Transcript

Wats — or Buddhist temples — are an important part of most Thai people’s lives, so it’s no wonder that Bangok has so many of them. It would be impossible to visit every temples, but there are a few you’ll want to make time for, like Wat Pho.

Wat Pho is one of the biggest and oldest of Bangkok’s temples, as well as one of the most beautiful.

Wat Pho is most famous for being home to the massive Reclining Buddha, over a hundred feet long and 15 feet high.

There are also over a thousand more Buddha images in Wat Pho — Buddhas in all shapes and sizes!

Wat Pho also contains one of the oldest Thai massage schools. If you get a massage there, it will be much less expensive than any spa. It may not be luxurious but a Thai massage at Wat Pho is sure to be the real thing.

You can also take a class at the massage school and learn to give Thai massages yourself. Classes last several days, so plan ahead.

Wat Pho is an important stop on any trip to Bangkok, so be sure to include it during your visit.

Transcript

Bangkok is a modern city, but it keeps a strong connection to its history.

Nowhere is that connection stronger than in the historic district, Rattanakosin.

This is where you can visit the Grand Palace that was once home to the royal family.

The palace and its grounds are massive, with architecture that incorporates both Thai and Western styles.

Inside the Grand Palace is Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand’s most important Buddhist temple.

This is the first thing you’ll see in a guided tour of the palace. This temple is easily one of the most lavishly decorated, due to its importance.

Wat Phra Kaew houses the sacred Emerald Buddha. Though it isn’t very big, it’s the most important of Thailand’s Buddha images.

After visiting Wat Phra Kaew, you’ll get to see more of the buildings that make up the palace complex. Highlights include the uniquely designed Chakri Maha Prasat Hall and the Dusit Maha Prasat Hall.

To enter the palace, you have to follow the dress code: no open-toed shoes, and only long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts. You’ll also have to take off your shoes when you go into the temple.

Make sure you take some time to see one of Bangkok’s most important sites.

Transcript

Perhaps the most famous of Thailand’s many wats, or Buddhist temples, is Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

It’s even printed on currency – look for it on the 10 baht coin.

Wat Arun was named for the Hindu god of the dawn, Aruna, to symbolize the dawn of a new era after the fall of the ancient Ayutthaya kingdom.

Dawn also happens to be when Wat Arun is the most beautiful, but if you’d rather not rise early, it’s also especially stunning at sunset, when it catches the colored light.

Of course, you can look at the temple from afar for free, but for a very small admission fee you can enter the temple complex and get a better appreciation of Wat Arun.

If you climb the stairs of the central prang, you’ll be able to see that it’s decorated with mosaics made of broken Chinese porcelain.

You’ll also get an amazing view of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the river, and downtown Bangkok.

Just be careful–the stairs are very steep and narrow, so it’ll be a difficult climb.

Also remember that when you visit any wat, you have to follow the dress code–no exposed shoulders, pants and skirts should cover at least the knees, and shoes must be taken off before entering the temple.

Transcript

One of Bangkok’s biggest draws is its food, from high cuisine to street stalls.

Get your fill of gourmet Thai food at Nahm. It’s been named one of the best restaurants in the world, and you’ll see why when you taste the flavorful but subtle dishes.

Soul Food Mahanakorn is another solid choice for authentic Thai food in an elegant setting. They also serve great drinks.

If you’re most interested in ambiance, Breeze offers an amazing view of the Bangkok skyline. The seafood they serve is very good too, but pricey.

Blue Elephant also serves authentic Thai dishes in luxury, but what’s more impressive is their cooking school. Blue Elephant’s cooking school guides students all the way from the market to the table, so eating there is a unique experience.

If fancy restaurants are not your thing — you will love Bangkok because the city is also overflowing with delicious cheap authentic food.

Krua Apsorn is a longtime local favorite. It’s a casual restaurant where you can get traditional Thai dishes prepared to perfection, without paying a fortune. There are plenty of cafes like this one so ask the locals or your concierge for their favorites.

If you’d like to take a break from Thai food, Roti Mataba is well known for serving great Indian food at low prices.

Eating at food courts is also a standard for locals looking for good food on the cheap. The MBK Food Court is one of the best–it may not be fancy, but you’ll find everything from Italian food to sushi.

If all else fails, it’s hard not to be tempted by the delicious smell and affordable prices of the many street food vendors! You’ll always eat well in Bangkok.

Transcript

Driving in Bangkok is only for the daring, and even then it’s hardly the best option.

Traffic is usually a hectic nightmare, and you don’t want to be the one to navigate it.

Fortunately, taxis are everywhere, and they’re inexpensive.

If you don’t know how to say the name of your destination in Thai, it’s a good idea to have it written down to show the driver. You can ask your hotel concierge for help.

The only downside to taking taxis is that they’re not always the quickest way to get around, due to traffic.

If you’re in a hurry, you may want to opt for a different method.

Motorcycle taxis tend to be faster, since they can navigate through traffic jams, and they’re also relatively inexpensive.

Motorcycles aren’t everyone’s cup of tea of course so maybe the trains are a better option.

The skytrain is a good way to get around the downtown area, and it’s very cheap. There’s also the subway, which covers even more ground. The subway and skytrain are run by separate systems, so payment for them is also separate, but both are very inexpensive.

Buses are the cheapest of all your transportation options, but the routes can be confusing even to locals, so they’re not recommended for casual travelers.

Another unique option is a riverboat. They’re likely to be crowded, but they’re quick, and a great way to see the city.

Bangkok definitely isn’t the easiest city to get around, but getting around is part of the adventure on a trip to Bangkok!

Transcript

If you’re headed to Bangkok you should know that it’s only about 14 degrees north of the Equator. That means it’s a tropical place. And as a city, it has some air pollution. When you put those 2 things together, you’ve got a pretty challenging climate!

Bangkok is one of the world’s hottest cities, and though it never gets truly cold, certain times of the year are much more comfortable than others.

March and April tend to be the hottest months, with temperatures reaching over 100 º Fahrenheit.

The rainy season is from May to October, with the last two months seeing the heaviest downpours. This will mean cooler temperatures, but also flooding. However, hotel rates and airfare are likely to be much lower during the rainy season, so if you’re looking for a bargain and don’t mind getting your feet wet, this could be the time for you.

The coolest time of all to visit Bangkok is from November to February. These are also the driest months, making them the ideal time to visit, in terms of comfort. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive time to visit. But, if you can splurge to visit then, you will find it’s worth the investment!

Whenever you choose to visit Bangkok, remember that it’s always humid and daytime temperatures are usually in the 80s even during the cooler seasons, so pack light clothing and keep hydrated while you’re out and about.

Whatever you do — Don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying the magic Bangkok.

Transcript

Bangkok is in many ways Thailand’s cultural heart as well as its capital.

Visiting Bangkok’s museums is a great way to learn about Thailand’s fascinating history and appreciate the art it has produced.

Thailand’s first Prime Minister had a deep love for Thai and Asian culture, and it’s easy to see from what he left behind.

Visit the M.R. Kukrit Pramoj Heritage House to learn about his life and many accomplishments, and to see his collection of art and furniture.

To learn more about Thailand’s history, visit the National Museum. The museum houses a world-class collection of Southeast Asian art, as well as artifacts from the royal collection, such as jewelry, ivory, and even palanquins.

The Vimanmek Mansion Museum also has an impressive collection of the royal family’s artifacts, but that’s not the only reason to visit. The mansion itself is worth seeing — it’s the biggest gold teak building in the world, and its architecture is uniquely influenced by Western style.

Perhaps most impressive of all is the royal family’s collection of ornate ceremonial barges on display at the Royal Barge Museum. Included in the collection is the Suphannahong, the king’s personal barge.

Bangkok’s museums will give you a better understanding of Thai art and history, so be sure to make time for a few during your visit.

Transcript

Bangkok is the heart of Thailand, a modern city with a rich cultural heritage.

A visit would be incomplete without a seeing some of the wats, or Buddhist temples.

The best known is Wat Arun, decorated lavishly with mosaics of broken porcelain.

You should also visit the Grand Palace to see the Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the sacred Emerald Buddha.

Wat Pho is also a must — this is one of the biggest and oldest of Thailand’s temples, and it’s home to the massive Reclining Buddha.

Also see the Buddha at Wat Traimit–it’s the largest solid gold statue in the world.

Other temples worth visiting include the beautiful white marble Wat Benchamabophit; Wat Saket, with its gold chedi, which was once the highest point in the city; and Wat Suthat with it’s murals, statues, and giant swing.

But there’s more to Bangkok than temples.

For Thai architecture, visit Jim Thompson’s House, which is actually a complex of six houses from different parts of Thailand.

And make sure to see the Democracy Monument, built in memory of the military overthrowing Thailand’s absolute monarchy in nineteen-thirty-two. With its four wings rising twenty-four meters into the sky, you can’t miss it.

And when you need a break from the city, catch a breath of fresh air in Lumphini Park.

In the mornings, you may even be able to find locals practicing tai chi there.

Bangkok can be overwhelming, but it’s worth making sure you see as much as you can!

Transcript

One of the best things about Bangkok is the variety you’ll find in the different neighborhoods.

Start in the Old City, home to many of Bangkok’s biggest attractions. This is where you’ll find Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Saket, Wat Suthat, the National Museum, and much more.

Across the river is Thonburi, where you’ll find Wat Arun, the Royal Barge Museum, and several floating markets.

Just north of the Old City is Banglamphu, which includes Khao San Road, a popular destination for backpackers due to the abundance of cheap international food, bars, and budget lodging.

Outside of Khao San Road, Banglamphu is also where you can see attractions like the Democracy Monument, the October 14 Memorial, and Wat Bowonniwet.

For a less touristy experience, head to Chinatown, on Yaowarat Road.

You can see Wat Traimit and many other temples and shrines in this neighborhood, but it’s also the best place in Bangkok for Chinese cuisine, and the street markets are bustling with locals.

Meanwhile, Silom, the financial district, has Lumphini Park, several museums and temples, and antique shopping opportunities.

Silom is a good place for people-watching in the daytime, but it’s most famous for its nightlife–this is where you’ll find the red-light district Patpong.

But if all you want to do is shop, head to Pathumwan, which has the most popular malls and high-end boutiques.

Bangkok is an exciting place to visit and there’s so much to see and do.