Bangkok
Capital Of Thailand Since 1782, Founded As Rattanakosin · Bangkok, Bangkok
Thailand's capital and one of the great street cities of Asia, a sprawl of roughly ten million people on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. King Rama I moved the royal seat here in 1782 and founded Rattanakosin, the old island of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho with its gilded reclining Buddha, while Wat Arun rises across the water in Thonburi. Around that core the city runs from the neon and street food of Chinatown on Yaowarat Road to the backpacker bars of Khao San Road, the vast Chatuchak Weekend Market, the teak Jim Thompson House, green Lumphini Park and the malls of Siam and Sukhumvit strung along the BTS Skytrain. Express boats and long-tail boats still work the river and the canals of Thonburi, rooftop bars look over the skyline at sunset, and Muay Thai fights fill the stadiums at night. The heat, humidity and traffic are serious, so the trick is to move by train and boat, sightsee early and late, and eat where the queues of locals are longest - from Michelin-listed stalls to plastic stools on the pavement.
Sanam Luang, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: temples such as Wat Pho open from about 8 am to 6:30 pm daily, and the Grand Palace from about 8:30 am to 3:30 pm with last tickets around 3:30 pm. Chatuchak Weekend Market runs mainly on Saturdays and Sundays from about 9 am to 6 pm, with a plant section on some weekdays. Jim Thompson House runs guided tours daily from morning to about 5 pm. Chinatown's night stalls run from about 5 pm to midnight and many close on Mondays. The BTS and MRT run from about 6 am to midnight. Traps: royal ceremonies close the palace without much notice, the 'closed today' scam, Monday stall closures, Buddhist holiday alcohol bans, rush-hour traffic, and afternoon storms in the rainy season.