Bangkok

Name: Bangkok
Address: TH

Thailand's capital — a high-energy metropolis where glittering temples meet skyscrapers, street-food stalls and river boats. Wat Arun and Wat Pho line the Chao Phraya, and the city comes alive at night with rooftop bars and markets.

Bangkok right now · July

In season now: 🌧️ Rainy season

Coming up

🏮Loy Krathong~Nov 15in ~15 weeks
🧧Chinese New Year~Feb 10–Feb 12in ~28 weeks
💦SongkranApr 13–Apr 15in ~37 weeks

Travel videos from Bangkok

Videos belong to their respective creators

Bangkok in 4K Ultra HD by drone

▶ Exploropia

The hidden beauty of Bangkok (cinematic)

▶ Dimi Miles

Cinematic Bangkok — streets

▶ illkoncept

Bangkok — cinematic vlog

▶ Lino Thaesler

Bangkok 4K drone — temples & markets

▶ Alejandro Torres

Top places to visit in Bangkok (4K HDR)

▶ VISUAL TRAVEL

Scenes of Bangkok

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Top spots

1
Wat Arun
A porcelain-encrusted spire on the river's west bank — stunning at sunset and when lit up at night.
2
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The royal palace and the Emerald Buddha temple — Bangkok's must-see, with a strict dress code.
3
Wat Pho
Home of the 46m Reclining Buddha and the spiritual home of traditional Thai massage.
4
Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
A golden chedi atop a hill; climb the steps for a panorama over the old city.
5
Chatuchak Weekend Market
A vast weekend market of 10,000+ stalls — crafts, vintage, street food and everything in between.
6
Chao Phraya River
The city's artery — hop the express boats between temples, or take a dinner cruise at night.
7
Sukhumvit
Modern Bangkok's spine of hotels, malls and nightlife, strung along the BTS Skytrain.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

When to visit Bangkok

Best months & festivals — filled = recommended

Month →

☀️Cool dry season

The most comfortable time to visit.

💦Songkran water festival

Mid-April new-year water festival.

🥵Hot season

🌧️Rainy season

Short, heavy downpours.

🏮Loy Krathong

The festival of floating lanterns.

Key events & festivals

🧧
Chinese New Year~Feb 10–Feb 12
Yaowarat (Chinatown) is at its liveliest.
💦
SongkranApr 13–Apr 15
The Thai new year — the whole city turns into a water fight.
🏮
Loy Krathong~Nov 15
Floating lanterns set adrift on rivers under the full moon.

What to eat in Bangkok

Signature local dishes to try

🍤Pad thai

Rice noodles stir-fried in sweet-sour tamarind sauce - Thailand's signature street noodle.

🍲Tom yum goong

Hot-and-sour shrimp soup with lemongrass - the icon of Thai cuisine.

🥭Mango sticky rice

Ripe mango with coconut-milk sticky rice - the beloved hot-season dessert.

🍚Pad krapao

Minced meat stir-fried with holy basil over rice, topped with a fried egg.

About Bangkok

🌤️ Best season: The cool, dry season (Nov–Feb) is most comfortable. Mar–May is very hot; Jun–Oct is the rainy season with short downpours.
✈️ Getting there: ~6.5h direct from Tokyo to Suvarnabhumi (BKK); reach the city by Airport Rail Link or taxi.
🚇 Getting around: The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are fast and easy; add Chao Phraya river boats and the Grab app. Traffic is heavy — favour the trains.
🕒 Time & currency: Indochina Time (UTC+7). Currency: Thai baht (THB).
🗣️ Language: Thai is the official language; English is common at sights and BTS stations.

Tips & hidden gems

💡 Temple dress code
Cover shoulders and knees at the Grand Palace and major temples — tank tops, shorts and sandals may be refused. Carry a light layer.
💡 Respect the monarchy
The monarchy is deeply respected and insulting it is a criminal offence. Be quiet and respectful at temples and ceremonies.
💡 Watch for common scams
Beware strangers saying a temple is 'closed today', and cheap tuk-tuk rides that detour to gem or tailor shops. Check at official desks.
💡 Street food & night markets
Pad thai, krapow and mango sticky rice are street-stall staples. At night, graze through Yaowarat (Chinatown) or head to a rooftop bar.
💡 Hidden gems off the trail
The Ratchada train night market, cycling on the green 'lung' of Bang Krachao, and the weekend Amphawa floating market show a different side of Bangkok.

Travel essentials

Payments, transport, connectivity and safety — before you go

💳

Payments

Cards and PromptPay QR in cities; cash for street stalls and rural areas.

🚕

Getting around

Grab and Bolt dominate; great for airport transfers.

📶

SIM / eSIM

Tourist SIMs (AIS/True) at airports; eSIM available.

🔌

Plugs & voltage

Types A/B/C, 220V.

🪙

Tipping

Not required, but rounding up or 20–50 baht is appreciated.

🚰

Tap water

Don't drink the tap water — buy bottled.

🛡️

Safety

Generally safe; watch for scams and pickpockets in tourist spots.

Suggested routes

Temples & old town — half day

~4 hrs / walking + river ferry

The three great temples — Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun — linked by river ferry through the old town.

1
Grand Palace
The royal palace and the Emerald Buddha temple — Bangkok's must-see, with a strict dress code.
2
Wat Pho
Home of the 46m Reclining Buddha and the spiritual home of traditional Thai massage.
3
Cross the river by ferry
The city's artery — hop the express boats between temples, or take a dinner cruise at night.
4
Wat Arun
A porcelain-encrusted spire on the river's west bank — stunning at sunset and when lit up at night.

River & night views — half day

~4 hrs / boat + walking

Sunset from a Chao Phraya boat, then the riverside lights — a half-day on the water.

1
Chao Phraya express boat
The city's artery — hop the express boats between temples, or take a dinner cruise at night.
2
Wat Arun at sunset
A porcelain-encrusted spire on the river's west bank — stunning at sunset and when lit up at night.
3
Asiatique or a night market
4
Rooftop bar

Markets & modern Bangkok — full day

~1 day / by BTS & MRT

From Chatuchak market to gleaming malls — modern Bangkok in a day on the BTS and MRT.

1
Chatuchak Market (weekend)
A vast weekend market of 10,000+ stalls — crafts, vintage, street food and everything in between.
2
Views from Wat Saket
A golden chedi atop a hill; climb the steps for a panorama over the old city.
3
Shopping in Sukhumvit
Modern Bangkok's spine of hotels, malls and nightlife, strung along the BTS Skytrain.
4
Late eats in Yaowarat (Chinatown)