Bangkok Attractions – What to See

The Grand Palace (Bangkok Grand Palace)

This palace complex, made up of many temples and palaces, is the main landmark of Bangkok and the first attraction in the capital you should visit. Built in 1782, it serves not only as the actual royal residence but also houses numerous government offices. Of course, the royal residence and offices aren't open to tourists, but the most beautiful and interesting part of the complex is open for a fee. Several palaces and throne halls used by the royal family to receive ambassadors and foreign delegations are open, along with many temples and shrines. To fully explore the palace, you'll need at least half a day. More details and photos of the Grand Palace here.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Near the Grand Palace is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha – one of the oldest temples in the Kingdom and the largest in Bangkok, built between 1688-1703. It houses the famous 46-meter-long gilded statue of the reclining Buddha. The temple complex has many chapels and pagodas. It's the largest and oldest temple in the capital, the most famous among tourists, and one of the most recognizable symbols of Thailand. Rarely does any movie set in Bangkok miss a shot of this temple. Despite being 'hyped' and touristy, this temple is a must-see, especially since it's practically right next to the Grand Palace. More about the Temple of the Reclining Buddha here.

Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)

Across the river from the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is the Temple of Dawn – Wat Arun. You can get there by a river ferry that costs 3 baht. The piers are right near the temples. Taking a taxi would be very expensive, requiring a big detour over bridges. In the evening, when the 88-meter temple is lit up by spotlights, there's a fantastic view from the opposite bank. This is probably Thailand's most picturesque temple. In spring and summer, every evening at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM, and 9:30 PM, there are light shows where the temple's history is told in Thai and English, accompanied by traditional Thai music. More about the Temple of Dawn here.

Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Trai Mit)

This otherwise unremarkable temple would be just one of thousands if it weren't for the world's largest golden statue of a seated Buddha. Thais say it's made entirely of gold, though no one has checked. The statue weighs five and a half tons and is over 3 meters tall. The Buddha's pupils are black Thai sapphires, and the whites of the eyes are made of pearls. It's about 700 years old.

The complex consists of several temple buildings and even a museum, and there are two more temples nearby: the Golden Dragon Temple and the Lotus Temple. The museum has two floors dedicated to the statue's history, while the ground floor tells the story of Chinatown, where the temple is located. More about the Temple of the Golden Buddha.

Bangkok National Museum

This is the largest museum in Bangkok and the country, and in our opinion, if you're going to visit any museum in Bangkok, this is the one. It's a complex of several buildings, a temple, and grounds where performances about Thai history and culture are sometimes held. The collection is very rich, and even a quick glance at all the exhibits will take a couple of hours; to study everything in detail and read the captions, you'll need a whole day. Visiting the National Museum is interesting even without a tour, but if you want, you can join a free tour in English, French, or German, which are held several times a week. More about the Bangkok National Museum.

Jim Thompson House Museum

The Jim Thompson House Museum is one of the most famous and visited museums in Bangkok. It's hard to pinpoint a single theme, as it blends architecture, nature, history, and culture.

The antique house of American businessman Jim Thompson recreates the atmosphere from his lifetime and displays artworks. There's a small beautiful garden around the house. After buying a ticket, you'll wait a bit (usually no more than 20 minutes) for a group to form, then you'll be taken through the house with detailed stories about its history and the businessman's life. Tours are only available in English and French. Honestly, without a guide's narration, visiting this place isn't very interesting, and if you're not comfortable with spoken English or French, you might not enjoy it much, so you could skip it. More about the Jim Thompson Museum.

King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk

The King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk is a new attraction (opened in 2018) that has far surpassed the previously highest observation deck at the Baiyoke Sky hotel-skyscraper. It's higher (314 meters), more modern, with interactive activities, and much more expensive. Currently, it's the highest observation deck in Thailand. At the top, on the 74th floor, there's an indoor observation deck with an interactive city map marking attractions; you'll go up from the 75th to the 87th floor on a glass escalator, and on the 87th floor is the actual open-air observation deck and balconies with glass floors. More about the King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk.

Baiyoke Sky Tower Observation Deck (Baiyoke sky)

The Baiyoke Sky Tower observation deck, also known as Baiyoke II, is on the top floor of the Baiyoke Sky II hotel-skyscraper. Until recently, this was the tallest building in Thailand, the tallest hotel in Asia, and the third tallest hotel globally. Its height is 304 meters, 84 floors. But a few years ago, the King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper (which also has an observation deck) took the crown. Nevertheless, Baiyoke Sky remains a very interesting and exciting place to visit because it's conveniently located right in the heart of the city, and the entry fee is more than half the price of the new Mahanakhon deck, yet the experience is just as enjoyable. Plus, the experience comes with a nice bonus you get at the bar on the 83rd floor. More about the Baiyoke Sky Tower observation deck.

Wat Saket (Golden Mount Temple - Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan)

This Buddhist temple is known for its gilded pagoda built on a high artificial hill called the Golden Mount. For a long time, before skyscrapers started being built in Bangkok, the pagoda was the tallest structure in the city. At the top, besides the pagoda, there's an observation deck offering great panoramic photo opportunities. This temple is highly revered among Buddhists because it houses a relic of the Buddha brought from India. Every November, a grand festival takes place at the temple, during which a huge procession climbs the hill. More about Wat Saket and the Golden Mount here.

Wat Suthat Temple and the Giant Swing

This temple, right in the center of Bangkok, is one of the oldest. It's famous for housing one of the most beautiful and the largest sermon hall (Viharn). Construction began in 1807 under King Rama I and was only completed in 1947 under King Rama III. The base of the statue's pedestal contains part of the ashes of King Rama VIII. In 2005, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Right in front of the temple is the Giant Swing, which until 1932 was used in theTri-yampawai ritual (celebrating the new world and giving thanks to the god Shiva for the rice harvest). Young men would swing and had to grab a bag of money suspended about 25 meters high.

Khao San Road

This is Bangkok's main tourist street, around which the most popular tourist district has formed, with a huge number of budget accommodations and developed tourist infrastructure for independent travelers. But don't think this is some local 'Arbat' for leisurely strolls and souvenir shopping. Khao San Road is actually the noisiest and most party-centric spot in the capital, especially in the evenings. While during the day you can still walk around and shop, forget about such strolls in the evening, as it turns into an epicenter of tourist fun and debauchery, every single evening, no breaks, all year round. So, being in Bangkok and not spending at least one evening on Khao San Road would be unforgivable. More about Khao San Road.

Vimanmek Palace Complex (Vimanmek Mansion)

Vimanmek Palace is a complex consisting of a palace, park, and themed museums. The centerpiece is the three-story royal mansion Vimanmek Mansion, built entirely of teak wood. Royal family members used to live here, but it was originally located elsewhere and later moved here. Overall, the complex is a very interesting place worth visiting. Unlike the Grand Palace, which mainly showcases beautiful temple structures and religious shrines, here you see a more down-to-earth, everyday life of the royal family and their achievements. Unfortunately, as of 2016, the complex is closed for renovation, and it's currently unknown when it will reopen. More about the Vimanmek complex.

Democracy Monument

The Democracy Monument was erected in 1939 to commemorate the establishment of a constitutional monarchy by the King of Thailand in 1932. It's located on a traffic roundabout in central Bangkok and serves as kilometer zero, meaning distances of highways from the capital are measured from here. It's often used as a landmark to get to this part of the city and to Khao San Road by taxi or bus. More about the Democracy Monument.

Mahakan Fort

Mahakan Fort is a historic spot, though there's not much to see. You can stop by if you're strolling around the Golden Mount Temple, Democracy Monument, or other nearby attractions. The fort was built in the late 18th century as part of the city's fortifications to protect the royal area, now the historic Rattanakosin Island. In 2018, a small green park with benches was created nearby.

Fort Phra Sumen

Fort Phra Sumen is an architectural landmark in the historic part of Bangkok on Rattanakosin Island, a defensive structure built in 1783. Honestly, there's not much to do here, and you'll spend 5-10 minutes max exploring it. So, don't make a special trip from other city areas. But if you happen to be in this part of town or are just strolling near Khao San Road (which is very close), you can check it out. Near the fort is the Bang Lamphu Museum, which you can visit together with the fort for just 30 baht. More about Fort Phra Sumen.

Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat)

This is the largest flower market in Thailand. Stalls are piled high with familiar roses, lilies, chrysanthemums, exotic orchids, and other unknown flowers. Under the same roof is also a vegetable market.

It's not exactly a must-see place, but if you've already seen everything in Bangkok or want something unusual, it's worth a look. More about Bangkok's flower market.

Ancient Artillery Museum Park

The Ancient Artillery Museum Park is a small park in front of the administrative building of the Thai Ministry of Defense, where about a dozen different antique cannons used by the Thai army are displayed outdoors. It's not a park for relaxing (no benches), but there are info signs describing each piece of artillery. Don't make a special trip here, but if you're walking around the Grand Palace, you can stroll through the park.

Phaya Thai Palace

Phaya Thai Palace is almost unknown to tourists, but it's a very important place for Thais. It houses an exhibition dedicated to the life of the dearly beloved King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej. It tells the story of his life from birth to death. There are almost no artifacts or furnishings; everything is very modest. Instead, there's a special, mesmerizing atmosphere: in the silence, Thais move as if entranced from one info board to another, lovingly looking at photos and reading stories from the king's life. More about the palace.

Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit or Marble Temple)

This is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok. Although it's called the 'Marble Temple', the literal translation means 'Temple of King Rama V', who ordered its construction in 1899. After the king's death, his ashes were enshrined in the base of the main Buddha statue. True to its name, most of the temple is built from marble, including some imported from Italy. The temple is also interesting because it's one of the newest, combining a modern European style with traditional Thai architecture. More about the Marble Temple.

Wat Ratchanaddaram Temple

Construction of Wat Ratchanaddaram (also Ratchanadda) began in 1846 by order of King Rama III, but to this day it's still considered unfinished, making it the longest-running construction project in Thailand – over 160 years. Inside, there's a museum, you can enter by leaving 20 baht in the donation box. But the most interesting part is that you can climb to the top from the museum. From there, you get a stunning view of the surrounding area. More about Wat Ratchanaddaram.

Wat Thepthidaram Temple

Wat Thepthidaram Woraviharn (or simply Thepthidaram Temple) is rarely visited by tourists, although it's located almost in the heart of Bangkok on Rattanakosin Island, surrounded by other popular temples and attractions. It houses special Buddha images. The first is a small statue of the White Buddha, Phraphutthathewawirat, carved from a single piece of white stone, presumably marble. In another separate viharn, there are 52 bronze gilded statues of Bhikkhunis, meaning female monks. Also on the temple grounds is a museum dedicated to the famous Thai poet Sunthon Phu, who was a monk in this monastery. More about Wat Thepthidaram.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (also Wat Khaek, also Wat Kak)

There are only two Hindu temples in Bangkok, and this one is the most beautiful. Built in the 1860s by immigrants from India, it's now one of the main places of worship for Bangkok's Indian community. You can visit for free, but you can't take photos inside without permission. However, getting permission is easy, just leave a donation and ask one of the caretakers. More about the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Temple

Bowonniwet Vihara is not particularly well-known or visited by tourists, yet it's one of the most important temples and monasteries in Bangkok. Here, in a large golden stupa, is a Buddha statue from around 1357, and this is also where most members of the royal family spent their period of monkhood and training. But most importantly, the temple holds the remains of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who died in 2016. Next door, in a separate building, are the monastery's library and the abbot's museum. More about Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.

Wat Chana Songkhram Temple

Wat Chana Songkhram, or fully Wat Chana Songkhram Rachawora Mahawiharn, is a royal temple and monastery located practically right next to Khao San Road. It was founded when Bangkok wasn't yet the capital and was originally called Wat Klang Na, meaning 'temple in the middle of the rice field', which it was back then. Its current name can be roughly translated as 'victorious'. It received this name in honor of three great victories over the Burmese in 1785–1787. More about Wat Chana Songkhram.

Chao Mae Tuptim (Phallus or Fertility Shrine)

An interesting and unusual place to visit, though including it in your must-see Bangkok itinerary isn't necessary. You can visit if you happen to be nearby. Its charm lies in its rarity and uniqueness, and few tourists ever come here. The Phallus Shrine, Shrine for Pregnant Women, or Fertility Shrine is not actually a place to admire the male reproductive organ, but a place where people come to pray for offspring and fertility, or to give thanks to the Goddess for her help. More about the Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine (Phallus/Fertility Shrine).

Erawan Shrine

This is one of the most important places of pilgrimage and worship in Bangkok, despite its unimpressive size. The shrine consists of a statue of the 4-faced Brahma, a Hindu deity. Every day, a huge number of people come here; dance shows and chanting are often held. Tourists are free to come, sit on benches, and watch the rituals, and if you wish, you can light incense, offer flowers, or wash with holy water. Overall, this place is very atmospheric and interesting, definitely worth a visit, especially if you're staying in the Pratunam or Sukhumvit areas. More about the Erawan Shrine.

Wat Liap Temple

Wat Ratchaburana Ratchaworawiharn or Wat Liap is a fairly large temple complex in central Bangkok near Chinatown and the flower market. It doesn't stand out much, except for an unusual green stupa in Khmer architectural style, i.e., resembling a corn cob. Another notable feature is the interior paintings by a monk and talented artist named Krua In Khong.

The temple was built by an influential Chinese merchant in 1793 with the approval of King Rama I to house 162 important Buddha statues. During World War II, the temple was almost completely destroyed and even removed from the list of official royal temples, but it was restored again in 1960. More about Wat Liap.

Lak Muang (City Pillar Shrine)

Lak Muang, the City Pillar Shrine, or Temple Pillar, is one of the sacred and symbolic places for Bangkok residents. It's believed to be the first structure built in Bangkok, and the city began growing from this spot. In 1783, by decree of Rama I, the city pillar and temple were erected here, marking the start of the city's construction. It's also considered the conditional geographical center of Bangkok, as distances are measured from here. More about the Lak Muang Shrine.

Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan (Crocodile Temple)

Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan, also known as Wat Sam Pleum or simply the Crocodile Temple, is one of the most unusual temples in the capital. It doesn't boast beauty or architecture and is generally little-known, but as the name suggests, it's home to crocodiles, real live ones. There are four reptiles in total, and the monks feed them around 5 PM daily. To be fair, besides the crocodiles, there is something to see here, and it's also one of the oldest temples in the capital. More about the Crocodile Temple.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Chinese Temple)

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (also Wat Leng Noei Yi) is the largest and most important temple of the Chinese community in Bangkok, following the Mahayana branch of Buddhism. It was built in the early 19th century in a classic Chinese architectural style.

During religious and other holidays, colorful festivals take place here. Don't make a special trip just to visit this temple, but if you're strolling through Chinatown, be sure to stop by; it's interesting. You can freely walk around the temple and enter any rooms. More about the Chinese temple.

Wat Yannawa (Boat Temple)

This temple is not very well known among the masses of tourists visiting Bangkok. But if you're not here for the first time and want to see some new sights, we can definitely recommend this unusual temple. Its architectural highlight is the viharn built in the shape of a snow-white Chinese junk, a sailing ship from the 19th century. More about the Boat Temple.

Assumption Cathedral (Catholic)

This is the main Catholic church in Thailand and the principal church of the Archdiocese of Bangkok, an architectural monument. The cathedral has twice hosted the Pope in Thailand: Pope John Paul II in 1984 and Pope Francis in 2019. The original church building was commissioned by French missionary Father Pascal in 1809 and designed by a French architect, who completed construction in 1821 during the reign of King Rama II. Around 1909 or 1910, the church underwent significant renovation and was rebuilt in the Romanesque style. More about Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok.

David Beckham Temple (Wat Pariwat Ratchasongkram)

Wat Pariwat is one of the most unusual temples in Bangkok, also known popularly as the 'David Beckham Temple'. It's definitely worth visiting if you're not in the Thai capital for the first time. If this is your first time here, honestly, you can give it a miss, especially since getting there without a taxi is not so easy. Originally, Wat Pariwat was just a small local temple, and it's not even known exactly when it was built. Only a rough period is known – the Ayutthaya era, i.e., from the 14th to the 18th century. But at the end of the last century, someone got the idea to decorate the temple's ubosot (the main structure in Thai temples, a kind of prayer hall) with images of famous people and fictional characters. So statues and frescoes of Che Guevara, Barack Obama, Einstein, Superman, Pinocchio, some character from Star Wars, and much more appeared here. A special place is taken by a gilded statue of David Beckham, installed in 1998 in honor of the 16th FIFA World Cup. More about Wat Pariwat in Bangkok.

Wat Mahathat Temple (Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit)

This is one of the most important and oldest temples in Bangkok, among the top ten royal temples of Thailand, founded to house a Buddhist relic. It also houses the Vipassana meditation center. However, this temple is almost unknown to tourists and rarely visited by guests of the capital, even though it's very conveniently located in the heart of the historic district: near the Grand Palace and within walking distance of Khao San Road. Its low popularity is likely because it gets overshadowed by other more interesting and architecturally refined temples in the area. More about Wat Mahathat Temple.

Museum Siam

Museum Siam, along with the Bangkok National Museum, is one of the most interesting and artifact-rich museums in the country. It's not as big as the National Museum, and its theme is also different. While the National Museum's exhibition mainly tells about history and features historical artifacts, Museum Siam is more dedicated to culture, including contemporary culture. There are many modern, interactive exhibits, some of which are very amusing. The key word of the exhibition is 'Thainess', which can be roughly translated as 'Being Thai' or the 'Soul of a Thai', meaning that after your visit, you'll better understand the people of Thailand and learn why they are the way they are. More about Museum Siam.

Royal Barges Museum

Despite its niche appeal that might not suit every tourist, the National Museum of Royal Barges is considered one of the best in Bangkok. Here, in a hangar, are about ten ceremonial royal boats, richly decorated with gold leaf and precious stones. Some are restored, and of course, the real stones have been replaced with glass, but as guides say, originally they did have real precious and semi-precious stones. Some boats are new, built at the end of the last century. The visit takes 20-30 minutes. More about the museum.

Siriraj Medical Museum

The Siriraj Medical Museum might have gone completely unnoticed by tourists visiting Bangkok, except for one fact: it was named by Times magazine as the most unusual museum in the world. That's not surprising, as it has a popular name – the Museum of Death. The exhibits are human organs, mummies, 'preserved' in formaldehyde babies with mutations, crime victims, horrifying antique medical instruments, and human parasites – all the things that leave you not wanting to eat for several hours, maybe days. So, objectively weigh how strong your nerves are and whether you're too impressionable before heading here. More about the Medical Museum in Bangkok and photos.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall Museum

In the Dusit Palace complex, in the most prominent spot, stands the beautiful Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. This is one of the best and most interesting museums in Bangkok. The palace is magnificent both outside and inside, finished with precious woods and semi-precious stones. Most importantly, it displays a rich collection of items related to the royal family: expensive furniture, boat models, jewelry, dishes, works of art, etc. Free audio guides (including in Russian) are provided for the tour, giving detailed explanations of each exhibit. More about the museum.

Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall

This museum-exhibition is designed for getting acquainted with Thai culture and history. The exhibits are new and well-maintained, everything is clean, with detailed captions and modern interactive displays. The visit involves being accompanied by guide docents along one of several routes through the museum (as of 2026, there are two). To do this, every 20 minutes a group of visitors is formed and, accompanied by guides, sets off on one of the chosen routes. More about the museum.

King Rama VII (Prajadhipok) Museum

This museum is not hyped and rarely appears in free guides and maps, yet it deserves tourists' attention. Of course, you don't need to travel across the city for it, but if you're in the area, it's worth a look. It is dedicated to the life of King Rama VII Prajadhipok, who reigned from 1926 to 1935. This historical period was one of the most eventful in the country's life, and the museum's exhibition tells the story of this time. Exhibits include the king's personal belongings, documents, and photographs. More about the museum.

Human Body Museum

The Human Body Museum is not a traditional tourist museum, but rather what you might call a departmental museum, as it's located on the grounds of a medical university and hospital. However, anyone can visit.

It's not for the faint-hearted, as the exhibits are human bodies and organs displayed in two spacious, well-lit halls. Each exhibit has a detailed info board with diagrams in Thai and English. Overall, this museum is somewhat reminiscent of the Siriraj Medical Museum in Bangkok, but much more modest and simpler. More about the museum.

Coin Museum

The Coin Museum exists under the patronage of the Thai Ministry of Finance, serving as the ministry's official museum. Here you'll learn the history of Thai money from ancient times when... peppers were used for payment. You'll see several rare coins and can watch a film. The exhibition is modern and interactive, but it's only worth visiting if you're into numismatics or have absolutely nothing else to do in Bangkok. More about the Coin Museum.

Nonthaburi Museum

The Nonthaburi Museum is rarely visited and located quite far from the city center, dedicated to the city of the same name which is part of Bangkok. You won't see anything special here; it's a typical provincial local history museum, but if you want to experience places less frequented by tourists, this is one of them. Don't be put off by its distance from the center; it's actually very easy and cheap to get there by regular boat on the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkokian Museum

The Bangkokian Museum is one of the hidden gems of Bangkok, worth visiting. It consists of two wooden houses on a single estate property that belonged to a Bangkok family during World War II. The houses are surrounded by a garden, and the estate is fenced off, protecting the yard from the city's noise and bustle, making you forget you're in the center of one of the world's noisiest metropolises. Inside the houses, the atmosphere of the time when the family lived here is recreated, with many exhibits belonging to family members. More about the Bangkokian Museum.

Suan Pakkad Palace Museum

Originally it was a family residence, but in 1952, Prince Chumbhotbongs Paribatra and his wife decided to open it to the public, and a museum was born. It's basically a museum-estate with a well-kept green area, an antique wooden house, and even older buildings attached to it (8 houses in total). The oldest structure is over 450 years old.

For some reason, almost no tourists know about this place, though we can confidently say it's no less interesting than the famous Jim Thompson House. Inside, there's a collection of art, furniture, household items, musical instruments, and historical artifacts. More about the Suan Pakkad Museum.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

This is the city's main venue for showcasing works by local artists and designers. Across seven floors, a huge number of pieces are on display, from simple paintings to interactive installations, and the content is always changing. So even if you were here a couple of years ago, you can visit again and a lot will be new. Recommended for all creative people. More about the art centre.

Banglamphu Museum

The Banglamphu Museum is a small museum telling the history of Bangkok's Banglamphu district, one of the oldest in the city. It's nothing special and not very big. But the exhibition is modern and well-maintained, and free tours are available. Nearby is the old Phra Sumen Fort, which is also worth checking out during your visit to the museum.

Amulet Market

There are many places in Bangkok to buy amulets, but the largest and most interesting is the Amulet Market, located near the Grand Palace and opposite Wat Mahathat on Maha Rat Road. This is a truly unique and worthwhile place to visit, and we recommend that every guest of the city try to come here if possible. And it's definitely worth coming if you're not in Bangkok for the first time. Here you can not just stroll among rows of amazing crafts and souvenirs that reek of religion, mysticism, and antiquity, but also buy yourself an amulet (if you believe) or a souvenir (if you don't). By the way, amulets here are very cheap, with prices starting at 20 baht. More about the Amulet Market.

Chatuchak Market

This place is not just about shopping; it's also an attraction or entertainment worth visiting. Honestly, don't try to rush to this market on your first trip to Bangkok; better to see the temples and palaces first. But if you're not here for the first time, Chatuchak is worth a visit and will definitely surprise you. Plus, you don't necessarily have to go to Chatuchak just for shopping; you can go for a stroll between the stalls. After all, by some estimates, it's the largest urban market in the world! So it will amaze and delight even seasoned tourists and experienced travelers. More about Chatuchak Market.

Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World Aquarium

Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World (formerly called Siam Ocean World) is the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia. It features over 30,000 marine creatures and plants from all over the underwater world, including some extremely rare representatives. Many of them are almost impossible for regular tourists to encounter in their natural habitat.

Besides just the inhabitants, there's a whole range of exhibits and interactive entertainment: unique types of aquariums, fish massages, interactive panels, a 4D cinema, and much more. You can see the feeding of big, bloodthirsty sharks, regular fish, penguins, and other creatures at scheduled times. For an extra fee, you can scuba dive and swim with the sharks, or observe the inhabitants from a glass-bottom boat. The only downside to visiting the Bangkok Aquarium is its somewhat high cost. Set aside at least 2 hours for your visit.

Snake Farm

The Snake Farm at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute is nothing like the places tourists are taken to in Pattaya or Phuket. Here, they don't perform tricks with reptiles to then sell tourists medicines and cosmetics. There are no rituals involving drinking snake blood or eating its liver. Here, reptiles are bred for medical purposes, carefully cared for, and they are happy to tell visitors all about it. You can learn about different snake species, read information about them, and watch an English-language documentary on how to handle these venomous creatures, safety measures, and first aid methods. More about the Bangkok Snake Farm.

Lumpini Park

For a hundred years, Lumpini Park has been Bangkok's most popular and largest park. Its area is over 57 hectares. This green space has two lakes where you can go boating; paths for running, cycling, and rollerblading; fountains; monuments; sports facilities; a swimming pool; and a stage for events. Large monitor lizards live here, and turtles and fish live in the pond. If you're used to thinking that a city park is a boring place for walks, it's different here; something is always going on: mass exercise sessions, performances by artists, traditional shows, competitions. More about Lumpini Park.

Benjakitti Park

Benjakitti Park is relatively new: it was founded in 1992 and officially opened only in 2004. And you can tell, actually, because some parts of the park are still undergoing landscaping. Nevertheless, if you've already been to Lumpini Park and seen all the interesting places in Bangkok, you can come here for a stroll. There's a large lake with fountains, a jogging path around it, benches for relaxing, and nice views of Bangkok's skyscrapers. There are sports grounds, bike and catamaran rentals for lake cruising, free toilets, and special footbridge paths that go over canals and clearings for walking through the green part of the park. There's also the building of the old tobacco factory of the Tobacco Authority of Thailand, which used to own this land, and it houses a free exhibition of antique tobacco machinery. And during holidays and festivals, the park becomes a venue for celebratory events. More about Lumpini Park.

Soi Cowboy (Adult Street)

This is a small street in the Sukhumvit area, one of the most famous adult entertainment streets in Bangkok. Of course, it's far from a place you'd go to see something interesting or beautiful, or just to stroll; it's not really an attraction. But if you're looking for a place for some adult fun in the evening, it's one of the best options. It's packed with bars, go-go clubs, and other adult venues. Moreover, you don't necessarily have to go there solely to end the evening in a room with a girl (or a boy, whatever floats your boat). Actually, you can have a pretty good time just having a beer at the bar and chatting with other tourists, expats, or successful Thais. More about Soi Cowboy.

Patpong (Adult Street)

This is the legendary adult entertainment street where the sex industry in Bangkok began to develop in the mid-20th century. It consists of several streets with adult entertainment and bars with girls and boys. Most are concentrated on Soi Patpong 2. There's also Soi Jaruwan, which has venues for ladyboy and boy lovers, and Soi Thaniya, with very expensive night venues for straight people. Besides night venues, this area is known for its tourist night market on Soi Patpong 1, where you can buy all sorts of mass-produced clothing, bags, souvenirs, and knock-offs. More about Soi Patpong.

R-Walk or Ratchaprasong Skywalk

The R-Walk or Ratchaprasong Skywalk is a network of concrete pedestrian walkways in the Pratunam and Siam areas, right in the heart of Bangkok, built above the roads and streets for commuting and strolling. In case you didn't know, the Pratunam area is Bangkok's main shopping district, modern and noisy, filled with skyscrapers and huge shopping centers. This is where you'll find malls like CentralWorld, MBK, Gaysorn Plaza, Siam Paragon, the Big C hypermarket, and countless street markets. In short, if you're going anywhere in Bangkok for shopping, this is definitely the best place. Besides the malls, the R-Walk is interesting because it has 8 important city shrines located along it. Among them are the famous Erawan Shrine, as well as shrines to Ganesha, Lakshmi, and others. More about R-Walk or Ratchaprasong Skywalk.

Yodpiman River Walk

Yodpiman River Walk is a small tourist recreation area, something like a pedestrian street or promenade with a couple of restaurants and cafes, and a great view of the Chao Phraya River. It's little-known, and you rarely see foreigners here, but if you have absolutely nothing to do in Bangkok, you can drop by and have dinner at one of the restaurants with a view of the boats floating by on the river and the brightly lit opposite bank. There probably aren't any other quiet, romantic places like this in Bangkok. More about Yodpiman River Walk.

Asiatique Riverfront and Asiatique Sky Ferris Wheel

Asiatique Riverfront is an area for relaxation, entertainment, and shopping on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the Riverside area. It also has a small amusement park with Thailand's tallest ferris wheel, Asiatique Sky, standing 60 meters high (about 20 floors), offering great views of the city and the river. Like many other similar places in Bangkok, Asiatique was designed as a zone where guests and residents can escape the city's hustle and bustle in a relaxed atmosphere, eat at one of the local restaurants, shop, and have some fun. More about Asiatique and the Ferris wheel.

Mueang Boran Ancient City Park

Mueang Boran Ancient City is a massive cultural and historical park featuring over a hundred replicas of Thailand's historical structures (many of the originals have already been destroyed), some built to actual size. There are copies and models of entire villages, as well as real houses brought here from the provinces. We highly recommend this place for a visit, but you'll need to set aside a whole day. The park is large, so you can take a free bicycle at the entrance, or rent an electric cart for a small fee. Free audio guides are available at the ticket office, including in Russian. Be sure to bring sun protection (sunscreen, umbrella, hat) and water. More about Mueang Boran.

Maha Chai Fish Market and Village

Maha Chai Village is a one-day attraction, most often visited as a self-guided day trip or an organized tour from Bangkok. Maha Chai is one of Thailand's largest fishing centers and is known for its wholesale fish market. Besides the market, you can immerse yourself in the life of real provincial Thailand, not yet spoiled by tourists. You can walk around the village, see its temples, take the ferry across the Tha Chin River that divides the village. And you definitely should eat your fill of the freshest seafood, just unloaded from the fishing boats. More about Maha Chai Village.

Maeklong Railway Market

Maeklong village and market are located 80 kilometers from Bangkok in Samut Songkhram Province. This is an excellent place for a day trip from Bangkok to little-known tourist spots, to see a unique tourist attraction on the one hand, and an everyday occurrence for Thais on the other. Here you'll find the railway market, where vendors set up their goods and stalls right on the train tracks. It's called deadly dangerous, though objectively, trains appear only 4 times a day strictly on schedule. Nevertheless, when the train arrives, a huge crowd of tourists gathers with cameras and phones to capture this sight. More about Maeklong.

National Science Museum

A very interesting and educational place, definitely worth a visit, especially with children. The building's exterior, made up of three cubes, looks modern and impressive. The museum itself occupies six floors and contains a diverse and rich collection of scientific achievements over the past two centuries. The exhibitions are thematically divided into numerous halls, featuring robotics; technologies used in everyday life; cosmonautics; separate exhibits on Thai history and culture; ecology; human anatomy, etc. A 4D cinema shows scientific films on various topics. All display materials have English translations. Periodically, the museum hosts exhibitions of modern scientific developments, including works by the King of Thailand.

Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple

Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple is one of the most unusual temples in the capital, and possibly in all of Thailand. The thing is, this temple complex isn't just made up of traditional temple buildings like the Ubosot (the standard temple building with a multi-tiered roof). On its grounds, next to the main ubosot, stands an 80-meter (17-story) pink cylindrical tower wrapped by a giant dragon. The Dragon Temple is not ancient; it was officially opened in 1985. Of course, it was built using modern technology, and an elevator was even installed, but it doesn't work, so you'll have to climb on foot. Only the first floor is open to visitors, but honestly, you won't see anything remarkable there. The most interesting part is that you can enter the body of the dragon and climb to the very top observation deck, which offers a panoramic view of this outlying district of Bangkok. More about the Dragon Temple in Bangkok.