10 Things To See In Bangkok If You Are Visiting For The First Time

The Grand Palace is the most popular tourist spot in Bangkok and a must-visit if you are a fan of architecture and art. The Grand Palace is not a single structure like usual palaces, but rather a collection of buildings, halls, and pavilions arranged around open lawns, gardens, and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are the result of organic development, with successive reigning kings adding and rebuilding over the course of two hundred years, which only makes the place even more fascinating.

Timings: 8.30 AM - 3:30 PM on all days

Entry: Free for Thais and 500 Baht per Person for Foreigners

Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple Of The Emerald Buddha is home to the Emerald Buddha, widely considered the most important Buddha statue in Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew is located on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok so it only makes sense that you visit both at the same time. To everyone's surprise, the statue isn't made of emerald, it's either jade or some similar stone but definitely not emerald. The temple is open to public on all days except official events when being used by the royal family so do keep a note of that before planning your visit. River taxi is the most inexpensive and enjoyable way to get to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, after which you take a cab to reach the destination.

Timings: 8.30 AM - 3.30 PM on all days

Entry: The entry fees paid for Grand Palace is inclusive of access to Wat Phra Kaew & Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile.

Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) is situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Grand Palace. This is a must-see sight in Bangkok because its architectural design is unlike any other temple in the Thai capital. The spire, which sits directly on the riverbank, is covered from top to bottom in tiny pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain. For the brave of heart, one can even climb this steep 70-meter-high spire, which offers the best views of Bangkok's skyline. Despite being known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun shines brightest at night, casting a golden light across the Chao Phraya River.

Timings: 8.00 AM - 6.00 PM on all days

Entry: 100 Baht

Wat Pho, also known the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a first-class royal temple and monastery located in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, that is situated south of the Grand Palace. Built in the seventeenth century, Wat Pho consists of two main quarters — a chapel section and another section that serves as a monks' residence. Wat Pho is indeed one of the must-visit landmarks in the city. Here you can see the largest reclining Buddha and an extensive collection of the Buddha images in Thailand. Behind the reclining Buddha, you can find 108 small pots. It is believed that if you put a coin inside the pot and swirl it around, it will bring you good luck. Wat Pho is also known as the first public university as well as the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai massage and medicine. Within the temple area, there is a massage school where you can learn Thai massage.

Timings: 8.00 AM - 6.30 PM on all days

Entry: 200 Baht

As one of the world's largest Chinatowns, this Bangkok neighbourhood is well-known for its fantastic bargains and delectable cuisine. This fast-paced district was founded more than 200 years ago and has since become the primary hub for Bangkok's large Chinese community. Explore Yaowarat Road, which is bustling with activity and lined with shops selling souvenirs, jewellery, and trinkets. And if you are a foodie, you can find a whole lot of delicious street foods in Chinatown at night time.

Timings: Open 24 hours but the shops are mostly open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry: Free

Khao San Road, located in the Banglamphu district is well-known as a backpacker hotspot because it provides inexpensive accommodation and easy access to the city's major attractions. Most famous for its revered nightlife scene and carefree atmosphere, this is a must-viist if you want to experience the street-style nightlife Bangkok is famous for. The place completely changes once the sun goes down- mobile street bars pop up all over the place selling buckets of 'deadly' cocktail concoctions while bars and clubs line the street from top to bottom. Do make use of the street food stalls! Take a seat at one of the outdoor cafes and enjoy a Chang beer, or try the Pad Thai and juicy tropical fruits.

Timings: Open 24 hours 

Entry: Free

Thailand is well-known for its market culture, with Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market reigning supreme. This is unquestionably Bangkok's largest market, covering 35 acres and attracting over 8000 market stalls and 200 000 visitors every weekend. However, size is not everything; the variety of products on sale is incredible, including food and beverages, antiques, pets, garden supplies, clothing, handcrafts, books, furniture, and art galleries, to name a few. If you dislike crowds and a chaotic atmosphere, this is not for you; however, if you're looking for rare treasures and the best deals, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is not to be missed. The main market only opens on the weekend whereas certain sections are open everyday so plan your visit accordingly.

Timings: 7.00 AM - 6.00 PM on all days 

Entry: Free

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. It is approximately 100 kilometres from central Bangkok. It is Thailand's largest and most famous floating market, popular with both tourists and locals.

The best time to visit the market is early in the morning because it closes around noon. The market is usually very crowded due to tourists and sellers. It will be interesting for you to wander around the market and see thousands of vendors selling tropical fruits, vegetables, souvenirs, and food. The majority of fruits and vegetables are homegrown. It will also be an enjoyable experience to try homemade food made on the long tail boat. Riding a longtail boat around the river is the only  way to explore the market.

Timings: 7.00 AM - 11:00 PM

Entry: Free. The boat trip costs around 400 Baht per person on a shared boat or 2000 Baht per boat seating six people.

Visit the Bang Krachao Gardens to escape the sprawling concrete jungle and enjoy some green space. Many consider Bang Krachao Gardens to be Bangkok's lungs due to their sheer natural beauty, which includes walking trails and beds filled to the brim with lush tropical trees, lakes, and raised embankments that pass unique stilt houses built along the Chao Phraya River's edge.

Timings: 5.00 AM - 7.00 PM

Entry: Free

The market is known as the 'life-risking market' because its stalls are located along the Mae Klong-Ban Laem railway, a short railway line that connects Mahachai and Mae Klong. To protect themselves from the sun, vendors at the market set out parasols or canvas. The shelters are built into the railway, where visitors can walk and shop. When the arriving train's signal rings, chaos ensues: vendors rush to close their parasols and canvas, as well as clear all goods that will obstruct the approaching train at a rapid pace. When the train passes, parasols and canvas will be reopened as goods are returned to their usual location next to the railway. 

Timings: 6.00 AM - 6:00 PM

Entry: Free

Safari World Bangkok is a popular tourist attraction in the heart of Thailand's capital. It covers approximately 200 acres and is one of Asia's largest open-air zoos, housing a diverse range of animal species from around the world. The park is divided into two major sections: Safari Park and Marine Park, and it is a vast wildlife sanctuary that can be explored by car or foot. Visitors can get up close and personal (although we would suggest you to not) with wild animals like tigers, lions, bears, and zebras that roam freely in their natural habitats. Furthermore, Marine World has a number of themed attractions and shows featuring animals such as dolphins, elephants, birds, sea lions, and orangutans.

Timings: 9.00 AM - 4:30 PM

Entry: The price depends on the experience you book from their website.