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: 4.3 (131 votes)
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Submitted by Artyev on Mon, 29/05/2023 - 00:55

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Yes, I would, because I really like travelling. If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world till my money is end. It`s very interesting to me: explore whole world, every culture and language.

Submitted by sevdess on Mon, 24/04/2023 - 17:25

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I would like to visit Bangkok because fruit in there looks amazing. In my country these foods not widespread and very expensive.

Submitted by Ibrahimyousef on Wed, 19/04/2023 - 12:22

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Actually, I like to visit Bangkok and Thailand I want to try food Bangkok and the spectacular views of city , it is cosmopolitan city . Moreover , I really ,I hope to ride a skytrain it.

Submitted by Bede on Sat, 15/04/2023 - 12:48

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No, I wouldn't, as it's not among my favorite destination place.

Submitted by Nanita on Sat, 08/04/2023 - 23:46

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I would like to visit Bangok, is one of the most important cities of Asian due to that it have all the things that you like do being a tourist. It sounds an interesting place to vist for me, not only for nightlife if not for explore your nature and beautiful places that can have it. If you want to do something like for example enjoy explore the food, culture, language, landscapes and lifstyle there for some days, is an attractive place.

Submitted by Miss zahra on Tue, 04/04/2023 - 04:55

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last holiday my friend visited Bangkok and she suggested me to do not lose any chance to visit this city. from the above text I be more enthusiasm to go and visit one day. different culture, different funa and flura, different food and language is always gratifying for me so I certainly go around the world one day and enjoy my life.

Submitted by UYENTUAN on Sun, 26/03/2023 - 13:34

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I' ve visited Thailand two time. I had a good memories. The street food is delicious, there are many many big shopping center in downtown where we can buy everthing. But the traffic is not good.
If I have a chance I wiil visit Thailand because the scence is beautiful and Thai people are very freindly and helpful.

Submitted by mbabapour on Sun, 26/03/2023 - 09:10

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Would you like to visit Bangkok? Why or why not?
Since I love to experience new locations and sites, I really like to visit Bangkok . I think I will encounter completely new amazing culture.

Submitted by BriannaP on Thu, 23/03/2023 - 09:28

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I'd like to visit Bangkok and do some shopping in street markets. Though it says there is a huge traffic, the alternatives sound interesting. I'd be happy to travel in skytrain or boat taxi which would definitely a new experience to me.

Submitted by orhunn_ozkutuk on Mon, 20/03/2023 - 10:02

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The sounds good.I would like to visit.It`s intersting city.