Bangkok, Thailand's capital and a city that never sleeps, is a contemporary mash-up of diverse cultures and religions. Temples and monasteries coexist peacefully here close to imposing skyscrapers. Street bazaars and floating markets compete with upscale malls and shopping centers. Thai and international cuisines are exhibited in all their splendor on the streets and in rooftop eateries. On the one hand, Bangkok's nightlife is centered on glitzy nightclubs, rooftop and go-go bars, vibrant neon light signs, and inexpensive cocktails. On the other hand, it also offers cabaret performances, Muay Thai and dance displays, and even guided cultural walks.

By Air

With two airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Bangkok has excellent air service to the rest of the world. The Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is connected to the city by buses, taxis, and Airport Rail Link, a high-speed rail service into downtown Bangkok, is where the majority of domestic and international airlines are based.

By Rail

Bangkok has good train connections to other parts of Thailand as well as to nearby nations like Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos. The Hua Lamphong Railway Station, where trains from neighboring nations and other regions of Thailand run, is Bangkok's primary train station. For local or close travel, there is the Thonburi Train Station (formerly known as Bangkok Noi Station).

By Bus

In Bangkok, buses run to and from neighboring countries as well as Pattaya, Krabi, Phuket, and Koh Samui in Thailand. The Northern Bus Terminal, also known as Mo Chit, the Eastern Bus Terminal, popularly known as Ekkamai, and the Southern Bus Terminal, commonly known as Sai Tai, are the three main bus terminals in Bangkok.

Things to do and places to see

Visit the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace, where royals have lived for many decades, is the ideal starting point for your historical tour of Bangkok. It is home to Wat Phra Kaew, one of the most revered Buddhist temples, which was constructed in 1782.

The Palace, formerly the monarchy of Thailand's official residence, is arranged in a rectangular area. The Grand Palace, which is frequently misunderstood to be a single edifice, is actually a collection of several structures, halls, pavilion sets, grounds, lawns, and courtyards. The Palace is utilized for numerous major events and state functions in addition to serving as the official ceremonial palace of Thailand's queen, which adds to its attraction.

Shop at the Chatuchak Weekend Market

A 35-acre market with more than 8,000 stalls, Chatuchak is the largest market in Bangkok and one of the biggest in the world. This place sells a wide variety of unique gifts, including clothing, accessories, handicrafts, furniture, art, food, literature, and antiques. To improve your shopping experience at this busy market, be prepared to bargain.

One of the biggest outdoor markets in the world is Chatuchak Market, also referred to as Jatujak or ‘JJ’ market by locals. Due to the widest selection of products, it has tremendous popularity among both tourists and residents. Since 1942, this Bangkok weekend market has been operating.

Witness the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

The area to the south of the Grand Palace, is the well-known temple known as Wat Pho. It is well known for serving as the center for the dissemination and conservation of traditional Thai medicine. The enormous reclining Buddha inside the temple draws most visitors, earning the name ‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha’ for the building.

King Rama I erected the Buddhist temple Wat Pho, also known as Wat Chetuphon, which spans an enormous 8-hectare area. When King Rama III built Wat Pho centuries ago, it was a place of healing. The temple, which was formerly known as Thailand's first university, is still revered as a haven of healing.

Go boating on the Chao Phraya River

Thailand's main river and waterway is the Chao Phraya River, also known as the river of kings. The key factors influencing the choice of Thailand's capitals in the past were the lush plains and the river's huge fish population.

The boat rides, which are used by thousands of people each day to commute from their homes to work, are highly well-liked among tourists. It offers the possibility to visit some of Bangkok's most well-known tourist attractions, like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, etc. Visitors can choose between cheap, enjoyable rides on the ferries, which run frequently during the day, and opulent meals and romantic cruises on large ships, which promise a rich, authentic Thai cultural experience, at night.

Explore sea life at Bangkok Ocean World

Under the Siam Paragon shopping center in the city's center, there is an aquarium called Sea Life Bangkok. The largest aquarium in South-East Asia, Sea Life Bangkok is spread out over 110,000 square feet. The aquarium is home to a variety of marine life that has been brought back from the most remote regions of the globe, including fish, sharks, crabs, penguins, and octopus species.

Visitors to Sea Life Bangkok can see a variety of marine animals in themed areas such as Rocky Hideout, Shark Walk, Coral Reef, and the Seahorse Kingdom. Through its Aquatic Quarantine and Nursery Center, the aquarium also offers visitors the chance to participate in a live ocean experience.

Where to stay

Siam Square

The markets, shopping, and easy access to the Skytrain are all fantastic in the Siam Square/Sukhumvit neighborhood. It is home to many of Bangkok's best and largest malls. Both locations have good Skytrain and metro connections to the rest of Bangkok.

Khao San

The Khao San district has historically been a haven for backpackers, but there are many things to do there as well as several excellent mid-range hotels. It's one of the more affordable neighborhoods in the city and is close to a lot of cultural sites. The main disadvantage is that there isn't a Skytrain station nearby, so getting anywhere will require using a cab, tuk-tuk, or bus, which can be slow in Bangkok's crazy traffic.

Old Town

A historic district, Bangkok Old Town (also known as Rattanakosin), is surrounded by the Chao Phraya River and canals that once served as the old city's moats. Numerous Buddhist temples, castles, monuments, and museums can be found nearby. Due to its tiny size, the Old City is a great place to explore on foot.

Best time to visit

Bangkok's best months for weather are November through February. These are the cool months when walking around the city won't make you sweat. The temperature has been known to drop to roughly 22 degrees Celsius during the evenings during this time of year.