Bangkok

Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall

SUPPORT Museum

Built in 1904, this beautiful hall used to be used for royal meetings and banquets. Its exterior is unique as it is clearly a mix of Victorian and Islamic influences. Home to the largest part of HM Queen Sirikit's SUPPORT Museum, it exhibits a collection of handicraft masterpieces created by skillful people from the countryside. Some of the items on display are handbags, baskets, pots, jewellery, figurines, and silk, all created using traditional techniques. HM Queen Sirikit set up this foundation to preserve and revitalise these traditional Thai handicrafts and techniques, as demand for them has significantly decreased in modern Thai society.

Adhere the 13th

A small blues bar. There is always a band playing on the live stage, so visiting this one is an absolute must if you're into blues. But even for those not into it, the intimate atmosphere and tight spaces are an interesting experience for everyone.

18:00-00:00 daily

Airplane Graveyard Bangkok

An abandoned junk yard with a few dismembered aircraft - a relatively interesting photographic site, without any guide though. IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of January 2024, the plane wreckages are no longer there. They were moved elsewhere, and construction are going on. Confirmed by Google Maps Street View.

All Seasons Place

ออสซีซั่น เพลส

Another elegant and large shopping centre. Four floors of the usual clothing boutiques, department stores, jewellers and antique shops. The food court on the second floor is good value

09:00-18:00 daily

Amarin Plaza

อัมรินทร์พลาซ่า

This impressive colonial-style shopping centre has five floors of high-end stores, selling fashion, furniture, jewellery, electronics, books and handicrafts. The fourth floor has a good food court, and even a spa, health centre and yoga studio.

09:00-21:00 daily

Amorosa Bar and The Deck

Tourist flock to the rooftop bar Amorosa for its spectacular sunset views of Wat Arun. Get there early, as there are only 20 seats in the house and you can forget a seat after 18:00. The view comes at a price, expect to pay Western rates for alcoholic drinks. Downstairs is The Deck, a restaurant serving Thai and European food, also with a view of the temple. It is recommended to make a reservation if you want to have dinner here.

Amorosa 17:30-01:00 daily, The Deck Mon-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sun 11:00-23:00·Mains 200-500 baht

Amulet Market at Wat Mahathat

ตลาดเช่าพระ วัดมหาธาตุ

Right beside the Chao Phraya River is the amulet market, an indoor warren of alleys with dozens of vendors selling amulets, charms, talismans and other religious objects. They come in all shapes and sizes, and represent various Hindu or Buddhist deities. The amulets ward off evil spirits or bring good luck and fortune. Each amulet gives a specific kind of luck, so inquire with the vendor. You can get one for as cheap as 5 baht. Better looking ones cost around 20-100 baht, or as much as you want to spend on it. More amulets can be bought at the street market at Maha Rat Road, where many sellers line up along the pavement. There are also many traditional medicine shops along this road.

09:00-17:00 daily

Amulet Market at Wat Ratchanaddaram

Probably the largest religious market of Bangkok with more than one hundred stalls selling everything a good Buddhist would need. You can find thousands of tiny Buddha images here, as well as Hindu figures, in all colours, shapes and sizes. Prices are generally higher than the Amulet Market at Wat Mahathat, but so is quality.

10:00-17:00 daily

Anantara Cruises

Chao Phraya River cruise. They offer Private/shared cruises, two staterooms with private en-suite bathrooms. Departs on Mondays and Thursdays.

Starting from 32,000 baht

Aquatini Bar & Restaurant

ร้านอาหาร อควาตินี่ บาร์

Part of the Navalai River Resort, this luxury restaurant with Thai and Western dishes has river views over the Chao Phraya River. The interior of the indoor bar has random postmodern touches. It's best to stick to outdoors though, as the deck gives the best views. The breeze, trees and light music make the ambience chilled out. Mostly foreigners visit this place, and the staff make it feel a bit like being inside a resort (well, which you are). The kitchen sure knows how to keep their dishes true to the Thai tongue, though. Try the tom kha kai — it's whiter than white.

06:30-01:00 daily·300-400 baht

Art Centre Silpakorn University

The exhibitions on show here are created by art students, teachers and university artists from Silpakorn University, the country's first art school. The exhibitions change often, and the only way to find out what's on is by walking in. Sometimes the art centre is closed when the building is used for university meetings and summits.

Mon-Fri 09:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-16:00·Free

Asia Books

Every nook and cranny is packed with books in this Sukhumvit branch of Bangkok's oldest English-language bookstore. It remains a good source of maps and books on Thailand and Southeast Asia although the original shop has grown to a chain that seems to have an outlet in every big shopping mall in addition to online sales.

Mon-Fri 09:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 08:00-20:00

Asiatique The Riverfront

A newly opened night market and shopping mall. Already among the best areas in Bangkok to go shopping, as it's not too crowded, there is a lot of variety and it has a good mix of foreign visitors and locals. The area is huge and divided in four "districts": the Chareonkrung district for over 1000 small boutiques, the Factory district for upscale clothing and gadgets, the Waterfront district for restaurants and the Town district for bars and outdoor events. It also hosts the Calypso Cabaret and the Joe Louis Theatre. Once this area was an international trading quarter, and Asiatique takes pride in it by having an overdone 1900s theme.

Daily 17:00-00:00

Assumption Cathedral

อาสนวิหารอัสสัมชัญ

The Assumption Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of Bangkok. The original building at this place was the brainchild of French missionary Father Pascal in 1809, and completed in 1821. Throughout the second part of the 19th century, the area surrounding the church played an important role for French Christian missionaries arriving in Bangkok. It is near the Oriental Hotel and the French Embassy in an area that still captures somewhat of its French history. The current church dates from the 1910s, when the building was completely reconstructed in a Romanesque style. It was heavily damaged by bombing in World War II, but was restored after extensive repairs. Its rectangular structure and red brick exterior makes it stand out from the dull white surroundings. Its interior is spacious with a high ornate ceiling. Pope John Paul II visited the church in 1984, showing the prominence of the church in the Roman Catholic community of Thailand. The only religious service in English is held Sundays at 10:00.

Daily·Free

BODY Tune

Well-respected small chain offering excellent traditional Thai massages.

Daily 10:00-00:00·350 baht/hr

Baan Khanitha

The entrance lined with thousands of fairy lights sets a nice atmosphere for what is inside. There is an excellent menu of traditional Thai food that is either served inside or out in a small garden courtyard. They also have an excellent wine cellar.

Daily 11:00-23:00·1,000-1,500 baht

Baiyoke Tower II Observatory and Revolving Roofdeck

ตึกใบหยก 2

Standing tall, the mainly residential-purposed Baiyoke Tower II was the tallest building in Thailand from its completion in 1997 until it was surpassed by the MahaNakhon near Silom Road in 2016. There's an observatory behind a huge window at the 77th floor and a revolving roofdeck outside at the 84th floor. The revolving roofdeck is practical for viewing different parts of the city, but not so handy if you're trying to make some quality pictures of the city's skyline. It is best to visit just before dusk and watch the sun go down from the tower. Afterwards, you can visit the Rooftop Bar at the 83rd floor, which has a very romantic atmosphere and can best be recommended for couples or those in love. You can sit beside a huge window that gives a good view over the city, and professional bands perform nightly. Be early as the seats fill up quickly after dark.

Mon-Fri 10:30-01:00, Sat Sun 09:30-01:00·200 baht, includes one (alcoholic) drink and popcorn

Bamboo Bar

Jazz lovers will want to stop by the Oriental's famous bar, which is surprisingly small and intimate, for classy colonial surroundings, live music and a Cuban cigar. Dress code applies: no shorts, sleeveless shirts, slippers or sandals.

Fri Sat 11:00-02:00, Sun-Thu 11:00-01:00

Bamii Zap 2

แสบX2

Popular for wonton noodles and wonton soup. The whole place is air-conditioned, which is a relief after long shopping days in the Pratunam Market. Try the braised pork trotters.

Daily 09:30-17:30·60 baht

Bamrung Muang Stores

The road along Wat Suthat has plenty of stores selling religious items. Awesome human-sized Buddha images are on sale here, but don't even think about bringing those on the plane. You can also get item-filled buckets here to donate to monks. These buckets contain daily necessities monks might need, such as soap, toothpaste, candles, etc. Be careful when shopping here as the road is lacking a pavement in some areas.

Ban Mo

บ้านหม้อ

Hundreds of shops selling electronics and home appliances. There are numerous repair shops and replacement parts on sale. Counterfeit and pornographic CDs and DVDs galore. There are few foreigners here, most visitors are Thai males looking for cheap electronics and spare parts.

09:00-17:00 daily

Banana Bar On 4

This is more of a groovy club than a Spanish snack joint, with two stylishly decorated floors and a peoplewatching terrace. The music is house with a Latin twist. It is popular among hip straight people, and sometimes even local celebrities can be seen.

20:00-02:00 daily·100 baht

Bang Rak Market

ตลาดบางรัก

A beacon of cheapness among the luxurious hotels in Bang Rak, this is essentially a flower market. There are flowers on sale for all occasions and for every budget, including wholesale prices. There's especially a large supply of orchids and cut flowers. If you're hungry, there's an ample supply of meat, seafood and fruit. Also the usual clothing stalls available.

Daily 06:00-21:00

Bang Ramat Market

A local outdoor marketplace filled with food, refreshments, clothing, souvenirs and miscellaneous items by various independent local vendors. The market has a variety of clothes for sale, including new, used, Western and Eastern style clothes. Also for sale are CDs/DVDs/VCDs, children's toys, phone accessories, purses, weapons (handguns, hunting knives, ammunition), toiletries, ceremonial gifts, souvenirs and other small accessories. Children can go to the large inflatable playpen. It is popular and well-known by locals, but barely-known or visited by tourists. It is best to visit the market in the middle of the afternoon when it is most lively.

afternoon-evening daily

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

หอศิลปวัฒนธรรมแห่งกรุงเทพมหานคร

Visitors can interact with different kinds of arts, such as performance arts, music, painting and film, in various ways. On display are more than 300 works by Thai and international artists. Some of the temporary exhibitions can be good.

Tue-Sun 10:00-22:00·Free

Bangkok Bank Building

ธนาคารกรุงเทพ

Opposite the Tang To Kang gold shop, and quite similar to it, the Bangkok Bank Building is one of Bangkok's oldest commercial buildings. The exterior is an example of classic early Rattanakosin-style with clear European influences. The interior is heavy with hardwood panelling.

Bangkok Bar

บางกอก บาร์

Bangkok Bar is a popular bar with local Thais. Live performances are given. Thursdays are busy, Fridays and Saturdays very crowded. A Chang beer is 70 baht, but the locals seem to drink bottles of scotch or cocktails.

18:00-01:00 daily

Bangkok Dolls Museum

บ้านบางกอกดอลส์และตุ๊กตานานาชาติ

This museum was established by Khunying Tongkorn Chandavimol in 1956 after completing a course on doll making at the Osawa Doll School in Tokyo. Her intention with this project was to establish a workshop where hand-made dolls could be created using local materials, and to establish a museum that would promote the Thai doll industry. A part of the workshop is devoted to a private collection of about 400 dolls from around the world. These can be grouped in several categories, including Khon dolls, hill tribe dolls, Thai rural dolls and Khon mask miniatures. Dolls are sold at reasonable prices. Visiting takes you to a very local community slumbering between elevated expressways.

Mon-Sat 08:00-17:00·Free

Bangkok Noi Museum

พิพิธภัณฑ์เขตบางกอกน้อย

This museum is about the history of Bangkok Noi and of the village of "Bangkok" that used to be located here. Bangkok Noi was an important trading centre in the Ayutthaya Period, and briefly the capital of Siam in the Thonburi Period. The Rattanakosin Period has also been covered, when most of Bangkok Noi consisted of fruit orchards. Many people worked as craftsmen, including those making bronze bowls. These fruits and bowls are on display in the museum. Over time, Thonburi became more urbanised, but here you can still see what it used to be like.

Wed-Sun 09:00-16:00·Free

Bangkok Sea Life Ocean World

สยามโอเชี่ยนเวิลด์

The largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, exhibiting over 30,000 marine animals from all over the world and featuring a wide range of rare and exotic species. The area of the aquarium spans over 10,000 sq m, as wide as two football fields. The aquarium also offers a "dive with the sharks" package where you can scuba dive in the oceanarium side by side with sharks and rays, plus a "5D Cinema EXTREME" with specially rigged seats to add a kick to the typical 3D film experience.

09:00-22:00 daily·900 baht