Thailand · Asia

Discover Bangkok with Rafeek

Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Seeing Bangkok without the story is only half the trip

The problem

Group tours run on someone else's clock, printed signs say too little, and searching for context on your phone pulls you out of the moment. Most travellers leave Bangkok with photos but no sense of what they actually saw.

How Rafeek fixes it

Rafeek is a personal audio guide in your pocket. Press play at each landmark in Bangkok, listen at your own pace, and keep your eyes on the place instead of a screen. Guides work offline, so no roaming or signal worries.

What you'll discover in Bangkok

32 landmarks with their own audio guide — tap any one to read what you'll hear.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

A former royal reception hall within Dusit Palace, now serving as a museum. The building is a stunning example of Italian Renaissance and Neoclassical architecture. Inside, it showcases exquisite arts and crafts created by the artisans of the Sirikit Institute.

Asiatique The Riverfront

A large open-air mall on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, combining a night market and a shopping center. It is housed in the former warehouses of the East Asiatic Company and offers over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants. Visitors can also enjoy a large Ferris wheel, live shows, and a traditional puppet theatre.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)

A major center for contemporary art in Bangkok, located in the busy Pathum Wan district. The BACC hosts a wide range of exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and workshops featuring both Thai and international artists. Its unique circular building is an architectural landmark in itself.

Bangkok National Museum

The main branch of the National Museums in Thailand and the largest museum in Southeast Asia. It houses an extensive collection of Thai art and artifacts, from the Neolithic period to the modern era. The museum is an excellent place to learn about Thai history, culture, and art.

Benjakitti Park

A large public park in central Bangkok, known for its large central lake and dedicated jogging and cycling tracks. A recently opened extension, the Benjakitti Forest Park, features wetlands, elevated walkways, and thousands of native trees. It serves as a green lung for the city and a popular spot for exercise and relaxation.

Chao Phraya River

The main artery of Bangkok, this historic river flows through the city and has been central to its life for centuries. Taking a river taxi or a dinner cruise is a popular way to see many of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. The river provides a unique perspective of the contrast between old and new Bangkok.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

One of the largest markets in the world, covering over 35 acres with more than 15,000 stalls. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, it sells an incredible variety of goods including clothing, antiques, plants, pets, and street food. It is a must-visit destination for shoppers and a vibrant cultural experience.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Although located outside Bangkok, this is the most famous floating market and a popular day trip destination. The canals are filled with vendors in small boats selling fresh produce, food, and souvenirs. It offers a colorful, albeit tourist-focused, glimpse into a traditional way of life.

Erawan Museum

Located in Samut Prakan on the outskirts of Bangkok, this museum is famous for its gigantic three-headed elephant statue. The interior of the museum is divided into three levels representing the underworld, the human earth, and heaven, according to Hindu cosmology. It houses a collection of priceless antiques and religious artifacts.

Erawan Shrine

A famous Hindu shrine in central Bangkok that houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the god Brahma. Despite its Hindu origins, it is a place of reverence for thousands of Buddhists each day. The shrine is known for its lively atmosphere, with traditional Thai dance performances and constant streams of worshippers.

ICONSIAM

A massive luxury shopping mall on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It features a wide range of high-end retail stores, an indoor floating market called SookSiam, an art gallery, and a beautiful riverside park. The mall is also known for its spectacular daily multimedia water and light show.

Jim Thompson House Museum

The former home of American businessman and silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, who disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. The museum consists of a complex of traditional Thai-style teakwood houses filled with his extensive collection of Southeast Asian art. It offers a glimpse into mid-20th century Thai life and architecture.

Khao San Road

A world-famous short street in central Bangkok that has long been a hub for backpackers and budget travelers. By day it is filled with shops and cafes, while at night it transforms into a vibrant street party with loud music, mobile bars, and food vendors. It offers a lively and energetic atmosphere unique to Bangkok.

King Rama IX Park

The largest public park in Bangkok, created in 1987 to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday. It is a massive botanical garden with themed sections, including a formal garden inspired by Versailles and a lake for boating. The park is a beautiful and peaceful escape from the city.

Lumphini Park

A large public park in the heart of Bangkok, providing a rare open green space in the bustling city. It features an artificial lake where visitors can rent paddleboats, jogging paths, and is home to various flora and fauna, including large monitor lizards. The park is a popular spot for recreation and relaxation for locals and tourists alike.

Maeklong Railway Market

A unique market located on an active train track, a short trip from Bangkok. Vendors sell their produce and goods directly on the rails, and must quickly pack up their stalls whenever a train is scheduled to pass through. This 'unfolding and folding' spectacle has made it a famous and fascinating attraction.

Mahanakhon SkyWalk

Thailand's highest observation deck, located at the top of the King Power Mahanakhon building. It offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the city from an indoor and outdoor viewing area. The main attraction is the Glass Tray, a large glass floor for a thrilling experience of walking high above the city.

Museum of Siam

An interactive museum located in a grand neo-classical building, focusing on the question 'What does it mean to be Thai?'. It takes visitors on a journey through Thai history and culture using modern, engaging exhibits. The museum is designed to be a fun and educational experience for all ages.

Or Tor Kor Market

An upscale fresh market located next to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, renowned for its high-quality produce. It is exceptionally clean and well-organized, offering a vast selection of premium fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meats. The market also has a popular food court serving delicious and authentic Thai dishes.

Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market)

The largest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok. Open 24 hours a day, it is a whirlwind of color and activity, especially before dawn when fresh flowers arrive from all over the country. Visitors can see a vast array of orchids, roses, marigolds, and other tropical flowers.

Phra Sumen Fort

One of only two original forts remaining from the 14 that were built to protect Bangkok's old city in the 18th century. The white octagonal fortress is located in the peaceful Santichaiprakarn Park on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It is a quiet historical landmark amidst the bustle of the Banglamphu area.

Phya Thai Palace

A former royal residence of King Rama V and King Rama VI, this palace complex features beautiful European-style architecture. Located on the grounds of Phramongkutklao Hospital, parts of the palace are open to the public for guided tours. It offers a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Thai monarchy in the early 20th century.

SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

A large aquarium located in the basement of the Siam Paragon shopping mall. It is one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia, featuring hundreds of marine species in various themed exhibits. Highlights include a walk-through underwater tunnel, a shark tank, and a penguin exhibit.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Bangkok's primary Hindu temple, located in the Silom district, often referred to as Wat Khaek. It features a vibrant and intricately detailed gopuram (tower) covered with carved images of various gods and goddesses. The temple is a spiritual center for the city's Tamil Hindu community and a striking piece of architecture.

The Grand Palace

A complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, which has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand, known for its beautiful architecture and intricate detail. It also houses the revered Wat Phra Kaew.

Vimanmek Mansion

Known as the world's largest building made entirely of golden teakwood, this was a former royal palace located in the Dusit Palace complex. The three-story mansion showcases a unique blend of Victorian and traditional Thai architecture. It has been closed for extensive renovations for several years but remains a significant historical landmark.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

A stunning Buddhist temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, famous for its massive central prang (spire) encrusted with colorful porcelain. Visitors can climb the central prang for panoramic views of the river and the city. The temple is especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset.

Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)

One of Bangkok's most beautiful temples, known for its elegant main chapel built with white Carrara marble from Italy. The temple is a magnificent example of modern Thai architectural style with traditional influences. Its courtyard displays 52 Buddha statues in various poses.

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

A temple complex located just south of the Grand Palace, famous for its giant reclining Buddha statue that measures 46 meters long. Wat Pho is also considered the leading school of massage in Thailand, so visitors can receive a traditional Thai massage on the grounds. It is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok.

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

Regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, located within the grounds of the Grand Palace. It enshrines the Emerald Buddha, a potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thailand. The statue is carved from a single block of jade.

Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

A low hill crowned with a gleaming golden chedi, located within the Wat Saket temple grounds. To reach the top, visitors must climb over 300 steps, which are rewarded with panoramic 360-degree views of Bangkok. The temple hosts a large festival annually in November.

Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha)

This temple in Chinatown houses the world's largest solid gold Buddha image, weighing 5.5 tonnes and standing nearly three meters tall. The statue's true composition was discovered by accident in 1955 when it was dropped while being moved. The temple complex also includes a museum detailing the history of the statue.

How Rafeek works in Bangkok

Download Rafeek

Get the app on iOS or Android and pick your destination.

Choose a guide

Browse the landmarks nearby and choose the ones you want.

Press play and walk

Listen as you go, at your own pace, online or offline.

About Bangkok

Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of the Kingdom of Thailand. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estimated population of 9.1 million people as of 2024, 15.9% of the country's population. Over 17.4 million people live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region as of the 2021 estimate, making Bangkok a megacity and an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in both size and importance to the national economy.