By rail
Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue), the hub for long-distance trains
Southeast Asia · Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand
Golden temples, river ferries and street food at every hour
Getting there
By air
Suvarnabhumi (BKK), ~30 km east of the centre; Don Mueang (DMK) for budget airlines
Best time to visit
November to February — cooler and dry
Don't miss
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Pho's reclining Buddha
Wat Arun at sunset
Jim Thompson House
Things to do
Chao Phraya river ferries
A longtail ride through the Thonburi canals
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Rooftop evenings
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Preecha.MJ · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Light cottons, a scarf or shawl for temple visits, comfortable sandals
A quieter corner
Bang Krachao, the green 'lung' across the river, best explored by bicycle
Questions travellers ask
When's the best time to visit Bangkok?
November to February, when the city is cooler and dry. Pack light cottons, comfortable sandals and a scarf or shawl for temple visits.
Which airport should I fly into for Bangkok?
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is about 30 km east of the centre, while budget airlines use Don Mueang (DMK). Arriving by rail? Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue) is the hub for long-distance trains.
Where should I go for street food in Bangkok?
Street food at night in Yaowarat (Chinatown), boat noodles near Victory Monument, and mango sticky rice at Or Tor Kor market.
Is there a quieter, greener side to Bangkok?
Yes: Bang Krachao, the green 'lung' across the river. It's best explored by bicycle.
About Bangkok
- Riverside
Where it is
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, spread across the low, flat delta of the Chao Phraya River in the country's central plain, just north of the Gulf of Thailand.
History
Bangkok began as a small trading port on the Chao Phraya during the Ayutthaya kingdom. After Ayutthaya fell in 1767, King Taksin ruled from Thonburi on the west bank, and in 1782 King Rama I, founder of the Chakri dynasty, built a new capital on the east bank around the Grand Palace. It grew through the 19th and 20th centuries into the country's political, commercial and cultural centre.
People
Bangkok's people speak Central Thai, and the city draws migrants from every province, especially the north-east (Isan), alongside a long-established Thai Chinese community centred on Yaowarat, its Chinatown. Songkran, the Thai New Year in April, and Loy Krathong fill the streets and waterways.
Known for
- The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Pho's reclining Buddha and Wat Arun
- Street food and night markets
- Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Canal trips through Thonburi
Did you know?
Thais call their capital Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, the opening words of a much longer ceremonial name that Guinness World Records lists as the longest place name in the world.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.