Best tourist sights in BKK?

[fred]

I'm planning for my first trip to Bangkok this winter. My attention span isn't as good as it used to be when I was younger.  So I need something more to do than drinking beer and fondling with lb's. What sights do you recommend as an absolute must in BKK?

Thanks in advance guys.

[69billy]

Thats why I don't stay in BKK more then 1 day...

[fred]

 When asking for tips on good tourist sights I don't mean your balcony in Pattaya.  

[Road Runner]

That told him!

Hello Fred,

Despite being a premier tourist destination I find it hard to come up with 'must see' sights in Bangkok.

The complex of Royal Palaces in Bangkok is certainly worth a visit but as the presentation is not so good I have difficulty calling them must see.

Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) is also worth the trip and is apparently a spectacular sight from the east bank of the Chao Praya river at sunrise.
I don't do early mornings so I've not seen it!

Patpong night market features in most tourist guides - why I don't know.
It's just lots of stalls trying to sell poor quality immitations at greatly inflated prices.
You can get much of the same in MBK and/or Sukumwit Road and pay less money.

The Chinese quarter of the old part of Bangkok is definately worth a visit but really you need to find a guide who knows their way around.

Khaosan Road is frankly over rated but if you want a lively night out mixed with all sorts of strange people it's worth a try at least once.
Again don't bother to buy anything unless you have a local with you - my ex girlfriend used to buy clothes there and I would walk away while she paid 1/3rd the price that the tourists were!

Have a look at the Tourism Thailand website you may get some better ideas.

RR.

[Road Runner]

Hey Snick,

The Bangkokattraction.com link above brings up a virus threat alert on my computer!

RR.

[elbarto]

I love riding around on the skytrain then getting off at random, and exploring the streets. I love the bustle of Bangkok( I am wierd like that!)

[marshal]

(fred @ Sep. 11 2008,06:24)  When asking for tips on good tourist sights I don't mean your balcony in Pattaya.  

prehaps i shouldn't clap as billy is the guy we look up to!

[marshal]

Useless crap coming now! there is a forensic museum up the river on the other side worth a look. The place is in the siriraj hospital, several other mueseums situated at the hospital worth a look, forensic museum is worth a look, lots about crime and a thai serial killer preserved if that floats your boat! went first in 05, since then they have updated lots about the tsunami, that was 07.
There is shit loads to do in bangers, if you want to! shopping, temples, see the city? well it is the size of london, go down to khao san road see the freaks! Take a trip up the river, go to jim thompson house(might do it soon, but not sure), take a trip to ayuthaya. Just enjoy your self mate!

[marshal]

The boat goes from the oriental side at the bottom of thanom silom! forgot about the reclining buddha!
Patpong is a shit market!

I have been lots of times, and i'm still in the dark sometimes, in a couple of weeks i will be trying to find my way to mbk?

Any suggestions about mbk and what they sell?

[Snick]

(Road Runner @ Sep. 11 2008,07:29) The Bangkokattraction.com link above brings up a virus threat alert on my computer!

Crap. I deleted my message with the links.

[Snick]

Bangkok really doesn't have a lot of great tourist attractions (the city is only 200+ years old)
Royal Palace + Jade Buddha
Weekend Chatuchaak Market - it so big and unique, it does count as an attraction

You might want to make a day trip to Ayuthaya -- at least that has some history, ruins, etc..

[katoeylover]

River Kwai, boat tour and crocodile and snake farms..

[paultain]

The Ancient City on the outskirts of Bangkok

[fred]

Lots of good suggestions here. I never thought that I would get as good response as this on a "stupid" noob question. I must say that this forum and it's members are outstanding. I'll take my hat off to you guys.

/Fred

P.S.
I love 69billy's travel reports too. But don't tell him, I think he needs to sweat some more.  

[69billy]

Pattaya is only 1.5 Hrs away, lots more to see