Bangkok Tour Overview

For foreigners Bangkok can seem a bit overwhelming at first, with so much to see and do once you get used to all the traffic and confusing geography.

Unlike many other cities around the world where you immediately feel a sense of awe and wonder, Bangkok's contrasts might require an adjustment on your part. However, you will certainly find it worth exploring this amazing capital. There are a number of areas inside and outside the city where an abundance of sights and attractions can be visited on a day tour.

Rattanakosin
Here you will find the Grand Palace, the most famous of Bangkok's sights, a square mile of royal white buildings behind high white walls. Within the complex stands Wat Phra Kaew, which contains the Emerald Buddha. To gain an overview of Thai history and art, go to the nearby National Museum, which offers free guided tours in English. Not far south from the Grand Palace is Bangkok's oldest and largest temple, Wat Pho, famous for its enormous Reclining Buddha and school of traditional Thai massage. Also nearby is Wat Mahathat, the most important place of Buddhist learning in Southeast Asia.

Around Democracy Monument
Near the Democracy Monument, which forms the centerpiece of a roundabout, you will find a variety of important and interesting temples. Wat Sa Ket may look undistinguished, but from the top of this "Golden Mount," you can enjoy some truly stunning views of the city. Built by Rama V, the unusual Chinese-influenced design of Wat Ratchabophit makes it one of the city's prettiest temples. Wat Indravihara, is worth visiting for a glimpse of the towering 32-meter-high Standing Buddha.

Nearby is the spacious, leafy area of Dusit, a royal district since the reign of Rama V. The last major temple built in Bangkok, Wat Benchamabophit incorporates an intriguing mix of classical Thai and 19th century European design and is often referred to as the "Marble Temple" because of its Carrara marble walls. The Dusit Zoo, set in a beautiful park, houses some rare animals, including the Komodo dragon, the world's largest reptile. The elegant National Library is also in this area, alongside a smaller library built as a tribute to the present King, Rama IX. Not far away is the backpackers' hangout, Banglampoo, where you can do some shopping and have a bite to eat in a number of good restaurants, including the Sidewalk Cafe.

Chinatown
The markets, shops and remnants of old-style architecture make Chinatown interesting for tourists. There are also some interesting temples in the area. Wat Chakrawat, which overlooks the Chao Phraya River, is home to several crocodiles in a pond as well as monkeys and dogs. Wat Ga Buang Kim is a typical neighborhood temple where local residents socialize and the occasional worshipper drops by. Inside Wat Traimit, you will find the world's biggest solid-gold Buddha, which is more than three meters tall and weighs five and a half tons. However, although Bangkok is generally a very safe city, this is one area that can be dangerous for tourists at night.

Thonburi
Thonburi became linked to central Bangkok by the construction of the Memorial Bridge in 1932, but it retained its separate identity until 1971, when it officially became part of Bangkok. Beside the bridge, Wat Prayoon is worth visiting for its unusual collection of miniature chedis and shrines. A popular way to see the sights in Thonburi is to embark on a canal tour by chartering a boat at Tha Chang, in front of the Grand Palace. On one such tour you will take in one of Bangkok's most memorable landmarks, Wat Arun, also known as the "Temple of Dawn." Another highlight of a canal tour is the museum of the Royal Barges, where you will see a variety of fantastically ornamented boats used in ceremonial processions on the river.

Downtown
Bangkok's downtown area includes the main financial district around Silom Road, the green expanse of Lumpini Park and a number of shopping centers around Sukhumvit Road and Siam Square, including the Ma Bun Krong Center.
Around Siam Square, you can have coffee at Au Bon Pain, then go on a tour of Jim Thompson's House and Museum nearby. After visiting the famous Erawan Shrine, you can go across the street and visit the fabulous Thai Craft Museum, followed by some duty-free shopping at the World Trade Center. At the Snake Farm, near the intersection of Rama I Road and Silom Road, you can see venom extracted from live snakes two times a day. A few blocks away lies the Patpong Night Market, which is also well known for its many neon-lit a-go-go bars.

Nearby Destinations
There are a number of destinations outside Bangkok that are worth visiting. Ayutthaya, the ancient capital, and a World Heritage Site, is situated 80 kilometers north of Bangkok. Kanchanaburi, best known as the location of the bridge over the River Kwai, is set in some limestone hills 120 kilometers to the northwest. Take a trip to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, 109 kilometers southwest of the capital: Here you will see canals crowded with paddle boats laden with fruits and vegetables. Classic Journeys also offers a guided tour of Thailand starting in Bangkok.

After spending some time in Bangkok, the "City of Angels," you will see why many visitors keep coming back, some for business, some for holiday, and some to settle down.

Thailand Travel Information Guide

Thailand has a rich and colourful culture, and many exotic monuments and stunning beaches, which draw millions of visitors each year, ranging from budget-conscious backpackers to those seeking luxurious pampering in a spa.

Where else but Thailand can visitors cruise on a converted rice barge, roar upriver in a long-tail boat and take a white-knuckle ride on a bamboo raft, then stay in jungle tree houses as guests in the homes of hilltribe villagers, or on rafthouses floating on a river? Equally memorable are the trails leading deep into the rainforest past cooling waterfalls, and the simple beauty of the translucent sea lapping onto endless white, soft sand. Not to be missed is dynamic Bangkok, a city that is larger than life, with its futuristic high-rise buildings juxtaposed against the glittering Grand Palace.

Early morning is when the saffron-robed monks leave the sanctuary of their wats to receive alms from the people, be it in a dusty village or on crowded city streets. Buddhism is a way of life here and with the reverence the people have for the monarchy, a dynasty that has maintained the independence of the country for centuries, the result for the Thais is a blend of tradition with contemporary living.

His Majesty King Bhumibol is the longest reigning monarch in the world, having come to power in 1946. Following the end of absolute monarchy, Thailand moved towards democracy, but this was thwarted by the military, which has often staged coups in protest at government policies. The most recent was in September 2006 when a bloodless coup overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and replaced him with an interim prime minister until elections could take place, probably in October 2007.

For all this, Thailand has risen above economic collapse in 1997, SARS, avian influenza and the devastating tsunami in December 2004 to become a hugely popular destination on the long-haul tourist trail, possessed as it is of great natural beauty and a very rich cultural heritage.

Thailand offers something for everyone. The capital, Bangkok, is alive with commerce and street-bustle nearly every hour of the day and night. Whether in big cities, the country or on a pristine beach, Thailand offers business and leisure travelers a safe, friendly atmosphere full of possibilities. Indeed, one reason Thailand is among the most visited countries in Asia (more than 10 million visitors annually) is because of its accessibility and extensive tourism infrastructure.

Thailand has fabulous architecture, diverse hill-tribe villages, ancient ruins, beautiful islands, excellent shopping and all the amenities as well. The balance between comfort and excitement is up to you: Stay at a five-star hotel or trek through the jungles; eat at gourmet buffets or buy fruit from local vendors; shop in underground malls or wander through outdoor markets. Thailand offers a curious mix of the ultramodern and the simply delightful.

Unfortunately, the tsunamis that struck Southeast Asia in December 2004 dealt a serious blow to Thailand's western coast: The hardest-hit regions were Phang-Nga, Phuket and Krabi provinces, including popular resort areas in Phuket and Phi Phi Island. In addition, many small fishing villages were completely destroyed. Although tourism has returned to many areas and much has been repaired, it is best to check with the Tourism Authority of Thailand for updates before planning trips to the west coast.