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 (195 votes)

Submitted by Diana Vania on Fri, 05/02/2021 - 00:42

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I'd like to visit Bangkok to see the Giant Budda and try the food that seems to be delicious.

Submitted by Yalincocuuk on Thu, 28/01/2021 - 23:02

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I'd really like to visit Bangkok. The things I read about made me excited.

Submitted by Memmedeva Nezrin on Thu, 28/01/2021 - 19:22

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I would like to visit Bangkok at some point in the future as it seems so the food,sightseeing quality is high.Although the pollution concerns me a bit but it is common for most countries nowadays so that is fine.

Submitted by facunica44 on Fri, 22/01/2021 - 22:37

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Bangook is not in my list of countries to visit, i don't feel attractive for that country, but maybe in the future, who knows?

Submitted by Asni on Tue, 19/01/2021 - 23:27

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I'd definitely like to visit Bangkok, I've heard a lot about Thailand and its capital Bangkok. I'm eagerly looking forward to visiting that city because I'm very curious and excited to see all the good things and descriptions I've read and heard about it. Also, I'm particularly interested in its historical sites, culture and food.

Submitted by Ragab Saber on Mon, 18/01/2021 - 19:38

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In my opinion, Bangkok is one of the most captivating places I genuinely recommend to visit. It has unique characteristics making it much more attractive, like its ancient temples, tranquil views and I cannot forget its filling and delicious food. Honestly, I hope to visit that great city some day.

you make me exciting to visit Bangkok, I see Arabic film recoding in Bangkok and I was so surprised by the neutral there and the food looks so delicious.

Submitted by Minh on Wed, 13/01/2021 - 22:42

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Wow, it's really attractive of the country where I visited two times. There are a plenty of beautiful sight-seeings where people should travel around. Firstly, you can spend time all day on the beach such as swimming, sunbathing, walking and wave surfing. Secondly, you can travel a number of sight pot that are impressed man people. Moreover, you can enjoy tasting local cuisines which are delicious meals. I can tell you more, but I have to sign out for my job.

Submitted by Saad786 on Sat, 09/01/2021 - 11:50

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Bangkok is one of the beautiful cities of the world. It has many tourist sites. The skytrain is among the fastest trains which is good enough for quick tour of city in one day. Chao phraya is beautiful river followed by many religious spots. Other places like Wat Phra Keaw and Wat Pho temples are religious sites for locals.