Sights and Shopping in Bangkok

Discover the best places to see in Bangkok with this travel guide. Hop around, shop, and have fun!

The city of Bangkok is loaded with remarkable historical and religious sights as well as vibrant street life. You’ll be electrified by some places, and others will leave you tranquil. We’ve shared a rundown of the attractions and shopping arenas in Bangkok, all of which will add to your visit in a notable way.

🚀 Airport Transfers: To get to the city from the airport, you can either hail a taxi or a Grab car. Alternatively, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link (located on the basement floor) operates from 6am to 12am, and serves six stations namely Lat Krabang, Ban Thap Chang, Hua Mark, Ramkhamhaeng, Makkasan, Ratchaprarop between the airport and Phayathai. The rail link runs every 15 minutes and takes around 30 minutes to complete a run, and costs between THB 15-THB 45 (USD 0.5-1.35). The Airport Rail Link connects you to the MRT underground at Makkasan City Interchange Station (MRT Petchaburi Station) and the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai Station.

There’s a free shuttle bus running between Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). The timings of the bus are between 5am to 12am, departing every 30 minutes, and the journey takes 50-60 minutes. It’s free for people who have to catch an upcoming flight, and you’ll have to present your boarding pass, onward journey ticket, and passport before hopping on the white-coloured air-conditioned bus.

Shuttle Bus hop-on locations:

• BKK to DMK → Terminal 1, Level 2, Arrivals Door No. 3 of Suvarnabhumi Airport
• DMK to BKK → Terminal 1, Level 1, Arrivals Gate No. 6 of Don Mueang Airport
  

🚀 Attractions in Bangkok

Grand Palace: Located in the heart of Bangkok is this most well-known landmark built in 1782, home to the King of Thailand. The golden pagodas, series of courts, and the beautifully intricate detailing and craftsmanship will leave you in awe. The Palace complex is also home to the famous Emerald Buddha temple where you’ll find the most revered statue of Buddha that was carved from a single block of jade.

🕣 Opening Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm daily
🎫 Entry fee: THB 100 (USD 3)

Wat Pho: Home to the majestic reclining Buddha, 46 metres long and 15 metres high, this extraordinary structure is a must see! Let us tell you that you won’t be able to capture it in a single frame no matter what photography trick you apply! So take a few shots and then just immerse yourself in the surrounding because when you stop and just look around, it can feel quite magical! The temple is known to be one of the largest complexes containing 99 pagodas, the most you’ll find in a single temple ground!

🕗 Opening Hours: 8:00am – 6:30pm daily
🎫 Entry fee: THB 100 (USD 3)

Wat Arun: Also known as the Temple of Dawn, this gorgeous temple resides on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The temple astonishes visitors with its incredibly elaborate structure adorned with coloured glass and tiny pieces of Chinese porcelain. Unfortunately, one cannot climb the steep stairs anymore that leads up to the 82 metres high prang! So the riverine views of Chao Phraya, Grand Palace, and Wat Pho can only be seen from the platform below. Stay back for sunset, and watch the temple light up to be the spectacular golden beauty you tend to see on every Bangkok city advertisement.

🕗 Opening Hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm daily
🎫 Entry fee: THB 50 (USD 1.5)

Quick Tip: Take the 4 THB ferry at Pier 4 which is a 5-minute walk from Wat Arun. The ferry will transfer you across the river to Tha Tien/Wat Pho/Grand Palace. The Tha Tien market is a historic place, now constituting of dime a dozen shops selling local snacks and souvenirs.

Lumphini Park: Named after Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal, Lumphini Park offers a haven of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a great spot for jogging, cycling, aerobics, boating, or just for a picnic by the lake. See if you can catch a glimpse of some beautiful birds and the resident monitor lizards lurking in the lake. Best time to visit the park is before 7am!

🕟 Opening Hours: 4:30am – 9:00pm daily
🎫 Entry fee: Free

🚀 Shopping in Bangkok

Shopaholics hungry for a good bargain? Head to one of the many street markets such as Chatuchak, Pratunam, Phahurat Market (Little India), Yaowarat Road (Chinatown). Bring enough cash and don’t forget to haggle your way to glory!

For an indoor retail experience, visit Platinum Mall, Siam Paragon, MBK Center, Indra Square, and Terminal 21 (a travel-themed shopping mall). Don’t miss out on Tesco Lotus and Big C, Thailand’s largest hypermarkets.

Our favourite place to shop was at Asiatique The Riverfront! It is a large night market complex teeming with entertainment, more than 1500 boutiques, food stalls and upscale restaurants, and kid-friendly rides. The 60-metre high ferris wheel called ‘Asiatique Sky’ is located here, and visitors can get picturesque views of Bangkok city’s skyline and the famous Chai Phraya River by going on the wheel. Tickets cost THB 400 (USD 12) for adults, and THB 250 (USD 7.5) for children under 120cm height. We had a great night out shopping for souvenirs and witnessing some lovely amusements such as the ‘Dancing Doll’, live music and performances. Asiatique is open from 5pm to 11pm every evening. You can get here by a cab or take the free 5-minute boat ride from the pier near BTS Sapphan Taksin.

Thailand is loaded with lots of unique goodies and souvenirs; you’ll fall in love with at least a few of them! Our favourites were the life-like fish slippers (comical to say the least!) and the handmade fruit shaped soaps. Be a tad impulsive with your purchases and go home with some special buys that will thrill your family and friends. You won’t regret it!

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