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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Discussion

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Average: 4.1 (279 votes)

Submitted by Majfa on Wed, 11/06/2025 - 17:07

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I'll absolutely give it a shot to go there, if I get a chance, but not to explore places, and try overrated food.rather than doing this, I'll go for educational purposes 

Submitted by riadia on Sat, 07/06/2025 - 12:42

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Maybe one day i can visit Thailand but this country not in my go to list rn

Submitted by shahd_mohamed on Sat, 31/05/2025 - 20:00

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no i wouldn't, because i don't like overcrouded places or traveling in genral

Submitted by Koama on Sat, 31/05/2025 - 12:48

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I would like to visit Bangkok to experience many sites. To see the way of life of people and also their culture

Submitted by lau0503vmed_ on Thu, 29/05/2025 - 12:17

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I would like to visit BangKok to experience a different culture, how the people live, what they eat, how many children they have... I would like to stay there and in the other countries for a long time like 1 or 2 months for see the place like a citizian not a tourist

Submitted by Joaquin78 on Tue, 20/05/2025 - 03:07

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Bangkok captivates with its golden spires piercing tropical skies, where monks pass neon lit shopping malls. and jasmine scented temple courtyards at dusk. This city doesn’t just move, it pulses with stories.

Submitted by Koniakhin on Thu, 24/04/2025 - 19:57

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I don't like overcrouded places.

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Submitted by puturishi on Sun, 20/04/2025 - 11:55

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Yes, I would like visiting Bangkok because it has authentic food and I want to explore the Giant Buddha at the temple of Wat Pho and the spectacular Grand Palace, and shop at Chatuchak market

Submitted by aartik001 on Mon, 07/04/2025 - 18:41

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Yes,I would like to visit bangkok to explore different culuture,food and shoping malls.I heard about tasty food of bangkok and I am a foodie person so it's a great place for me to visit there.
Thank you

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