PHOTO // THAILAND6 locations

Best Photography Spots in Bangkok

Bangkok is temples by day and neon by night — best at either end of the day, over the river or from a rooftop.

Bangkok, Thailand — Bangkok — a city photo, not one of the spots below

Best light overall

Blue hour at Wat Arun and the rooftops; morning at the temples.

Wat Arun

Thonburi

The porcelain-studded spire on the river.

Best light: Blue hour, seen from the east bank as the temple lights up.
Tip: Sala Rattanakosin and the riverside piers give the postcard angle.

Wat Pho

Phra Nakhon

Golden chedis and the reclining Buddha.

Best light: Morning, at opening, for soft light and few visitors.
Tip: The rows of chedis line up beautifully with a longer lens.

Yaowarat (Chinatown)

Samphanthawong

A river of neon signs and street-food smoke.

Best light: After dark, from blue hour on, for glowing signs.
Tip: Shoot from a footbridge over the main road for the sign tunnel.

Mahanakhon SkyWalk

Silom

The glass-floor deck over the city skyline.

Best light: Sunset into blue hour for the lit grid below.
Tip: The rooftop is open-air above the glass floor — go up before sunset.

Wat Saket (Golden Mount)

Pom Prap

A golden chedi above the old city.

Best light: Sunset from the top terrace over the rooftops.
Tip: The climb spirals up; the terrace circles the gold chedi.

Chao Phraya River

Riverside

Longtail boats, barges and temples along the water.

Best light: Golden hour, from a river ferry or the bank.
Tip: A cheap public express boat is a moving platform for river shots.

A note on access

Opening hours, ticketing and access change, and some viewpoints sit on private or ticketed property. Check before you go, respect closures and residents, and never trespass or block traffic for a shot.