A short history of Bangkok
Wat Arun · Photo: Diliff, CC BY 2.5As you walk along the white walls of the Grand Palace, the river slides past and the tower of Wat Arun rises on the far bank. Behind this view is a story of moving house. The old capital, Ayutthaya, was destroyed by a Burmese army in 1767, and the capital first moved to Thonburi on the west bank.
In 1782 King Rama I moved it across the river to today's Rattanakosin island, and work on the Grand Palace began. Thais do not call the city Bangkok, they use Krung Thep, short for its long official name.
For a long time the city lived on its canals and people got around by boat. In the 20th century most canals were filled in and turned into roads, but on the Thonburi side you still see wooden houses facing the water. Absolute monarchy ended in 1932, and the Democracy Monument marks that change.
Bangkok neighbourhoods
Wat Pho · Photo: Muhammad Fridho Damora Harahap, CC BY-SA 4.0Rattanakosin island is the old city, where the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the National Museum stand together. Visit temples with shoulders and knees covered, the Grand Palace is strict about this, and shoes come off before prayer halls. Arriving early and exploring in the cool of the morning makes the most sense.
Yaowarat, Chinatown, shows one face by day with gold shops and wholesalers and another at night when food stalls line the main road. A good reason to arrive hungry.
Thonburi is the far bank of the river. Around Kudi Chin you find traces of a community of Portuguese descent, an old church and narrow lanes. Long-tail boat tours to see the canal-side houses also wind through the canals on this side.
Bang Krachao is a green peninsula held in a bend of the river. Renting a bike and riding its raised concrete paths is an easy way to leave the city noise behind for half a day.
Where to stay
- Banglamphu / Khao San: Near the Grand Palace, backpacker-friendly and cheap.
- Siam: BTS interchange and big shopping malls.
- Sukhumvit (Asok): Where the BTS and MRT meet, with plenty of restaurants and nightlife.
- Silom: Business district, Lumpini Park and night markets.
- Riverside (Charoen Krung): River-view hotels and boat transport.
- Ari: Local and quiet, with cafés and street food.
When to visit Bangkok
November to February is Bangkok's coolest and driest stretch, with days around 30 °C and nights in the 20s. Most visitors come then too, hotels get pricier and the queue outside the palace grows.
March to May is the real hot season, and afternoons above 35 °C are ordinary. Songkran, the Thai New Year, falls in mid-April, with water fights in the streets for several days, so put your phone in a waterproof pouch. June to October is the rainy season. Rain usually comes as a short, hard afternoon downpour, then the sun returns, and prices drop. September and October are the wettest months.
Loy Krathong is usually held on the full moon in November. People float small rafts decorated with candles and flowers on the river and lakes.
Food culture in Bangkok
Bangkok hardly has mealtimes, something is cooking on the street at every hour. In the morning stalls sell dishes over rice and steamed buns, and after midnight you find seafood in Yaowarat.
Thai food is eaten with a spoon and fork, and the fork is only for pushing food onto the spoon. The condiment set on the table holds fish sauce, dried chilli, vinegar and sugar, so you adjust each dish to your taste. Pad krapow, som tam and boat noodles are good first picks. During mango season from March to May, mango sticky rice is on every corner.
If a menu shows ++ next to the price, 10 percent service and 7 percent VAT will be added. Tipping is not expected on the street, and leaving the small change at a restaurant is enough. If you are not used to chilli, learn to say mai phet, not spicy.
Bangkok trip budget
Lumphini Park · Photo: hkgalbert, public domainBangkok suits every budget, and street food keeps daily costs in check. In 2026 an economy day runs about 1,000-1,500 baht, a mid-range day 2,500-4,000 baht and a comfortable day 7,000 baht or more. A plate of street food is 50-100 baht.
A single BTS or MRT ride costs about 17-60 baht in 2026, and the Chao Phraya express boat 15-30 baht. The joint ticket for the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is 500 baht, Wat Pho around 300 and Wat Arun around 200.
Around the palace you may meet people who say it is closed today and try to steer you to a boat tour or a gem shop. The palace is open almost every day, so take your information from the official entrance and ticket office. Walking in Lumphini Park and browsing Chatuchak cost nothing.
Prices are approximate as of October 2026.
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Bangkok
- Chatuchak Weekend Market — One of the world's biggest weekend markets, with thousands of stalls of clothes, crafts and street food. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Yaowarat (Chinatown) — Chinatown of neon signs, gold shops, temples and street-food stalls that set up at dusk. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Khao San Road — The backpacker hub, very lively at night with bars and stalls. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Taling Chan Floating Market — Weekend canal-side floating market, more local and relaxed than the touristy ones. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market — The most famous floating market, with fruit and food sold from boats. Go early in the morning. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- MOCA Bangkok — A private museum of contemporary Thai art in the north, with a large collection over five floors and few crowds. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Erawan Museum — An unusual museum inside a giant three-headed bronze elephant south of the city, with stained-glass halls. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Maeklong Railway Market — A market laid out on the tracks, where stalls and awnings fold away in seconds as the train passes. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Ayutthaya Historical Park — UNESCO-listed temple ruins of the old Siamese capital, famed for a Buddha head held in tree roots. (visit ≈ 240 min)
- Pak Khlong Talat — Open round the clock, the riverside wholesale flower market is piled with marigolds, orchids and temple garlands. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Asiatique The Riverfront — Old port warehouses now hold an evening market of stalls and restaurants, with a Ferris wheel by the river. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk — At 314 m up the pixelated tower, the roof deck lets you walk on a glass floor above the city. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Wat Sam Phran — West of the city, a giant dragon wraps around this seventeen-storey pink cylindrical temple. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market — A weekend market on a canal in Thonburi, less touristy than Damnoen Saduak and full of local food stalls. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Sampheng — Along narrow Soi Wanit 1, parallel to Yaowarat, shops sell fabric, toys and trinkets wholesale. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Getting from the airport to Bangkok
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK): Airport Rail Link train ≈ 26 min
- Don Mueang (DMK): SRT Red Line train ≈ 15 min, then MRT
Getting around
BTS Skytrain and MRT beat the traffic; Chao Phraya express boats serve the riverside. Use Grab or Bolt for taxis.
Classic places to eat
- Jay Fai: Charcoal-fired crab omelette. Expect a long queue.
- Thipsamai: Pad thai wrapped in an egg net.
- Krua Apsorn: Crab curry omelette and home-style Thai dishes.
- Wattana Panich: Beef noodle soup from a pot simmering for decades.
- Mae Varee: Mango sticky rice in Thonglor.
- Kai Tod Jay Kee: “Polo” fried chicken and som tam near Lumpini.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Le Normandie by Alain Roux — 2 MICHELIN stars, French
- Sühring — 2 MICHELIN stars, German, modern
- Mezzaluna — 2 MICHELIN stars, European, modern
- Raan Jay Fai — 1 MICHELIN star, Thai street food
Romantic views
- Riverside facing Wat Arun (Sunset): The sun sets behind Wat Arun across the river.
- Lumphini Park (Early morning): Rent a boat on the lake and enjoy a calm moment among the skyscrapers.
- Rama VIII Bridge (Evening): From the park below you see the lit-up cable bridge and the river.
- Golden Mount (Wat Saket) (Sunset): From the golden stupa on top you look over the old town roofs.
Football stadiums in Bangkok
- Thai-Japanese Stadium: Home of Bangkok United F.C.
Good to know before visiting Bangkok
- Fine: Insulting the monarchy (lèse-majesté) carries long prison terms, including social media posts.
- Fine: Bringing, owning or using e-cigarettes or vapes is illegal; expect confiscation, fines or jail.
- Fine: Since 2025 cannabis sales need a prescription and public smoking is banned; other drugs bring severe penalties.
- Fine: Smoking and dropping butts on popular beaches is banned.
- Fine: Scooters need a motorcycle licence and helmet; don't leave your passport as a rental deposit.
- Warning: In temples cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes; never climb Buddha images.
- Emergency: police 191, ambulance 1669, fire 199
- Plugs: A/B/C/O, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't required; leave small change; upscale places add 10% service.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Thailand, Tourist Police (Thailand) — 1155, Wikivoyage — Thailand, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
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