Photo Spots in Bangkok For Stunning Pictures
There’s no arguing that if you’re a camera fanatic, Bangkok is a real feast for the senses. This stunning Thai capital has bustling streets, rich cultural contrasts, and hidden corners ready to allure every enthusiast behind the lens. Whether you’re an influencer or just want some Instagram-worthy shots, top photo spots in Bangkok never disappoint!
But where to find the best photo spots in Bangkok? That’s the real question– before you even step into this giant of a city. Let’s find out!
What Makes Bangkok a Top Spot for Photography
What looks like a chaotic hub at first glance is actually a city full of photography points. Just last year, Bangkok overtook Paris as the top-visited city in the world. It’s safe to assume that tourism and photography pretty much go hand in hand in Bangkok. As you spend more time here, the city reveals ornate shrines, intricate temples, night markets, and so much more.
Although famous spots like the Khaosan Road draw crowds, cultural landmarks like Chinatown, the Grand Palace, and the Skyline of Bangkok all create a photo paradise in the city. Better yet, the land just strikes the right balance between modernity and ancient traditions.
However, rushing around to tick off items on your photography bucket list won’t get you decent shots. Plan out your trip accordingly to really do justice to the stunning photo spots in Bangkok!
Where to Stay in Bangkok?
As mentioned earlier, running around the city won’t let you capture the best of Bangkok. It’s important to stay here for some time, especially if you’re travelling to the city for the first time, especially for top-tier photography. Luckily, there’s no shortage of all-inclusive hotels in the city, but it all boils down to your plans.
Good news? Booking.com and Airbnb connect you to the best places to stay. Some quick areas we’ve rounded up in Bangkok include:
Around Sukhumvit
Nothing lets you enjoy cityscape photography better than Sukhumvit, especially known for its one-of-a-kind nightlife in Bangkok. You’ll find neon-lit streets, high-end shopping malls, restaurants, rooftop terraces, you name it. Best of all, Sukhumvit connects to the rest of Bangkok via Skytrain, so you don’t have to fret over moving around from there.
Chinatown
If you don’t mind crowds, Chinatown is packed with hotels, such as Shangai Mansion, combined with the energy of Yaowarat Road. You could find apartments, stay in guesthouses, or fine hotels that give you quick access to the city’s wonders. While you probably won’t get much nightlife or touristy facilities, this lets you capture busy Bangkok’s life like nowhere else.
Khao San
Close to the city’s top attractions, opting for one of Khao San’s hotels might be your best bet. In case you don’t reserve your stay in advance, or even if it’s past midnight, Khao San is pretty lively through the night too. No wonder the area is so popular as the backpacker ghetto today!
Silom Road
Silom Road is pretty busy with tourists all day, so you can expect stunning hotels around here. Due to its central location and easy transportation, it’s perfect for first-time stayers in Bangkok. The top hotels here include Amara Bangkok Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and Shangri-La Bangkok.
How to Get Around Bangkok, Thailand
You probably think getting around this crowded city is tricky, but lucky for you— it’s both cheap and easy. Although the buses might be a bit chaotic for the first-timers, they’re easy to help you get through Bangkok like a local.
Taxis are another convenient option, especially if you’re travelling with friends and family. Using the Grab App will help you book your rides on the spot. But if you’re a thrill-seeker with a bit more budget, trying a tuk-tuk can be worth the experience.
However, hands down the best way to explore Bangkok with minimal hassle is both by metro and on foot. Since the side streets are well-kept, walking is more fun than tiring. Plus, the metro is efficient and easy to find from popular stations like Sukhumvit, letting you get to photo spots in Bangkok quite super conveniently.
Best Photo Spots in Bangkok You Can’t Miss Out
Bangkok’s most iconic photo spots show exactly why it’s so loved by photography enthusiasts all around the world. When you look closely, Thailand’s capital brims with energy, contrast, and characters, making it a go-to spot for both amateur and pro photographers.
More so, stats reveal that the city welcomed over 22.78 million international visitors last year, which highlights the city’s appeal. Folks love Bangkok’s tourist attractions, which offer endless opportunities for capturing shots worth drooling over.
Here’s a list of top photo spots in Bangkok you don’t want to miss out on:
Wat Arun View
Also widely known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is one of the most sought-after photography spots in Bangkok, and it’s easy to see why. While it’s on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, the prime spots for stunning shots are towards the eastern side of the river.
While it’s best to capture your shots when the sun rises, you can cruise through the river when night falls to watch the temple lit up aesthetically.
Democracy Monument
Located on Thanon Ratchadamnoen, Democracy Monument is also one of the best spots in Bangkok for photography. Since it’s right in the city center, tourists flock to explore this stunning spot and discover its significance in ending the absolute monarchy in Thailand.
The Odeon Gate at the spot makes it ideal for long-exposure photography. Plus, photographers can’t resist the unique features it has, including a palm-leaf manuscript box and the four wing-like structures that look incredibly beautiful at twilight!
Yaowarat Road
As one of the best photo spots in Bangkok, the Yaowarat Road in Chinatown captures city life like no other place. The area is full of life, with vibrant crowds and bright lights that invite photographers from all across the country and perhaps even the world. However, it’s best to plan out a night shot here rather than a blue hour shot since that’s when the area comes to life.
If you’re into street photography, it’s safe to say that nothing feeds your soul quite like capturing the bustle around Yaowarat Road.
Lumpini Park View
No Bangkok photoshoot is complete without Lumpini Park View, especially for photographers who love capturing the essence of nature through their lenses. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers, this spot lets you photograph the cityscape with a lush green space in the background. Or, take a boat ride through the lake to get focused, unique shots.
A bonus tip is to plan your photo shoot around daylight so you can enjoy the stunning sunset and get shots of the park’s glowing lights as soon as evening falls.
The Big Golden Buddha
When looking up the best spots in Bangkok for photography, don’t forget to add the Big Golden Buddha to your bucket list. Located towards the east of Menam River, this striking spot is an absolute favorite for top-tier photography, whether you’re using a wide-angle or capturing more close-up shots.
For the best photos, we recommend heading to the spot between 5:00 and 7:00 AM, when the soft natural sky takes over the scene.
Bhumibol Bridge
More popularly known as the Golden Bridge, photographers can’t help but flock to the Bhumibol Bridge for its twin bridges and sky-high pillars. At night, the bridge glows up stunningly, and folks are compelled to take out their cameras for the ‘perfect’ shot.
However, among other photo spots in Bangkok, this one comes with a few risks. Accessing this spot often requires your private transportation, and even then, it might be a bit unsafe to capture this iconic view.
Mae Klong Railway Market
Mae Klong Railway market is the best place for photographers in Bangkok, especially if crowds don’t bother you much. It’s popular for being set on active train tracks, where vendors put things back and forth, creating an exciting vibe across the area.
As the train rolls through, the market turns into an energetic space worth capturing. In fact, each moment here brings rich sights worth looking back. If you get lucky enough to shoot your shots here, take some time to check out smart photography tips along the Mae Klong Railway market!
Baiyoke Tower
The last on our list of best photo spots in Bangkok is the Baiyoke Tower, which is no less than a paradise for those who want top-down shots of the stunning cityscape. Located in Ratchathewi, this tower stands at 88 stories, letting you fully view the nearby provinces.
Looking east over the maze of expressways, this makes one of the most fascinating spots in Bangkok, especially during the night. Best of all? It lets you shoot incredible time-lapse videos of the city’s traffic against sparkly nights!
Final Thoughts
There you have it — the list of photo spots in Bangkok that fill up a photographer’s plate with more fun shots than ever before. If you’re into street photography and love architecture, no city serves your interests better than Bangkok. So, head to the city for some candid or well-thought-out shots to show the world what your lens can capture!