World City Guide

Tours of the City

Walking Tours
Although Bangkok is not really the best city for much exploration on foot, Diethelm Travel (tel: (02) 255 9150; website: www.diethelm-travel.com) offers a walking tour of Chinatown, called ‘Bangkok Way of Life’, which lasts 3 hours 30 minutes and costs B650 per person as part of a group.

Bus Tours
World Travel Service (tel: (02) 233 5900; website: www.wts.co.th) runs small group tours with free pick-ups from numerous hotels throughout Bangkok. Tours can be booked direct or through the tour desk in some hotels. Half-day city tours include the ‘Royal Grand Palace Tour’ (including Wat Phra Kaeo) and the ‘Temples Tour’ (covering Wat Pho, Wat Trai Mit and Wat Benjamabopit). Both last 4 hours; the ‘Royal Grand Palace Tour’ costs B880, while the ‘Temples Tour’ costs B800. Diethelm Travel (tel: (02) 255 9150; website: www.diethelm-travel.com) also offers similar tours.

The Bangkok Tourist Bureau (tel: (02) 225 7612; website: www.bangkoktourist.com) runs daily tours past the main places of interest on a vintage-style double-decker bus. The bus leaves from the Grand Palace every 30 minutes between 0900 and 1630 and costs B30.

Bicycle Tours
Every Saturday at 1830 there is a 3-hour bicycle trip around the historical heart of Bangkok, operated by the Bangkok Tourist Bureau (tel: (02) 225 7612; fax: (02) 225 7616; website: www.bangkoktourist.com). The tour departs from their offices at 17/1 Phra Arthit Road, Phra Nakhon and passes Sanam Luang, Wat Pho, the Democracy Monument and the Khao San Road backpacker area. The charge is B290 per person, which includes the hire of a bicycle, snacks and drinks.

Boat Tours
Bangkok is laced with khlongs (canals) and life alongside the khlongs is far removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Bangkok. An ideal way to see this side of Bangkok is a boat trip, passing tiny temples, orchards, orchid farms and typical houses on stilts. These are organised by World Travel Service (tel: (02) 233 5900; website: www.wts.co.th) and Diethelm Travel (tel: (02) 255 9150; website: www.diethelm-travel.com). Some examples of what Diethelm offers are a four-hour boat trip for B850 per person or a full-day visit to the floating market at Damnoan Saduak and the Rose Garden for B1,980 per person (prices as part of a group).