View List On Map cancel
More Top 10s
- Parks
- Religious Sites
- Romantic Things to Do
- Places to Shop
- Spas
- Aquariums
- Fun Things to Do
- Cultural Activities
- Ask a Local
- Locals have answered 220 questions about Bangkok.
- Ask Bangkok Locals
-
-
-
1. Grand Palace
- Golden chedis, glittering facades and a rare jade Buddha at the former home of Kings
-
- Castles, Palaces & Historic Buildings
- Phra Nakorn
- Nile Expert Tip: The Grand Palace is a Bangkok must-see, but beware of tourist traps! If a tuk tuk driver tells you that...
user ratingexpert pick -
-
-
2. Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha)
- A jasper or jadite Buddha, the most revered in Thailand
-
- Religious Sights
- Phra Nakorn
user rating -
-
-
3. Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)
- A solid gold Buddha weighs 5 and a half tons
-
- Religious Sights
- Chinatown/Yaowarat
user ratingexpert pick -
-
-
4. Wat Pho
- Wat Pho is the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine,...
-
- Attractions
-
-
-
5. King Prajadhipok Museum
- Fascinating story of Rama VII and his abdication of throne
-
- Museums
- Phra Nakorn
user ratingexpert pick -
-
-
6. Museum of Siam
- A super, attractive Thai museum, great for kids
-
- Museums
- Phra Nakorn
-
-
-
7. Rattanakosin Museum
- A state-of-the-art interactive history museum
-
- Museums
- Phra Nakorn
expert pick -
-
-
8. Suan Pakkad Palace
- Traditional Thai buildings meet lush gardens
-
- Castles, Palaces & Historic Buildings
- Ratchathewi/Phaya Thai
user rating -
-
-
9. Jim Thompson's House and Museum
- Traditional Thai Home of Silk Legend and Mysterious Figure
-
- Museums
- Pathumwan
user ratingexpert pick -
-
-
10. Vimanmek Mansion Museum
- A beautiful palace of teakwood
-
- Museums
- Phra Nakorn
-
-
-
The Best of NileGuide
-
As a city, Bangkok's history is relatively short in the grand scheme of things. The capital of Siam was at Ayutthaya until the invasion of the Burmese in 1767 when it moved to Thonburi, on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. It was moved to Bangkok just 15 years later and so begins what sort of history the city has to offer. Here is a list of the best historical sites in Bangkok.
No visit to Bangkok is complete without seeing the Grand Palace and all its opulence. Along with your ticket you can check off two other important sites: Wat Phra Kaew, the temple within, as well as the beautiful teak-built Vimanmek Mansion. To get a grasp on the history of the Thai people you'll want to see the Museum of Siam. For the Bangkok portion of that history, don't miss the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. To round off your museum visits, try King Prajadhipok Museum which shows the transition from monarchy to constitutional monarchy and the fascinating and turbulent years leading up to and through World War II.
Other history comes in temples. Wat Pho is a must. But also add Wat Traimit in Chinatown and visit the exhibition inside to see how the Chinese take a role in Bangkok's history.
- Best Of Bangkok
-
-
Hotels
- Guest Houses
- Trendy Hotels
- Hostels
- Hotels
- Luxury Hotels
- Apartments and Condos
- Boutique Hotels
- Business Hotels
-
Restaurants
- Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim
- Seafood
- Steakhouses
- Vegetarian Restaurants
- American Restaurants
- Asian Restaurants
- Barbecue
- Breakfast & Brunch
-
Nightlife
- Dance Clubs
- Live Music
- Nightclubs
- Beer Gardens
- Cinemas
- Jazz and Blues
- Fun Nightlife
- Music in Bangkok
-
