A giant metropolis with a population twice as large as New Zealand’s, Bangkok was the world’s most-visited city in 2019 and since then it has become even more appealing thanks to many new attractions.
From a huge new wetlands park, to a Venice-inspired canal precinct, Bangkok’s version of the New York “high line”, several fresh five-star hotels, and a luxury bus restaurant that tours diners past amazing sights as they feast, this city is better than ever.
Chaopraya Sky Park
During a decade of living on and off in Bangkok I have lamented the scarcity of parkland and footbridges across the wide Chaopraya River, which cuts the city in half. Both those issues have been addressed by a new, 300m-long walkway and cycle path that spans the river and is cloaked in greenery.
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Ronan O’Connell
Chaopraya Sky Park has great views of Bangkok.
Inspired by New York’s famous High Line, Bangkok’s Chaopraya Sky Park is an abandoned rail bridge that has been converted into Bangkok’s first elevated park. While wandering this sky park, tourists can get panoramic views of both Bangkok’s modern downtown and its temple-studded Old Town area.
On its northern side, is the photogenic Pak Khlong Talat flower market and the pulsing Little India neighbourhood of Phahurat. To the south, is the historic Portuguese suburb of Kudichin, with its fine bakeries and beautiful church.
A rolling restaurant
Bangkok Bustaurant
The Bustaurant is an on-the-move dining venue.
Eating delicious Thai food while absorbing Bangkok’s exotic sights as you glide past is a wonderfully indulgent way to enjoy this city. Sure, you could eat in your hotel and then burn off those calories by wandering the Thai markets, temples and parks. Or you could be lazy and happy on board Bangkok Bustaurant, a full-sized coach converted into a luxurious, on-the-move dining venue.
This bus, which has enormous windows as well as a skylight that runs its entire length, starts at the Holiday Inn Silom hotel before cruising around the historic neighbourhoods of Bangkok. So you can admire palaces, shrines and pagodas, all while eating and drinking at the table laid out before you. For NZ$60 per person, passengers can pick either a Western-style high tea or a nine-course Thai fusion meal, laden with spicy delights.
Benjakitti Forest Park
Ronan O’Connell
Walk along the park’s 1.6km-long elevated walkway.
A large wetlands park inhabited by flocks of majestic birds, Benjakitti Forest Park is now the biggest green space in central Bangkok at 72 hectares. It is the only place I have found in downtown Bangkok where I have felt like I am not actually in a city.
At ground level, visitors can follow wooden paths that pierce the rich vegetation of this marshy park, getting a close view of the fauna that has taken up residence here since it opened last year. Or they can look down upon this natural splendour from the park’s 1.6km-long elevated walkway.
Built adjacent to Benjakitti Park, which in turn flanks the busy tourist precincts of Asoke and Nana, this new urban oasis is a key plank in the Thai Government’s “Bangkok Greening” project to greatly increase the city’s parklands.
Ong Ang Canal walking street
Ronan O’Connell
Vibrant murals line the walking street.
Connected to Bangkok Greening is a new strategy to clean and beautify Bangkok’s dozens of kilometres of canals, which had become a messy, smelly blight on the city. Late last year saw the opening of the first section of Chong Nonsi Canal Park, decorated by paths, seats and small bridges, and which is especially attractive at night when it becomes brightly and colourfully lit.
While that park is in Bangkok’s modern business district, over in its historic heart of Rattanakosin lies the fresh Ong Ang Canal walking street. There, near key tourist attractions such as the Grand Palace and Chinatown, is a 250m stretch of canal that has been impressively renovated. Vibrant wall murals and decorative flower pots line this walking street, which hosts a busy market from 4pm to 10pm, Friday to Sunday.
Perfectly suited to tourists, this market offers souvenirs, endless food options, and Thai-designed clothes and artworks.
New five-star hotels
Four Seasons Bangkok
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok has striking views of the river and city.
Prior to the pandemic, Bangkok already had a huge array of luxury accommodation options, boasting close to 40 five-star hotels. That collection has only increased since 2020.
Just north of Bangkok’s most popular green space, Lumphini Park, the new Kimpton Maa-Lai, is opulent. It has four upmarket dining venues, the plush Armaranth Spa, a state-of-the-art gym, and a huge infinity pool overlooking the hotel’s beautiful gardens. Starting from NZ$300, its entry-level Essential rooms are spacious at 48sqm, and have premium furniture and bedding to go with stunning views of Bangkok’s skyline.
On the banks of the Chaopraya, the new Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok has six bars and restaurants, including a Michelin-starred Cantonese venue, a French brasserie, and an Italian restaurant. It also offers three swimming pools and a massive, 2500sqm wellness centre, including nine spa treatment rooms, a beauty salon and steam rooms.
The Four Seasons entry-level deluxe rooms (50sqm) start from NZ$650 and feature floor-to-ceiling windows, marble-embellished bathrooms and striking views of the river or city.
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