Bangkok Culture Travel Guide

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Bangkok is infused with Thai culture, from the canals created by King Rama I, to its skyscraper skyline dotted with golden-topped temples. At the heart of Bangkok is Ratanakosin, the royal island of Rama I, packed with must-see cultural icons such as Wat Phra Kaeo and the art-crammed National Museum. [more]

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Experience Bangkok's favorite sights as others see them. Let our visual picture tour of Bangkok help you choose the best places to visit in Bangkok:

Thai puppet theatre in Bangkok

The same can be said of Thai culture in general; culture is close to their hearts and happily co-exists with the demands and of the modern world. So, it's no surprise that if you want to see Thai puppet theatre, the best place to go is into the very centre of the Suan Lam Night Bazaar. The shows at the Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre may be geared towards tourists, but at least you'll have an idea of what's going on, thanks to the introductory video shown at 7pm before the main show at 7.30pm. Kids will love the tales of gods and heroes from the Ramakien, (the Thai word for the Hindu epic, the Ramayana), while adults will marvel at the way three Thai classical dancers skillfully manipulate the jointed puppets with amazing skill and grace. Live traditional music accompaniment makes this an evening to treasure.

Thai classical dancing in Bangkok

Classical Thai dancing and traditional drama are fused together, with many traditional dance-dramas telling tales from the Ramakien, through dance steps and gestures handed down through the centuries. Humans and gods are distinguished by beautifully ornate headdresses, whilst the bad guys get masks in bright colours, such as the red mask of fire god Nilanol. It's highly stylized, and somewhat incomprehensible if you don't read a quick synopsis of the story first, as the dancers never speak, and the plot is sung by an offstage chorus. A full evening of such intensity is not to everyone's tastes, so most visitors opt for the performing arts show at the Siam Niramit, or a cultural show at a restaurant. The high-tech and glamourous Siam Niravot show is staged in a 2,000 seat auditorium every night, and is considerable better than such a venue might suggest.

Thai classical dancing at shrines in Bangkok

However, for the real thing, head for the Lak Muang Shrine or the Erawan Shrine, where troupes of professional dancers are paid to perform 'lakhon chatri', a dance-drama that thanks the spirits for answered prayers. The price list posted near the dance area reveals that the more dancers you want to convey your thanks, the more it will cost, but as a spectator, it's yours for free. You can also catch performances of Thai classical dance at the National Theatre, the Sala Chalermkrung Theatre, or at the Thailand Cultural centre, which also hosts classical concerts and major international tours of theatre and dance.

Thai classical dance lessons in Bangkok

If you want to try Thai classical dance for yourself, you can join classes at the Patravadi theatre on Sunday afternoons. (The kids can come to their own classes at 2.30pm, or join the drumming class instead.) The Patravadi is also a centre for modern, experimental theatre, but this is really hard going unless you speak a fair amount of Thai.

Bangkok ladyboy cabarets

For a real overdose of glitter, sequins and glamour, you can't beat a Thai ladyboy (or katoey) cabaret show. This over the top Las Vegas style cabaret is sold as ideal family entertainment, since ladyboys are well accepted in Thai society. (Indeed, that charming girl who serves you in a shop may not be all she appears to be...) The more 'official' shows, such as the Mambo Cabaret in Washington Square, or the New Calypso Cabaret at the Asia Hotel offer two shows a night in comfortable surroundings. The cabarets at the gay-centric clubs, such as Freeman Dance Arena, are much edgy and satirical, and certainly not for the family, but probably better shows as a result.

Chill out in a Bangkok cinema

If you are suffering from cultural overload in Bangkok, you can always relax in one of Bangkok's forty cinemas, most of which show films in their original language with Thai subtitles. It's cheap, conformable and at the video restaurants on Banglamphu's Thanon Khao San, the fil s run 24/7.

Thai massage and more in Bangkok For the ultimate chill, nothing can beat a Thai massage, which aims to render you both relaxed and energised at the end. King Rama III decorated the courtyard at Wat Pho with a giant mural depicting the principles of massage, so he definitely thought it was a good thing. The best masseurs are trained at the school at Wat Pho, and for a bone-crunching massage that'll make you feel inches taller, join the queues at the east side of the main compound and allow 2 hours for the full experience. Or, for something more pampering, head for the famous spa at the Banyan Tree Hotel, and bring your credit card.