Things to Do in Bangkok

Sukhumvit Road is the longest boulevard in Thailand (with the Skytrain running along most of its length), and the surrounding neighborhood has become the city’s makeshift international zone, with expats and well-off Thais living on the small side streets, called sois, that intersect it. It’s a neighborhood where choices are endless. Luxury hotels stand beside budget accommodations, and the food scene from five star to street stand is top notch.

What Sukhumvit lacks in tourist attractions it makes up for in its buzzing shopping and nightlife scene. By day air-conditioned shopping malls offer just about anything under the sun and sumptuous days spas promise relaxation. By night the neighborhood comes alive with some of Bangkok’s top nightclubs (and a few notorious red light districts).

In a city full of posh shopping center, MBK Center (Ma Boon Khrong Center) is more than just your average shopping mall. It is eight stories high and contains 2000 shops and restaurants selling clothing, watches, shoes and electronics. Its enormity and reputation as a great place for a bargain make it extremely popular with expats, locals and visitors. The center cycles through 100,000 people a day!

Located just off of Siam Square, it is immediately distinguishable by its sleek glass facade with MBK in green letters. If you're looking for inexpensive clothing or electronics this is the place for you, although keep in mind that unlike it's higher priced neighbors, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon, many of the name brand duds here are fake.

Asiatique The Riverfront is a large open-air mall situated in the once bustling international trade docks of the East Asiatic Company. It faces the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road and was opened in 2012 after an extensive renovation of the site.

Asiatique blends the traditional side of Bangkok with its rapidly growing modern side by combining a night bazaar and a swish, contemporary shopping mall. It features more than 1500 shops, stores, and boutiques and around 40 restaurants all within the same complex. It offers a good variety of shops, with a range of brands and independent outlets drawing a mixed crowd of locals and tourists.

Opening only in the evenings from 5pm, Asiatique also has a strong focus on entertainment in addition to retail therapy, with nightly shows including cabaret acts, Thai boxing, and screenings at its on-site 4D movie theater.

The Golden Mount - or Wat Saket - was constructed by King Rama I shortly after the founding of Bangkok. Built just outside the original city walls and intended as a burial site, the mount has many thousands of bodies interned here - most of them dating from Rama II's rule when plague swept through the city.

Built on swampy ground, the hill was rebuilt by Rama III who added a chedi (stupa) which promptly collapsed due to the shifting foundations. Rama V built the golden chedi we see today on the rubble of the previous chedi. The golden chedi is rumored to contain some of Buddha's remains – including his teeth. Concrete walls were constructed during World War II to ensure the structure remains stable. The Golden Mount looks its best at night when it glows gold against the dark sky. It is worth visiting in the daytime too for fantastic views across the city.

Travelers in search of a true Muay Thai experience need look no further than Rajadamnern Stadium. The indoor sporting arena located in the heart of Bangkok is one of two major venues in the city, and a favorite among both travelers and locals. Prizefighters have been entering the ring here since 1945, and while things have certainly changed (the original stadium was open-air, but a concrete roof now protects spectators from the elements), the excitement of the fight.

remains the same. Fight cards include nine match-ups nightly. The seats are basic but the beers are cold, making it the perfect way to spend an exciting evening in Bangkok.

Known for its use as a research institute of snake venom and snake breeding, the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the dangerous reptile through an interactive educational experience.

The institute was built on the order of King Rama VI as the result of the death of Princess Momchaoying Banlusirisarn Diskul in 1911 due to rabies; the institute sought to find a vaccine for the disease. Today, the institute is filled with thousands of different kinds of snakes from all around the globe, while offering several interesting displays and exhibits giving detailed explanations not just of snakes themselves, but the poisonous venoms that are extracted from them. If one likes, the institute even has a snake handling demonstration, where you can watch a trained employee tempt fate.

Arching in front of the sacred Wat Suthat in Bangkok, what is left of the Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) is a tall teak structure that once supported a giant seat used during Brahman festivals to honor the god Shiva. The landmark is often spotted on walking and biking tours through Bangkok. During the festivities, participants would swing in arcs in an effort to reach a bag of gold suspended from a bamboo pole, which was believed to encourage a good harvest. A black-and-white photograph illustrating the ceremony can be found at Wat Suthat's ticket counter nearby.

Constructed toward the end of the 18th century by King Rama I, the swing was later damaged by lightning during the reign of Rama II. In 1920, it was renovated and moved to its current location in front of Wat Suthat. However, there were so many injuries and even accidental deaths that the ceremonies were discontinued for good by the end of the 1930s. In 2007, the Giant Swing was replaced with the current model.

Situated to the west of Bangkok in Samut Songkhram, the Maeklong Railway Market is one of the most unusual markets in Thailand. At first glance it almost seems like any other local market, with vendors selling fresh vegetables, colorful fruit, and other foodstuff from tiny shops lining a narrow lane.

However, all is not quite as it seems at the Maeklong Railway Market. At regular intervals throughout the day, a loud train siren will sound and in a matter of moments, the shop owners will scoop up any stray produce, use long poles to hold up their awnings, and casually make way for the huge passenger train that chugs directly through the market!

Once the train has disappeared, the vendors will place their awnings back into position and the market will continue as usual. This occurs at the Maeklong Railway Market up to eight times a day, each and every day.

A major destination among travelers in Bangkok, The Marble Palace is aptly named for its design, which is entirely made from Italian marble. Completed in 1911, the temple is the home of the golden Buddhist statue called Phra Buddhajinaraja and is still a live shrine, often filled with patrons who make offerings or light candles inside.

Buried beneath the statue is said to be the ashes of King Chulalongkorn and outside the main shrine in the gallery are more than 50 statues of Buddha depicted by several different cultures and variations of Buddhism in the region.

Located near to the Dusit Palace, the spacious complex on Si Ayudhya Road is built on the site of an older temple and was once used as the headquarters of Thai troops fighting against the Laotian army.

This bustling local gem is the largest fresh food market in Bangkok, with stalls selling produce straight from rural farms, raw meat and seafood direct from the nearby fishing port. Khlong Toey is particularly crowded in early mornings, when locals arrive in search of the best fare but despite long lines the vibe is still pretty relaxed.

While travelers can find random items like batteries and electronics, the real draw here is food. Come prepared to sample fruits and vegetables straight from market shelves, or to tuck into steaming hot plates of green curry at one of the mom and pop breakfast and lunch stalls.

A top destination for visitors in Bangkok, the Jim Thompson House is a museum dedicate to the 20th century American businessman Jim Thompson, who almost single handedly reinvented the Thai silk trade. Housed in the former home of Mr. Thompson, the museum contains art he obtained while traveling in the region as well as very informative demonstrations showing the entire process of making silk, from how the silkworms are raised through to the production process.

The house is made up of six traditional Thai-style homes that were purchased one by one and formed into an elaborate mansion-like complex that includes a drawing room, painting pavilion, library, study and silk pavilion. Certainly a fan-favorite, the gift shop contains loads of great silk products as well as books and paintings showcasing the life of Jim Thompson.