Attractions — Bangkok

Recommended cooking courses include House of Taste, Silom Thai and Sompong Thai.

Recommended cooking courses include House of Taste, Silom Thai and Sompong Thai.

If you walk from the Grand Palace to the Golden Mount along Bamrung Mueang Road, you'll see dozens of shops selling goods for Buddhists and countless golden Buddha statues.

A large temple founded in 1610, located in the Thonburi district on an island amid many canals. In 2021 construction was completed on the tallest Buddha statue in Bangkok — 69 meters high. There's also an 80-meter stupa housing a Buddhist museum, and on the top floor an incredible dome with a colorful psychedelic ceiling. The best photo spots for the Big Buddha are not inside the temple but opposite it, for example at the Uruea café — they charge 20 baht for entry, but the ticket can be exchanged for a comparable discount at the café.

Wat Prayoon is in Thonburi, away from the tourist crowds, so the grounds offer many quiet corners. Watch turtles and lizards in the Khao Mo garden, admire Buddhist thangka paintings on the walls, or sit by the river.

You can admire the old Chinese shops along Yaowarat Road.

Chinatown is a large and important district for Bangkok — bigger than the Chinatowns of New York and San Francisco. Many ethnic Chinese no longer speak Chinese but still retain elements of Chinese culture. There is also a high concentration of business and wealth. Chinatown and its community are so significant that members of the royal family and the princess come each year to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Begin your walk on Soi Wanit 2, walk past Wat Pathumkongka, and pause briefly at Hong Sieng Kong.

Walk past Wat Pathum Khongkha and make a short stop at Hong Sieng Kong.

Infinity Spa is a three-storey complex in the Silom area, with interiors designed by London studio Space Popular. They offer various types of massage — from classic sports or aromatherapy treatments to unusual options such as prenatal massage. There are also comprehensive programmes like detox and recovery after jet lag. A one-hour foot massage costs 800 baht, a classic or Thai massage 1300 baht.

The old central post office building houses the creative Thailand Creative & Design Centre, with a library, coworking space and offices.

Wat Arun, with its tall sparkling spire reaching skyward, is located on the Chao Phraya riverbank. The prang, a Khmer-style tower 61 meters high, is visible from many points in the city centre. At sunset the complex glows as the sun reflects off its golden surfaces. There is a mandatory 'donation' of 200 baht for entry, but you are given a bottle of water.

Near the National Museum is the world's most famous backpacker street — Khao San Road. For decades it has attracted budget travelers with cheap hostels, affordable food and noisy parties. If you don't plan to drink in the local bars until dawn, Khao San is not the best place to stay.

On the grounds, in addition to the palace, you'll find a museum, the throne hall and the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Emerald Buddha itself, the country's main shrine, is a small statue placed high up near the ceiling and — contrary to its name — made of green stone.

Coworking spaces cost about 500 baht per day: The Hive, Paperwork, Just Co and Common Ground.

The temple offers panoramic views over Bangkok — the main reason to visit. Keep in mind that many people come for the view, and there is an entrance fee of 100 baht. Wat Saket closes fairly early — at 16:30.

Beside the Hindu altar Erawan, located amid the urban chaos of the Siam area, devotees perform traditional dances for the god Brahma. Worshippers bring offerings: flower garlands, fruit and prayer elephants for wishes. To be sure to see performances, come early on weekday mornings, though there is no exact schedule.

Blue Elephant’s cooking school runs classes for both beginners and professionals. In the morning session small groups meet in an elegant colonial-style house, buy ingredients at the Bangrak market and then cook. Group classes cost from 3000 baht.

Coworking spaces cost about 500 baht per day: The Hive, Paperwork, Just Co and Common Ground.