Beyond the essentials, there's more to planning a successful visit to Bangkok. Check out these links for ideas to help you plan the perfect trip.
- At A Glance
- In a hurry? Don't want to wade through a lot of pages of information? Then just read this one. We've summarized all you really need to know about Bangkok in a nutshell. Of course, there are still links to all the details, if you want to know more. If you're looking for ideas on what are the best sights to see or places to stay - beyond what you find in most guidebooks, then have a look at the Best of Bangkok pages. You might also want to check out my Bangkok For You pages for suggestions targeted at specific interests, such as shopping, food or the arts.
- Day Trips / Excursions
- A number of interesting places are within an easy day trip of Bangkok. Perhaps the most fascinating is a trip to the old capital of Ayuthaya, which can include stops at the Royal Arts & Crafts Center at Bang Sai and the Bang Pa In summer palace. See our day trips page for a complete list of possible excursions from Bangkok. If you want to leave the logistics to someone else and have a worry-free vacation, you can book packaged day trips in advance.
- Events
- As with just about every other large city, Bangkok is place where there's always something going on. There are several exhibition and convention centers, among the largest in Asia, where there are almost always some kind of trade show going on. Plus there's the famous - some might say infamous - nightlife.
- Travel Insurance
- Does your regular health insurance cover you when you travel? Often, the answer is no, and then there's the added costs of emergency transport home, etc. to consider, as well as missed flights, lost baggage and other headaches. Don't be caught short. Look into travel insurance.
- Maps & Guides
- Nancy Chandler's colorful maps of Bangkok pack loads of information into a very compact format. Shoppers will find the maps especially useful, as Nancy points out where the best buys can be found. Among the guidebooks, we'd rate Rough Guide's compact but thorough Bangkok guide as the best bet. See the linked page for on-line purchase.
- Itineraries
- Bangkok, like so many big cities, has many different faces, "something for everyone," if you will. However, there are must-see sights in the city which almost every tourist will want to visit. The suggested itinerary on this page is my own personal opinion about what a short visit to Bangkok should include.
- Useful Links
- Follow the links on this page for more information you may find useful about Bangkok.