Bangkok Things To Do

Temples
Visit one of over 400 truly spectacular Buddhist temples in Bangkok for a spiritual experience away from the crowded city streets. Wat Arun, known as temple of the dawn is one of the oldest and most revered in the city and features a beautiful central pagoda and colourful gilded artwork. Visitors are encouraged to enter and leave offerings or simply to soak up the serene austerity that it exudes. The ideal time to visit is early morning when resident monks and devotees will be following ablutions offering a truly authentic and memorable experience.

Jim Thompson's House
The delightful old world charm of the residence of the famous Thai silk entrepreneur is an unique attraction and well worth a visit. Filled with a timeless collection of Thai art and furnishings, there are many ancient Asian artefacts to admire and it exudes a real sense of refinement and colonial history. Extremely popular with visiting tourists, it is a Bangkok institution and a pleasant way to while away a hot afternoon.

Thai Handicrafts
Bangkok is a haven for shoppers and is Asia's leading centre for authentic handicrafts in terms of value and sheer variety. Best buys include artistic woodcarvings, handmade by Northern hill tribes, silver and bronze ware and of course Thai silk which comes in every conceivable style and colour. For a more in depth look at indigenous crafts, visit one of the galleries and workshops at Charoen Krong Road where you can learn all about the history and request custom designs in artwork and jewellery.

The Ancient City
Known originally as Muang Boran, it is in fact a remarkable outdoor museum that displays replica models of all of Thailand's great cultural and natural attractions. It offers plenty of inspiring architecture, history, culture and myth and legend and has something for all ages. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Samutprakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo - the largest in the world. It contains over 40,000 of the creatures and offers daily shows and even elephant rides and guarantees a thrilling time for all kids.

River Cruises
Take a leisurely cruise along the Chao Phraya River for a different perspective on Bangkok life. Sailing in a traditional rice barge, witness everyday riverbank life as you travel up and down its warren of charming canals and catch inviting glimpses of age old neighbourhood temples and monasteries. Continue on by river to the ancient capital of Ayuthaya, a world heritage site which is home to spectacular Khmer temples and royal palaces.

Cultural Performances
Bangkok entertainment is not all just about its notorious late night bars - an evening out can enjoy some of the most unique cultural performances to be found in Asia. The National Theatre and Centre for Traditional Performing Arts host regular evenings of traditional dance including epic Ramayana performances and the hypnotic rhythms of traditional Thai folk music. It offers a vivid spectacle of well choreographed shows often with colourful visual effects and even fireworks.