Get the most out of your walk through Bangkok's Old Town
Living in Bangkok has provided me with a canvas like no other. Vibrant colours, incredible scenes and interesting subjects but, as a newcomer to the city it can be easy to get lost in the maze. After two years of exploring and photographing here are my tips for getting the most out of your time in Bangkok and the best areas to explore for a photographer.
One thing I noticed when I first started exploring Bangkok with my camera was the lack of photowalk guides and blogs online. With Bangkok being the most visited city in the world (in 2025) and it containing a wealth of incredible photographic opportunities, this lack of guidance surprised me.
Area suggestions given online are all worthwhile visits but mostly cover paid tourist attractions, such as The Grand Palace or Wat Arun. As a street photographer, these places are beautiful but they’re less ‘alive’ when it comes to local life and authentic scenes.
Before I share my favourite route I want to preface this with an overarching suggestion. When you are in Bangkok, the best way to find incredible photographic opportunities is by walking. Choose a spot on the map, perhaps a point of interest, and from there start walking. Bangkok is an incredibly safe city which means that adventuring down a side street or a dark alley wont result in you loosing your camera, instead it will result in you taking some of your greatest photographs.
Choosing the right time: Choosing your timings takes some consideration and there are a few factors you should think about. Firstly, the biggest one is the heat. Thailand has a tropical climate and therefore can get very hot after midday. The sun is bright and the UV is high. When this bright sunlight filters through markets, side streets and narrow roads the result is some wonderful light leaks that make for great photographs. It is just important you prepare yourself! Bring water, protection and take time inside AC (for your and your camera’s sake).
The next consideration is what you want to photograph. If you’re looking for daily life then mornings in market areas are best. Tourists tend to emerge around 10am and in some areas the streets are full by midday. If you want hustle and bustle then after 3pm is ideal. In the areas I cover below I will provide suggested times and what you can expect in the area.
The final consideration when it comes to timing is how to get the most out of your day. Often areas that work well for morning photographs are not the best for midday or golden hours.
Below is the link to download my ultimate photowalk guide, this guide provides an overview of the key areas and a suggested route for both and night. Even if you aren’t into photography this guide is a great route to follow to get the most out of your time in Bangkok’s Old Town.
