A travel guide

A travel guide

Read a travel guide about Bangkok to practise and improve your reading skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation

Reading text

Whether you're travelling to the islands or the mountains of Thailand, you're likely to spend at least one night in its capital city on the way. Bangkok might be noisy and polluted but it's also an exciting city with plenty of things to see and do. Why not make it a longer stay?

Where to stay

The Khao San Road was a famous traveller spot even before Leonardo di Caprio's character in the film The Beach stayed there. But it's noisy, not very pretty and not very Thai. For something more authentic, Phra Kanong offers an alternative place to stay, with its fantastic street markets where everyday Bangkok people eat, work and live. It's not as convenient for the main tourist sites, but it has a Skytrain station so you can be at the Grand Palace in 20 minutes.

How to get around

Bangkok's traffic can be a nightmare. Sure, you can easily take a taxi – if you want to spend hours stuck in traffic jams – but there are two much better ways to get around the city. To explore the temples and historical sites, catch an express boat river taxi or a longtail boat along the Chao Phraya river and the canals. For the modern part of the city, the Skytrain is a fast, cheap way to travel from the river to the shopping malls and nightlife of Sukhumvit, and the famous Chatuchak street market.

Where to eat

The simple answer is: everywhere! Thai street food is among the best in the world, and for around $5 you can eat a filling and delicious meal. Some food stands have little plastic seats where you can sit and eat and they cook the same dish over and over, like fried chicken on rice or Pad Thai noodles. Head for Chinatown – Yaowarat Street – and choose whatever looks most interesting from the many excellent Chinese and Thai restaurants and food stands.  

What to do

After you've seen the main sites like the Giant Buddha at the temple of Wat Pho and the spectacular Grand Palace, and shopped at Chatuchak market, check out the snake farm and watch the live snake show. You can even touch a snake yourself if you want to!

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

Download
Worksheet66.8 KB

Language level

Average: 4.1 (210 votes)

Submitted by teya10 on Thu, 23/04/2020 - 19:17

Permalink
yes i would like to visit bangkok because it's look like a wonderful city and i just want to discover their culture, taste their delicious food and visit all the places mentioned above

Submitted by Chloe_2709 on Fri, 17/04/2020 - 05:16

Permalink
I haven't ever travelled to Thailand .I have seen some famous beautiful streets , traveller spots , like : Chiangmai , Phuket ... and the well-known tasty Thai street foods from TV . I hope that I can have a chance to go Thailand once day . It's so awesome !!!!

Submitted by Daudau0601 on Tue, 14/04/2020 - 04:52

Permalink
Yes of course. I really like visiting Bangkok. I've not ever visited there but i saw manything about Thailand on facebook especially foods and historical sites. Because i have a food soul, i really want to taste Thai foods which i see on facebook because Thai have many kind of foods, it's so interesting and delicious. Besides, pagodas and cultures is one of the most wonderful things in Thailand. I find pagodas are very royal and cultures which i'm interested in are also excited
Profile picture for user Cheick Sadibou

Submitted by Cheick Sadibou on Mon, 13/04/2020 - 18:22

Permalink
I would actually like to visit any country all over the world. Cause anytime you visit a new place you will learn new lesson.
Profile picture for user OlaIELTS

Submitted by OlaIELTS on Sun, 12/04/2020 - 02:48

Permalink
No, I wouldn't. The reason being that am tight up with schedule of activities. But,later i might be there to see their rice production.

Submitted by BlaiChan on Wed, 08/04/2020 - 11:40

Permalink
Of course, Bangkok is one of the place I like to visit the most. Additionally, I also have a plan for our honeymoon trip. I totally agree with that Bangkok is quite noisy and overwhelming city. But I love to see the spectacular Grand Palace and pagodas around the city. And I like to taste the real spicy Thai foods. I have seen them a lot on Facebook. They seem full of flavor. There are many many Thai restaurants in our country but they aren't tasty enough. Watching Thai traditional dancing their ancient dance and instruments. And I love to take that kind of exploring. Can't wait the day our dreams come true.
Profile picture for user JuanManuelLopezGil

Submitted by JuanManuelLopezGil on Mon, 06/04/2020 - 22:30

Permalink
Yes, but only at a resort and with tours guides!

Submitted by tonymontana on Sun, 05/04/2020 - 16:52

Permalink
Definitely, ı woul like to visit Bangkok.My two brothers has been doing muay thai and we've sometimes talked about Thailand.Additionally ı am someone who interested in cultures in the southeast asia.I will go to Thailand eventually,but firstl ı should take a passport

Submitted by Cotufa84 on Fri, 03/04/2020 - 17:49

Permalink
It's an interesting plan. But I prefer to know other places in the southeast asian.

Submitted by Bunga on Thu, 02/04/2020 - 08:08

Permalink
Of course, i want to go to Bangkok. I have plained to go there befot. But until today i didn't make my passport. Hmm, later i will make a passport ☺ The temples and historical sites be The first place that i will visit in Bangkok. Sounds interesting to learn about history. And then i wanna try the food because Bangkok have so many kind of food. I think it will be fun if can go there with friends or family.