional Thai houses reconstituted in the 1950s by the American adventurer Jim Thomson. The place, tourist, is a museum which shelters many objects of art.

National Museum of Bangkok
The largest museum in Southeast Asia specializes in Thai and more generally Asian art. Remarkable, it is a good introduction to the discovery and understanding of the temples and other monuments of the country.

Museum Siam
Created in 2007, this didactic place aims to highlight the national identity, the history of the Thai population and its relations with neighboring cultures.

Royal Palace
This vast complex dating from the late 18th century is only partially open to the public. In addition to the gardens and the very beautiful buildings of this enormous royal palace, one can also see there and especially the famous Wat Phra Kaeo or “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”.

Ratchada Night Bazaar
Here is a night market for locals and tourists with also a lot of bars and restaurants. The whole place is very lively and appreciated by all visitors.

Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
With its 10 000 m2 arranged in the basement of the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre which is one of the first malls of the country, it is the largest aquarium of Southeast Asia. It houses hundreds of species.

The temples of the city of Bangkok

… And then there are the temples. Among the hundreds of Buddhist temples (“wat”) present in the city, only a few are of “tourist interest” to visitors.

Wat Arun
It is a beautiful complex on the river bank whose central stupa is over 80 meters high, which makes it recognizable.

Wat Benchama Bophit
Also called “Marble Temple”It is one of the important tourist places of the capital. The building has very beautiful gardens and a “cloister-museum” presenting many statues of Buddha of all styles and in all attitudes.

Wat Pho
Located not far from the Royal Palace, it is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist temples in Bangkok. The complex houses a large reclining Buddha over 40 meters long.

Wat Phra Kaeo
Located within the Grand Palace, this Buddhist temple is one of the most sacred in Thailand. It is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (a small jade statue visible on site).

Wat Suthat
It is one of the six royal temples of Thailand. Its construction began at the beginning of the 19th century. Just in front is the “Giant Swing” Which is a religious structure where ceremonies are held.

Wat Traimit
It is in this temple that we can see the “Golden Buddha” which is the largest gold statue in the world with 5.5 tons for 3 meters high.

Weather and good time to visit the capital of Thailand

Whether it is to avoid the rainy season or the scorching heat of spring as far as the weather is concerned, the best period to visit Thailand and Bangkok remains November-March. The only drawback is that it is also the busiest period for tourism.
For more details it is here…

> For more info: www.bangkok.com