Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, a city of around nine million people on the Chao Phraya River delta, known for gilded temples, street food and markets. King Rama I made it the capital in 1782, moving the court across the river from Thonburi to Rattanakosin Island, where the Grand Palace and some of the country's most revered temples still stand.
Beyond the old royal quarter, the city spreads into business districts, shopping streets, canal-side neighbourhoods and night markets, linked by the Skytrain, the metro and river boats. Visitors come for the temples and palaces, for food from roadside stalls to riverside restaurants, for shopping and for the city's sheer energy, and many use it as the starting point for a wider trip around Thailand. Apartments and condos are plentiful near the rail lines, so it is easy to choose a base that suits the trip, from a quiet riverside stay to a high-rise in the middle of Sukhumvit.
The riverside, along the Chao Phraya around Charoen Krung Road, suits travellers who want views and easy boat rides to the old town. Rattanakosin and neighbouring Banglamphu, around Khao San Road, put the Grand Palace and the main temples within walking distance and are popular with backpackers and first-time visitors.
Silom and Sathon form the main business district, close to Lumphini Park and well served by the Skytrain and metro. Sukhumvit, running east, has the widest choice of apartments and condos, with side streets (soi) full of restaurants and shops; Thong Lo and Ekkamai, further along, feel more residential. Ari, in the north, is a calmer, local area of cafés.
Thailand's Hotel Act of 2004 covers businesses that provide temporary accommodation for payment, and many of the city's condominium buildings set their own rules on short stays, so check the current rules before booking.
The Grand Palace, begun when the capital moved to Rattanakosin in 1782, was the royal residence for generations and is still used for state ceremonies. Within its walls, Wat Phra Kaew houses the Emerald Buddha, a deeply revered image. Directly south, Wat Pho holds a reclining Buddha 46 metres long and a school of traditional Thai medicine and massage. A short ferry from Tha Tien pier crosses to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, on the Thonburi bank.
Nearby, the National Museum and the Museum of Siam explain Thai history, the latter with modern, hands-on displays. Cover shoulders and knees for all temples and take off your shoes before entering halls. If someone outside a temple says it is closed and offers a tour instead, check at the entrance yourself.
Street food is part of daily life, and Yaowarat, the main street of Chinatown, fills with stalls and diners every evening; the metro stops at Wat Mangkon, in the heart of the area. Dishes to try include pad thai, tom yum soup, green curry, boat noodles and mango with sticky rice.
Chatuchak Weekend Market in the north of the city is a sprawling maze of stalls selling clothes, crafts, plants and food, and Pak Khlong Talat near the old town is the city's flower market. On the Thonburi side, long-tail boats explore the khlongs (canals), lined with wooden houses and small temples. Bang Krachao, a green bend of the river south of the centre with little high-rise development, is popular with cyclists looking for a break from the traffic.
Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam from 1351 until its destruction in 1767, lies north of Bangkok and makes an easy day trip by train or road. Its ruined temples, brick chedis and Buddha images form a historic city listed by UNESCO in 1991, and many visitors cycle between the ruins.
To the west, Kanchanaburi is known for the bridge over the Khwae Yai river on the Death Railway, built by prisoners of war and conscripted labourers during the Second World War, with war cemeteries and museums nearby. South-west of the city, the Damnoen Saduak floating market and the Mae Klong railway market, where stalls are pulled back as trains pass, are often combined in one day. For a beach, Pattaya and Hua Hin are a few hours away by road.
Bangkok has two international airports. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), about 25 kilometres east of the centre, handles most long-haul flights and is linked to the city by the Airport Rail Link. Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), in the north of the city, serves many low-cost and domestic flights.
The BTS Skytrain, opened in 1999 with its Sukhumvit and Silom lines, and the MRT metro are the quickest ways to avoid traffic, and the metro's Sanam Chai station serves the old town. Chao Phraya Express boats call at piers along the river, and small ferries cross between the banks. Taxis should use the meter, and ride-hailing apps and tuk-tuks fill the gaps. Driving yourself is rarely worth it in the city, where congestion is heavy and traffic keeps to the left.
Bangkok has a tropical savanna climate with three broad seasons. The cooler, drier months from about November to February are the most comfortable and the busiest for visitors. Heat builds from March to May, and the rainy season runs from about mid-May to October, with heavy but often short downpours, occasional street flooding and greener parks. The average annual temperature is close to 29°C.
Songkran, the Thai New Year in mid-April, turns much of the city into a cheerful water fight. Loi Krathong, usually in November, sees small floating offerings set on the river and park lakes. Fine-dust air pollution tends to rise in the dry season, so check air-quality readings if you have a breathing condition.
November to February is the most comfortable period, warm but less humid, with little rain and Loi Krathong in November. March to May is the hottest stretch and includes Songkran in mid-April, while mid-May to October is the rainy season, with short, heavy storms.
First-time visitors who want to walk to the temples often stay in Rattanakosin or Banglamphu, and the riverside suits a slower pace with boat rides. Sukhumvit and Silom offer the most apartments and condos with Skytrain access, while Ari and Thong Lo are calmer, more residential choices.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is about 25 kilometres east of the centre. The Airport Rail Link connects the terminal with the city and the Skytrain and metro, and metered taxis and ride-hailing cars are available at all hours. The drive can take much longer at rush hour.
Many apartments and condos are offered to visitors, but Thailand's Hotel Act of 2004 covers businesses that provide temporary accommodation for payment, and condominium buildings often set their own rules on short stays. Check the current rules and the building's policy before you book.
Three days cover the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, a river trip, Chinatown and a market. Four or five days leave time for a day trip to Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi, and many travellers return to Bangkok between other stops in Thailand.
Cover your shoulders and knees: long trousers or a long skirt and a top with sleeves are safest, and see-through clothing is not appropriate. Shoes come off before entering temple halls, so slip-on footwear is practical. The Grand Palace applies its dress code strictly at the entrance.
Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB). Cards are widely accepted in shops, malls and many restaurants, and mobile payments are common, but cash is still useful for street food, markets, tuk-tuks and boats. ATMs are easy to find, and foreign cards usually pay a withdrawal fee.
Researched and written with AI assistance, then fact-checked against the sources below. Last checked .