Bangkok: attractions

Ten top sights

Wat Pra Kaew and Grand Palace Complex

The royal complex, located on Ko Ratanakosin, an artificial island by the Chao Praya River, includes Wat Phra Kaew (1) – the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The sacred statue itself is housed in a richly decorated hall while the temple walls are covered with exquisite murals of the Ramakien, Thailand’s interpretation of the Ramayana. The Grand Palace, a curious blend of Italian Renaissance and Thai architecture, was designed by British architects in 1882. Visitors must be covered up.

Contact: 00 66 2 2241833.
Opening hours: Daily, 8.30am-3.30pm.
Admission: 350 baht (£7), including entry to Dusit Palace Park.
Transport: Tha Chang pier or taxi.
Wat Po
Home to a 150ft-long reclining Buddha, Wat Po (2) also houses the largest collection of Buddha images in the country. Traditional massages offered here are highly recommended, and visitors who want to learn about Thai massage should begin here.
Contact: 00 66 2 2219911.
Opening hours: Daily, 8am-5pm.
Admission: 50 baht (£1).
Transport: Tha Thien pier or taxi.

Wat Po is home to a 150ft-long reclining Buddha

National Museum
The country’s largest museum (3), on Na Phra That Road, offers exhibitions illustrating Thai history, plus collections of Buddha images, textiles, ceramics, musical instruments and weapons. The guided tours (in English, 9.30am Wed-Thur) are recommended.
Contact: 00 66 2 2241333.
Opening hours: Wed-Sun, 9am-3.30 pm .
Admission: 200 baht (£4).
Transport: Tha Chang pier or taxi.
Dusit Palace Park
This park (4) contains various palaces and museums, including the attractive Vimarnmaek Teak Mansion (compulsory tours in English every 30 minutes, 9.30am-3pm) – the world’s largest teak building, apparently, containing a vast collection of royal antiques. Visitors must be covered up.
Location: Ratchawithi/Ratchasima Road.
Contact: 00 66 2 6286300.
Opening hours: Daily, 9.30am-4pm.
Admission: Adult 100 baht (£2), child 50 baht (£1); free with same-day Grand Palace ticket.
Transport: Taxi.
Wat Aroon
The spectacular 19th-century Temple of Dawn (5) rises on the western bank of the Chao Praya, its main tower covered with impressive mosaics made from shards of Chinese porcelain.
Location: Arun Amarin Road, Thonburi district.
Contact: 00 6 2 8911149.
Opening hours: Daily, 9am-5pm.
Admission: 20 baht (about 40p).
Transport: Tha Thai Wang pier.
Wat Traimit, Chinatown
Bangkok’s Chinatown (6) was founded in 1782 and is a warren of narrow alleys, incredibly congested roads and street markets. Wat Traimit contains a 10ft-tall solid gold Buddha. Pahurat, to the south-east of Chinatown, is Bangkok’s lively Indian community.
Location: Wat Traimit – Yaowarat Road.
Contact: 00 66 2 2259775.
Opening hours: Daily, 9am-5pm.
Admission: 20 baht (about 40p).
Transport: MRT Hualamphong, or taxi.
Lumphini Park
Named after the Buddha’s birthplace, Central Bangkok’s only spot of green (7) offers an artificial lake and well-kept lawns. Early in the morning, locals practice t’ai chi, while in the late afternoons aerobics classes shatter the peace; prostitutes take over at nightfall.
Location: Rama IV, Wireless and Ratchadamri Road.
Opening hours: Daily, 5am-8pm.
Admission: Free.
Transport: MRT Lumphini, BTS Sala Daeng.

Lumphini Park, central Bangkok’s only spot of green

Jim Thompson’s House
These traditional wooden Thai houses (8), in a wonderful garden compound, were once the home of Thompson – the US spy and founder of the Thai silk industry, who mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. The main house contains a collection of antiques and personal belongings (compulsory tours in English every 10 minutes).
Location: 6 Soi Kasem San 2.
Contact: 00 66 2 2167368.
Opening hours: Daily, 9am-5pm.
Admission: Adult 100 baht (£2), child 50 baht (£1).
Transport: BTS National Stadium.
Mahariamman Temple
Impressive southern Indian-style temple (9) built in the 1860s, open to non-Hindus. The nearby Kathmandu Gallery on Pan Road features regular photo exhibitions.
Location: Corner of Silom Road and Pan Road.
Opening hours: Daily, 6am-8pm.
Admission: Free.
Transport: BTS Surasak.
Tha Pra Chan
This sprawling riverside market (10) sells religious amulets and carvings, including wooden phallic fertility symbols and a huge variety of brass figures. Several small restaurants with river views offer good local fare.
Location: Maharat Road.
Opening hours: Daily, 9am-5pm.~
Admission: Free.
Transport: Tha Chang pier.

Day trips

Ko Kret – an island in the sun
Visitors looking for respite from urban congestion will find a perfect getaway along the Chao Praya River, an hour north of the city. The artificial island of Ko Kret is home to the Mon, a minority specialising in pottery production. Numerous workshops can be found on this traffic-free speck of green. At weekends, Ko Kret is popular with Thai day-trippers and countless food and souvenir stalls open along the narrow paths that crisscross the island.
Admission: Free.
Transport: On weekdays, take a taxi to Pak Kret, then the cross-river ferry. On Saturdays and Sundays, Chao Praya Express (00 66 2 6236001, www.chaoprayaboat.co.th) operates ferries from Tha Sathon pier, 10am-4.45pm. Adult fare 300 baht (£6), child 250 baht (£5).
Taling Chan Floating Market
Bangkok’s floating markets – a network of canals teeming with small samphans, (narrow rowing boats), whose owners sell noodles, fruit and many Thai snacks – have long been a highlight on tourist itineraries. Taling Chan, about nine miles north-west of Bangkok, is one of the most accessible. Restaurants and shops line the canal banks. Location: Klong Chak Phra, Thonburi district.
Admission: Free.
Opening hours: Sat-Sun, 8am-5pm.
Transport: Taxi.