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: 4.3 (131 votes)

Submitted by yusuke on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 08:09

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Of course, I do. Because there are a lot of temples and delicious Thai food. They really attract me. I want to study their culture. I think I will not feel enough about one day trip. If I plan to go, it will be a week or so. My goal in the trip is to make friends and keep in touch even I back to Japan.

Submitted by Ayaka on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 07:56

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I have never been to any other countries but I really want to go to many countries.This is because I can touch other cultures. Also, it let me think differently. So, I read this article and want to visit Thailand one day. Speaking of Thailand, an image full of colorful things. If I can go there I would like to enjoy the scenery, eat tropical fruits, have a Thai massage, interact with animals that we can't interact with in Japan and have a relaxing time there.It seems that I can have various experiences like these, It will be a good time for my growth.

Submitted by Wakana M on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 03:56

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Yes. I’ve never been to Bangkok, so I would like to go there once. I would like to visit to many countries, and I think it would be good way to know other country’s culture and lifestyle. In addition, I often hear that there are beautiful sites, and we can interact with animals such as tigers or elephants. I want to see sites and interact with them. However, I have a reason what I don’t want to visit there. my sister has been there once, she said “I couldn’t eat Thai food, because they were all too spicy.” I thought I couldn’t eat either. Because I don’t like spicy foods. But I also think that it’s important to challenge anything. So, I would like to go there.

Submitted by senes19 on Sun, 31/05/2020 - 12:48

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I didn't. But I would like to travel to Bangkok. I have never heart anything about city. However, I have never met before any person who has lived in there, I want to see and explore to this city. Differences is attractive for me.

Submitted by Mirna Crisostomo on Wed, 27/05/2020 - 18:40

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Yes, I would like it. It`s always good to know other cultures and Bangkok is interesting!!

Submitted by mouna99 on Wed, 27/05/2020 - 18:30

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I would like to try the food there

Submitted by mouna99 on Wed, 27/05/2020 - 18:29

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Yes I would like to visit Bangkok, I saw an amazing pictures of the city

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.