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 (127 votes)
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Submitted by anas_15_3 on Fri, 15/03/2024 - 12:08

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Traveling is a beautiful thing, especially for an active and crazy city like Bangkok, I watched The Hangover Part 2 and I found that the city is much fun.

Submitted by Greta Caselli on Sun, 04/02/2024 - 21:02

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Of Course! I would like to visit Bangkok because I would know the city culture and the traditions. Furthermore, I'm very curious about the local food.

Submitted by DzhusAngela on Tue, 30/01/2024 - 08:54

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I would like to visit Bangkok,because this city has plenty excellent place,for example temples.I want to try noodles and fall in love in this city.

Submitted by Amin.fn on Wed, 27/12/2023 - 15:24

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Actually I'm a big traveller and I have been in many countries but never in Thailand, by reading this text I'm eager to visit this wonderful country. I hope to taste those delicious foods on a wooden stand of a local market as soon as possible

Submitted by SuchitraNoo on Fri, 15/12/2023 - 10:13

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Actually I live in Bangkok. So I would not answer whether I would like to visit Bangkok or not.

There are many good activities and good stuff in Bangkok. Delicious food, modern shopping place, good transportation, fast internet etc.

Welcome and Enjoy!

Submitted by Toan3002 on Fri, 15/12/2023 - 09:11

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I would like to visit Bangkok, Thailand, once in my life. Because I enjoy the cuisine, which is famous for being spicy and tasty. And the culture here is also rich and diverse.

Submitted by Anton-Ove-Beng… on Tue, 28/11/2023 - 12:14

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I like Bankcock and all the streets in China but there is a little too much traffic

Submitted by pelageja284 on Fri, 17/11/2023 - 09:51

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I would like to visit Bangkok, because I like to travel. I like to see new places, make photos and meet new people. The culture of Thailand is completely different, I hope one day I'll have oportunity to go to Thailand.

Submitted by Carmen Amat on Fri, 03/11/2023 - 00:02

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Of course, only if the opportunity were given because the place I have wanted to know since I was little is Spain, exactly Ibiza.

Smartly said! I really like visiting this place due to its amazement! There’re a lot of restaurants, clubs.. so it is the dream of any party animal to say:)