Advice on what to visit in bkk

[bobslyder]

Hi everyone

We are a couple with a kid and would like some advice on what to visit in Bkk, we will be there for 3 nights.

Thanks to all

[CPT]

What are your interests and how old is the child?

[715]

You could do a day trip along the Chao Phraya river - Take the train to Saphan Taksin station (unless you are already staying at a riverside hotel), walk out to the pier and the water taxi will take you to a lot of different locations (i.e. Wat Arun, Chinatown, Asiatique, etc.) along the river or just get off at a pier with a likely looking restaurant, a taxi boat will be back to take you the way you were going, or catch one going the other direction. There's a lot of taxi boats and a lot of piers that they stop at.

There's also the "Tourist Boats" which do the same thing the taxi boats are doing, stopping at the same piers, but they charge 150 Baht (used to, anyway) for a tour guide you probably won't be able to hear. The 150 Baht gives you an all day ticket, you can get off and on the Tourist Boats (only) as many times as you like, the taxi boat charges 20 Baht per head every time you board. Depending on the time of day, the boats can become standing room only and a bit cramped, but you get a unique view of Bangkok riverside.

There's also the longtail boats which you can hire solely for your family, I would suggest having your hotel book one for you.

[Richie23]

Where will you be staying and how old is the kid? A day trip to kanchanburi for bridge over the river kwae and tiger temple is a favourite day out. Then you've got the river trips as mentioned above and I guess the temples are a must. Chatachak weekend Market or MBK will take up a good few hours too. There are also many great restaurants or soi's where you can get half decent street food. Have fun!

[bobslyder]

My son is 11 and we are staying in sukhumvit soi 29

[TheSpade]

My son is 11 and we are staying in sukhumvit soi 29

Soi Cowboy it is then.

No seriously don't take your kid to Soi Cowboy. I was walking past last week and saw a couple taking their young kid into that dump of a street.

Seemed strange to me.

[wooloomooloo]

I was walking past last week and saw a couple taking their young kid into that dump of a street.

I'm sure he survived the experience. It could be far worse - try Basildon High Street.

[KhunSteven]

I was walking past last week and saw a couple taking their young kid into that dump of a street.

I'm sure he survived the experience. It could be far worse - try Basildon High Street.

If someone is pining for Basildon High Street, some parts of Khlong Toei are very interesting. If not, then the River, The Grand Palace, Chinatown and a day out of Bangkok would be good.

[BruceSmith]

I was walking past last week and saw a couple taking their young kid into that dump of a street.

I'm sure he survived the experience. It could be far worse - try Basildon High Street.

If someone is pining for Basildon High Street, some parts of Khlong Toei are very interesting. If not, then the River, The Grand Palace, Chinatown and a day out of Bangkok would be good.

"Staying in BKK 3 Nights"

Why would: "a day out of Bangkok be good"??

[CPT]

My son is 11 and we are staying in sukhumvit soi 29

The tourist boat is a great way to hit several of the major attractions and at least I as an 11 year old would have really enjoyed the boat ( I still get excited by boat trips to be honest). The tourist boat lets you move between several major attractions easily and quickly so may prove a good way to hold a child's interest. The climb up the Chedi at Wat Arun (accessible by a cross river ferry from one of the docks the tourist boat stops at) would probably be fun and has a great view but be aware the steps are very steep. Of course, the Grand Palace is a must do and nearby Wat Pho is nice. You can take the skytrain from the Asok BTS station near your hotel to Siam Square, change to the BTS Silom Line and go on to Saphin Thaksin BTS station where there is an interchange with the Chao Phraya Express Boat system at the Sathorn Pier. The tourist boat tickets provide all day unlimited use for 150 baht.

There is a zoo (Dusit Zoo) but Thai zoos aren't terribly impressive compared to western zoos. Still, perhaps a good way to see some elephants and other regional animals plus it is close to several other major attractions. A good way to break up what may be less exciting trips to more cultural attractions.

There is also a Thai air force museum out at Don Muang airport that would have fascinated me as a child. The collection is small but respectable with some rather rare aircraft.

Personally, I believe you cannot pass up Yaowarat, Bangkok's China town, but I have no idea whether an 11 year old would enjoy it. Wat Traimit has a nice museum detailing the history of the Chinese community in the area and Yaowarat itself in addition to it's main attraction, the Golden Buddha (a 6 ton gold statue with an interesting history) and is a good place to start a Yaowarat trip.

I think one of the keys will be trying not to do too much. I imagine a child would tire quickly in the heat and loose interest in Temples and other less 'exciting' for children attractions. If you need a break with a little AC, consider going to a movie in one of the big malls. Movies are great values here especially for the VIP theaters which are rather impressive and certainly a different experience than I was familiar with. Also, I would have really gotten a kick out of going to McDonalds as an 11 year old and finding the localized menu items. Something familiar and unintimidating that might be appreciated with an exotic twist. Certainly not high culture but an interesting part of modern Thai culture none the less.

Edited August 28, 2013 by CPT

[krisb]

He would love seeing a 3d IMAX movie up the top of Siam Paragon. Its fantastic on a screen that massive plus nice air condition to cool down. Also the underwater world downstairs is really good. I'm 38 and enjoyed both!

[KhunSteven]

I was walking past last week and saw a couple taking their young kid into that dump of a street.

I'm sure he survived the experience. It could be far worse - try Basildon High Street.

If someone is pining for Basildon High Street, some parts of Khlong Toei are very interesting. If not, then the River, The Grand Palace, Chinatown and a day out of Bangkok would be good.

"Staying in BKK 3 Nights"

Why would: "a day out of Bangkok be good"??

To act as a counterpoint to the sights and sounds (and smells) of Bangkok.

[breadbin]

River trip and stop at temples etc.

Nana plaza

Pay pong night market

Hard Rock Cafe

MBK

Plenty to do

[bobslyder]

We will try

[NCC1701A]

River trip and stop at temples etc.

Nana plaza

Pay pong night market

Hard Rock Cafe

MBK

Plenty to do

Nana Plaza for a 11 year old boy? Really? Should he stay at the bar on the ground floor or walk around all three stories?

[razorramone]

Surprised im the first to recommend lumpini park. Go see some big ass lizards.

[kavin hopes]

There are many famous attractions that can only to visit in Bangkok not other cities.

Grand Palace
Siam Park City
Wat Pho
Wat Arun
Safari World
dusit Zoo
Wat Saket

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

Surprised im the first to recommend lumpini park. Go see some big ass lizards.

and some pathetically lethargic protestors

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

dinner and drinks asiatique and a ride on the ferris wheel. drinks at scirrocco. even an 11 year old will be blown away by the view up there

[Shaksey]

dinner and drinks asiatique and a ride on the ferris wheel. drinks at scirrocco. even an 11 year old will be blown away by the view up there

Or blown away by the wind It is a great view though, worth having a drink there.