Things to do in Bangkok

Catch a boat through a floating market, watch the sunrise over the Temple of Dawn, join a bunch of shadow puppets for the evening or indulge in a footpath feast with the locals…Thailand’s colourful, bustling capital city, home to more than six million people, offers a bucket load of new adventures for even the most ‘been-there-done-that’ of travellers.

Accommodation

One quick tip before we move on. It’s definitely a good idea to book serviced apartments, Airbnb or decent hotel in Bangkok before leaving home. That way, you’ll have a peaceful, secure oasis to escape to after a busy day exploring the streets.

Floating markets

Tired of mind-boggling supermarket aisles, fluorescent lights and uncooperative trolleys? Leave the stress of Western shopping experiences well behind you at Bangkok’s floating markets. All you have to do is jump into a long tail boat and start cruising. You’ll pass boats filled with blooming orchids, bunches of bright bananas and lush coconuts, and restaurants offering spicy street food snacks.

The most popular floating market, Damnoen Saduak, is located just out of the city. The easiest way to travel is via tour. Buses leave the CBD around 7am, taking you to a nearby pier, from where it’s a tranquil 20-minute boat ride to Damnoen Saduak. Don’t forget your camera, there’s an abundance of photo opportunities.

The Temple of Dawn

Bangkok is home to more than 400 temples. Unless you’re planning on living there for months, you’ll struggle to see them all. If you’ve only time and inclination for one, you should definitely settle on the Temple of Dawn, officially known as Wat Arun and locally referred to as Wat Chaeng.

You’ll find it on the Chao Phraya River’s west bank. The distinguished spire-filled architecture casts a stunning silhouette against the Bangkok skyline and is really easy to spot. For the ultimate aesthetic experience, make an effort to get there first thing in the morning or at sunset. To get there, catch a boat from Sapphan Taksin Pier to Pier 8, then, to get across the river, jump on a ferry. The Temple of Dawn is open every day between 0830 and 1730 and entry is 100 Baht. Give yourself at least an hour to explore.

Shadow puppetry

At least one of your evenings in Bangkok should be spent in the enchanting world of shadow puppetry. To see some utterly beautiful creations that are as big as average toddlers, head to the Thai Puppet Theatre. It’s a family-run establishment, where the puppets are controlled via sticks, held by a trio of dancing puppeteers. You’ll find it at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, 1875 Thanon Rama IV.

Footpath Feasts

There’s no shortage of Western-style takeaway joints and fancy restaurants in Bangkok, but you can’t really say you’ve eaten Thai-style until you’ve done it local-style: in the streets. There are thousands of stalls to choose from - opt for those that are consistently busy. That way, you’ll maximise your chances of both optimum taste and good hygiene.