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 Akemi Matsumoto on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 13:17

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I'd like to visit Bangkok. I have to main reasons for that. First of all, that's because I have a friend from Thai- Bangkok. So, I want to visit the place where she is from. Also because I'm interested in spicy food and I've never tried Thai's food. Secondly, because I love animals, I am so curious about how it would be like to ride on a elephant.

Submitted by Hiyori Ueno on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 13:00

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I have never been to Thailand so I would like to go to Thailand someday. Because I want to eat Thai street foods. I love Gapao rice, Tom Yam Kun, and Phad Tha. I want to eat them in Thailand. Also Thailand has delicious and cheap Mango. If I go to Thailand, I will eat Mango as much as I like.

Submitted by Natsumi Tamura on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 12:56

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I would like to visit Bangkok. First, I like eating, so I want to eat Thai food. Especially, I want to eat Tom yam kung. Second, I want to ride a longtail boat along the Chao Phraya river at night because the scenery is beautiful at night. This is why, I would like to visit Bangkok.

Submitted by IKEDA on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 06:12

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I've never been to Thailand. As I'm a big fan of ancient Buddism, I must go there someday!

Submitted by Anna Nakamura on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 03:28

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I'd like to visit Bangkok. I 've never been there. When I was reading a travel magazine, I knew that there are many world heritage sites in Thailand. So I'm interested in Thailand history and culture. Thailand is a Buddhist country, so there are many Buddhist structures. I'd like to see them. And, Thailand is famous as a country of smiles. Thai people have a very cheerful personality, so I think going to markets and stalls is a lot of fun. That's why I'd like to visit Bangkok.

Submitted by Kaho Dokko on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 03:07

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I want to go to Thailand because I like traveling and I'm interested in Thailand. My father, who had been to Thailand to play golf told me he enjoyed night market, so I want to go there. I have one more thing I want to do there. It's floating market. It will be a valuable experience in my life. Although I have heard that Thailand has poor hygiene, I think such a problem is sure to happen when traveling. And it is important to be careful not to be get involved in crime.

Submitted by Mirei Honda on Sat, 08/08/2020 - 06:30

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I have never been to Bangkok so I would like to go. However, I may not be suitable for Bangkok because I get seasick. I can eat very delicious food at very cheap prices in Bangkok. I have never eaten Thai food, so I would like to try it. Also, Bangkok has the image that there are many temples. There may be a plain temple or a flashy and colorful temple. So I want to visit temples. I would like to wear Thai clothes, go to a place with luxurious decoration, eat delicious food and enjoy the trip.

Submitted by Noyama Juri on Fri, 07/08/2020 - 14:53

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I have never been to Bangkok. so I want to go to Bangkok. I like to eat. so If I go to Bangkok I want to eat a lot of delicious food. But I'm worried that the country is beautiful. I want to go to many countries and eat many delicious foods. And I want to go to many tourist spots.

Submitted by Shoma Tateishi on Fri, 07/08/2020 - 06:45

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I have never been to to Bangkok in Thailand. Moreover, I have never been abroad. But I want to go to Bangkok. If I go to Bangkok, I will go see the temple. There are various temples in Thailand. I haven't been to many temples until now, so I definitely want to go. I can also study foreign cultures by going to Bangkok. For example, in Bangkok, the night market is famous and not in Japan, so it's very interesting. Besides, Bangkok has many beautiful scenery. I want to take many picutures there. For these reasons, I want to go to Bangkok. 

Submitted by Kamjka on Wed, 05/08/2020 - 18:02

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I would like to visit Bangkok. I have never been to From the text I knew this is a very beautiful and interesting place.