1. Jim Thompson House
Visit the former house of the late silk tycoon for a true beauty of Thai architecture and a stunning collection of rare Asian artifacts. The exquisite complex of six traditional Thai teak houses once belonged to James H.W. Thompson. An avid collector himself, his house displays antiques and collectibles he sourced from around Asia such as Buddha images from the 13th century, original Thai paintings from the 18th century and Chinese porcelains from the 14th century.
Opening: Everyday, 09:00 to 17:00
Address: Thanon Rama I, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan
Admission: 200 Baht (100 Baht for children)
Travel Tip: The Jim Thompson House is best reached via the BTS Skytrain and is just across from the National Stadium station. Guided tours of the mansion are compulsory.
Jim Thompson House, Bangkok
2. MBK Center
Where do the locals shop? For the youth of Bangkok, it is likely to be MBK Center, a huge mall packed with plenty of stores selling practically anything, even dried fruits and Chinese-style snacks!
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00
Address: Phayathai Road, Patumwan
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: The crowded shops and walkways can be disorienting, but each floor generally offers a few specific categories of products. There is a walking bridge from the BTS Skytrain’s Siam station.
MBK Center, Bangkok
3. MBK Fight Night
MBK Flight Night is organize a Thai boxing match. You can watch live muaythai boxing every Wednesday Night outside the MBK shopping center, the closest BTS stop is the national stadium. Competitive fights include both Thai and foreigner fighters.
Opening: Every Wednesday from 18:00
Address: Phayathai Road, Patumwan
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: Check the MBK Fight Night page on Facebook for the schedule. Once a month they hold several live full-contact Muay Thai fights in a single evening.
Fight Night, MBK Center, Bangkok
4. Madame Tussauds Museum Bangkok
Here's your chance to brush shoulders with your favourite Hollywood stars, local celebrities, sports heroes and heroines, even heads of state. Madame Tussauds– the wax museum with exhibits you can touch, hug, play with and even kiss. Pose with the U.S. President and the First Lady in the Oval Office, play basketball with the NBA star Yao Ming, or give Leonardo Di Caprio an air-kiss. Waltz down the red carpet and join the party of the Hollywood A-List, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Angelina Jolie, to name just a few.
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 21:00
Address: 6th Floor, Siam Discovery, Phathumwan
Admission: 800 Baht (600 Baht for Children)
Travel Tip: You can save 20% off the regular admission ticket when you buy online in advance from Madame Tussaud's website. Or get 40% off on tickets at the door if you enter before noon.
Madame Tussauds Museum, Bangkok
5. Siam Square
Sometimes referred to as the Shinjuku of Thailand, the trendy Siam Square is a popular haunt for the youth, ideal for street-style shopping and people-watching.
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00
Address: Siam Square
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: There is a direct walkway from the BTS Skytrain's Siam station into Siam Square. It is located directly opposite Siam Paragon, so it is pretty much impossible to get lost.
Siam Square, Bangkok
This world-class shopping center is regarded as one of Thailand's most luxurious shopping paradises. The mall contains more than 350 flagship stores of the world's top brands as well as high-street favorites. Siam Paragon also offers exotic Thai arts and crafts. On the basement kids will love to explore the underwater world at Siam Ocean World while the top floor is home to 16 cinemas of Paragon Cineplex where you never miss the latest blockbusters.
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00
Address: 991 Rama Rd.
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: From the BTS Skytrain's Siam station, there is an entrance right into the mall.
Paragon Shopping Mall, Bangkok
7. Central World Plaza
The largest shopping complex in Thailand, Central World Plaza is more than just a mega mall. It's a shopper's paradise. If you're looking to do all your shopping in one place, Central World Plaza's 550,000 square meters might just be the mall for you.
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00
Address: 999/9 Rama I Rd.
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: Walk to Central World from the BTS Skytrain's Chidlom station. Most shops here are happy to gift-wrap your purchases without charge.
Central World Plaza, Bangkok
8. Gaysorn Plaza
An upscale shopping mall, Gaysorn Plaza boasts an exclusive selection of high-end goods and designer labels complemented by distinguished service-making it the best place to go for a luxurious lifestyle shopping experience.
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00
Address: 999 Phloen Chit Rd.
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: The BTS Skytrain's Chidlom station has a convenient exit directly into the mall, making it easy to go almost from aircon to aircon.
Gaysorn Plaza, Bangkok
9. Erawan Shrine (Thao Mahaprom Shrine)
Erawan Shrine, also known as Thao Mahaprom Shrine, is a Hindu shrine in Bangkok famous for not only the gorgeous statue of Phra Phrom, but also for their regular Thai dance performances. With a constant stream of worshippers flocking to pay their respect, Erawan Shrine has a lively and homely atmosphere.
Opening: Everyday, 06:00 to 23:00
Address: 494 Rajdamri Rd.
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: The shrine is an easy walk from the BTS Chitlom station or the Siam station. Some serious worshippers vow to offer a reward once their wish comes true.
Erawan Shrine, Bangkok
10. Central Chidlom
Arguably Thailand’s best-loved departmental store, Central Chidlom leaves you spoilt for choice with 7 levels of products dedicated to your needs. Beauty products, luxury goods, electronics, toys, lady’s or men’s fashion, or even home décor and more, you’ll find it within the ever-friendly ambiance here.
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00
Address: 1027 Phloen Chit Rd.
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: Take the BTS Skytrain to the Chidlom station. This is the best way to get here due to the heavy traffic congestion. One of the highlights of the mall is its Gourmet Food Market downstairs.
Central Chidlom, Bangkok
Like an indoor version of the world-famous Chatuchak Weekend Market this mega-mall is jam-packed with some 1,300 stalls spread out over 4 floors selling the latest in hip and hipster fashion and accessories with special prices for bulk buys.
If you fancy a bite from shopping 'til you drop there’s a large food court as well as cafés and fast food chains of every description.
A 10-minute walk from either Ratchathewi or Chidlom BTS skytrain stations.
Opening: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00
Address: Petchaburi, Ratchathewi District (next to Pantip Plaza)
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: Some foreigners on social media have said they can bargain more successfully for cheaper prices here than at Chatuchak.
Pratunam Shopping Mall, Bangkok
12. Lumpini Park
The green lung of Bangkok’s city center, Lumpini Park is Thailand’s very first public park. The park was open to the public in 1952, and remains Bangkok’s top leisure park with some 10,000 visitors daily. During December to February, there’s a series of free live orchestra concerts on Sundays, “Concert in the Park“, hosted by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra featuring a number of guest singers, which makes a good opportunity for a chill-out picnic.
Opening: Everyday, 05:00 to 21:00
Address: Lumpini
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: Early morning is the best time of day to see the amazing variety of yoga, aerobics, tai chi and other martial and meditative arts practiced by the local population.
Lumpini Park, Bangkpk
13. Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)
The three-meter-tall pure-gold Buddha statue was made of three tons of 18-carat gold during the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom, around 700-800 years old. It is believed that the original Golden Buddha was covered with cement plaster to hide it from enemies during the Sukhothai-Ayutthaya disputes. It is now the world's largest pure-gold Buddha image, enshrined at the newly-built multi-level stupa.
Opening: Everyday, 08:00 to 17:00
Address: 1027 Phloen Chit Rd.
Admission: 20 Baht
Travel Tip: Cross the street from the Hua Lamphong Railway station, head west and take a left on Trimitr Road. The temple entrances will be on the right before Charoen Krung Road.
Golden Buddha statue, Wat Traimit, Bangkok
14. Chinatown
Bangkok’s Chinatown, the largest Chinese community, is known as Yaowarat. The Chinese community dominated trades between Siam (ancient Thailand) and China since the reign of King Rama I. Yaowarat is widely known as the kingdom's largest center of gold trade and a great foodie destination. Yaowarat after sunset, the road turns into a street food heaven from Chinese fried noodles to iced Chinese dessert.
Opening: Everyday, 07:00 to 24:00
Address: Yaowarat Road
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: The best way to get to the heart of Chinatown is to take the MRT subway to the Hua Lamphong stop. Take exit one and you will be a short walk from Wat Traimit. You will also be a short taxi ride from the other must-see destinations in Bangkok's China town.
Chinatown, Bangkok
15. The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
Wat Saket was another historic temple in Bangkok built during the reign of King Rama I. It is best known for The Golden Mount, a man-made hill with a golden chedi on the hilltop, which was completed during the reign of King Rama V after decades of construction. The golden chedi is where the sacred Buddha relics are enshrined. The platform on its top level is still a great place to enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Bangkok's old district.
Opening: Everyday, 07:30 to 17:30
Address: 344 Avenue Road Emperor Pong Ban Bat
Admission: 10 Baht
Travel Tip: It's tremendously atmospheric, but the narrow paths up to the top aren't made for large numbers of visitors, so lines to get up the stairs can wind out into the nearby streets.
Wat Saket, Bangkok
