Photography spots

10 best photography spots in Bangkok

Bangkok’s visual identity blends gilded temples, neon-lit night markets, river barges in golden afternoon light, and skyscraper rooftops above the chaos. These 10 spots cover the city’s most photographed moments.

Wat Arun at golden hour

Location: Across the Chao Phraya river from Wat Pho

The shot: Central prang covered in colored porcelain mosaics, glowing in golden light

When to shoot: Sunset (45 min before) for warm light hitting the porcelain
Lens / settings: 35-70mm equivalent; 100-200mm for the porcelain detail
Tips: Take the 3 baht ferry from Tha Tien pier. The view from across the river (Tha Tien side) at sunset is the iconic shot – many rooftop restaurants here.

Grand Palace at first light

Location: Sanam Luang, Grand Palace area

The shot: Golden chedis and intricate temple roofs catching sunrise light

When to shoot: Pre-9am opening for short queues and morning light
Lens / settings: 35-50mm equivalent for buildings; 100mm for roof details
Tips: Entry 500 baht. Dress code: cover shoulders and knees strictly enforced. The temple complex is bigger than expected.

Yaowarat at night

Location: Chinatown’s main street

The shot: Neon-lit signage with street food vendors and motorbike chaos

When to shoot: After 6pm when stalls are open and neon is on
Lens / settings: Wide-angle 24mm for street context; 35mm for vendor portraits
Tips: Sunday evening is the most crowded; Tuesday-Wednesday calmer. The intersection at Charoen Krung is the iconic location.

Mahanakhon Sky Walk

Location: King Power Mahanakhon, Bang Rak

The shot: Glass floor 314m above the city – looking straight down at Bangkok streets

When to shoot: Sunset to blue hour transition for both daylight and city lights
Lens / settings: Wide-angle 24mm
Tips: Tickets 880 baht online. The glass tray (where you can stand on glass) is the iconic shot.

Lebua Sky Bar (Sirocco)

Location: Lebua at State Tower, 63F

The shot: Golden dome rooftop bar with the city skyline as backdrop

When to shoot: Sunset to night transition
Lens / settings: 35-50mm equivalent for environmental shots; 70-200mm for skyline compression
Tips: Smart-casual dress code enforced. Cocktail minimum spend. Featured in The Hangover 2.

Erawan Shrine in motion

Location: Ratchaprasong intersection, Sukhumvit

The shot: Golden Hindu shrine with dancers performing as devotees offer flowers – all in BTS Skytrain light

When to shoot: Evening (6-9pm) when traffic stops, dancers perform, lights are on
Lens / settings: 35mm equivalent for environmental; 85mm for dancer portraits
Tips: Free to visit. Working religious site, be respectful. The neon BTS station signage in the background completes the shot.

Tha Tien Pier dawn

Location: Tha Tien (Wat Pho’s river pier)

The shot: Long-tail boats reflected in calm river with Wat Arun’s chedi in the background

When to shoot: Sunrise (6am) for calm water and warm morning light
Lens / settings: 35-70mm equivalent
Tips: Public pier, free. Many street-food vendors set up by 7am. The dawn quiet here is rare in Bangkok.

Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha feet

Location: Wat Pho temple, the reclining Buddha hall

The shot: Mother-of-pearl inlaid soles of the 46m reclining Buddha

When to shoot: Pre-9:30am for fewer crowds and morning light
Lens / settings: 24-35mm wide-angle for the full feet shot
Tips: Entry 300 baht. No flash photography. The feet are at the far end of the hall – work right to left.

Chao Phraya river express boat

Location: Any river express boat (orange or yellow flag lines)

The shot: Bangkok’s skyline from water level with temple spires breaking the modern skyline

When to shoot: Late afternoon (3-5pm) for golden water and warm sun
Lens / settings: 35-70mm equivalent
Tips: 15-30 baht per ride. Sit at the back stern for the cleanest skyline shots without the boat in frame.

Loy Kratong festival on the river

Location: Any Chao Phraya pier, November (full moon of 12th lunar month)

The shot: Banana-leaf candle boats floating on the river with city lights

When to shoot: November full moon evening only – once-yearly event
Lens / settings: 35-50mm equivalent; high ISO for low-light
Tips: Tha Maharaj pier is the most photogenic. Check the lunar calendar for the exact date.