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 (197 votes)

Submitted by alina_suv on Fri, 20/01/2023 - 08:29

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Definitely yes! I want to eat Thai food and see how people live there. I really like asian culture - chinese, thai, korean, japanese. But despite this I wouldn`t stay in Bangkok and in general in Thailand for a long time, I don`t like noise and crowds. And if I choose an asian country for life, it will be South Korea.

Submitted by AlexandraMT on Thu, 12/01/2023 - 21:46

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I think I would have problems with the noise, I prefer to visit quieter places.

Submitted by jmajo on Wed, 14/12/2022 - 13:45

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If I have the opportunity, I would like to visit Bangkok to explore the culture there and try to understand the way of life in that place, although it looks a very different way of life than mine, I think it would be Interesting to stay there for a few days and explore their traditions.

Thanks for the episode.
Great site!!

Submitted by Eman Samir on Sun, 20/11/2022 - 21:06

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Yes, certainly. It's an exciting city with plenty of things to see and do.There are fantastic street markets in the authentic area Phra Kanong which has an alternative place to stay, too. There are also temples and historical places to explore.If you like the modern part of the city, you will find shopping malls at Sukhumvit.For food, it won't be a problem at all because Thai street food is among the best in the world and you can eat a filling and delicious food for around 5$.

Submitted by kadir.kuruca on Tue, 04/10/2022 - 06:58

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After I visit Europe I definitely will go to Asian region and Bangkok is definitely in my visit list. Asian culture is almost amaze me. I think their street foods, nigthlife and nature is amazing. I will probably buy souviners, eat too much and enjoy the nature but I don't like sneaks actually I afraid of snakes so I am sure that I won't touch the snakes. I won't even go near.

Submitted by Khine Suu on Sun, 02/10/2022 - 05:37

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Yes, definitely sure. I want to visit there. Food, Nightlife and shopping are attractive to me to go there.

Submitted by farhadwahaj on Mon, 29/08/2022 - 07:18

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One of my ideals is to visit once Bangkok, I heard a lot about Bangkok City, and I was impressed by its nice hotel, hospitalize people, and luxury restaurants and hotel. I will visit Bangkok City to fulfill my life wish.

I would like to travel to Thailand and I feel like it is a nice place to go travel. as you know, Bangkok is a famous city in Asia for tourists. I think tourists will excited Thailand nightlife. We can go shopping easily, we can eat delicious meal and we can learn their history. And Thailand Sport Industry is growing to compete the big country and I also interest the Thailand Football. One day I will go to Thailand in my notes.

Submitted by Mary Margret on Mon, 22/08/2022 - 05:51

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Of course! I want to go to the night market and want to taste street food of the Thailand.