Known for
The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Khao San Road.
Temples and the first day
Old Town
Rattanakosin
Ratchadamnoen, Maha Rat, Khao San
Palaces and temples between the river and the canal. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Khao San are here: start early, because by noon the stone is hot and the courtyards are full of groups.
Why go
Come on the first day, when the gates open. In the evening the embankment stays lit, but the courtyards are already shut.
Where to stay
A fair base if you want to walk to the temples at dawn. It is loud by day and quieter at night than Sukhumvit.
Local guide
Fedor Samorodov · guide
Come when the palace opens: shoulders and knees covered, and no shade in the courts by noon. Khao San is for the evening, after the courtyards shut.
Places
- Grand Palace — The official residence of the Kings of Siam and later Thailand since 1782.
- Wat Phra Kaew — The most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, housing the Emerald Buddha.
- Wat Pho — Home to the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including the iconic Reclining Buddha.
- Bangkok City Pillar Shrine — The Bangkok City Pillar Shrine is known for housing the city's original city pillar, a symbol of prosperity and protection.
- Bangkok National Museum — One of the largest museums in Southeast Asia, showcasing Thai art and history.
- Khaosan Road — A vibrant hub for backpackers and nightlife in Bangkok.
- Loha Prasat — The Metal Castle's thirty-seven spires symbolize the virtues leading to enlightenment and make it a unique survival of an ancient Buddhist building type.
- Sanam Luang — A historic public square used for royal ceremonies and events.
- Wat Saket — The Golden Mountain (Phu Khao Thong) and its annual festival.
- Wat Suthat — Wat Suthat is best known for its impressive Giant Swing and being a first-class royal temple in Bangkok.
- Democracy Monument — A symbol of Thailand's transition to constitutional monarchy, commemorating the 1932 Siamese coup d'état.
- National Museum of Royal Barges — The museum is best known for housing the royal barges used in the Royal Barge Procession.
- Pak Khlong Talat — Bangkok's primary flower market, open 24 hours.
- Phra Sumen Fort — Phra Sumen Fort is known for being one of the two remaining original forts from the reign of King Rama I in Bangkok.
- Rajadamnern Stadium — One of the main stadiums for modern Muay Thai in Bangkok.
- Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre — King Prajadhipok commissioned this modern 1933 cinema as a gift to Bangkok for the city's 150th anniversary.
- Wat Bowonniwet Vihara — A major Buddhist temple and the final resting place of two former Thai kings.
- Ban Bat — In a lane by the Golden Mount a few families still hammer by hand the bowls monks carry on the morning alms round.
- Mahakan Fort — One of the few surviving forts from Bangkok's original city defenses later became famous for the long struggle over its neighboring historic community.
- Rommaninat Park — The lawns and surviving walls occupy Bangkok's former nineteenth-century remand prison, transforming a place of confinement into a public park.
- Sao Chingcha — The Giant Swing is known for its towering swing-shaped structure and historical significance in Bangkok.
- Siriraj Medical Museum — The Siriraj Medical Museum is best known as the 'Museum of Death' for its unique and educational medical exhibits.
- Tha Phra Chan — A bustling pier and marketplace for Thai amulets and astrologers.
- The Museum of Siam — Interactive exhibits exploring Thai identity and history.
- Wat Intharawihan — The 32-meter high standing Buddha statue known as Luang Pho To.
- Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit — A first-class royal Buddhist temple with a Vipassana Meditation center.
- Wat Ratchabophit — Unique architectural layout with a circular courtyard and a gilded chedi.
- Wat Ratchapradit — A significant first-class royal monastery in Bangkok.
- Bank of Thailand Museum — The museum is best known for its extensive collection of ancient Thai coins and banknotes.
- Saranrom Park — Royal garden of Saranrom Palace begun by Rama IV for his retirement, later a park; the palace hosted foreign royal guests.
Where to have it
- Karim Roti-Mataba — Роти и матаба напротив форта. Лавку открыл Abdul Kareem с юга Индии, путеводители водят сюда с военных лет. Сладкая роти со сгущёнкой или матаба с карри. Понедельник выходной. Съешь у парка Сантичайпракан.
- Kope Hya Tai Kee — Старая копийня в сой Самран Рат, дом 37. Здесь тайский кофе, тост и завтрак. Стойки в One Bangkok и The Parq — другие двери.
- Kor Panich — Тарелка, ради которой путеводители сворачивают к гигантским качелям. Манго со сладким рисом. Бабушка семьи Chiabchalard работала на королевской кухне при Раме V и Раме VI. Рис из Чианграя, манго намдокмай и окронг, кокос из Чумпхона. Возьми одну и ешь её у Сао Чингча.
- Ku Bar — Коктейльная на третьем этаже бывшей типографии, дом 469 на Пхра Сумен. Калитка у Brown Sugar, дальше лестница и деревянная дверь: за ней мраморная стойка и короткий список бутылок. Карту меняют под травы с рынка, рядом наливают натуральное вино. Комнату открыли Анупас Премануват и Элейн Сан.
- On Lok Yun — Копийня, в которую заходили перед сеансом, когда кино ещё было напротив. Кофе в сингапурской манере, кая-тост и яичница на тарелке. Хозяйство у четвёртого поколения семьи Thayanukul. Приходи утром и закажи кая-тост, пока кухня не закрылась к половине третьего.
- Ssoundnamm — С улицы это кофейня у Нанглыенга. За деревянной дверью с кхонгвонгом лежат тайские пластинки восьмидесятых и девяностых: молам, лук тхунг, стринг. Возьми кофе и полистай конверты. Среда выходной.
- Thipsamai — Падтай, который попадает на обложки. Очередь здесь обычное дело: так узнаёшь исходный дом на Махачай. Филиалы в торговых центрах живут отдельно. Семья считает лоток с конца тридцатых, имя на вывеске появилось позже. Само блюдо собрали в годы войны, век ему приписывать рано. Вторник выходной. Встань в очередь.