Bangkok is one of the most famous tourist destinations globally, and no doubt it's a Tourist Hub of South East Asia. This Bangkok Guide shows you things to do in and around Bangkok. All the selected attractions take one day or less. Of cause, there are more interesting trips and activities and you can find them here.

1. Have a Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River

Known as the "Blood Line of Thailand", Chao Phraya River is considered the most important river in the country. The river flows from Northern Thailand through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.

Since the beginning of Bangkok, the river and its connecting canals are the main routes of transportation. There are many and every kind of buildings and places along the river, from the historical ones to the modern and luxurious ones. 

Having A Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River is a good chance to see most of the iconic buildings and places in Bangkok including The Grand Palace, Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), and Rama VIII Bridge while having an international buffet in a romantic atmosphere. 

There are 2 kinds of ships, the 2 floors, and the 3 floors. The 2 floors is the smaller type and with a roofed 2nd floor with small open space at the ship's head. The 3 floors is the bigger ones with a fully open deck and some open area at the ship's head on the 2nd floor. 

The most preferable tables are ones on the top floor next to the ship edges where you can have a clear view of the river.

Most of the ships start cruising from their pier at famous shopping centers like ICONSIAM, Asiatique The Riverfront, and River City so you better spare some time for shopping before going aboard. All the piers can be accessed by public transportation (BTS the SkyTrain or MRT the underground train), shuttle boat, taxi, or self-driving (park at the pier's parking lot).

You can find intensive information (and best promotion) of all Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise ships here.

Or if you know exactly what you want, you can find the best price here.

2. Visit Ayutthaya, the UNESCO World Heritage Site

Before Bangkok, Ayutthaya was the capital city of Thailand and it was for more than 400 years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, only an hour away makes it a perfect place for one day trip.

Visitors can see the glorious days of Ayutthaya through ancient palaces and temples. Sadly, some of them were destroyed during wars between Siam (ancient Thailand) and Burma (ancient Myanmar).

There are hundreds of historical places in Ayutthaya and here are the most famous among them...

Wat Mahathat (The Monastery of the Great Relic Temple)

Located in the center of the Ancient Ayutthaya, Wat Mahathat is renowned for the "Buddha Head in Tree Roots". 

Wat Mahathat was built in 1374, around 20 years after the establishment of Ayutthaya. In 1384, King Ramesuan enshrined the Buddha's relics at this temple. Along the Ancient Ayutthaya period, it was the venue for important royal ceremonies and celebrations.

During the fall of Ancient Ayutthaya, the temple was set on fire during the Burmese attack. The ruins of Wat Mahathat is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Ayutthaya.

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace was built in 1632 and has been restored by King Rama IV of the Chakri Dynasty. The place is also known as The Summer Palace. Most of the buildings in the palace were constructed between 1872-1899 by King Rama V.

Tourists will be welcomed by beautiful gardens and impressive landscape before they visit stunningly beautiful buildings built in Thai, Western and Chinese styles. These buildings used to be a royal residence, throne room, royal pavilion, etc.

The place used to held many important royal ceremonies including royal weddings, welcoming royal visitors including the Grand Duke Tsarevich of Russia, Queen Elizabeth II, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace is largely open to visitors, however, it's also being the place of the royal family. Tourists must honor the place by dressing in a casual dress code (or better). Flipper shoes, tank tops, and short pants are prohibited in the area.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum exhibits the treasure of the Ancient Ayutthaya. The museum consists of three buildings.

Building 1 displaying many antiques and sculptures but the most important item is the Buddha Relics in a Gold Casket found at Wat Mahathat. 

Building 2 presents ancients artifacts from many Thai eras from Srivijaya until Rattanakosin for comparative studies. Building 3 is the traditional Thai-style house exhibiting ancient household appliances.

The museum opens on Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am until 4 pm. The admission fee for foreigners is 150 THB.

Phu Khao Thong Pagoda

Built by King Bayinnaung of Hanthawaddy Kingdom (ancient Myanmar) to commemorate the defeating of Ancient Ayutthaya, Phu Khao Thong Pagoda (Chedi Phu Khao Thong in Thai) is a gigantic, 50-meter tall pagoda.

You can climb onto the pagoda to see the surrounding rice field and the town of Ayutthaya from a bird's eyes view.

To visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can join this one-day trip.

3. A Half Day Tour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak Canal is a man-made canal built more than 150 years ago in the reign of King Rama IV to connect Mae Klong River with Tha Jean River. This longest canal in Thailand has been using for water transportation and trading until today.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the oldest and most famous floating market in Thailand. Tourists not only come to see how local people make trading on paddled boats but they also participate in the activity by shopping for local products, and eating local food. 

Most tour companies will bring you to some pier not too far from the market then you will ride a speedy long-tail boat to the market. After arriving the place, the tour operator will give you free time to explore the market before they bring you back to Bangkok.

If you want to experience the traditional Thai people life, you can join this half-day trip.

4. Visit Railway Market

The Railway Market (also known as Train Umbrella Market) looks like an ordinary Thai market where people come to buy meats, vegetables, and fruits. Truth is, it's definitely not an ordinary market. This place is recommended in many travel guides as a must-do one-day trip from Bangkok.

This is the only market in the world that the merchants share their space with a train track. The market is located right in front of Mae Klong Railway Station and there are 7-8 incoming and outgoing trains a day. 

Within minutes (or seconds) before the train come, the merchants will clear their stalls and close their umbrellas to make way for the train. Tourists can see the amazingly small gap between the passing train and those vendors. Once the train passes, the merchants and buyers come back to their business.

We recommend you to find a good spot for picture taking then you can take pictures or videos of this impressive movement.

Usually, your tour operator will bring you to a good picture-taking spot before the train come. However, if you go to the market by yourself you can check the train schedule at the train station. 

If you want to witness the exciting moment, you can join this Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market half-day tour.

5. One Day Trip to Kanchanaburi

Located at about 160 kilometers to the northwest of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is a nature-rich province with everything tourists could ask for. The province can be accessed by road or railway and it takes only two and a half hours of driving from Bangkok.

Here are some of the famous tourist attractions in Kanchanaburi.

The Bridge Over the River Kwai and the Death Railway

The Bridge Over the River Kwai is the beginning point of the infamous Death Railway. The railway was built during WWII using the forced labor of prisoners of war. The purpose of the railway is to transport Japanese troops and supplies to invade Burma (Myanmar), a British colony during the time.

The name Death Railway came from the huge number of prisoners who died because of hard-working, insufficient food, plagues, diseases, and poor living condition.

Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum

There are 2-3 museums of the Death Railway and the most interesting one is the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum locating at the spot where the railway cut through the mountain using primitive tools. The 500-meter long pass was completely built in only 6 months with the cost of many allied prisoners of war lives.

The museum was formed and funded by the Australian Government. It is locating right at the pass (which is no longer in use). You can survey the preserved railway and construction tools and in the exhibition building, you will see pictures, history, models, and tools related to the pass. 

You can visit the museum for free.

The museum is open daily from 9 am until 4 pm and close on April 13-15, December 31, and Jan 1. For more information, you can contact +66 34 919 605. 

You can travel to the Bridge Over the River Kwai by car or you can join this River Kawi, Death Railway, Hellfire Pass Tour

Erawan Waterfall (Erawan National Park)

With 7 tiers of beautiful waterfall and emerald clear pond spreading 1,500 meters in total, Erawan Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand. 

Erawan Waterfall is a part of Erawan National Park which consists of the waterfall, thick tropical rain forests with various kinds of wildlife, and several limestone caves.

Tourists can enjoy nature trailing in the area or explore each tier of the waterfall and have fun swimming in fresh cool water ponds. 

Please bear in mind that any kind of food is strictly forbidden from tier 3 on and you must pay a 20 THB fee for any bottle of drink which can be refunded if you bring the bottle back down. This is the policy to reduce waste in the national park.

Foreigner entrance fee is 300 THB (200 THB for children). The park is open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

In general, a one-day trip is enough to visit the waterfall and you can join this Erawan Waterfall + River Kwai Tour. However, if you want to stay overnight, you can rent a tent at the camping ground nearby the visitor center (150 THB/day for 2 people and 250 THB/day for 3 people). Another option is to stay at hotels and resorts around the park.

6. Go to Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa Floating Market is an afternoon market that opens every Friday to Sunday from 12 pm until 8 pm. The market is located in Samut Songkram Province and it's only 90 km or less than 1:30 hours driving from Bangkok.

Amphawa Canal has been using as the trading center of Samut Songkhram province since the time that the area can not be reached by road. Today, it's one of the famous local and foreign tourists attraction.

For Thai tourists, the main reason to visit the market is various kinds of good local food. Here you can enjoy delicious food from shophouses and boats locating along the canal. 

Besides the food, you can buy some souvenirs. The most famous ones are T-Shirts with picture or wording about Amphawa on it. Besides walking, you can also explore Amphawa by joining a boat tour or using a rental bicycle.

After visiting the market, many tour operators will bring you to a boat trip to see fireflies along the Amphawa canal. As Amphawa is close to the Railway Market (Train Umbrella Market), tour operators usually combine them into one trip.

If you are interested in Ampahwa Floating Market you may consider joining this Amphawa Floating Market with Firefly and Train Umbrella Market trip.

7. Visit Mahanakhon Skywalk

Mahanakhon Building is one of the most popular buildings in Bangkok and its most famous part is one of the world's largest Glass Tray at the height of 310 meters. Visitors can challenge themself walking on the glass tray while looking down at the city far away below.

Besides the glass tray, Mahanakhon Skywalk also has other attractions like the Outdoor 360 Degree Observation Deck at the top of the building (78th floor). The Glass Tray is located on this floor together with an Observation Platform which is up to 314 meters from ground level and a snack bar.

There are Indoor Observatories on the 74th and 75th floors where you can see a 360-degree panoramic view of Bangkok. Visitors will come to these floors using a high-speed "Multimedia Elevator" displaying a stunning animation on its walls. 

Mahanakhon Skywalk opens daily. The standard opening time is from 10 am until 11 pm but during the pandemic time, the opening hours may change. You can make a booking and check the operating hours here.

8. A Family Trip to Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World

If you are looking for a place for a family trip in Bangkok, we would like to recommend Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World which is located in Siam Paragon shopping mall.  This world-class aquarium is home to more than 10,000 sea and freshwater creatures in 400 species from all over the world including sharks, penguins, and giant spider crabs.

You and your children will have a good time exploring 11 aquarium zones and you can choose to join exciting activities like facing sharks and rays in Shark Dive activity, riding Glass Bottom Boat, or walk in the underwater tunnel in Ocean Walker activity.

The place is opened daily from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm. To avoid the long queues, we recommend you make a booking in advance here.

9. Visit Safari World

Another perfect place for your family, Safari World is the biggest zoo in Thailand consists of an Open Zoo and a Marine Park on 200 acres of land in Bangkok. 

In the Open Zoo section, you will have a fun time of 8 kilometers safari drive through an area of man-made habitats and see the animals from the car's windows. Along the main drive through the area you will see large herds of plant-eating animals including Zebras, Rhinos, Giraffe (more than 200 of them!), Wildebeests, Ostrichs, Nyala, Sitatunga, Ankole cattles, Cape Buffaloes, Hippopotamus, Camels, Deers, various kind of birds and more. The meat-eating animals including Lions, Bengal Tigers, Black Bears are staying in separates drive-throughs. 

Please bear in mind that you have to close your car's windows all the time you are driving in the Open Zoo. If your car has any problems, please sound horn and the park's staff will come to you. Do not step out of your car at all costs.

The Marine Park section is more like a traditional zoo with animal shows and activities. There are at least 7 shows take place daily at different times including Dolphin Show, Elephant Show, Sea Lion Show, Spy War Show, Orangutan Boxing, Bird Show, and Cowboy Stunt Show. For the activities, there is a Safari Terrace where you can play and feed hundreds of giraffes. Mini World consists of a giant aviary where visitors can get in touch with free-flying Sun Conures, an aviary for Caribbean Flamingoes, another aviary for Macaws, and other birds.

The Tiger Kingdom is a large enclosure exhibiting Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, and Siberian Tiger.  There is a big building exhibiting various kinds of crocodiles including Siamese Crocodiles, a giant Saltwater Crocodile, and False Gharial in its separated exhibits. There are also large aquariums for big freshwater fishes like Arapaima, and Mekong Giant Catfish.

If you want to bring your kids to Safari World but do not want to wait in a long ticket line, you can book this online Safari World Discounted Tickets on our website.

10. Have Fun at Siam Amazing Park

Siam Amazing Park, formerly called Siam Park City, is the biggest amusement park and water park in Thailand located in Bangkok 30 kilometers from the city. The park consists of a large water park area with the Guinness Word's Record for the Biggest Wave Pool in The World and a towering water slider, a separated amusement park with world-class rides.

Tourists will be welcomed by a multi-colored castle standing behind the entrance. Then they can have fun with water parks and rides separated into 5 Worlds.

Water World consists of the Wave Pool, the 7-Storey Slider, and other smaller sliders and pools for kids. Adventure World has various kinds of rides. Xtreme World, as the name suggested has 12 adrenaline boost rides including the  Giant Drop, a free-fall drop from 75 meters high. Family World featuring the Si-Am Observatory Tower, a Double Deck Merry Go Round, and a Haunted House. Small World providing 6 rides designed especially for kids.

The park has various kinds and sizes of rental lockers available at the Club House of Water World Zone (size up to 45x60x58 cm). They even have some free small locker (24x45x43 cm) which you need to bring your own padlock. If you need a bigger locker (38x96x60 cm) you can find it at the Ticketing Hall.

If you want to have a memorable time with your family you can avoid the long ticket line and book an online ticket here. 

11. Visit Madame Tussauds Bangkok

Another famous attraction right in the heart of Bangkok, Madame Tussauds Bangkok is the house of 90 wax figures of popular and powerful persons around the world.

The museum displaying the wax figures in 9 categories; Music, Film, Bollywood, TV, A-List, Sport, History, Leaders, Art, and Science. You will get in touch and take pictures with the wax replica of Queen Elizabeth II, Barak Obama, Johnny Depp, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beethoven, Hugh Jackman, Chris Evans, Princess Diana, Gandhi, Mao Zedong, etc.

Besides the world's famous figures you will meet local important persons like Field Marshal Paek Pioonsongkram, General Prem Tinsulanonda, BuddhadasaBhikkhu, Tony Jar, and more.

At the end of the exhibition, you will see a gallery showing the process of wax figure making. 

There is a 4D cinema in the museum and sometimes you can get a "free bundle" with the museum entrance ticket. The cinema showing the Ice Age 4D movie and you will watch it on a moving seat with 4D glasses and special effects like water splash, airstream, and falling snowflakes.

The museum is located on the 6th floor of Siam Discovery Center which is nearby BTS Siam Station and it opens daily from 10 am to 9 pm.

You can save time and money by booking the ticket online here.

12. A Family Day at Dream World

A great place for your family, Dream World is a famous theme park located only 40 kilometers from Bangkok downtown. You can come to the park by air-conditioned bus No.523 from the Victory Monument or better using Taxi or Grab service. 

Dream World consists of 4 zones. Dream World Plaza with elegant architecture, Dream Garden which is the lake, and beautiful gardens. Cable cars are running above the area allow you to see the whole park from a bird's eye view. Fantasy Land with Sleeping Beauty Castle, Gingerbread House, and a Giant's House. Adventure Land is the largest zone that provides exciting rides like Viking, Tornado, Hurricane, Space Mountain, Sky Coaster, Grand Canyon, and more. The famous Snow Town is also in this area.

There is a Hollywood Action Show which is a live stunt show with explosions. The show runs only on weekends and public holidays at 1 pm. At 3 pm, every weekend and public holidays there is a colorful parade.

If you want to visit Dream World, you can skip the long queue by booking this online ticket.