# Things to do in Bangkok: top sights and where to go > Bangkok keeps its great temples together on the old royal island of Rattanakosin: the Grand Palace with the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho with the Reclining Buddha are five minutes apart on foot, and Wat Arun faces them across the Chao Phraya by a short ferry. Give day one to the temples, the river, the Golden Mount and the Golden Buddha in Chinatown; on day two see Jim Thompson House, Lumphini Park and the view from MahaNakhon or Baiyoke Sky — and Chatuchak market if it falls on a weekend. Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok ## Ready itineraries - [One day in Bangkok: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/in-1-day.md): Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya, the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the Grand Palace with the Emerald Buddha and the Golden Mount — in order, with ferry and lunch. - [2 days in Bangkok: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/in-2-days.md): Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and the Golden Mount first; then the Golden Buddha, the Jim Thompson House, Lumphini Park and sunset from Mahanakhon. - [3 days in Bangkok: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/in-3-days.md): Rattanakosin's temples, Chinatown's Golden Buddha, the Thompson house, Lumphini and Mahanakhon at sunset, then Chatuchak and Baiyoke Sky's revolving roof. ## All 10 places with the YesGo score - [Wat Arun](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-arun.md): YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 200 baht. Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya opposite Wat Pho. Its symbol is a spire about 70 m tall covered… - [Wat Pho](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-pho.md): YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free. Wat Pho is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, 1 km south of the Grand Palace: a 46 m gilded statue, four huge royal chedis and a Thai… - [Grand Palace](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace.md): YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free. The Grand Palace has been the residence of Thailand's kings since 1782 and is Bangkok's top sight, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha… - [Jim Thompson House](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/jim-thompson-house.md): YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 250 baht; ages 10–21 150; under 10 free. The Jim Thompson House is six traditional 19th-century teak houses on the Saen Saep canal, assembled in 1958–1959 by the American 'king of… - [Mahanakhon SkyWalk](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/mahanakhon-skywalk.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 500–1,200 baht depending on time. Mahanakhon SkyWalk is Thailand's highest observation deck, on floors 74 and 78 of the 314 m King Power Mahanakhon tower in Silom. Up top… - [Golden Mount](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/golden-mount.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · climb ≈ 100 baht. The Golden Mount (Phu Khao Thong) is a man-made hill in Wat Saket temple, topped by a golden chedi with an all-round view of old Bangkok… - [Lumphini Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/lumphini-park.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · free. Lumphini is Bangkok's first public park — 57.6 hectares in the business district between Silom and Sathorn. Entry is free and it's open… - [Wat Traimit](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-traimit.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · hall ≈ 40 baht, museum ≈ 100. Wat Traimit is the Temple of the Golden Buddha at the west gate of Chinatown. The statue, about 3 m tall and 5.5 tonnes, is the world's… - [Baiyoke Sky](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/baiyoke-sky.md): YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 450 baht incl. a drink. Baiyoke Sky is the observation deck of Baiyoke Tower II, an 88-storey, roughly 304 m tower in Pratunam. Floor 77 has an indoor observatory… - [Chatuchak Weekend Market](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/chatuchak-market.md): YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · free. Chatuchak Weekend Market is Thailand's largest market: more than 15,000 stalls in 27 sections, from clothes and ceramics to plants and… ## Bangkok travel guide Before you go: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, rooftop views, Chatuchak market, the airports, areas, money and weather. ## Trip essentials - How many days: 3–4 days: temples, markets, views - When to go: November–February: drier, a little cooler - Visa: Depends on your passport — many are visa-exempt - Arrival card: Online TDAC before you fly - Currency: Thai baht (THB); cards in malls and hotels - Airport: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) ≈ 30 km — rail link ≈ 30 min - Getting around: BTS and MRT, river boats, Grab and Bolt - Temples: Cover shoulders and knees, shoes off - Weekend: Chatuchak market runs Saturday–Sunday - Time zone: UTC+7 all year ## Key facts - **1782** — the Grand Palace was founded, and Bangkok became the capital (source: Wikipedia, “Grand Palace”) - **46 m** — length of the gilded Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho (source: Wikipedia, “Wat Pho”) - **≈ 5.5 t** — weight of the solid-gold Buddha at Wat Traimit (source: Wikipedia, “Wat Traimit”) - **15,000 +** — stalls at Chatuchak Weekend Market, among the world’s largest (source: Wikipedia, “Chatuchak Weekend Market”) ## Things to do in Bangkok The top things to do in Bangkok are the Grand Palace with the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha and Wat Arun across the river, the Golden Mount, Wat Traimit in Chinatown, the Jim Thompson House, the MahaNakhon and Baiyoke Sky viewpoints, Lumphini Park and Chatuchak Weekend Market. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above. | Where | What to see | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Rattanakosin** | [Grand Palace](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace), [Wat Pho](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-pho) | ½ day | | **Thonburi** | [Wat Arun](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-arun) | 1 h | | **Old town** | [Golden Mount](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/golden-mount) | 1 h | | **Chinatown** | [Wat Traimit](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-traimit) | 40 min | | **Centre** | [Jim Thompson](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/jim-thompson-house), [Lumphini](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/lumphini-park) | 2–3 h | | **Viewpoints** | [MahaNakhon](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/mahanakhon-skywalk), [Baiyoke Sky](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/baiyoke-sky) | evening | | **North** | [Chatuchak](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/chatuchak-market) | ½ day, Sat–Sun | Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–3 days, with places in a sensible order. ## Bangkok airport to the city Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), ≈ 30 km east, for most international flights, and Don Mueang (DMK) in the north for budget airlines. From Suvarnabhumi the Airport Rail Link reaches Phaya Thai in ≈ 30 minutes; a taxi to the centre takes 40–60 minutes. | How | To | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | **Airport Rail Link** | Phaya Thai, change to BTS | ≈ 30 min | | **Taxi, Grab, Bolt** | Centre | ≈ 40–60 min | | **Transfer** | [Pattaya](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya) | ≈ 1.5–2 h | Airport taxis add a surcharge and expressway tolls on top of the meter — that is normal. ## Where to stay in Bangkok Where to stay in Bangkok: Sukhumvit and Silom for the BTS, restaurants and malls; the riverside for temple views and boats to the Grand Palace; or Banglamphu near Khao San Road for budget stays by the old town, though without a metro. | Area | Best for | Keep in mind | | --- | --- | --- | | **Sukhumvit** | Metro, cafés, nightlife | ≈ 40 min to the palace | | **Silom, Sathorn** | Metro, Lumphini, business | Quieter at night | | **Riverside** | Temples, boats, views | Pricier | | **Khao San, Banglamphu** | Budget, old town | Noisy, no metro | ## Bangkok weather by month Bangkok is hot all year, ≈ 31–35 °C by day. The best time to visit is November to February, when it is drier and evenings are fresher. March to May is the hottest stretch; June to October is the rainy season with short downpours. - **January in Bangkok** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 2. Dry, ≈ 32° — a great time. - **February in Bangkok** (best time): day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 2. Dry and warm. - **March in Bangkok**: day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 4. Hotter, ≈ 34°. - **April in Bangkok**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 6. Peak heat; Songkran. - **May in Bangkok**: day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 15. Rains begin. - **June in Bangkok**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 17. Afternoon downpours. - **July in Bangkok**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 18. Rainy season. - **August in Bangkok**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 20. Downpours. - **September in Bangkok**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 21. The wettest month. - **October in Bangkok**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 16. Rains easing. - **November in Bangkok** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 6. Drier — the season opens. - **December in Bangkok** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 1. Dry, ≈ 31° — the best time. Bangkok has no beach: the nearest is in Pattaya, ≈ 2 hours away. ## Things to do in Bangkok at night Bangkok at night means rooftop bars and viewpoints, Chinatown’s street food on Yaowarat Road, night markets and river cruises past the lit temples. - **MahaNakhon** — the glass floor at sunset. - **Yaowarat** — Chinatown’s street-food strip after dark. - **River cruise** — Wat Arun lit up from the water. - **Night markets** — Jodd Fairs and others for food and shopping. ## What to eat in Bangkok Bangkok is a street-food capital: pad thai, tom yum, green curry and mango sticky rice. The best spots are Chinatown’s street kitchens in the evening and the big mall food courts. - **Pad thai** — stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp. - **Tom yum** — hot and sour soup. - **Mango sticky rice** — in season, in spring. - **Boat noodles** — small, rich bowls by the canals. ## Bangkok ticket prices Lumphini Park and Chatuchak are free. You pay for the Grand Palace (500 baht), Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Golden Mount, Wat Traimit, the Jim Thompson House and the viewpoints. - [Wat Arun](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-arun) — ≈ 200 baht - [Wat Pho](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-pho) — ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free - [Grand Palace](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace) — 500 baht; children under 120 cm free - [Jim Thompson House](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/jim-thompson-house) — 250 baht; ages 10–21 150; under 10 free - [Mahanakhon SkyWalk](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/mahanakhon-skywalk) — 500–1,200 baht depending on time - [Golden Mount](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/golden-mount) — climb ≈ 100 baht - [Lumphini Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/lumphini-park) — free - [Wat Traimit](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-traimit) — hall ≈ 40 baht, museum ≈ 100 - [Baiyoke Sky](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/baiyoke-sky) — 450 baht incl. a drink - [Chatuchak Weekend Market](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/chatuchak-market) — free ## Tips - Arrive at the Grand Palace at opening — by noon it is hot and crowded. - Walk and take the river ferry between the palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun — faster than a taxi. - Ignore strangers saying the palace is “closed today” — it is a ruse to steer you to a shop. ## Questions ### Is Bangkok worth visiting? Yes, for golden temples, superb street food, rooftop views and markets — and it is the gateway to Thailand’s islands. ### Do I need a visa for Thailand? It depends on your passport: many nationalities are visa-exempt for a set number of days, and all visitors fill in the online TDAC arrival card. Check the official rules for your passport. ### What to do in Bangkok in one day? The Grand Palace and Wat Pho in the morning, the ferry to Wat Arun at midday, and Chinatown plus the MahaNakhon viewpoint in the evening. ### How do I get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city? By Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai in about 30 minutes, or by taxi in 40–60 minutes. ### What is the weather like in Bangkok in December? Dry and warm: about 31 °C by day and 22 °C at night — the best time. ### What should I wear to the temples? Clothes covering shoulders and knees, nothing see-through; shoes come off inside the halls. ### Where to stay in Bangkok? Sukhumvit or Silom near the BTS, or the riverside for temples and views. ### When is Chatuchak Market open? The main market runs on Saturdays and Sundays; only some sections open on weekdays. ### How much is the Grand Palace ticket? 500 baht; children under 120 cm go free. The ticket covers the Emerald Buddha temple and museums. ### What day trips can I take from Bangkok? Ayutthaya’s ruins, the floating markets and Pattaya’s beaches are all within 1.5–2 hours. ## Sources - Grand Palace — official website royalgrandpalace.th - Wikipedia, “Bangkok”; “Wat Pho”; “Wat Traimit”; “Chatuchak Weekend Market”; Bangkok climate (1991–2020 normals) - Thailand Immigration Bureau — entry rules and TDAC Facts checked: 09.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.