Bangkok has been rated the number 1 city for tourism in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the rating of DestinAsian magazine, and there is also a report from the world-class travel digital platform Agoda that, after the relaxation of COVID-19 measures, Bangkok is tourists’ top destination.

      Bangkok is filled with countless tourist attractions, including temples, museums, places to provide cultural knowledge, and entertainment venues. Anyone who has the opportunity to visit Bangkok will want to visit the most popular cultural locations, described in this article. 

1. Wat Phra Kaew, the country’s priceless temple built in the reign of King Rama I, which everyone wants to visit and see its beauty with their own eyes. Inside is enshrined the Phra Buddha Maha Manee Rattana Patimakorn, known as the Emerald Buddha. Inside the ubosot and the balcony around the temple, there are beautiful mural paintings. In addition to the temple, other buildings include the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha Museum, and the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, which everyone ought to visit, to admire the beauty of the place and the dazzling interiors and golden exteriors.

Opening hours: Every day, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Admission fee: Foreign tourists, 500 baht per person.

Guidelines: Visitors should dress properly for a religious site, so they should not wear sleeveless shirts, short sleeves, tight shirts, ripped shorts, or short skirts. On hot, sunny days, they should also bring an umbrella, sunglasses, or a cap and apply sunscreen. If entering an indoor area such as a temple, sunglasses and hats should be removed, and, of course, visitors should not climb, step on, or touch the artifacts.

For more information: +66 2224 3290

Remarks: If you purchase a Khon performance ticket for Chalermkrung Sala, a shuttle bus will be provided to pick up ticket holders.

2. Wat Pho is located on Sanam Chai Road and Maharaj Road, just east of the Grand Palace, not far from Wat Phra Kaew. It is the place where the Reclining Buddha image, the largest reclining Buddha image in Thailand, is enshrined. The distinctiveness of the temple is a combination of Thai architecture and Chinese art. Also within Wat Pho, there is a famous Thai massage school, where anyone can either get a traditional massage or even take lessons. It is considered a very popular place with tourists (both foreign and Thai).

Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Admission fee: Foreign tourists buy tickets, at 200 baht per person.

Guidelines: Visitors should dress properly. Women are not allowed to wear pants or above-the-knee skirts. 

For more information: +66 2226 0335

3. Wat Arun Ratchawararam is an ancient temple that has existed since the Ayutthaya period, formerly known as “Wat Makok" or Wat Chaeng. Its highlight is a large stupa standing by the Chao Phraya River, which is rare and ancient, regarded as an elegant and outstanding work of art with beautiful patterns. 

Opening hours: Every day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission fee: 40 baht per foreign tourist

Guidelines: Visitors should dress properly, and when visiting the stupa, they should be careful while walking because the stairs are quite high and steep, and some sections are quite narrow. They should not touch or do anything that will cause damage to the entire stupa.

For more information: +66 2891 2185

4. Museum Siam was built with modern, interesting, and fun creative media. Inside the building, there is a permanent exhibition, “Thod Rahat Thai (Decode Thainess)” that will take everyone on a journey to learn about the development of what "Thai" means, from the past to the present, through technology and novel narrative methods. Visitors will be able to relate to the past with this exhibition, as well as the other series of exhibitions rotated for visitors to explore.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except public holidays.

Admission fee: 50 baht per student aged 15 years and over, 100 baht per Thai adult, and 200 baht per foreigner.

For more information: +66 2225 2777 ext. 411

5. Rattanakosin Exhibition is an exhibition telling the story of the Rattanakosin era, which is divided into nine rooms, showcasing the birth of Rattanakosin, thanks to the genius of King Rama I. It includes the most perfect model of the Grand Palace in Thailand, “The Legend of the Emerald Buddha” animated film, entertainment in a 360-degree view, and the Rattanakosin Island community's way of life. It is also possible to view the beautiful golden pagoda scenery on the top of Phra Borom Banphot (Golden Mountain), Wat Saket Ratchawora Mahawiharn, Mahakan Fort, and the exquisite castle made of metal, Wat Ratchanaddaram.

Business hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Admission fee: 100 baht per Thai and foreign adult. Admission is free for children, students (not higher than a bachelor's degree), monks, novices, people with disabilities, and people aged 60 years and over (with ID card). 

For more information: +66 2621 0044

6. Suan Pakkad Palace is full of antique artifacts on display as collectibles and personal belongings of the Bariphat family. It consists of an ancient Thai house compound, with several buildings, an exhibition of the music museum dedicated to Prince Paribatra, who is regarded as the "Father of Thai music," with historic artifacts historic to the carving and the display of masks and puppet plays, and other musical and theatrical articles.

Opening hours: Every day, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Admission fee: 50 baht per Thai adult, 100 baht per foreigner, 20 baht per student

For more information: +66 2246 1775 6

7. Jim Thompson House, popularly called Jim's House, is a charming compound built with six old teak houses on an area of 1 rai (0.4 acres) along the Saen Saep Canal; it used to be the residence of James H. W. Thompson, a pioneer of the Thai silk industry, who made Thai silk famous abroad under the Jim Thompson brand, earning him the nickname "The King of Thai Silk."

Opening hours: Every day, 11:00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m., restaurants open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Admission fee: 200 baht per adult and 100 baht per person aged 10-22 years old, free for children under 10 years old.

For more information: +66 2216 7368

8. Artist House is located in a community along Khlong Bang Luang, which is a source of all types of art, especially Khon art and puppet theater. Most importantly, it is a practice place and location for small puppet performances of the Khun Khonnai group, which holds a free puppet show for tourists in order to preserve this art. Next to Khlong Bang Luang, in addition, visitors will be able to watch the Khon performance for free, and they have the perfect opportunity to learn about the riverside lifestyle of the villagers in the Khlong Bang Luang community, as well.

Opening hours: Every day, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Admission Fee: Free (donations are appreciated)  

For more information: +66 2868 5279

9. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, located in Taling Chan District, is a place that helps to preserve the canal and the way of life of the villagers in that area, and it became a small floating market full of community-produced products, vegetables and fruit, meat dishes, and desserts, plus souvenirs at friendly prices. There is a boat service that takes visitors on a ride to see the community’s way of life and the orchid garden, for only 20 baht per person.

Opening hours: Friday-Sunday and public holidays, 8:00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

For more information: +66 2422 4270

Source : Tripadvisor LLC