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!

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Average: 4.1 (210 votes)

Submitted by Julia19 on Sun, 24/05/2020 - 11:00

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I'm sure that lifestyle of Banckog isn't suitable for me. But it's quite interesting to visit new place with absolutely different culture. I'd rather go to the beach and maybe see the main sights than visit the city with its traffic and busy people.

Submitted by syah on Sat, 23/05/2020 - 06:54

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It seems interesting. Maybe one day, I will visit Bangkok city to see how wonderful their culture and also taste their delicious culinare.

Submitted by antinaoki on Tue, 19/05/2020 - 06:24

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always wanted to go to one of the tropical countries, Malaysia seems good too,hope some day i can make it.

Submitted by Muhammad Bagir on Tue, 19/05/2020 - 05:05

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Of course I do. This country has many of unique culture. Their food is so anti-mainstream, you can eat cockroach, mantis, bat, and other weird animal. Their language was unique too (without try to underestimate them), I always feel tickled when I heard they speak..

Submitted by begumoz on Mon, 18/05/2020 - 00:56

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Yes, I would like to visit Bangkok. It is really interesting city. I wonder to see this colorful regions.

Submitted by Chipinque on Sun, 17/05/2020 - 18:10

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I would love to visit Thailand, it seems that it has beautiful beaches and delicious food. I have never been to Asia so I think this would be a good place to start.

Submitted by Htet Min Khant… on Sat, 16/05/2020 - 12:09

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I would like to visit Thailand and capital city Bangkok because I'm from Myanmar and so both our countries are located in the Southeast Asia that why the travel distance is not so far and I can visit easily.Moreover,the prevalent religion of Thailand is Buddhism,like my country,I want to pay respect to the Thailand pagodas and explore the temples and historical sites.Cause I'm food lover,I like to taste Thailand foods,which are very famous on social media and among the food crazy.Coming soon,I trust I'll be happy over the Bangkok's roads.

Submitted by Mohamedakram16 on Sun, 10/05/2020 - 11:40

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Maybe, one day I will visit Thailand, I heard that it's a fantastic place for spending holiday

Submitted by Masas on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 22:45

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Of course , I hope to visit Bangkok city . I have a few friends been there before told me ,It's amazing city ,specially,when you go to Temples and the landmarks of the city then you are trying Thia's food ,It's delicious ..I want to visit it one day .