Things to do in Bang Len

The notorious Khao San Road has been attracting budget travellers since the 1980s, and is now Bangkok’s backpacker hub. Expect to see anything and everything on this short street that’s full to overflowing with hawkers, travellers, tour operators and revellers. By day you can pick up cheap clothes and jewellery, and at night you can get a Thai tattoo and party until the sun comes up.

The Grand Palace complex is the first stop for many of the city’s visitors. Home to the highly revered Emerald Buddha and a number of different statues and temples, there are endless photo opportunities to be had both inside and out. The Grand Palace complex is Bangkok’s most recognisable landmark, and offers a great insight into the city’s history.

Take the short ferry trip across the Chao Phraya River from the Grand Palace (Wat Pho) to Wat Arun. Its historic importance, exquisite design and beautiful views draw the attention of many visitors. As the sun starts to go down, head to the other side of the river for the perfect photo opportunity to get a memorable photo of the temple’s distinctive silhouette against the fading sky.

Wat Po is also where people come to train in traditional Thai massage, and is one of the oldest public universities in the country.

Known to visitors as “the Temple of the Emerald Buddha”, Thai people believe that this is the oldest sculpture of Buddha in the world, and it is this, combined with its mesmerising green glow, that makes it such an important religious icon.