The City of Angels on the Chao Phraya
Bangkok is the capital and largest city of Thailand, a river city of gilded temples, floating markets, skyscrapers and some of the best street food on earth. It became the royal capital in 1782 under King Rama I, and its formal Thai name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, begins with the words City of Angels. The Chao Phraya river runs through the centre, and its ferries, long-tail boats and rice barges give visitors a lively, low-level view of the city. Beyond the river, canals known as khlongs thread the old Thonburi side, where wooden houses still stand over the water.
The Grand Palace, built from 1782, is the city's defining landmark, with spired halls, mural-covered cloisters and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Nearby Wat Pho houses the great Reclining Buddha, some 46 metres long, and is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Across the river, Wat Arun rises in porcelain-studded spires, glowing at sunset. Many travellers combine the city with Thailand beaches and with the Phi Phi Islands, while others link Bangkok with Singapore on a wider Southeast Asian journey.
Yaowarat Street Food, Markets and Skytrain Nights
Bangkok eats at every hour. Yaowarat, the Chinatown district, comes alive after dark with stalls selling grilled seafood, roast duck, noodles and sweet desserts, while neighbourhood restaurants serve tom yum, green curry and pad thai at their best. Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest markets in the world, sells everything from antiques to clothing across thousands of stalls, and the floating markets at Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa add a traditional touch. Cooking classes, often beginning with a market tour, are among the most popular activities with visitors.
The modern city is easy to navigate, thanks to the BTS Skytrain and MRT metro, which glide past shopping centres, parks and riverside districts. Jim Thompson House, a collection of traditional teak houses, shows the elegance of Thai design, while Lumphini Park offers a green escape, with tai chi at dawn. Hotels line the river, in Sukhumvit and around Silom, and a hotel group can offer guests everything from riverside heritage suites to rooftop skyline views. Beyond Thailand, Japan and Seoul make popular onward stops.
Read the full Bangkok guide on Visit Travel Group, or see Bangkok.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.