Things to do in Bangkok

In the evening, temperatures drop and there’s less traffic, so it’s an ideal time to discover a different side of Bangkok. On this fascinating tour, you’ll travel by tuk tuk from the departure point at Lebua State Tower, a luxury hotel with amazing views from its various bars, to Chinatown for a herb-infused cocktail (or soft drink) and a Thai meal. Afterwards, you’ll whizz around the city’s historic heart past some of its most famous sights, including the Grand Palace - all lit up to spectacular effect. You’ll stroll through the grounds of a temple to admire the illuminations and explore bustling areas known for their amazing street-food scene. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to try some local sweet treats such as kluai thot - deliciously sticky pieces of deep-fried banana coated in sesame seeds - the perfect way to round off the evening.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
The tour is not suitable for children under 10. As for what to wear, you’ll need smart casual clothing if you want to visit the Lebua State Tower before the tour and suitable clothing for visiting temples. It can get surprisingly cool zipping around at night in an open-sided vehicle, so you’ll be grateful for the extra coverage.

Celebrate a special event with a memorable meal at Thailand’s tallest hotel. Baiyoke Sky Hotel towers above the shopping district of Pratunam, providing spectacular views of the city and beyond to the Gulf of Thailand. Soak up the sights from the observation deck on the 77th floor or head up another seven storeys to the revolving viewpoint, before making your way to the Bangkok Sky Restaurant on the 76th floor. It’s known for its superb seafood buffet, where the array of options includes flavoursome spicy Thai salads and dishes such as Japanese salmon nitsuke - plus, of course, the panoramic views of the twinkling lights of the city below. It’s a great option for couples, groups of friends or honeymooners.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
It’s the perfect opportunity to wear something a little smarter than during the day - but note that the restaurant is air-conditioned, so dress accordingly.

Thailand is known for its delicious street food, and one of the best places to sample it is in Bangkok’s historic Rattanakosin district, also known as the Old Town. On this private four-hour tour, you’ll head off on foot with a local English-speaking guide to explore the narrow streets and alleyways of this atmospheric area, stopping at family-run shops, tiny cafés, street vendors and market stalls to sample their wares and learn about how they’re made. Sip a cup of old-style coffee, the thick and sweet kafae boran; feast on Chinese chive dumplings and succulent roast duck; and try typical sweet treats such as sticky-rice dumplings filled with mung-bean paste. Be sure to leave room for some coconut ice cream, handmade by the same family for generations.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Suitable for children aged 12 and upwards. Transfers are not included; you’ll be advised where to meet on arrival in Bangkok. The tour includes visits to a temple and shrine, so dress appropriately.

Whether you know precisely what you want to see or are looking for some suggestions from someone who knows the city like the back of their hand, there’s no better way of exploring Bangkok at your own pace than with a private guide and chauffeur. With the help of their insider tips, you’ll be able to get unique insights into the city’s most famous sights, discover hidden gems you’d never have stumbled upon on your own and learn about the country’s culture along the way. With stops wherever and whenever you want, and the ability to change course on a whim, it’s a superb option for those travelling with children and those who want a tailor-made immersion in the history and culture of Bangkok.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
You’ll have to pay locally for parking fees and tickets to any attractions you visit, and for any refreshments.

One of Bangkok’s more colourful attractions, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is rightly on many visitors’ not-to-be-missed lists. Heading out in the cool of the early morning, you’ll stop at iconic Wat Bang Kung, an ancient temple almost completely surrounded by the roots of a vast banyan tree, to soak up its unique atmosphere and learn about its not-always-peaceful history. From here, you’ll carry on to the floating market itself, which occupies a maze of narrow canals (khlongs) crowded with narrow wooden sampans piled high with produce. You’ll venture out on the water in your own boat, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take some superb photos and bargain for typical snacks. Your final destination is the extraordinary Rom Hub Railway Market, whose stalls lie on either side of an active railway track, meaning that the vendors have to pull everything out of the way every time a train goes past - which is quite a sight!

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Not recommended for families with younger children.

For those who like to pack the maximum into each day, this trip will take you to some of Bangkok’s most famous sights in comfort. The first stop of the morning is Wat Traimit, home to a three-metre-high statue of a seated Buddha made from solid gold; from here, you’ll travel to another temple, Wat Pho, with another statue of Buddha - this time reclining - that’s a massive 46 metres long. Next on the itinerary is the Grand Palace, a former royal residence, and the temple of the Emerald Buddha, though the statue is actually made of jade. After lunch, you’ll board a traditional boat to cruise along some of the city’s canals, taking in the sights of daily life along the way, before disembarking at your final temple of the day: the riverside Wat Arun, known for its distinctive multicoloured spire.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
You’ll need to dress appropriately for visiting the various temples: that means long trousers - not leggings - or skirts below the knee, and covered shoulders. Carry a lightweight, though not see-through, cover-up if you want to be more casual the rest of the day.

The ancient art of Muay Thai - also known as Thai boxing - is an integral part of the country’s culture, and there’s no better place to learn about it than in its birthplace. For this two-hour masterclass, you’ll be collected from your hotel by an English-speaking guide and driven to one of Bangkok’s most important boxing stadiums. If you’re a Ryan Gosling fan, it might just look familiar; it was one of the locations for the action film Only God Forgives, in which he played the lead role. During the training session, you’ll learn some of the principles of “the art of eight limbs”, before trying out some basic moves for yourself under the supervision of an expert instructor. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Soft drinks, coffee, water and all the boxing equipment you’ll require are provided, but you’ll need to bring a towel and wear suitable sportswear.

Symbolising the horrors of World War II in Asia, the bridge on the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi is almost a place of pilgrimage for history buffs, film aficionados and anyone curious about the relatively recent past. On this poignant trip, you’ll learn all about the building of the infamous bridge that was designed to link up a direct railway line from Bangkok to Rangoon (now Yangon) to support the Japanese occupation of Burma (now Myanmar) in 1943. You’ll visit the graves of members of the Allied Forces on a tour of the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, before looking at historical photographs and paintings at the JEATH War Museum, both emotionally moving experiences. To complete your day, you’ll take a memorable ride on the Thailand-Burma Railway itself, also known as the Death Railway because of the thousands of POWs and forced local workers who lost their lives during its construction.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
The trip is suitable for all ages.

Learn how to prepare some of Thailand’s best-loved dishes on this relaxed, home-style group class. You’ll start the three-hour session with a visit to a local market to buy the ingredients you’ll need later, from colourful vegetables to fragrant herbs and spices, which is quite an experience in itself. You’ll then return to the open kitchen, where certified Thai chefs will help you prepare a complete meal from scratch using traditional utensils and techniques. Under their patient supervision, the time will fly by and it won’t be long before you’re sitting down to enjoy the (hopefully delicious) fruits of your labour. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable way to delve into Thailand’s culinary culture, and one that will appeal to everyone from couples to groups of friends and families with older children.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
The class is suitable for children aged 10 and over. Transfers are not included; you’ll be advised of the meeting point on arrival in Bangkok. If you have any allergies or special needs, please mention them when booking.

See a different side of Bangkok on a cycling tour through the city. First up, we’ll visit a local Buddhist temple complex and a sandal-making shop. You’ll also have the chance to take a short longtail boat trip across the Chao Praya River to see the city’s luxurious villas before travelling to the slum houses and meeting the people that live there. Visit an open-air Muay Thai school and a local elementary school, before riding through Bangkok’s greenest area. We’ll stop for Pad Thai at a local restaurant for lunch and there will be plenty of rest stops. Most of the routes we’ll travel along are off-limits to cars, so this is a lovely and largely traffic-free way to explore this buzzing city.

• Daily departures from Bangkok
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Schools may be closed on certain dates.