10 Things to Do in Bangkok in August

In the world, there are many places full of charm and tradition, where the doors are always open to tourists. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of them. A modern, cosmopolitan city, full of art, fashion and entertainment to visit at any time of the year.

In Bangkok, August is a month of monsoons, occasional showers that cool the atmosphere for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the humid tropical weather, with temperatures averaging 28°C, reaching daytime highs of a very warm 33°C.

It is an ideal time of the year to go on tours, enjoy walks, parks, visit markets, museums, temples and enjoy multiple activities with family or friends.

Museums, temples, monuments, restaurants, bars, luxury hotels, cooking schools, spas, are some of the activities that you will find at very good prices, because, although it is a holiday period, it is not considered high season. Here are 10 things to see and enjoy in Bangkok in August.

12 August is a day of celebration in Thailand. It is the birthday of the monarch Sirikit, which coincides with Mother 's Day, so the country, especially its capital Bangkok, is dressed in blue - the colour of the queen -, multi-coloured lights, decorations and lots of symbolism surround the iconic buildings such as the Grand Palace. It is a National Holiday.

Throughout the day, locals and visitors can participate in free activities such as parades, concerts, shows, art exhibitions and handicrafts typical of Thai culture. And at night, fireworks and a drone show that reflects images and messages in homage to the queen in the sky, to the rhythm of symphonic music, fill the celebration with magic.

One of the characteristics of Bangkok, known as the 'city of angels', is the large number of temples, their sizes, designs, colour and majesty that amaze children and adults alike. The cityscape is a combination of modernity and tradition that is well worth a visit.

Among the most representative buildings is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, south of the Grand Palace in the Phra Nakhon district, with multiple halls, monastic ritual halls, chapels, galleries and more than ninety decorated stupas, as the Buddhist type of architecture for relics is known.

Inside the Phra Vihara Hall, on a three-tiered pedestal, stands the striking 46-metre-long, 15-metre-high, gold-plated statue of the reclining Buddha, surrounded by symbols, flowers and offerings, the largest in Thailand. The largest in Thailand.

In this 80 thousand square metre architectural marvel, you will also find the School of Traditional Medicine and Traditional Massage, a great attraction for tourists who want to learn or enjoy a relaxing massage. You can't miss it!

You must take into account:

• You cannot enter wearing trousers or short skirts or braces and barefoot.
• It is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• You can request a speaker for the tour.
• Entrance to the temple costs approximately 6 euros.
• Massage service costs an average of 7 euros.

If you want to go kayaking or walking while enjoying delicious Thai snacks and shopping for Bangkok souvenirs, you can visit the trendy open-air market Klong Ong Ang, which means ceramic canal, located between Chinatown and Indian Quarter.

Every weekend, this particular place in the Chinatown district offers live performances with local musicians, street art and dancers, which will brighten up your night on this waterway. You'll also find street markets, large murals and decorations with flowers, plants and coloured lights, as well as a wide range of moderately priced sweet and savoury treats. One of Bangkok's newest tourist attractions.

Important to know:

• Open from Friday to Sunday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
• You can walk or rent a kayak to enjoy the scenery from the canal.
• You can learn about the history of the area from a local guide.

Like the set of an action movie, at Maeklong Market, it is the passing of the passenger train that marks the moments when you can shop and when it is best to stand still. It is known as the 'risk of life' market and is one of Bangkok's main attractions.

When the siren sounds, vendors gather their wares to make way for the speeding train. Once the train moves on, they invade the lanes again for a 100-metre stretch with various food and goods for sale. There you will find fresh food to suit all tastes and at lower prices than anywhere else.

But if you prefer to take a boat ride while you shop, the Damnoen Saduak floating market is the way to go. You can buy different edible products or handicrafts typical of the Asian country.

Important to know:

• The floating market is open every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Mae Klong Market is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• The train runs 8 times a day through the Mae Klong market.

At a height of 80 metres and 318 steps, the Wat Saket or Golden Mountain temple stands out among the skyscrapers. During the tour you can appreciate the large vegetation, beautiful gardens, small altars, huge mythological bells, gongs and relics, ideal for connecting with culture and nature.

The mountain in the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, next to the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, is a large Buddhist temple offering a panoramic view of the city and an iconic pilgrimage site. On the terrace you'll find the Great Golden Stupa, an experience you won't want to miss. By the way, the best time to go up is at sunset to enjoy the beautiful colours of the landscape.

Important to know:

• The approximate entrance fee is 2 euros. It depends on the time of the year.
• It is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

In close proximity to the popular Wat Phra Kaew temple and the Grand Palace, is one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia. The National Museum, located in the Wang Na Palace, is a place full of art and beauty.

There you can visit different halls with art exhibitions, antique exhibitions such as masks, costumes, paintings, weapons, sculptures, even musical instruments, a journey through time, which will take you into the Thai culture. One of the most attractive tours for tourists.

The outside of the building is an architectural beauty from the 18th century. The interior is as beautiful as it is educational. During the tour you will see an extensive collection of Buddha figures from different periods, royal furniture, sculptures, murals, ceramics and royal treasures.

You can't leave without seeing the inscription of King Ram Khamhaeng, dating back to 1292 AD, which is considered the world's documentary heritage, a priceless piece of historical and cultural information. It even records the invention of some of Thailand's modern writing characters - very interesting!

Important to know:

• The entrance fee is approximately 5 euros.
• It is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Offers guided tours in foreign languages

If you like adrenaline, you can't miss the spectacular observation deck of the Maha Nakhon building, on the 78th floor of the King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper, the tallest in Thailand - 314 metres high. There you will have an unforgettable experience as you walk on a glass floor and have a panoramic view of Bangkok. The building houses luxury flats, a hotel, shops, bars and restaurants.

This attractive modern skyscraper was designed by German architect Ole Sheeren. Its facade looks like something out of a pixel movie with cube-shaped glass boxes that give it an unusual effect, multimedia touchscreens that display augmented reality images and balconies from which you can take great photos for your scrapbook. And when dusk falls appreciate the night city, with its multiple lights and shows to enjoy in bars, nightclubs and cabaret.

Important to know:

• General admission costs approximately 23 euros for adults. Children up to the age of 15 pay a fee of about 7 euros.
• It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (last admission at 11:00 p.m.).

If you're looking to enjoy a stroll in the fresh air, the public Lumpini Park offers plenty of options. In this 57-hectare space surrounded by nature, you can relax while walking or cycling along its many paths. You can enjoy the great atmosphere or you can rent a boat for a ride on the man-made lake and work out in the many outdoor gyms. If you go with children, they will love the playground.

You can also take pictures at the statue of King Rama VI, visit the library or the Youth Centre where you can do different sports activities such as football, swimming, basketball, among others in which you will have fun with your family. When you finish the tour you can pass through a pedestrian walkway with an option for cycling and visit Benjakitti Park in Khlong Toei district.

Important to know:

• Admission to the park is free.
• The opening hours are from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Boat rental costs approximately 1 euro.
• It is near Sala Daeng Station on the Silom Line of the Bangkok Air Subway.

On the banks of the Chao Phraya River very close to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, you can see the imposing Wat Arun or Bangkok Sunrise Temple, an attractive and eye-catching structure not only for its height, but also for its design. The central tower and the four satellite towers are decorated with seashells and porcelain inlays, which glow at sunrise, hence the name.

At the bases of the towers you will see different Chinese figures of soldiers, animals and demons and an Ordination Hall where the image of the Niramit Buddha is located. The central tower (or central prang), with a height of 77 metres, is the tallest tower in Bangkok. It is in Khmer style and represents Mount Meru, the centre of the universe according to Hindu symbolism. As you climb the stairs you will find two terraces and a magnificent panoramic view of the contrast between the modern and traditional city.

Important to know:

• Open daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
• Entrance fee approximately 1 euro.

A day of adventure and fun at the Siam Amusement Park in the Kannayao district of Bangkok is a must on your trip. This place of entertainment offers you different plans in one place, among them a water park, where you will find the largest artificial sea in the world**(Guinness World Records to date**), with games and slides of different sizes and shapes.

If you want something more extreme, you will find two spiral roller coasters. Here adrenaline is the main ingredient. There is even an African jungle with moving animals, a carousel and a haunted house. Everything you've ever imagined, you'll find it there. And for the little ones, a dinosaur space with multiple fantasy attractions and Aunt Swan Sally's land, with carousel, spinning boat and mini motorbikes, among many other attractions.

Important to know:

• Admission to the park costs approximately 2 euros for children and 4 euros for adults.
• Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.