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Bangkok
Temples, river and street food
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Country
- Thailand
Gilded temples beside the river, a legendary street-food scene and markets that never seem to close.
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Pattaya
- Phuket
- Hat Yai
Quick facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Capital
- Bangkok
- City population
- 5.5M
- Population of Thailand
- 65.9M
- Country area
- 513,120 km²
- Official language
- Thai
- Currency
- Thai Baht (THB) · 1 USD ≈ 33.66 THB
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Calling code
- +66
- Drives on the
- Left
- Elevation
- 2 m
- Plugs
- A / B / C / O · 220V
- Emergency numbers
- 1155 · 191 · 1669
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 32° | 33° | 34° | 35° | 34° | 33° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 31° |
| Low | 22° | 24° | 26° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 22° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$27
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$80
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$235
Top things to do
- ≈ $15
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The former royal palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; strict dress code, go at opening time.
- Half day
- Rattanakosin (Old City)
- ≈ $9
Wat Pho and Wat Arun
The giant Reclining Buddha, then a short ferry across the river to the Temple of Dawn.
- Half day
- Chao Phraya riverside
- Good for kids
- ≈ $2
Chao Phraya Express Boat
The public river boat is the cheapest river tour in the city, linking temples, markets and riverside malls.
- Half day
- Chao Phraya riverside
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Yaowarat street food at night
Chinatown's main road fills with food stalls after dark; choose busy stalls where food is cooked to order.
- Half day
- Chinatown (Yaowarat)
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $6
Jim Thompson House and Siam
Traditional teak houses and a silk collection, then the air-conditioned malls around Siam.
- Half day
- Siam and Sukhumvit
- Indoors
- Free
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Thousands of stalls selling everything from plants to vintage clothes; open mainly on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Half day
- Chatuchak
- Good for kids
- ≈ $25
Day trip: Ayutthaya
The ruined temples of the old Siamese capital, a UNESCO site about 80 kilometres north, by train or minivan.
- Full day
- Ayutthaya
Before you go
Entry and visas
From 15 September 2026, visa-exempt entry for tourism allows a stay of up to 30 days and is normally limited to two entries per calendar year. Visa-exempt entry does not cover business travel, including conferences or meetings; you need the appropriate visa before you travel. All foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea must complete a digital arrival card online within 3 days before arrival. Check the official Thai immigration website for the arrival card and visa details.
Official websiteFrom the airport
From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link reaches the city in about 30 minutes; use the official taxi queue or a ride-hailing app.
Getting around
The BTS Skytrain and MRT metro avoid the traffic. River boats are cheap and scenic; agree taxi fares or insist on the meter.
Local tips
- Temples require covered shoulders and knees; the Grand Palace is especially strict.
- Laws protecting the monarchy are severe: never make disrespectful comments or gestures about the royal family.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, and be careful with ice at small stalls.
- The Tourist Police hotline is 1155, with English-speaking staff.
Areas worth knowing
- Siam and Sukhumvit
- Chao Phraya riverside
- Ayutthaya
- Chatuchak
- Chinatown (Yaowarat)
- Rattanakosin (Old City)
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 28, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Thailand
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Sources: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) · Thai e-Visa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) · Tourism Authority of Thailand · GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice