9 Short Things to Do in Bangkok
What to Do in Bangkok in One Day
You have 1 day in Bangkok and need a list of things to do – what are the places you shouldn’t miss? This list of the best short things to do in Bangkok offers some good starting points. Choose a few or try to fit them all if you feel up to it, and you’ll get a feel for what Bangkok is all about. The selection below has a good mix of cultural and leisure activities, each with recommended times to visit.
As any seasoned visitor would tell you, Bangkok is ‘an all-out attack on the senses’. The bustling city is a combination of weird and wonderful sights, sounds and smells. We find it fascinating and we’re sure you will too. Have a look at the places in Bangkok just waiting to be discovered.
Good for: Families, History, Photo
The Grand Palace continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail. Built in 1782, it served as the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government for 150 years. Wat Pra Kaew enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), a highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of emerald, dating from the 15th century. Read more
Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw
Good for: History, Photo
For a real sense of how people in Bangkok used to live (in stilted shacks, old wooden townhouses and dilapidated lean-tos), explore the Bangkok Thonburi khlongs (canals). As you’ll see, there are quite a few people who still live on the banks of the city’s canals and waterways. Read more
Good for: Families, History, Photo, Budget
The impressive silhouette of Wat Arun’s towering spires is one of the most recognized in Southeast Asia. Constructed during the first half of the 19th century, this ancient Khmer-style stupa is equally stunning up-close, showcasing an ornate floral pattern decked out in glazed porcelain. Apart from its beauty, Wat Arun symbolizes the birth of the Rattanakosin Period and the founding of the new capital after the fall of Ayutthaya. Read more
Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
Good for: Shoppers, Food
A must-do when in Bangkok is to venture down to Chinatown for delicious Chinese food. At the old market, you’ll find some of the city’s best-tasting and most reasonably-priced fare. From the obscure (bird’s nest soup) to the ostentatious (Peking duck), there will be something to enlighten your taste buds and provide a feast for the eyes. Read more
Good for: Nightlife
Long gone are the days of chilling out in a hotel lounge after sunset. Hit the rooftop of the iconic State Tower’s Sirocco or the Banyan Tree’s Vertigo and Moon bar and claim your first-class ticket to the most amazing sunset vista Bangkok has to offer. From this height, the bustle of downtown feels like a distant hum, while the glittering skyline creates a backdrop before which romance unfolds. Read more
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Nightlife
Asiatique: The Riverfront has successfully combined 2 of the most popular shopping experiences in the city: a night bazaar and a mall. 10 minutes downriver from the Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain Station, this once-bustling international trade port has over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants within a huge replica warehouse complex. Open from 5pm, spending an evening here is no problem. You’ll have good fun browsing the boutiques, picking up gifts or something for yourself. If this isn’t enough entertainment, shows are performed nightly. Read more
Asiatique: The Riverfront
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Parallel to Khao San Road, Soi Rambuttri gives you a taste of how Bangkok used to look before all the skyscrapers arrived. Leafy banyan trees shade the sidewalks and the vibe sways more towards local than foreign, despite the high number of travelers choosing to stay here rather than on the infamous street itself. Read more
Soi Rambuttri
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
As the sky turns from tawny gold to twilight, life along the Chao Phraya River seems to slow down, and its beauty takes on another dimension. Embark on a dinner cruise in a restored teakwood boat or luxurious yacht and watch as the skyline unfolds along the Chao Phraya, from Wat Arun’s iconic silhouettes to Saphan Bhut’s strong industrial lines and the Grand Palace’s graceful curves. Read more
Good for: Nightlife
Bangkok’s electrifying nightlife scene has been rated as one of the best in the world. Much has changed since the early days of go-go bars and clubs. Khao San, RCA, Sukhumvit 11 and Thonglor have emerged as the most-happening places after sundown, where international DJs rock the house with their latest mixes. Read more
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