The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the oldest and largest wat in Bangkok. Originating in the 16th century, it houses the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand as well as the greatest number of Buddha images. Wat Po is also the centre for traditional Thai medicine and a learning centre for Thai massage, where… [more]

This 200-acre park features a small museum dedicated to the king, set amongst pleasant botanical gardens with soothing water features. สวนหลวง ร.9 ถ.สุขุมวิท 103 (หลังพาราไดส์ พาร์ค) ประเวศ WHERE Sukhumvit 103 Road, behind Seri Center, Pravet, 02-328-1972. Daily 5.30am-7pm. B10

Is Madame Tussauds Bangkok worth getting excited about? If childhood memories of the snaking queue at the flagship London branch serve this reviewer correctly, not really. Then there’s the asking price: B800. That’s a big ask of their target audience – the local Siam shopper with a couple of hours to kill, a modest income,… [more]

These two parks situated not far from the mayhem of the weekend market offer some much-needed respite. Jatujak Park hosts some art exhibits and a collection of old railway engines and ancient automobiles. Nearby, Queen Sirikit Park has a pretty botanical garden. สวนจตุจักรและสวนสมเด็จฯ พระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ 820 ถ.พหลโยธิน จตุจักร WHERE 820 Phahonyothin Road, Ladyao, Jatujak | 02-272-4358… [more]

The world’s largest teakwood building was originally built on the island of Koh Si Chang, in 1868, and then moved, piece by piece, to Bangkok for use by King Rama V. Its 81 rooms, spread over three floors, overlook a beautiful garden. Inside, many of his acquisitions from international trips are on display, including possibly… [more]

This is not one of those boring museums that you itch to leave after five minutes. Located in an old government building near Wat Po, the Museum of Siam is an interactive and hands-on place that you can happily lose a few hours in, as you attempt to discover the answer to the question: What… [more]

Across the river from Wat Po is Wat Arun, or the Temple of the Dawn, one of the city’s most important and beguiling religious sites. Before being moved to Wat Phra Kaew, the Emerald Buddha was temporarily housed here. The five-towered structure is covered almost entirely in pieces of colourful porcelain and designed as a… [more]

The home of Jim Thompson, the American businessman largely responsible for the global popularity of Thai silk, is a must see. In a sundappled tropical garden beside a pungent canal, six traditional teak houses brim with the art and antiques he rescued from around Asia: from limestone Buddha torsos to a cat-shaped porcelain bedpan. Regular… [more]

The biggest and most popular slice of green in Central Bangkok. Busy as soon as the sun rises and again around sunset, Bangkokians of every ilk take advantage of the relative cool and quiet to practice Tai Chi, do aerobics, hold hands or jog around the picturesque lakes. Other activities include taking a pedal boat… [more]

The granddaddy of all Bangkok sights. Don’t let the touts and tuk-tuk drivers who mill around outside put you off a visit to this, the Kingdom’s most beloved temple and popular tourist destination. It’s a fantastical 218,400m² royal complex that comes enclosed by quaintly crenulated whitewalls, and at night sparkles like the jewel in some… [more]

Bangrak is one of the most traditional districts of the city, bustling with traffic and markets. Smack in the middle of it, find this oasis of four traditional Thai houses, one of them lovingly converted into a private museum by the compound’s charming owner, Ms. Waraporn Surawadee. She decided to dedicate the place to the… [more]

Previously a palace during the reign of Rama V, the National Museum features extensive displays of Thai artefacts from the main historical periods, encompassing the Lanna, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai kingdoms up to the present day. Thai culture is well documented in sections on dance, music and drama. The first example of Thai literature and the… [more]

Finding the Bangkok Doll Museum is no easy task, tucked away as it is down Soi Yaek Ratchata Phan (more commonly known as Soi Mor Leng), just off Rajapraprop Road. However, since its opening in 1956, it has continually attracted tourists, students and aficionados alike, with its remarkable collection of extremely rare hand-made Thai dolls…. [more]

Held at several Indian temples around Bangkok from September 28 until October 6, the annual nine-day Navaratri Festival has its main focus at Sri Maha Mariamman (or Wat Khaek) temple on the corner of Silom and Pan Road. The religious rites in honour of the Hindu Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi… [more]