Grand Palace
The former royal residence on the Chao Phraya riverbank, a walled complex of gilded halls, spires and courtyards. Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Emerald Buddha, stands inside. Modest dress is required.
Bangkok
Thailand's capital and main gateway, known for grand temples, the Grand Palace, street food, night markets and big shopping malls.
Attractive locations
Wat Pho
Large temple beside the Grand Palace, known for its huge gold-covered reclining Buddha and its long role as a centre for teaching traditional Thai massage. The courtyards hold many small chedis.
Wat Arun
Riverside temple on the Thonburi bank, recognised by its tall central spire decorated with porcelain and shell fragments. Visitors can climb part of the way up for views across the Chao Phraya River.
Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
Temple built around an artificial hill crowned by a golden chedi, reached by a spiralling walkway of steps. From the top there are wide views over the rooftops of the old quarter.
Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit)
Early twentieth-century temple faced in white Italian marble, with a courtyard lined with Buddha images in many styles. It sits in the quiet Dusit district and is still used for worship.
Jim Thompson House
A group of traditional Thai teak houses gathered by an American silk businessman, now a museum of art and antiques. It stands in a leafy garden beside a canal, a short walk from busy shopping streets.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Vast market with thousands of stalls selling clothes, plants, homewares, crafts, antiques and street food. It is a lively place to shop and wander, though it gets hot and crowded.
Bangkok National Museum
Large museum of Thai history and art, housed in former palace buildings. Its collections include Buddha images, historical objects and royal funeral chariots, which help put the city's temples in context.
King Power Mahanakhon
Pixel-patterned skyscraper in the Silom area with an indoor observation deck and an open-air rooftop at the top. It gives wide views over the city's skyline, especially around sunset.
Khaosan Road
A short street in the old Banglamphu area, long a base for backpackers, lined with guesthouses, bars, street food and market stalls. It gets loud and crowded in the evenings.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
A canal market in Ratchaburi province, south-west of Bangkok, where vendors sell fruit, noodles and souvenirs from small boats. It is a popular half-day trip and is busiest early in the morning.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
The ruins of Ayutthaya, the old Siamese royal capital north of Bangkok and a popular day trip by road, train or boat. Brick temples, tall towers and Buddha images stand among lawns in this World Heritage site.
Airports
Don Mueang International Airport DMK
It is about 21 km in a straight line from Bangkok.
Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK
It is about 26 km in a straight line from Bangkok.
U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport UTP
It is about 130 km in a straight line from Bangkok.
Getting around
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
The Airport Rail Link station at Suvarnabhumi sits on Level B1 of the main terminal, and its City Line calls at every station as far as Phaya Thai, with MRT interchange at Makkasan and BTS interchange at Phaya Thai. Public metered taxis depart from Level 1 between Gates 4 and 7; the airport charge is set by the Ministry of Transport and passengers pay tolls. Grab pick-ups are at Level 1, Gate 4, and the AOT Limousine counters are on Level 2.
- Source: Suvarnabhumi Airport (AOT): Ways to transport (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Suvarnabhumi Airport (AOT): Public taxi (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Suvarnabhumi Airport (AOT): Grab pick-up and drop-off points (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand: Around Cities (checked 4 Nov 2026)
From Don Mueang Airport
The SRT Red Line has its own station at Don Mueang Airport and runs to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, where it links with the MRT Blue Line. Airport buses connect the airport with the city as well: A1 goes to Mo Chit BTS and Chatuchak Park MRT, A2 to Victory Monument, A3 to Pratunam and Lumpini Park, and A4 to Khao San Road and Sanam Luang.
- Source: SRT Electrified Train (Red Line): Route information (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Don Mueang Airport (AOT): Way to Don Mueang Airport (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Skytrain, subway and river boats
Bangkok's rail network is made up of the Airport Rail Link, the SRT Red Line, the BTS Skytrain, and the MRT subway (Blue and Purple Lines). Boats on the Chao Phraya River start from Sathorn Pier and are told apart by flag colour; the orange-flag boat charges one flat fare for its run between Nonthaburi Pier and Wat Rajsingkorn Pier. Each pier has a code, such as N8 for Tha Tien near Wat Pho.
- Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand: Around Cities (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand: One-day boat journey in Bangkok (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: SRT Electrified Train (Red Line): Route information (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Paying on the MRT and BTS
A contactless Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay credit card, including one issued abroad, can pay for rides on the MRT Blue and Purple Lines; tap the same card on the contactless symbol at the gate on entry and again on exit. The BTS Skytrain runs on its own stored-value Rabbit card, and the BTS website shows the different ways to top it up.
- Source: BEM (MRT operator): EMV contactless (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: BTS Skytrain: How to add value to a Rabbit card (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Scams and safe taxis
Metered taxis in Bangkok
Taxis in Bangkok are metered. At the airport, the tourism authority says to rely only on the official airport limousines or on metered taxis from the official taxi kiosks, not on any other transfer service. Elsewhere in the city, Canadian advice recommends a trusted ride-hailing app or licensed taxis from official stands, because unlicensed cars (black-and-white plates) are not insured for carrying passengers. The tourism authority's complaint centre accepts complaints about taxis and tuk-tuks.
- Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand: Around Thailand (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: TAT Newsroom: TAT offers advice on how to enjoy travelling in Bangkok (2019) (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Government of Canada travel advice: Thailand (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand: Tourism Complaint and Suggestion Coordination Centre (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Tour and transfer offers
According to 2019 advice from Thailand's tourism authority, tours in Bangkok should be arranged only through travel agencies or hotel counters rather than with individuals who approach visitors outside hotels or at attractions, and visitors should obtain a receipt, the guide's name and a description of what is included. The authority also advises against using airport transfer services other than the official limousines or the metered taxis at the official kiosks.
- Source: TAT Newsroom: TAT offers advice on how to enjoy travelling in Bangkok (2019) (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan26.2 °C16 mm
- Feb28.8 °C14 mm
- Mar30.2 °C47 mm
- Apr30.7 °C75 mm
- May29.5 °C164 mm
- Jun28.4 °C165 mm
- Jul27.8 °C169 mm
- Aug27.6 °C181 mm
- Sep27.2 °C278 mm
- Oct26.9 °C203 mm
- Nov25.9 °C39 mm
- Dec25.0 °C10 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Aug, Sep, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 31% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
New Year's countdown
Fireworks along the Chao Phraya river and at the big malls.
festival
Songkran Festival
One of the country's biggest yearly events. Hotels fill up and prices rise, so plan early.
trade
THAIFEX - Anuga Asia (food fair)
Asia's large food and drink trade fair at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.
festival
New Year's countdown
Fireworks along the Chao Phraya river and at the big malls.
Who can help
Emergency
Tourist police 1155 (English). Emergency 191. Ambulance 1669.
local government
Tourist Police Bureau
Helps with: Thai police bureau set up to protect visitors and their belongings. Its hotline 1155 gives information and help to tourists, runs 24 hours a day and supports eight languages.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other foreign visitors anywhere in Thailand.
Phone: 1155
Email: info@touristpolice.go.th
Address: 999 Moo 1, Suvarnabhumi 4 Road, Nong Prue, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan 10540
local government
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Helps with: Thailand's national tourism body. Its Travel Buddy call centre 1672 gives travel information and help to visitors, and its website takes complaints and suggestions.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Thailand or planning a trip there.
Phone: 1672
Email: center@tat.or.th
Address: 1600 Phetchaburi Rd., Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
local government
Tourist Assistance Center (Ministry of Tourism and Sports)
Helps with: The tourism ministry's assistance centre for visitors. It offers help in the aftermath of natural disasters, assault, accidents and other distress.
Who qualifies: Tourists in Thailand who have had an accident, been attacked or are otherwise in trouble.
Phone: 0 2134 4077
ngo
Thai Red Cross Society
Helps with: Thailand's national Red Cross society. It provides medical and health care services, the blood transfusion service, and disaster preparedness and relief for people affected by disasters.
Who qualifies: People in Thailand who need its medical, blood or disaster relief services.
Phone: +66 2256 4032
Address: Terd Prakiet Sodej Phra Yanna Sangworn Building, 1871 Henry Dunant Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Thailand
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Thailand it works to save lives and protect people on the move, including vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking, such as into scam centres.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Thailand, especially vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +66 2-343-9300
Email: iomthailand@iom.int
Address: 18th Floor, Rajanakarn Building, 3 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Thailand (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The Thai foreign ministry's Diplomatic and Consular List (April 2026) gives each mission's address and phone; some are based abroad.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)
Helps with: Thailand's national department for disaster prevention and relief. Its hotline 1784 is the national contact line for disaster situations.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Thailand affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 1784
Address: 3/12 U-thong Nok Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300
local government
TAT Bangkok Office
Helps with: Tourism Authority of Thailand office for Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi. Contact it for tourist information about the city and nearby provinces.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Bangkok or the nearby provinces, or planning to.
Phone: +66 (0) 2276 2720
Email: tatbangkok@tat.or.th
Address: D2 Bld, 8th Floor, Preecha Complex, 48/11 Ratchadapisek Road, Samsennok, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310
local government
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Call Centre
Helps with: Bangkok city government's call centre. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists it among the contacts for visitors during weather and travel disruption in Bangkok.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bangkok, residents and visitors alike.
Phone: 1555
local government
Emergency number 191 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 191
local government
Ambulance emergency number 1669
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 1669
local government
Fire emergency number 199
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 199