10 Things to Do in Bangkok at Night

Bangkok's nightlife is very active, you can visit the night markets, enjoy street food or take a cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Read on to find out more!

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

10 Things to Do in Bangkok at Night

Vista de la ciudad por la noche |©cle_mobil

During the night in Bangkok, there are plenty of amazing activities to enjoy in the city. You can visit the night markets, such as the Patpong Market and the Asiatique Market; or if you want a more popular plan, you can go and enjoy good food in Chinatown or take a cruise on the Chao Phraya River.

Whichever plan you choose to experience the nightlife in Bangkok, you will enjoy it, because without a doubt, touring the city at night is one of the best things you can see and do in Bangkok. Another plan you can't miss is to go and enjoy the city's rooftop bars.

1. Visit the Wat Arun temple and admire its illuminated beauty

Wat Arun by night|©YH Lim
Wat Arun by night|©YH Lim

If during the day it is amazing to visit Wat Arun, which is one of the best temples in Bangkok, you will love it at night. From dusk until late at night, the temple is illuminated, and one of the best ways to see it is by boarding a ferry on the Chao Phraya River, which will take you directly to the temple. To see it in all its splendour, you can either view it from below or climb the steps to see the city from the top.

You'll love the illuminated decoration of the temple as it blends the colours of gold and white reflected in the river. Without a doubt, this is a breathtaking view that you won't want to miss and you can't miss photographing. The temple is open until approximately 20:00 every day. It also has several buildings and structures you can visit, one of them is the crystal bottle pavilion and the porcelain pavilion, where you can see a large collection of Chinese porcelain.

Details of interest

  • Price: To board the ferry, you will have to pay around 54 euros per person, while to visit the temple, the entrance fee is usually around 3 euros per person.
  • Opening hours: The temple is open until around 20:00 every day, so you can visit this site during the early evening hours.
  • Location: This temple is located at 34 Thanon Arun Amarin in the Thonburi Area.

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2. Enjoy the illuminated city from a cruise on the Chao Phraya River

Night boat|©Petr Petrov
Night boat|©Petr Petrov

More than just going to see a single temple, one of the best nighttime plans is to join one of the best Bangkok cruise tours, one of those that take you along the Chao Phraya River, to enjoy the sights of Bangkok at night and illuminated. On this type of tour you can not only explore the river, but also see some of the temples and attractions of the city that are located on its banks.

One scenery you can't miss is the silhouette of the city of Bangkok, while enjoying a nice dinner with drinks and live music. The best thing about this type of tour is that, if you want, you can stop at some of the floating markets to buy souvenirs and try some local food.

Also, if you travel to Bangkok in April, you can't miss the opportunity to take one of these tours to enjoy the panoramic views of the fireworks during the Thai New Year. Another site of interest you will see during the tour is the Mahanakorn Tower, which is one of the tallest buildings in the city and at night you can see it fully illuminated.

Details of interest

  • Price: For a night boat ride on the Chao Phraya River you will have to pay around 25 euros per person.
  • Duration: This tour usually lasts approximately 2 hours.
  • Location: The entire tour takes place on the Chao Phraya River.

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3. Experience the nightlife atmosphere of Patpong Market

Patpong night|©David Yap
Patpong night|©David Yap

Patpong night market is a popular place for locals and visitors alike and is located very close to the Silom district. If there's one thing you'll notice about this place, it's the stalls selling clothes, jewellery, souvenirs and other items, making it the perfect place to shop for souvenirs of your trip. The market is open between 18:00 and midnight, so it is an ideal option if you want to experience the nightlife.

One thing you should know about this place is that, as it is a popular market, there is often a possibility of scams or robberies, but beyond that, you can buy a wide variety of items at the Patpong Night Market. After your visit to the market you can buy authentic Thai souvenirs, or even branded clothing and watches. If you are looking for something authentic, you can choose from a variety of handicraft products made of wood or ceramics, or you can pick up antiques and paintings by local artists.

If you want to have a drink or a bite to eat during your tour, you can also find bars, restaurants and nightclubs inside. The market also offers a wide variety of street food. However, I recommend going to this area with a tour guide in the middle of one of the best Bangkok tours, because Patpong is also known for hosting strip bars and similar venues, so it has established itself as a slightly dangerous place.

Details of interest

  • Price: If you see the site on your own, you won't have to pay anything. If you take a guided tour of the area, you will have to pay around 15-20 euros per person, and you may have to pay a little more when you take a night tour.
  • Opening hours: The market is open daily between 18:00 and midnight.
  • Location: The market is located at the beginning of Silom Street.

4. Have a drink on top of a skyscraper at the Sky Bar

night view from the restaurant|©kittikorn nimitpara
night view from the restaurant|©kittikorn nimitpara

If you want a plan with alcohol and a couple of panoramic views, I recommend going up one of Bangkok' s best skyscrapers to see the city from above. A good place to do this is definitely the Sky Bar located in the Lebua Hotel. It is a famous rooftop bar located at the top of a 63-storey skyscraper, so you can imagine the spectacular panoramic views of the city that you will be able to appreciate from there.

It is also known for its elegant and exclusive atmosphere. During your visit to this place, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a wide selection of drinks and international cuisine, so it is definitely a good place to start a gastronomic tour of Bangkok. You can't miss taking amazing pictures from the height of this bar.

When visiting the Sky Bar, keep in mind that the place is quite popular with celebrities and exclusive visitors, so you are likely to find a queue to get in, and food and drinks tend to cost a bit more than in other similar places.

Interesting details

  • Price: To enter this place you will have to pay around 400 baths, which is the equivalent of around 12 euros per person.
  • Opening hours: The bar is open between 18:00 and 1:00 every day.
  • Location: The Sky bar is located on the 63rd floor of the Lebua State Tower, on the corner of Silom and Charoen Krung Road.

5. Take a night tour by tuk-tuk

parked tuk tuk|©Minh Nhat
parked tuk tuk|©Minh Nhat

One of the must-do activities in the city is to sign up for a tuk tuk tour in Bangkok at night. This experience will take you to explore some of the city's most incredible sights, illuminated by thousands of LED lights that glow in the darkness of the night. Among the places you can go and enjoy the illuminated sites are the Mahanakorn Tower, the Buddha temples and other similar sites.

Most of these tuk tuk tours of the city take you to see the temples, markets and traditional food of Bangkok. It is definitely an activity that will take you to experience the magic of the city at night. And during this tour you can even sample delicious Thai food.

Details of interest

  • Price: A tuk tuk tour of the city can cost around 20 to 25 euros per person.
  • Time: This tour is completed at night, although you will need to coordinate with your tour guide, the exact time.
  • Location: The tour will be all over the city.

6. Enjoy the lively nightlife on Khao San Road

Khao San Road|©Tosterr
Khao San Road|©Tosterr

Khao San Road is one of the liveliest streets in Bangkok, so during the night it becomes an amazing place to appreciate and enjoy the vibrant and diverse nightlife. Along this street you will find numerous bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from, as well as street vendors to buy food and souvenirs. During the day it is considered a good destination to include in a bike tour of the city, but during the night it is perfect for enjoying the party atmosphere and meeting new people.

You can dance the night away at one of the many electronic music clubs, or you can enjoy drinks at an open-air bar. Perhaps if you prefer a busier atmosphere, you can check out Khao San Road, which is always bustling with tourists and locals. If you are backpacking or want to save some money on your accommodation, this is an area to consider staying in.

Interesting details

  • Price: You don't have to pay anything to enjoy this place overnight. If you want to take a bike tour to see the site during the day, you will have to pay around 20 euros per person.
  • Time: I recommend you to go and enjoy the nightlife from late at night, from 19:00 onwards.
  • Location: The entertainment is spread out all along Khao San Road.

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7. Dine and shop at Asiatique The Riverfront Night Market

Asiatique: The Riverfront|©Ronit Bhattacharjee
Asiatique: The Riverfront|©Ronit Bhattacharjee

If a visit to a night market wasn't enough, then you have to check out the Asiatique The Riverfront night market, you'll love it because it's a great option for dining and shopping. In fact, inside this market you can find many options to buy traditional Thai handicrafts and other interesting products. You can also find amazing dining options.

And when it comes to dining, you should know that at the Asiatique The Riverfront Night Market, not only will you find multiple Thai food and drink stalls, but they also have a wide range of international delicacies to offer you.

Moreover, during the night the atmosphere becomes even more vibrant and entertaining because you will find live music, street performances and other activities for all tastes. If that's not enough, you can also ride the giant Ferris wheel next to the market, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Chao Phraya River.

Interesting details

  • Price: You don't have to pay anything to enter the Asiatique The Riverfront Night Market, but you will have to pay for your consumption.
  • Hours: The market is open during the day and night, but to enjoy the street entertainment and festive atmosphere, I recommend going during the evenings.
  • Location: The market is located on the former docks of Bangkok's East Asiatic Company, which itself is on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

8. Take a night tour of Lumpini Park and attend an open-air cinema session

Lumpini Park night|©rung sirapat
Lumpini Park night|©rung sirapat

Believe it or not, if you want to enjoy a much quieter plan in the city, I recommend you to go for a nice walk and explore the illuminated nature in Lumpini Park. This park is also ideal for walking and hiking through its many paths, even at night. You can also take the opportunity to stargaze and enjoy the night-time vibes.

Here you can take a tour of the lake area and the fountains. If you want to do some physical activity, you can even take part in the Tai Chi sessions that are set up in the park during the night. Another interesting activity you can do in this park after dark is to attend the open-air cinema sessions. The best thing is that these film screenings are free of charge and take place especially on weekends.

Interesting details

  • Price: You don't have to pay anything to enter the park, the entrance is free.
  • Hours: The park is open between 4:30 and 21:00, every day.
  • Location: This park is specifically located at 139/4 Thanon Witthayu, Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon.

9. Visit Chatuchak Night Market

market Bangkok|©Manjik.photography
market Bangkok|©Manjik.photography

If there is one place you should visit during the night, it is the Chatuchak Night Market, which is known as one of the largest and most popular markets in Thailand, thanks to its more than 15,000 stalls selling all kinds of products, both Thai and international.

Inside the market you can buy clothes, handicrafts and food, but the market is so big that it is very easy to get lost, so one of the recommendations you should follow is to take a quick tour of the place before you start shopping, to find your way around and avoid getting lost. And as for shopping, a curious thing about this market is that the best price for the products you get will depend on your bargaining skills, so it's best to bargain and compare prices before you buy.

Interesting details

  • Price: You don't have to pay anything to enter this market, but inside you will have to pay for everything you consume or want to buy.
  • Hours: Chatuchak Night Market is open between 10:00 and 18:00.
  • Location: It is located in the area of the MRT Chatuchak metro station in Bangkok, and there are several public transport options available.

10. Watch a traditional Thai theatre performance at the Sala Chalermkrung theatre

Chalermkrung Royal Theatre|©piggymonster
Chalermkrung Royal Theatre|©piggymonster

A different option to enjoy a bit of the city's nightlife is to attend a khon performance at Sala Chalermkrung. This is one of the two types of traditional theatre in Thailand, and is the perfect place to enjoy this traditional art form, which mixes the colourful traditional masks and elaborate costumes with Thai dance, which showcases careful dance moves and live music.

As for the theatre, you should know that it has been in operation since 1933 and has presented some of the country' s best traditional theatre and dance productions. This theatre is a popular place for locals and tourists alike, so you should definitely include it in your tour of Bangkok by night.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 15 euros per person to enjoy performances at this theatre.
  • Hours: Although the opening hours for guided tours are Monday to Sunday between 10:00 and 18:00, during the evening you can enjoy the performances presented at this venue.
  • Location: The theatre is specifically located at 66 Chalermkrung Hall, Charoen Krung Road and Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon District.

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