Cheap flights to Bangkok are available from both London Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport. Connecting flights, particularly via the Middle East are available from Glasgow, Birmingham, and Newcastle. UK citizens do not require a visa to enter Thailand if they are staying for less than 30 days. Most international flights to Bangkok will arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Some regional and international flights to Bangkok may arrive at Don Muang International Airport instead. Taxis are available from the taxi stand outside the arrival hall at Don Muang Airport. There will be an extra airport surcharge on top of the metered taxi fare. Metered taxis and licensed limousines are available for hire just outside the arrivals hall of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Link provides services from the airport into Central Bangkok. BMTA operates twelve bus routes into Bangkok and surrounding areas.
Bangkok’s extensive metro system includes the BTS Skytrain, an elevated rapid transit system, and the MRT, an underground metro system. The MRT offers a range of single or multiple journey ticket options. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines or ticket offices in MRT stations. Choose from single journey tickets, one-day passes or SmartPasses for journeys on the Skytrain. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket offices in Skytrain stations. The three wheeled tuk-tuks are one of Bangkok’s most recognisable sights. Flag one down for a novel way to see the city. Taxis are plentiful, especially in the city centre. They can be flagged down when needed, or get your hotel to hire one ahead of time. Buses operated by BMTA provide services within Bangkok and to nearby provinces. A conductor will collect the fare once you are onboard – you will need to have some small change for the fare. Ferries and river taxis are also available for those who want to explore the riverside areas of Bangkok.
The massive Grand Palace complex is one of Bangkok’s most dazzling sights. The various halls and buildings are a magnificent example of traditional Thai architecture. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) houses the famous 14th century Emerald Buddha, whose robes are changed regularly by the King of Thailand. Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is home to the famous giant, gold-clad Buddha. Find out what the future holds from the palm readers in the grounds of the temple. A slightly macabre attraction is the Forensic Museum – a modest building on the grounds of Siriraj Hospital housing a collection of preserved corpses, murder weapons and other grisly sights. The chaotic floating markets are a not to be missed. A guided boat tour will take you along the narrow waterways where fruits, textiles and other items are available for sale.
The sprawling Chatuchak market is Bangkok’s largest weekend market. There is a wide variety of goods for sale here, from lustrous Thai silk to religious artefacts and even live fish! Thailand’s national dish pad thai (noodles stirfried with eggs, prawns and fish sauce) is available from many stalls within the market’s narrow alleys. The massive Siam Paradise Night Market is perfect for night owls. There are over a thousand shops in the market, as well as a beer garden and food stalls. The infamous Khao San Road is a hotspot for backpackers and tourists. There are plenty of cheap eats and smoky pubs here, as well as stalls stocking all sorts of wares. Street stalls here serve up a choice of inexpensive Thai dishes such as satay and Tom Yum soup.