Top 15 fun things to do in Bangkok for first timers

Bangkok originates from a small commercial center which was a commercial port located in the west of Chao Phraya about 200 years ago. Nowadays , when the city grows at the pace of the times, the majesty and glory of the past still remain intact. The bright temples, beautiful palaces, famous floating markets or colorful Chinatown quarters. Every famous place has a fascinating story to tell. Bangkok is the place where the convergence of traditional and modern culture, food, entertainment and shopping. Bangkok has many interesting tourist attractions. Many visitors from around the world come here because of the historical monuments and golden temples. From the glittering golden temples to the famous Thai massage services, Bangkok absolutely is the most vibrant city in Thailand. Now, let’s discover top 15 fun things to do in Bangkok for the first timers.

The Grand Palace Bangkok

The Grand Palace used to be home to the royal family of Thailand, is a long- standing historic structure. It was built in 1782. Although the Thai royal family now lives in the Dusit Palace, The government of this country is still working at the Grand Palace. Inside the Grand Palace, you can visit Wat Phra Kaew (the local name is Wat Phra Kaew). The Jade Buddha Temple is considered one of the holiest temples in Thailand.

The Grand Palace

Address: Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Phone: +66 2623 5500
Price: 500 Baht for each person
Opening hours: daily from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm.

Wat Pho Temple (or Wat Po)

Being called Wat Pho Buddha, Wat Pho is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, where have the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. The most famous things are the reclining Buddha statue with 46 meters long. The whole body is covered with gold leaf, the legs were designed with nacre. If you want to relax, you can go to Thai traditional medical school which located in the temple complex. The school is also the birthplace of Thai massage art.

Wat Pho Temple

Address: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakorn District, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
Price: 100 Baht
Phone: +66 2 225 9595
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 17:00

Boating on the river

Bangkok is referred to as the “Oriental Venice” by the Chao Phraya River and the surrounding small canals. Today, about 50.000 people are still traveling by ferry boat to work. Taking a boat tour along the river, you will see the bungalows, modern hotels, skyscrapers, and pictures Wat Arun.

Enjoying the coconut ice cream

The cool and sweet tastes of coconut ice cream are very suitable for sunny days. This dish is the most delicious when putting in the coconut, so just eat ice cream you can both with a spoon of fresh coconut.

Rot Fai Night Market (Rot Street Market)

Rot Fai Night Market is an outdoor shopping destination with lots of fashion stalls, antique and food. It opens from 18:00 to midnight, from Thursday to Sunday. After shopping, you can sit back and enjoy the local food. The first Rot Fai Night Market is located on Srinakarin Soi. The newly opened Rot Fai Ratchada Market on Ratchada Road is close to the center and more convenient for visitors.

Rot Fai Night Market

Address: Srinakarin Soi 51, Srinakarin Road | Nong Bon, Prawet, Bangkok 10250, Thái Lan
Opening Hours: 17:00 – midnight (Thurs-Sun)
Phone: Srinakarin Rot Fai Market: +66 (0)8 1827 5885, Ratchada Rot Fai Market: +66 (0)92 713 5599

Chatuchak Market

Gathering more than 8000 stalls which are more than 100,000 square meters. Chatuchak Market is one of the largest markets in the world. Chatuchak usually only opens on Saturdays and Sundays. You can find here all the desired items at the good price.

Chatuchak Market

Address: 587/10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand.
Phone: +66 2 272 4813
Opening Hours: Wed- Thu( Plants & Flowers): 6 am – 6 pm
Fri (Wholesale day): 6 am – 6 pm/Sat- Sun (Miscellaneoous) : 6am – 6pm.
Website: http://www.chatuchak.org/

Floating Market

You can rent a tour or take a bus or a train to some floating markets which are not far from Bangkok. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is about an hour’s drive from the capital. It is the most famous floating markets in Bangkok, but it is often crowded. Amphawa floating market has wooden houses along the canal, the scene is quite cute. Meanwhile, Klong Lat Mayom floating market is smaller, but mostly locals. You can buy a lot of sweet food while watching the boat.

Here are some famous floating markets for you to visit when you come to Bangkok:

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand. Opening Hours:9 am- 8 pm. Phone: +66 81 196 5887
Amphawa floating market: Address: Amphawa, Amphawa, Samutsongkhram 75110 Thailand. Tel:+663475 1351
Service day: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Service hours: 15:00-21:00
Klong Lat Mayom floating market: Soi Bang Ramat, Bang Phrom, Kurt Taling Chan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10170, Thailand. Phone: +66 83 330 6147. Opening Hours: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Read more: Top 5 best floating markets in Bangkok for tourists

Sitting tuktuk

Tuktuk is definitely something to try when you come to Thailand. A tuktuk ride around the city which gives you a chance to see the streets as well as some famous places of interest. If not, you can choose to rent a motorcycle.

Watching Muay Thai match

Muay Thai is the national sport of the Golden Temple country. The largest Muay Stadium is Bangkok, like Lumpini. You can buy a ticket in advance, or buy it on tour to have a guide explaining Muay.

Here are some hints for you to choose a best Muay Thai stadium to watch:

Rajadamnern Stadium: Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok, 10200, Thái Lan. Phone: +66 2 281 4205. Price: 1,000.00฿ – 2,000.00฿.Opening Hours: operates 4 days a week on every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. The door opens from 6.00PM onward. Website: http://rajadamnern.com/tickets/
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium: Anusawari, Bang Khen, Bangkok 10220, Thái Lan. Phone:+66 2 282 3141.Price: From 200฿ Opening Hours: 18:00–22:00. Website: http://www.muaythailumpinee.net/en/

Relaxing with Thai massage

If you want to have a unique experience, you should choose massage services at the massage school in Wat Pho. Wat Pho is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and still maintains the place as well as offering massage services. Specialists or massage students can make the service. Profits will be used to upgrade schools and temples.

Here is some best Thai Massage Spa in Bangkok for you to relax:

Bangkok Float Center: 99/9-99/6 Rama 9 | Show DC Mall – 4th floor, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Phone: +66 98 628 9599. Opening Hours: 10:00 Am – 10:00 Pm.
Infinity Spa: 1037/1 Silom Road, Soi Silom 21 | Sun Square, Silom Soi 21, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. +66 91 087 5824. Opening Hours: 10:00 Am – 10:00 Pm
Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School: 2 Sanamchai Road | Wat Po, Tatian, Bangkok 10200, Thailand. Phone +66 2 221 2974

Enjoying street food

You will find the cheap and delicious street food here from Pad Thai to chicken curry noodles, fish noodles, or famous mango rolls.

Royal Elephant Museum

Elephants are a symbol of Thailand and occupy an important place in the heart of the people here. The museum displays elephants belonging to Thai culture, ancient religious beliefs and ancient monsters.

Royal Elephant Museum

Address: 16 Uthong Nai Alley, Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10300, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 282 3336
Price: From 250 baht
Opening Hours:  09:30–12:00

Wandering the open flower market throughout the night

Pak Klong Talad is Bangkok’s largest wholesale and retail flower market. However, when visiting here, you should keep in mind not to disturb the owner’s trade, especially from midnight to dawn – the busiest time.

Pak Klong Talad flower market

Address: Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Phone:+66 87 109 8873
Opening Hours: 24/24.

Shopping until you are tired

Thailand is a shopping paradise no matter how much money you have in your wallet. If you want to buy luxury items, you can visit Siam Paragon, the capacity of more than 250 stores. It has Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium, cinemas, and enough food stores. Even here there are exhibits of Ferrari and Lamborghini. Or you can choose MBK Shopping Center if you love technology.

Here are some best shopping centers for you to go shopping when you visit Bangkok:

Siam Paragon: 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand. Phone +66 2 610 8000. Opening Hours: 10 am –   10pm. Website: http://www.siamparagon.co.th/
MBK Shopping Center: Phayathai Rd, Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand.Phone: +66 2 620 9000. Opening Hours: 10 am- 9pmWebsite: http://www.mbk-center.co.th/

Visiting Ayutthaya

Used to be the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya now only has a few ruins of monasteries and temples. Only 85 km away from Bangkok, you can spend a day exploring Ayutthaya.

Read more: Ayutthaya — A must-go destination in Thailand

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Bangkok you can refer to

• Bangkok City & Temples Tour by Tour East
• Classic Bangkok Tour: Floating Market, Elephant Village, Asiatique, & More by AK Travel
• Bangkok Old City Half Day Tour
• Bangkok Landmarks Day Tour: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chao Phraya River & More
• Bangkok Sky Train (BTS) One Day Pass
• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link (ARL) Ticket
• [Sale] Private Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers (BKK) for Bangkok, Pattaya & More by Oriental Holiday
• Shared City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya by Oriental Holiday
• Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More
• Shared City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya by Oriental Holiday
• Private City Transfers from Pattaya to Bangkok, Hua Hin, Koh Samet & Koh Chang
• [SALE] BTS Skytrain Rabbit Card
• Chao Phraya Tourist Boat Bangkok Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Boat
• [SALE] Chao Phraya Princess Cruise
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G Portable WiFi for Thailand from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

Are you looking for more Bangkok travel guide and top things to do in Bangkok: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Bangkok travel blog — The fullest Bangkok travel guide blog for a budget trip to Bangkok (BKK).