TopBangkok Hospitality & Tourism Directory
Welcome to the Capital of Smiles
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BasicsAs the political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital of Thailand, Bangkok features both old-world charm and modern convenience, at times served up in an apparently chaotic manner, but always with a gracious smile. Invariably, every Thailand holiday includes a visit to the kingdom’s capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, “the city of angels” as it is known to its inhabitants. Many tourists who travel to Bangkok are immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size of the city and the vast number of attractions Bangkok has to offer. Indeed there is a wide variety of Bangkok sightseeing opportunities spanning more than two centuries of rapid development following the city’s founding in 1782 by King Rama I, the first king of the present Chakri dynasty. Since that auspicious date, Bangkok has swelled to a cosmopolitan, 21st century city of more than ten million inhabitants. While the immensity of the city and its bustling streets can be intimidating at first, those who spend some time in Bangkok are quickly enamored by the myriad of attractions Bangkok contains, from exotic temples, which underscore Thailand’s strong Buddhist history, to modern shopping malls, which make shopping an integral part of any Bangkok holiday. Bangkok features attractions guaranteed to please visitors either simply passing through the city or spending their entire Thailand holiday in Bangkok. Nearly every Bangkok holiday includes a visit to Thailand’s Grand Palace, arguably the premier Bangkok sightseeing attraction. Situated in the heart of Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island, the gleaming spires of the Grand Palace are conveniently located nearby Bangkok’s most spectacular temples, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo), the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), and Wat Pho, which features an enormous reclining Buddha and was home of the first Thai massage school in the kingdom. These iconic destinations are top attractions to all visitors who travel to Bangkok looking to appreciate Thailand’s unique cultural traditions. In fact, there are more than 400 functioning Buddhist temples throughout the city and it’s not uncommon when you travel in Bangkok to spot saffron robed monks collecting morning alms or traveling throughout out the city, including along the Chao Phraya, the “River of Kings”, which passes alongside the Temple of the Dawn. The winding Chao Phraya is connected by numerous canals from which Bangkok has earned its nickname the “Venice of the East”; when you travel around Bangkok, a cruise on the Chao Phraya, a visit to a floating market, or an exploration of the cities “back alley” canals (khlongs) are themselves unique Bangkok attractions. Other historical and cultural Bangkok sightseeing ‘must sees’ include the National Museum, Vimanmek Mansion, and Suan Pakkad Palace, all of which either house fine art or are national treasures in their own right. Beyond Bangkok’s historical district, there are plenty of other attractions that make a Bangkok holiday both enjoyable and memorable. The downtown districts along Silom and Sukhumvit Roads have a convenient electric rail system, including an elevated sky-train and underground subway, that have made travel in Bangkok both easy and enjoyable. Connecting hotels directly to shopping malls and traditional markets, such as Mah Boon Krong Center and Chatuchak (JJ) weekend market, the MRT and BTS systems have literally elevated Bangkok shopping to world-class status. Of course, no Thailand holiday is complete without experiencing Thailand’s vibrant nightlife. Whether, the purpose of your Thailand holiday is to immerse yourself in Thailand’s unique culture or simply to splurge in Bangkok shopping malls, when you travel to Bangkok you are guaranteed a fascinating experience of both old-world charm and modern convenience and luxury. Key Tips AccommodationLocated in the heart of Southeast Asia, Bangkok attracts millions of visitors each year, including tourists and business travelers. To cater to such a diverse multitude of guests, Bangkok features the widest variety and quality of places to stay in Thailand, if not the entire world. The vast range of accommodation in Bangkok includes some of worlds most acclaimed hotels as well as entire neighborhoods of budget backpacker hostels and guesthouses. While many luxury hotels line the Chao Phraya riverside, where rooms and restaurants overlook the river, the sprawling city features numerous centers of commerce and areas dense with sightseeing attractions and a full range of accommodation options exists near each one. The districts of Siam, Silom, Sukhumvit, and historic Rattakosin each contain five star hotels, family-friendly mid-range accommodation, and a number of budget guesthouses. With a reputation for courteous service with a smile, Bangkok’s hotel staff will make you feel at home no matter what accommodation you choose, and the city’s efficient transportation infrastructure will make it easy to shop, dine, or sightsee from whichever area of the city you wish to lodge.
Things to doAs one of the premier tourist destinations in Thailand, Bangkok has innumerable attractions, including temples, markets, palaces, and museums, ensuring that visitors with any interest will find something to keep them entertained on their Bangkok holiday. The following are some of the most popular attractions in Bangkok:
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Food and DrinkBangkok is one of the premier cities for world-class cuisine. In addition to thousands of outstanding Thai restaurants from five-star to street stall, Bangkok features the entire spectrum of international cuisines, a byproduct of its cosmopolitan population. Expatriate Japanese, Indian, German, Italian, French, Lebanese, and people of nearly every other nationality have established authentic eateries throughout the city. Upscale food courts in many shopping plazas provide visitors with a wide selection of outstanding restaurants, and most hotels feature at least one Thai and one international dining establishment. An incipient food-tourism industry has even appeared on the scene; a testament to the outstanding variety and quality of cuisine available in Thailand’s capital city.
Bangkok is one of the premier cities for world-class cuisine. In addition to thousands of outstanding Thai restaurants from five-star to street stall, Bangkok features the entire spectrum of international cuisines, a byproduct of its cosmopolitan population. Expatriate Japanese, Indian, German, Italian, French, Lebanese, and people of nearly every other nationality have established authentic eateries throughout the city. Upscale food courts in many shopping plazas provide visitors with a wide selection of outstanding restaurants, and most hotels feature at least one Thai and one international dining establishment. An incipient food-tourism industry has even appeared on the scene; a testament to the outstanding variety and quality of cuisine available in Thailand’s capital city.
Khao San Road: As one of the epicenters of tourist activity in Bangkok, Khao San Road features a great selection of food, from Thai street food to authentic Middle Eastern and western cuisine. While entrees in Thai restaurants along Khao San Road are hardly authentic -they tend to prepare their food with far less chili than most Thai restaurants do- menus are all in English and the prices are only moderately higher than in everyday Thai restaurants. On the street however, it’s possible to buy common Thai street food, such as fresh fruit, phad thai noodles, spring rolls, and various meats on a stick, all for under $1 US. For novices to Thai cuisine who are fearful for their stomachs, there are also chain branches of American fast food outlets Burger King, McDonalds and Subway, and for those with more refined palettes there are restaurants along nearby Phra Athit Road that serve authentic Thai cuisine to a predominately Thai student crowd. Silom Road: The Silom business district around Sala Daeng BTS station may be better known to visitors for the Patpong red-light district and its popular night market. However, Silom features an outstanding collection of Thai and international restaurants, both upscale and casual. In addition to many fine dining restaurants and moderately priced cafes, there are also many international chain restaurants and some of Bangkok’s best street-food dining venues, both on Silom and its side streets, particularly Soi Convent and Soi Sala Daeng. China Town: Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, is a one of the top dining neighborhoods in Bangkok, with a range of dining options from some of the cheapest food stalls, including fresh fruit vendors and roasted chestnuts stands, to some of the most expensive Chinese restaurants in the city. Along Yaowarat Road and the mazes of side streets leading away from it you will find dim sum, seafood, and many other Chinese eateries, particularly Cantonese dining establishments. In nearby Pahurat, just west of Chinatown, there is a large, long-established Indian community that sells Indian cuisine at a number of authentic restaurants. Siam Square: In addition to dozens of restaurants of every variety in the Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, and Siam Center shopping malls, the streets of Siam Square contain numerous restaurants serving authentic Thai, Chinese, Italian, and even American food at the city’s only Hard Rock Café. Sukhumvit Road: With arguably the highest percentage of hotels in the city it’s hardly surprising that Sukhumvit Road is a literal smorgasbord of dining options. Beginning around Sukhumvit Soi 3 there are many Arab, Middle Eastern, and African restaurants, as well as a number of British and Irish Pubs. Sukhumvit 11 alone features Spanish, Indian, Australian, Italian, German, Mexican, Thai, and even fusion cuisine at the popular Bed Supperclub. Up near Sukhumvit Soi Asoke there are many Korean restaurants, and around Sukhumvit 24 and the Emporium Department store there are many authentic Japanese eateries. After hours, Sukhumvit Road becomes a street-food paradise with vendors lined up along the sidewalk between Sukhumvit 3 and 21, where all variety of Thai food is served until the early morning hours. Bangkok Riverside: Both along and upon the Chao Phraya River there are a host of upscale restaurants and authentic Thai restaurants. With some of the most spectacular sunset views in the city, restaurants along the river’s edge range from swanky hotel cafes and outdoor, rooftop dining rooms, to rustic riverside Thai restaurants and seafood specialists with live music. For additional romance, a dinner cruise aboard an old, teak, rice barge or a larger, more festive boat with live music are both popular experiences for enjoying both the river of kings and some outstanding Thai cuisine. ShoppingAs in most provincial capitals, Bangkok features a central market where locals can buy everything from groceries to household appliances and visitors can shop for clothing and other necessary supplies. In addition to the shopping venues listed below, there are often locally produced handicrafts available at central markets, the occasional night market, and from village workshops in smaller towns throughout the province.
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