Sawadee ka! Welcome to our guide to the best things to do in Bangkok. This city in Thailand is such a sensational destination. The country may not be as rich as those like South Korea, but it is brimming with pride and honor, especially with its cities like Bangkok. Bangkok is a city where the familiar and the exotic collide in fantastic harmony.

Embark on a journey around Bangkok, the heart of Southeast Asia. Discover the many things to do in Bangkok, from stepping into marvelous temples to bargaining at its bustling markets, and more. Bangkok offers every traveler a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and flavors that will take your breath away.

Enjoy These Best Things To Do In Bangkok, Thailand

If you are traveling to this city, you need activities to do to keep you busy, right? So here are some of the best things to do in Bangkok. 

1. Unravel The Beauty Of Grand Palace

The Grand Palace in Bangkok is one of the most beautiful places anywhere in the world. So, why don’t you unravel its beauty yourself? The first of the things to do in Bangkok is, of course, visiting the Grand Palace. 

This place is a former royal residence in Bangkok consecrated in the 18th century, and once served as the residence of various Thai kings and their royal courts. Today, the Grand Palace is only being used during ceremonial occasions, but on normal days, tourists flock here. It is also a pilgrimage site for devout Buddhists. 

If you’ll venture into the palace’s walls, you’ll find numerous ornate structures that mix both European and Thai architectures. Inside, you’ll also find the Wat Phra Kaew temple, housing a sacred emerald Buddha statue. Just be sure to dress appropriately when visiting the Grand Palace. 

2. Explore The City On A Tuk Tuk, Thailand’s Open-Air Taxis

No visit to Thailand will be complete without riding the tuk tuk, the country’s open-air taxis, and many of them ply the streets of the capital. As much as Bangkok is the perfect place to start your Thailand journey, one of the best experiences to start with while you’re here is riding the tuk tuk. This is definitely one of the most exciting things to do in Bangkok. 

A tuk tuk is a motorized three-wheeled rickshaw ferrying passengers around Bangkok and various other places in Thailand. It is named such because of the sound its engine makes. Historically speaking, it has been used as a cab in Bangkok since the Second World War.

The fare of a tuk tuk varies, but beware of being duped into paying more. Tuk tuks cost around the same as a taxi, except that they don’t have a meter. Be sure to negotiate the rate before riding this open-air taxi. Enjoy.

3. Meet The Reclining Buddha In Wat Pho

You may have seen numerous Buddha statues, but how about a reclining Buddha that appears like it is about to lie down and sleep? You can find this in Wat Pho. Wat Pho is a Buddhist temple complex which has been the home of the gold-plated “Reclining Buddha.” It is not only magnificent, it’s pretty huge too. 

This Buddha statue measures 151 feet long and 50 meters tall, making it the largest reclining Buddha statue all over Thailand. Plus, this place also houses the most Buddhas in the country – 394 Buddhas all in all spread out across the site’s different chapels. 

Plus, another of the best things to do in Bangkok while you are here is that you can also get a massage within the temple grounds, believe it or not. This is since Wat Pho is also an education center that teaches traditional medicine and massage therapy, aside from being just a place of worship.

Welcome to our “things to do in Bangkok” article. Before you keep reading, you might want to check out more stories about Thailand: 8 Best Photo Spots In Chiang Mai, Thailand + Seasonal Festivals

4. Withstand The Noise At Khaosan Road

Khaosan Road is one of the places tourists love when visiting Bangkok – and it is also one of the noisiest, if not the noisiest. In fact, authorities have told bars here to keep their noise levels down, as sometimes, they become unpleasant to the ears. But speaking of fun, you get all the fun here. 

There are so many things to do in Bangkok while you’re here at Khaosan Road. It is jam-packed with the most raucous bars and restaurants, as well as hostels. Here, you can try exotic street foods like scorpions on a stick (like seriously), watch erotic shows, get a foot massage, and have yourself inked with a tattoo as a souvenir for your Bangkok trip.

5. Indulge In The Best Of Thai Street Food

Speaking of street food, Khaosan Road is not the only place where you can try them. Actually, they’re pretty much scattered around the city, and if you are looking to save money while satisfying your stomachs, this is the way to go. 

From Thai-style fried noodles, dumplings in a wide range of flavors, platters of uber-spicy curries, jasmine rice, meaty skewers, sizzling barbecues, deep-fried desserts, to fresh fruits, the choices will be endless. 

Street food stalls in Bangkok are almost everywhere. They fill the city air with the aromas of lemongrass, chili, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal, a spice that will remind you of ginger. Here’s a trivia: authorities have cracked down some of these stalls, especially the informal food markets, but still, nothing will stop them and they continue to thrive until today. Definitely one of the must-try things to do in Bangkok.

6. Take Part In Thailand’s Most Famous Events – Right Here In Bangkok

You know about Holi, that Indian festival where they throw out colorful powders. In Thailand, the medium is water for a festival known as Songkran in Thailand. 

Songkran is a festival that celebrates the traditional Thai New Year. It is usually held in April of every year, and marked by the throwing and sprinkling of water. 

Another event that’s famous anywhere in Thailand is the Loy Krathong, or the Thai festival of lights and lanterns. 

The evening when Loy Krathong is celebrated is one of the most picturesque festivals in Thailand. People gather around lakes and rivers to pay respects to the water goddess by releasing beautiful lotus-shaped rafts decorated with candles, incense, and flowers onto the water. 

Then, there’s also a version of this where lanterns are released to the skies, the Yee Peng lantern festival. You may have seen images of this around. While Loy Krathong and Yee Peng are more widely celebrated in northern Thailand, you can still find these in Bangkok. Be sure to participate in these Thai events.

Loving this “things to do in Bangkok” guide so far? We have more stories about Thailand on our blog: The 10 Best Photo Spots In Thailand

7. Shop And Experience Luxury At ICONSIAM

If you are in search of things to do in Bangkok where you can shop and experience luxuriously, the place to be is at ICONSIAM. ICONSIAM is actually a mixed-use development situated on the banks of the mighty Chao Phraya River in this Thai city. It includes a large shopping mall, as well as residences and hotels. 

ICONSIAM is impressive because it houses over 7,000 shops and 100 restaurants. Some of the stores here include Uniqlo, Gucci, Coach, Longchamp, Adidas, Apple, and many more.

Plus, ICONSIAM also usually hosts the New Year celebration where there are fireworks and performances of Thailand’s most prominent celebrities. 

8. Bond With Elephants

There are three species of elephants in Thailand: two African species and the Asian elephant. Elephants are very important animals in this Southeast Asian country. Why not? Elephants are the national animal of Thailand, representing strength, longevity, and loyalty. Here’s a fun fact: many Thais believe that walking under an elephant will bring good luck. So, why don’t you try for yourself? This is one of the things to do in Bangkok that you will never forget. 

One of the most popular places where you can bond with elephants in Thailand is at Elephants World Sanctuary Park, where you can feed, bathe, and play with these creatures. The place also teaches about the importance of protecting these elephants. 

But, Elephants World Sanctuary may be a little too far from Bangkok, not good for those who have limited time in the city. Fortunately, there are other elephant sanctuaries near Bangkok where you can also bond with these elephants. These include Samphran Elephant Garden, Baanchang Elephant Park, and Elephant Haven.

9. Buy Fresh Fruits At The Floating Market

If you have a penchant for shopping and more shopping, Thailand is the place to be. Does traditional shopping bore you? Here, you’re in for a treat. Have you ever tried buying fruits while on a boat at a floating market?

Floating markets in Bangkok are regarded as the city’s must-visit attractions. They’re a celebrity here. Almost every traveler would make it a point to visit a floating market while they’re in Bangkok. The colors, flavors, and atmosphere, not to mention the chaos, make this one of the most precious things to do in Bangkok.

Floating markets became the hubs of various communities in Thailand’s central plain for centuries. Particularly, during Thailand’s Ayutthaya Period, from the 14th to 18th centuries, the existence of several connected canals that were suitable for trading helped these floating markets gain their popularity. 

Today, some of the goods you can buy at a floating market are fresh fruits, boat noodles, coconut ice cream and pancakes, and mango sticky rice.

Can’t get enough of this “things to do in Bangkok” piece? We have more guides of this kind. Head over to this link.

10. More Shopping At Chatuchak Weekend Market

If you can’t get enough of the shopping experiences presented so far on this list, there are certainly more, specifically at the vast Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is possibly the largest open-air marketplace all across Asia.

If you’re willing to burn more baht, this is one of the things to do in Bangkok that you should try. Rows of pavilions, each housing hundreds of shops and stalls, are neatly organized in sections underneath canopies that provide them a shade. Here, you can find products such as clothing, shoes, kitchenware, glassware, handicrafts, home décor, antiques, and even live pets. They got it all for you here. 

11. Treat Your Kids To A One-Of-A-Kind Experience At SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

Are you traveling with kids in Bangkok? Perhaps they won’t have that perfect patience to stand the crowd in the city’s night markets, or stand the heat of the sun when visiting the temples and palaces. So, why don’t you show them they can own the experience during your trip? One of the best places that kids will love and appreciate is SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World.

Located in the basement of Siam Paragon mall, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World is touted as one of the biggest aquariums in Southeast Asia. It showcases more than 400 sea species and 30,000 fish. 

Some of the best things to do in Bangkok while you’re here include walking above an aquarium of sharks, walking through an underwater tunnel, getting up close with penguins, riding a glass-bottom boat, and swimming with sharks. Every family visiting Bangkok will love this.

We hate to say this, but we’re soon about to end this “things to do in Bangkok” list. But don’t worry, we have more on our website.

Things To Do In Bangkok: Best Restaurants To Dine At

Thailand’s culinary scene is so fun that you wouldn’t want to go back to your home country. It is renowned everywhere for its intricate preparations and a wide range of dishes. Thai cuisine is characterized by the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, sour, and spicy flavors. Some of the most famous Thai dishes are the pad thai or stir-fried noodles, tom yum goong or hot and sour shrimp soup, and khao pad or Thai fried rice, and there are definitely more. 

So where should you bring your feet to when you want to try all these dishes? Here are some of the best restaurants to dine at while you’re in Bangkok. Make the most out of the best things to do in Bangkok.

• Rongros 
• Somtum Der
• Madam Somtum
• Baan Kuay Tiew Ruathong
• Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu
• Original Pad Kra Pao 1993
• Krob Kun
• This is Basil

Sawadee Ka!

With no question, Bangkok is truly a sight to behold. This Thai city is just a sensation for many travelers. With so many things to do in Bangkok, there are activities in every corner. 

Whether you’re venturing into the city’s beautiful temples, indulging in its mouth-watering street food, or shopping at the energetic markets, Bangkok is a playground for every traveler. From dawn to dusk, Bangkok will introduce you to what it really is. 

That wraps up this guide to the things to do in Bangkok. Kapunkap!

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