The 15 Best Things to Do in Bangkok

From the moment you step in, the glow of gold and glass mosaics grips you: the Grand Palace is a dazzle of pointed roofs and shimmering spires.

Former residence of the kings of Siam, it is home to Wat Phra Kaew and the revered Emerald Buddha, considered the palladium of the kingdom.

You wander among royal pavilions, golden chedis and the Ramakien frescoes, in the heart of the historic Rattanakosin district.

It is quite simply the most visited monument in Bangkok, the obligatory stop on any first trip.

You walk into the pavilion and stand open-mouthed: a golden Reclining Buddha 46 metres long fills the entire space.

Its feet, several metres long, are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and the temple is regarded as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

You admire the statue, walk the galleries of Buddhas and can treat yourself to a massage at the temple school.

Immediate neighbour of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is naturally visited right afterwards.

On the far side of the river, a slender tower rises towards the sky, its surface glittering with a thousand flecks of porcelain in the sun.

Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, is a Khmer-style prang about 70 metres high, fully decorated with fragments of porcelain, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya.

You climb its steep stairs for a fine view of the river and circle the terraces to admire the ceramic decoration.

Its silhouette at sunset is one of the most iconic images of Bangkok.

Across the lawns, rows of reddish brick chedis and headless Buddhas tell of a kingdom's bygone grandeur.

Former capital of Siam founded in 1350, Ayutthaya has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991 and preserves impressive ruined temples.

You wander from site to site, the most famous image being the Buddha head wrapped in the roots of a fig tree, at Wat Mahathat.

It is the most rewarding day-trip you can take from Bangkok.

You dive into a maze of narrow lanes piled with clothes, plants, art objects, animals and food, in an electric heat.

The Chatuchak weekend market brings together more than 15,000 stalls over about 14 hectares, mostly active on Saturdays and Sundays.

You come to browse, grab a bite and bring home cheap souvenirs, letting yourself be carried along by the crowd.

It is one of the largest weekend markets in the world, an experience in its own right.

The climb begins with a spiral staircase lined with bells, in tropical greenery, up to a golden chedi that gleams at the top.

Wat Saket, or the Golden Mount, sits atop an artificial hill reached by a staircase of 318 steps, offering a 360° panorama.

You climb it for the view over old Bangkok and for the peaceful atmosphere of the terraces around the stupa.

It is one of the rare high points accessible in the historic centre.

The immaculate white of the marble contrasts with the orange roofs and the sky: this temple has an almost unreal elegance.

Wat Benchamabophit is built of Carrara marble imported from Italy; it featured on the old 5-baht note and houses a gallery of 52 Buddhas.

You walk around it to admire the building's symmetry, the marble lions and the collection of statues in the cloister.

It is one of the most photogenic temples in Bangkok, and the least crowded of the royal trio.

You leave the city's din to enter a haven of dark wood, between weathered teak and a lush tropical garden.

This house-museum belonged to the American Jim Thompson, who revived the Thai silk industry before vanishing mysteriously in 1967; it houses his collection of Asian art.

You visit it to discover the traditional teak architecture, the works gathered by its owner and the timeless atmosphere of the garden.

It is a cultural, soothing pause in the heart of a modern district.

The lift races towards the sky, and suddenly Bangkok stretches out at your feet, its towers and avenues glittering to the horizon.

The Mahanakhon SkyWalk is the highest observation deck in Thailand, with a striking glass floor and a 360° view.

You go up for the thrill of the transparent floor, the panorama over the city and a drink at the high-altitude bar at sunset.

It is the best modern viewpoint for taking in the sheer scale of the capital.

Night falls, the neon lights flicker on and Yaowarat Avenue turns into a river of lights, grill smoke and spicy scents.

Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns outside China, famous for its neon signs and its street food in the evening.

You lose yourself in the alleys, tasting grilled seafood, noodles and desserts, from one stall to the next as they spill onto the roadway.

It is the most intense and most delicious night-time experience in Bangkok.

In the dim light of the sanctuary, a colossal statue radiates a gold so pure and dense it seems unreal.

Wat Traimit houses the largest solid gold Buddha in the world, weighing about 5.5 tonnes, whose value was revealed by accident in the 20th century.

You admire the statue and discover, in the small museum, the story of its rediscovery beneath a layer of stucco.

It is a brief but striking visit, ideal at the gateway to Chinatown.

On the brown water of the klongs, wooden boats sag under fruit, conical hats bob about and paddles slap the water.

The Damnoen Saduak floating market lies about 100 km south-west of Bangkok, where vendors sell fruit and dishes from their boats.

You glide by boat between the floating stalls, taste a noodle soup cooked right on the water and bring back a few exotic fruits.

It is the postcard image of Thailand's floating markets.

In the early hours, the park breathes: joggers, tai chi groups and water monitors share the lawns and the lake shores.

Lumphini is Bangkok's first large public park, a green lung amid the skyscrapers, with its lakes and surprising wildlife.

You come to walk, rent a pedal boat, watch the water monitors and enjoy a moment of calm away from the traffic.

It is the ideal nature escape to catch your breath between visits.

Loud music, grilled skewers, tattoo stalls and multicoloured neon: Khao San Road never sleeps.

This street is the historic epicentre of Bangkok's backpackers, famous for its bars, its street food and its intense nightlife.

You come for a cheap drink, to taste street pad thai and to blend into a cosmopolitan crowd until the small hours.

It is the festive, carefree vibe par excellence.

By the river, a lit-up Ferris wheel turns above the former port warehouses converted into shopping lanes.

Asiatique The Riverfront occupies a former port warehouse transformed into a night market on the banks of the Chao Phraya, with its famous Ferris wheel.

You stroll among shops, restaurants and shows, in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere at sunset.

It is a pleasant, easy evening, perfect for a last dinner by the water's edge.