Bangkok Attractions – Places And Activities You Mustn’t Miss

Going to Bangkok for your holidays? Here are 10 must-see Bangkok attractions and must-do activities in the city of angels.

   1. Get on a river taxi and see the beauty of the Chao Phraya River.

A very different view of Bangkok, I’ve got to say. If you’re the adventurer, you can just jump on one at any of its terminals. Just be fast enough, as the boats (water taxis) hardly stop. Otherwise, book a tour from one of the hotels by the river, such as The Royal Orchid Sheraton, Shangri-La or The Peninsula.

   2.   Rub elbows with the locals and tourists at the weekend market, Chatuchak/Jatujak.

It can get very hot in here, but it’s an excellent place to see the wares of Thailand. You might even find a good buy along the way. Thai (and not so Thai) goods are available from antique furniture to fake jeans.

3. See the wonders of the Grand Palace.

All hail the Queen of England, but her Buckingham Palace is nothing compared to this glorious work of art in the middle of Bangkok.

4. Have a Thai massage in Wat Po, and if you have the time, take the 10-day Thai massage course.

If you don’t get a Thai massage in Thailand, then you haven’t been to Thailand at all. Experience this somewhat bone-breaking yet de-stressing technique right from where it originated. Or if that’s a bit too much, go for the foot massage instead.

5. Have A Relaxing Spa At The Banyan

A relaxing spa retreat right in the middle of the city. You can choose from a 1-hour facial treatment, or if you have time to spare, have a 7-hour Banyan package and spoil yourself mad.

6. Visit the Floating Market.

It may just be another commercial avenue for tourists to spend their dollars, but if you go to the floating market early in the morning when the “river-folk” are actually buying and selling goods mindless of the tourists, then it’s a very good cultural experience.

7. Haggle at the night markets

Sure, many goods are overpriced, but if you know how to haggle and how much you’re willing to pay for what you’re buying, this can be very fun. If you go very early, just when the shops are opening, you might even get the prices real low (first buyer's luck!).

8. Shop Till You Drop

Shopping is the Thai’s national pastime, and wherever you are in Bangkok, you will never run out of shops to explore. You’ll find practically everything in this City Of Angels and at very reasonable prices to boot. For reasonably priced clothes, go to Pratunam Market; for little trinkets, go to Yaowarat in Chinatown; for bargain software, go to Panthip Plaza; and for designer clothes, try Central Plaza or The Emporium Shopping Centre.

9. Try Thai cuisine.

You’ve had Thai food in your country, and I’m sure it’s good, but Thai food cooked in Thailand is, in my opinion, just heavenly! Just be sure to know the words to Mai Pet (My Pet). This means 'not spicy' in Thai, but you’ll probably be wondering how hot the spicy dishes are after you’ve bitten into your first chilli!

10. See an Elephant Show

I know they should be in the wild and all that… But if I were an elephant, this humiliation of dancing in front of amused humans would be much better than the alternative, which is walking on the hot streets of Bangkok waiting for tourists to buy me a piece of sugar cane for food. And I have to say, this is one show I enjoy. Watch out for the baby elephants! They’re a real treat!