Bangkok attractions

Just north of Bangkok, this par 72 course is popular among golfers for its beautifully manicured, hilly expanses dotted with trees and water features. The course, designed by Ron Garl, has hosted a number of international events, including the Asian Games, the Thailand Ladies Open, and the Johnnie Walker Classic Tournament.

A warren of alleyways near the soaring Baiyoke Sky building in Bangkok, Pratunam Market offers wholesale fast fashion from local factories between dawn to mid-afternoon. Later, Pratunam Night Market fills with the scent of grilled Thai food and the glow of neon, with stalls selling everything from souvenirs to off-brand electronics.

After temple touring around Bangkok, take a break and head to Benjakitti Park, a green oasis in the heart of the city. With trees, a man-made lake, and bike and walking paths, it’s a pleasant place to stroll or just sit and relax. Exercisers head here to jog, ride bikes, or tone up using outdoor exercise equipment.

Check out the views of Bangkok from the 61st floor of the Moon Bar, the city’s best venue to sip a delicately crafted cocktail and watch the sunset. This is a popular spot, so you might have to wait—but the views are worth it, especially at nighttime. Sathon is close to Lumphini Park, so it makes a great stop after a day of sightseeing.

Just outside Bangkok, along the banks of the Tachine River, the community-style resort of Sampran Riverside has been welcoming visitors since the 1960s. Sign up for a workshop, treat yourself at the spa, or check out the organic farm—there’s something for everyone at this ecocultural park.

Jam-packed with blaring bars, street food stalls, and massage parlors, Khaosan Road is the epicenter of Bangkok’s backpacker scene. The strip reveals Thailand's capital at its boldest and brashest, with flashing neon signs, erotic shows, and scorpions-on-sticks. And while it might not be the most authentic side of Bangkok, it's worth visiting just to experience the electric atmosphere, which reaches its peak after dark.

Siam Niramit, or the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam, is a music and dance performance held in a 2,000-seat theater and entertainment complex in Bangkok. The show features acrobatics, traditional costumes, pyrotechnics, and more, and offers an immersive journey into Thailand’s history and culture.

A fun and unusual amusement center, KidZania Bangkok includes a large replica indoor city where children can role-play more than 100 different careers. Kids can choose the activities and professions that interest them most—from working at an airport, bank, hospital, theater, and more—and try them out in costume.

Created by a Korean messaging app, the LINE FRIENDS cartoon characters are the focus of LINE Village Bangkok. Divided into 23 zones with features such as interactive games and selfie kiosks, the large indoor digital theme park attracts kids and anime enthusiasts and makes a good rainy-day activity.

In a city of ever-increasing skyscrapers and highways, the Banglamphu area of Bangkok suggests what the city used to look like. Also known as Old Bangkok, Banglamphu is a mixture of budget backpacker digs and temples, nightclubs and wet markets. Don’t skip Banglamphu while in Bangkok.

Built in 1904 as part of the Dusit Palace Park complex, the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall originally hosted state occasions under Chulalongkorn (also known as King Rama V). In 1993, the royal family reopened the restored hall as a handicraft museum sponsored by the Support Foundation. Please note: Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall and the larger Dusit Palace Park are closed for construction. The reopening date has not been announced.