Bangkok is an intoxicating jumble of history, spiritualism and hedonism in one. Explore
the royal Grand Palace, cruise the bustling Chao Phraya River, then sample
the bars and restaurants around Silom. South-east Asia's ‘city
of angels' also offers spicy cuisine and traditional healing massage at Wat
Pho temple. There's always reliable retail therapy to be had in glitzy
malls at Siam as well as at lively street stalls.
Background
Bangkok, located on the wide Chao Phraya River, has been Thailand's
capital since 1767. Bangkok's recent and rapid growth means you
can't ignore the contrast between Buddhist temples and skyscrapers. Despite
traffic, it's still easy to get around. Around the river, hop on and off
the ferries or hire your own long-tailed boat. Use the excellent Skytrain and MRT
Metro for Sukhumvit and the world's biggest market at
Chatuchak and don't get ripped off (or scared to death) by those
tuk tuk (rickshaw) drivers.
First-time visit
See dawn break on Wat Arun's temple precinct before beating the
crowds to the Grand Palace. Cruise the breezy Chao Phraya River then
dip into the vibrant back streets of Chinatown. Witness Thais at prayer at
the Erawan Shrine before discovering your inner peace with a traditional Thai
massage. Begin your evening with a cocktail high atop a hotel in the business
district, then opt for a sophisticated fusion dinner in Silom or authentic
spice on the street. Leave time for the varied treasures of both the National
Museum and Chatuchak weekend market.
Return visit
Explore the floating market, Barges Museum and klongs (canals) of
Thonburi on a zippy long-tailed boat. Then stretch your legs, although
not quite as athletically as the traditional takraw kick volleyball players
in Lumphini Park and visit King Rama V's all-teak Vimanmek Palace in
Dusit. For cultural insights, marvel at Lumphini's Muay Thai boxers
or take some flavour home with a Thai cookery class.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is 25 km (16 miles) east of the city. It is a major
hub in south-east Asia and flies an estimated 45 million passengers from its one
huge terminal.
25 km (16 miles) east of downtown Bangkok. The taxi journey takes around 30 minutes
to one hour – traffic permitting.
Airport parking
The short-term car park is adjacent to the terminal building. The long-term car park
is further away, with a shuttle-bus service to the terminal building. Passengers
should allow around 15 minutes for the bus journey.
Time Zone
GMT +7
Useful information
The queues for flights can be extremely long: allow plenty of time for check-in. The
walk to your departure gate can also be long. Check that your flight ticket includes
departure tax, otherwise it is payable in Thai baht (cash) at check-in.
Please note that you won't be able to make changes to your hotel or car booking. If you want to change your booking you will have to cancel your current booking and make a new booking. This can be done on ba.com.
We cannot guarantee that the same hotel room or car rental option will still be available if you have to cancel and make a new booking.
