Bangkok First-Time Visitors Guide

Your tickets are booked, the excitement is mounting... You're coming to Bangkok!

It's a fascinating, intoxicating and chaotic place, brimming with sights, smells, thrills, gracious people, contradictions, cultures, cars, noise and bedlam. As with any teeming metropolis, however, it's also got its fair share of potential disappointments and frustrations. Get ready for the good news though...

To steer clear of the negative experiences during your first time here, dust off that sage old adage: Knowledge is power! Here, strewn throughout the virtual vaults of Bangkok.com, we've accumulated an awful lot of facts and useful information about Bangkok - everything the first-time visitor needs to plan a wonderful and memorable trip, devoid of clumsy 'faux pas', infuriating setbacks, or, worse even, disaster! Let's guide you through it in a logical, informative and altogether fun fashion.

Have a trawl through our Area Guides, where we tell you all about the city's main areas. This will help you decide where to stay, where to visit and where to avoid. At 1,600 square kilometers and counting, Bangkok is big, and the many different areas can be bewildering - even for those who've spent years here.

The most popular areas for visitors are Siam, Silom, Sukhumvit Road, Sathorn, Chidlom-Ploenchit, Pratunam and the Riverside - all charismatic parts of town that combine sights, nightlife, shopping, great hotels and convenient locations with access to public transport. Budget travellers and backpackers, of course, still swear by Khao San Road.

Useful Links:Area Guides, Siam, Silom, Sukhumvit Road, Sathorn, Chidlom-Ploenchit, Pratunam, Riverside, Khao San Road

Your essential guide to choosing a hotel in Bangkok is our 'Where to Stay' Editor's Guide, an in-depth look at each of Bangkok's most popular areas, together with a selection of hotels in that area that would suit just about every taste and budget.

There are a thousand and one hotels here - places to suit all ages, tastes and budgets - so no one needs go without a comfortable base. Most combine all the mod cons and luxuries of the finest Western hotels, combined with Thai design, finesse and hospitality. Sweeping views at five-star riverside resorts, comfortable chic in downtown Bangkok, or bohemian boutique hotels are just some of what's on offer. For budget travellers we have bargains galore, and for long-stay business travellers or families, all manner of serviced apartments to choose from. So really, there is something for everyone.

Asia Web Direct has more than ten years experience in the online travel business, and we are privy to some great deals at the city's best hotels! Head over to our hotels section to select a place perfectly suited for you, whether the purpose of your visit is to shop, party, discover or work. Our hotel reviews will also throw you some very useful pointers. If you plan to also travel elsewhere in Thailand - or anywhere else in Southeast Asia - you're at the right place. Even for last-minute hotel reservations, we're at your service. (Here are some good maps of Bangkok to help you with your orientation.)

Useful Links: Where to Stay Editor's Guide, Hotels Section, Bangkok riverside hotels, luxury hotels, Bangkok boutique hotels, serviced apartments, hotels by price, best offers by location, best offers by interests, hotel reviews, destinations around Thailand and Southeast Asia, SuperSaver, last-minute hotel reservations, maps of Bangkok

From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, you're going to need to get around town. And, of course, you'll want to do so quickly and with minimum hassle and cost. In our Getting Around section, learn about all the means of transport available, and about prices, tips, tickets and scam-avoidance tricks.

Don't fret needlessly about the city's infamous traffic - thanks to the speedy Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) networks it (and Bangkok's pollution) is fast improving. Just remember to avoid traveling around during rush-hours! (Here are some good maps of Bangkok to help you with your orientation.)

Useful Links:Getting Around, Skytrain (BTS), underground (MRT), maps of Bangkok

Here, the clich- 'a shopper's paradise' is an understatement. Whether seeking out pricey brands in monstrous malls like Siam Paragon or CentralWorld, or rummaging for street-side kitsch at massive markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market, this city offers unmatched shopping potential and unbridled consumer pleasure. Everywhere you look a bargain is to be had - from traditional crafts and exotic antiques, to haute couture and quality counterfeits.

Work your way through our extensive Shopping Section to gain a superb overview of the variety and value available. It's the most comprehensive online, complete with many useful shopping tips, so check it out before you start bargaining.

Useful Links:Shopping Section, Bangkok shopping malls, Top 10 Shopping Experiences, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, Chatuchak Weekend Market, floating markets, Thai crafts, tailors, jewellery, shopping by area, a Shopper's Survival Guide, VAT refunds and discount  cards

Bangkok's notorious nightlife - go-go bars, clubbing, ladyboy shows and the like - used to mean it was a question of 'How low can you go?' While debauchery till dawn is still possible, Bangkok today has a chic cosmopolitan glow, a newly-found swagger and maturity proven by dizzying rooftop bars, slinky jazz lounges and bars at high-end hotels, as well as romantic river cruises (also see our Love Guide for some more amorous pursuits). Of course, backpackers can still be found steeping themselves in Chang beer at pubs and bars on Khao San Road, but so too can families enjoy a dose of Thai culture at spectacular shows like Siam Niramit.

Also, the city's global reach and eclectic tastes means all will be intrigued by What's On in Bangkok - there's always an exciting gig, one-off clubbing event or performing arts show taking place. Some of Asia's biggest and most modern cinemas and bowling alleys can be found in Bangkok too, so there really is something here to satisfy any kind of nightlife crave.

Useful Links: Bangkok's nightlife, Bangkok nightlife areas, club guide, go-go bars, gay nightlife, ladyboy shows, rooftop bars, jazz lounges and bars, Khao San Road, cultural treats, nightlife reviews, What's On in Bangkok, cinemas and bowling alleys

One of the greatest of down-to-earth pleasures is quite possibly Bangkok's favourite too. The ability to chow street food on streets corners, delight in supreme international cuisine at plush restaurants, or gorge on comforting junk grub that reminds you of home, points to one conclusion: This city is fanatical about food! Our encyclopedic Restaurants & Dining Section will give you a stomach-roaring introduction to Bangkok's unique culinary universe: Thai food, International cuisine, food courts and its illustrious streetfood.

Try our 100 Eating Experiences for starters (or mains!), and check out our very comprehensive introduction to delicious Thai food. If fine dining's your thing, consult our Thailand Tatler Reviews. If you'd like to begin accustomising your palate to fiery food, knock up a few Thai recipes before you depart.

Useful Links: Restaurants & Dining Section, 100 Eating Experiences, Thai food, Thailand Tatler Reviews, Thai recipes, Thai desserts, how to order food in Thai

Bangkok today has a sleek, modern fa-ade and even warrants its own A-Z of City Cool. However, your virgin trip here shouldn't begin without an introduction to Bangkok's past. It's a delicious tale of Oriental splendour and intrigue, packed full of scintillating temples, wars, power struggles, and the unifying force of Buddhism.

If you're planning to do the classic sights and steep yourself in the culture - to really get under the skin of this compelling city - it's one you should explore further. Another thing, the monarchy is adored here, so familiarize yourself with H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the accordant respect and etiquette expected of you during your stay in the Kingdom. Do the same with Bangkok's real name (the longest in the world!) and its other world records, and you'll be well-equipped to wow fellow visitors and locals alike with your knowledge of a place you're visiting for the first time.

Useful Links: A-Z of City Cool, an introduction to Bangkok's past, Bangkok's full name, Bangkok's world records

Like Paris' Eiffel Tower or London's Big Ben, there are some Bangkok sights and attractions that have to be seen before you can buy the I've-been-there T-shirt. At the top of the glittering pile are temples like Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, among others. Then there's The Grand Palace, the most majestic of the city's many palaces, if not the world's.

Almost as essential are the Chao Phraya River and its canals, museums, statues and some extraordinary architecture - have a look through and you'll find many enriching cultural jewels to suit your taste and timetable. A good place to start would be our Top 10 Historical Attractions of Bangkok.

Useful Links: Bangkok Sights & Attractions, Top 10 Historical Attractions of Bangkok, Top 10 Most Unusual Sights, Bangkok temples and museums, waterways

An organised tour ingeniously eradicates all the hassles of sightseeing. No need to bury your head in your guide book as a guide gives you the live, unedited version. No need to fret about how to get there, as you're picked up and delivered back to your hotel. Feeling thirsty? Here, take a chilled refreshment! The long list of available pre-plotted jaunts includes Chinatown, temples and palaces, Jim Thompson's House, delightful river cruises and many more.

Bangkok is also a great embarkation point for tours outside Bangkok, with trips available to the famous floating market, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, far-flung jungles in the North and palmy beaches in the South. The best news is that you can select and book all your tours right here.

Useful Links: Bangkok Tours & Day Trips, city & culture tours, adventure & nature tours, Thailand packages, recreational tours, river cruise tours, dinner cruises & shows, tours beyond Bangkok, Thai cooking classes, Bangkok tours half day and full day, transfer services, tour reviews

Bangkok is not famous for its family-orientated fun, but we think it should be. There are long lists of things parents can now do with their progeny - parks, zoos, amusement parks, water parks, Siam Ocean World - so, rest assured, you'll find something to amuse and delight your little ones, whether they're bookworms or boisterous. Some, like trips along the Chao Phraya, are decidedly Thai, others distinctly modern and hi-tech, like indoor playgrounds and edutainment museums. To stave off dreaded toddler tantrums, check out Tips for Parents, and keep an eye on What's On in Bangkok for one-off spectacles aimed at kiddies.

Useful Links: Kids & Families Section, Tips for Parents, Top 10 Fun Stuff for Kids in Bangkok, family hotels, tours ideal for kids

Bangkok is a great place to get pampered, pressed and preened at plush spas, all of which offer rejuvenating and revitalising treatments. These are bliss-you-out spaces that are tranquil retreats far away from the city buzz. Thai traditional massage only hints at all the reenergizing treatments now available, among them aromatherapy, acupuncture, facial and foot massages and hydrotherapy.

Consult our Spa & Massage Section and spa review page to seek out a treatment or therapy perfectly up your alley, and the best day or hotel spas to go get it from.

Useful links: Spa & Health Section, Bangkok's most popular spas, spa reviews, Thai traditional massage, alternative therapies

Aching for a filling? Want those lips looking fuller? You're coming to the right place! Beyond its popularity as an exotic holiday destination, many visitors now take care of their health here. The reason: Bangkok's slew of world-class hospitals offers first-rate doctors, facilities and treatments at a fraction of the price as at home.

Cosmetic surgery, health check-ups, dentistry and minor invasive surgeries are among the most popular treatments. On top of top safety standards, for many the date with a doctor is sealed by Thailand's divine white beaches and lush jungle resorts - idyllic retreats perfect for post-op recovery!

Useful Links: Hospital & Healthcare Section, health tourism, medical procedures, private hospitals

Spectator sport, especially Muay Thai (Thai boxing), is very popular in Bangkok, but it's keeping fit that's really on the rise among urbanites and visitors. If you crave physical exertion during your trip, no problem - Bangkok has plenty of parks, hi-tech gyms and public pools for working up a sweat in. Golf is also in full swing here, with plenty of courses scattered around Bangkok.

Dance classes, aerobics, cycling, tennis and bowling are just some of the other sports activities offered - so really, there's no excuse to rest on your laurels! Find out more in our Sport & Leisure Section - and make sure not to miss our A-Z Health Guide.

Useful Links: Sport & Leisure Section, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), Sepak Takraw (Asian football), parks and activities, keeping fit, A-Z Health Guide

All of this should keep you preoccupied for some time to orientate yourself about this magical city, and to plan an equally magical experience of it. However, we have even more options for you to obtain real and trusted travel advice...

Travel Essentials
Bangkok has two official airports, Don Mueang, which is used for some non-connecting domestic flights, and Suvarnabhumi, where all international flights arrive and depart from. If you would like to know more about other travel essentials like festivals, foreign currency exchange, business hours and other related matters, our Useful Information Section is likely to provide the answers. We've also addressed Frequently Asked Questions about mobile phones in Thailand.

The Big Mango Newsletter
Our free monthly newsletter is jam-packed with interesting and good-to-know information, and each month we cover a different aspect of the Thai capital. Have a look at past editions, and follow the link at the top right-hand side of our homepage to subscribe to future editions.

Bangkok.com Travel Forum
Our forum is one of the most popular Bangkok forums - a great place to communicate with other travellers, to pick up some pointers and other useful tips.

E-concierge
Our e-concierge innovation provides you with an opportunity to interact live with our travel expert, who has a wealth of knowledge to share with you about hotels, tours and transfers. All the reliable advice, guidance and recommendations you need are now just a click away. You can even do all your bookings online - fast, secure and conveniently.

Useful Links: Bangkok's two official airports, Useful Information Section, Frequently Asked Questions about mobile phones, The Big Mango newsletter, Bangkok forum