Bangkok Flights And Sights

With its intense humidity, hedonistic nightclubs and hurly-burly taxiing of tuk-tuks, Bangkok is an exhilarating attack on the senses. Sukhomvit's malls and gleaming skyscrapers are just a veneer of modernity for a city firmly rooted in ancient Buddhist beliefs and traditions. Watch saffron-robed monks on their morning alms rounds, clouds of incense rising above the Grand Palace's golden spires, and long-tail boats gliding along the Chao Phraya River at dusk to discover Bangkok's underlying sense of calm and the spirit of old Siam.

Things to Do

Open-air massage and fresh coconut juice between temples keeps you cool and calm when sightseeing in Bangkok. Arrive early and dress modestly to seek out the dazzlingly intricate Grand Palace's sacred Emerald Buddha and neighboring Wat Pho's 46-meter-long Reclining Buddha. Families send colorful dragon kites soaring at the nearby Sanam Luang square, while locals practice morning tai chi in lake-dotted Lumpini Park. Take a long-tail boat along the Chao Phraya River as the setting sun silhouettes palace spires and bell-shaped stupas.

Shopping

Aromatic spices, fighting cocks and every Thai craft imaginable attract shoppers and people-watchers to the 15,000-stall Chatuchak Weekend Market. Rise early to explore the market at its coolest and be prepared for good-humored haggling. Monks in flowing robes drift through atmospheric Amulet Market near the Grand Palace, while locals forage for wholesale food in labyrinthine Chinatown. Sukhumvit's shiny malls and boutiques are the go-to place for designer fashion, leather and a tailor-made silk outfit from Jim Thompson.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Elephants parade past party-mad clubbers and tuk-tuks dart through crowds on neon-lit Khao San Road, where anything goes in the pulsating bars and live music joints. Go-go girls perform in hedonistic Patpong and Soi Cowboy, but few have the supermodel figures to rival the ladyboys at Calypso Cabaret. Silom and Sukhumvit are packed with clubs and cocktail bars, like the 61st-floor Vertigo Bar with its dazzling view of twinkling Bangkok.

Restaurants and Dining

With cooks juggling woks on every corner, Bangkok is all about grazing for street food. Backpackers head for food stalls in Banglamphu's narrow sois, where a few baht buys a sticky pad thai or spicy papaya salad. Choose the Phahurat Indian quarter's teahouses for authentic biryanis and curries or buzzy Chinatown for noodles stir-fried to perfection. The Skytrain speeds you to high-rise Sukhumvit and Silom, where expats and dressy locals go for global cuisine from Middle Eastern to Italian.

Let American Airlines help you find flights to Bangkok so you can plan an unforgettable Thailand vacation. You'll find many things to do in Bangkok, from visiting ancient temples and fascinating museums to touring the city by barge or shopping. Discover the unique blend of honored tradition and cosmopolitan flair found nowhere else.

When thinking about activities in Bangkok, you must plan to visit the city's many culturally and historically rich temples. Wat Phra Kaew, located in the outer section of the Royal Enclosure, features many fascinating sculptures and symbolic architectural touches. For example, the Emerald Buddha dates back to the 15th century and is considered by many to be the most significant one in Thailand. Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworawiharn is a temple from the Ayutthaya period whose main temple was restored in 1787. Another Ayutthaya period temple, Wat Yannawa, is also known as the Boat Temple thanks to its unique construction in the style of a full size boat in honor of a Chinese ship that brought prosperity to the region. There are many other temples in Bangkok that are full of history and well worth exploring, including Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram Ratchaworawihan, or the Marble Temple, whose Buddhist monastery and cloister feature fine Italian marble adornments.

After touring the temples, add visiting museums to your list of things to do in Bangkok. The Bangkok National Museum includes many significant pieces. Its permanent collection features artifacts and sculptures dating back to approximately 1257 AD. While you're here, be sure to visit the Buddhaisawan Chapel, where the Phra Buddhasihing resides along with the oldest murals in Bangkok. The Royal Barges Museum, located across the river from the Grand Palace, features ceremonial boats with intricately and ornately carved prows dating back to the Ayutthaya period. It's a truly awe-inspiring place to visit and well worth your time.

Another one of our favorite activities in Bangkok, after paying homage to the country's history, is shopping. The markets and plazas all over the city contain wonderful finds in the form of shoes, clothing, and Thai handcrafted souvenirs. If you're visiting on a weekend, you simply must experience the Chatuchak Weekend Market, where you can spend an entire day shopping for literally everything. And those looking for a custom suit will be thrilled with their options in Bangkok, where tailors are aplenty. We advise asking your concierge for a nearby recommendation. And if the one you've chosen doesn't have a fabric in stock you like, simply visit the Pahurat Textile Market and you're sure to find one there.

For a great overview of the city from the water, try the Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya. You'll enjoy a Thai dinner and float past the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and the Grand Palace. You'll soon see why Bangkok possesses such an enduring allure.  Fly to Bangkok with American Airlines and discover its appeal firsthand on a trip you'll always cherish.