Things to do in Bangkok

Wat Bang Kung temple visit and mangrove boat ride from Bangkok

Lying along the Gulf of Thailand, the province of Samut Songkhram is best known for its floating markets and swimming monkeys. This tour from Bangkok shines the spotlight on two of the area's top attractions - Wat Bang Kung Buddhist temple and Khlong Khon Mangrove Conservation Centre.While Thailand has many Buddhist temples to visit, Wat Bang Kung is one of the most iconic. Swamped by the roots and branches of a huge Banyan tree, it's like nothing you've seen before. It's believed that the ancient temple was built over 300 years ago, as it houses paintings from the late Ayutthaya period. Inside, discover the famous golden Nila Manee Buddha statue, which many locals visit daily to worship. Then take a relaxing stroll along the Mae Klong river.Up next is the Mangrove Forest Conservation Centre in the coastal village of Khlong Khon. You'll board a longtail boat and cruise through mangroves, getting up close and personal to wild monkeys that patrol the river banks. Some of the cheeky creatures may even swim up to the boat to greet you. The tour ends with a tasty seafood lunch served at a local restaurant.

Half-day guided tour of Bangkok’s canals and Chinatown district

Bangkok is famed for its skyscrapers and fast-paced way of life but on this tour you'll explore a different side to the city. You'll sail down a bustling river and quiet canals to get a feel for the traditional way of life. After cruising along, you'll end up in Bangkok's busy Chinatown for a look around.

Dinner cruise on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River

Float past the Grand Palace of Bangkok, lit up in all its glory, on this evening dinner cruise. As you wind your way north up the Chao Phraya River, you'll take in views of historic landmarks and golden temples left, right and centre. Then, you'll reach the Rama VII Bridge, which is a polar opposite with the modern buildings that rub shoulders with it. Its colourful lights reflect off the water at night, creating a beautiful setting for you to relax and watch the Thai cabaret show onboard as you're served a typical Thai buffet.

Evening Dinner Cruise by Mahapatra Ticket

Watching the scenery unfold as you cruise through Bangkok is a wonderful way to spend an evening. Add an enticing dinner menu of Thai and International cuisine and you have the perfect evening. The night-time skyline twinkles with thousands of lights as you pass by city landmarks such as Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn, The Royal Grand Palace and the Rama VIII Bridge. There's even classical Thai music performed on the panoramic open-air deck as you glide through the city.

2 days 1 night River Kwai Delight

Kickstart your adventure with an early morning departure to Kanchanaburi, diving into the rich history at Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Marvel at the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai before tucking into a local lunch. Afternoon explorations take you to Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and a boat ride to River Kwai Resotel for an overnight stay. Day 2 promises ethnic Mon Tribal Village visits, jungle treks, and a historic Death Railway Train ride. Wrap up with a visit to Home Phutoey Museum Park, reliving the tales of British artist Jack Chalker.

Bangkok temples and shrines small group walking tour

Discovering Bangkok's temples and history is just one part of this walking tour. You'll see unexplored corners of the city and delve right into local culture as you navigate Wat Saket, Wat Suthat and the ‘Giant Swing'. Prasit, one of our local guides, says, ‘The 37 golden spires of Loha Prasat represent the 37 requisites of enlightenment. These are stages in Buddhist teachings that must be achieved before attaining enlightenment.'Kick off at the temple of Wat Ratchanatdaram, best known for Loha Prasat, one of the few bronze-roofed palaces in the world. Then you'll visit the Golden Mount, just a short walk away, where you'll find Wat Saket. Climb the 344 steps up the golden chedi for views over old Bangkok. Prasit adds, ‘Wat Saket is an important landmark that sits on the only hill in Bangkok, and it holds great significance for all followers of The Lord Buddha. The stairs are long but they take you up to the top for panoramic views of Rattanakosin Island.'Then, it's on to the Giant Swing – or Sao Ching Cha – and Wat Suthat, one of the most important temples from the Rattanakosin era. Prasit says, ‘Wat Suthat is my favourite temple. It stands out because the interior is richly decorated with murals of Thai life and faith. In the centre, above statues of praying monks, sits a giant golden Buddha.' After our visit, we'll have a coffee break before pressing on to San Chao Pho Suea, the ‘Tiger God Shrine'. And lastly, we'll walk to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road to end the tour.

2 days 1 night River Kwai Delight

Setting off from downtown Bangkok, kickstart your adventure by heading to the historic Kanchanaburi province. Dive into history at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, and step onto the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai. You'll then dine on local cuisine before exploring Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre. End the day with a traditional Mon Dance performance after settling in at River Kwai Jungle Rafts. Day two brings you closer to the Mon tribal village, offers awe-inspiring views of the River Kwai, and a memorable ride on the Death Railway Train.

Bangkok Canal, temples and Grand Palace tour

Ready for a royal Bangkok day out? Get set to explore the city's most iconic spots and biggest temples and palaces. You'll kick things off with a breezy cruise down the Chao Phraya River and its canals by long-tail boat. Then, hop off at Wat Arun – aka the Temple of Dawn – where multi-tiered towers and vibrant tiles create a skyline you won't forget in a hurry – perfect for epic photo ops and a deep dive into Bangkok's rich cultural heritage.Next up, is Wat Pho. Home to the famous Reclining Buddha, impressive architecture, and over 100 shrines, this place really has the wow factor. Plus, it's where traditional Thai massaging was born, so you know it's got some serious chill vibes. You'll wrap things up with a visit to the Grand Palace. This spot is pure magic, with golden temples and lush gardens that scream royal grandeur. Inside, you'll find Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha – carved from a single piece of green jade, it's a total showstopper

Evening dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River with live shows and transfers

Cruise along the Chao Phraya River, past iconic landmarks like Wat Arun – or the Temple of Dawn, Wat Pra Kaew – the Royal Grand Palace and Rama VIII Bridge, one of the largest of its kind. For dinner, you can tuck into the Thai and international buffet dinner and get a taste for Thai culture with live music and a Thai classical dance performance on board. Everything you'll need for an evening on the water. Just so you know, you can book this experience with or without transfers.

Nopparat Thai classical dance & restaurant experience

Nopparat, a classy Thai restaurant in Bangkok, has the dinner-and-show game sealed. It pairs a menu of exotic Thai dishes with traditional and classical dance performances to create a culture-focused evening you won't want to miss. Book this experience to secure your table for dinner. An hour after the doors open, you'll be treated to a classic dance performance. Plus, there'll be sprinklings of live music throughout the evening.

Evening dinner on Chao Phraya cruise

Kick back with this dinner cruise. You'll be dazzled by traditional Thai decor as you feast on an international buffet, cruising along the Chao Phraya River. Head to the open-air upper deck to soak up the evening glow and snap killer pics of landmarks like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. With live music and vibrant Thai flair, you're all set for a fun-filled evening.

Half-day Bangkok Sabieng Cooking Lesson

Fresh, quick and tasty, it's no surprise Thai cuisine has conquered the world. Bring back all the skills you need to create a Thai food feast with this cooking class. Under the guidance of expert instructors, you'll select the best ingredients with a local market visit, then learn how to balance traditional Thai flavours by preparing four different dishes.Start your culinary morning with a visit to a vibrant market, where you'll choose the freshest ingredients for your lesson. Then it's straight to the kitchen, where you'll learn the tricks and techniques alongside seasoned chefs. They'll be on hand to teach you the art of balancing the four main flavours of Thai food – sweet, sour, salty and spicy.You'll have hands-on experience preparing four distinct dishes of your choice. From the usual suspects like red and green curries, Pad Thai and Tom Yum soup, to the more obscure Som Tum salad, Pandan chicken or Khanom Mo Kaeng – Thailand's own take on an egg custard tart – these valuable recipes will last long after your tan has faded.