Bangkok is famous for its rooftops, which overlook its unique skyline. Skyscrapers, neon signs and both vernacular and contemporary architecture mix together to offer an amazing panorama to the avid photographer. With such a wide range of rooftops spread around the capital, how can one know which are the best?

This list divides strategically each neighborhood in Central Bangkok and finds the best rooftops in that specific area. Other options with similar views are also recommended on each point.

Bangkok has one of the most iconic and diverse skylines in the world, continue reading and find the best spots to photograph it. Also check this other post about photography in Thailand.

My favorite #5, yours?

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Check 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Tokyo

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1. The Sala Rattanakosin Boutique Hotel
Location: Wang Doem Road (Google)
Best Views: Wat Arun Temple and Chao Praya river
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB290
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (7-10.30/11-16.30/17.30-22)
Description: Designed in 2014 by Onion, this modern hotel is located in a very traditional area. After you finish your visit at Wat Pho Temple, grab a drink at its amazing rooftop, if possible at sunset. Watch how the amazing Wat Arun temple by the Chao Praya river gets lit up while you enjoy a refreshing drink.

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2. River View Guest House Rooftop
Location: 768 Soi Phanurangsi (Google)
Best Views: Chinatown, Chao Phraya River
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB80
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (7-10.30/11-16.30/17.30-22)
Description: Almost all of the rooftop bars are usually quite expensive. In Chinatown there it is one that is relatively inexpensive and it has views that have little to envy the poshest: This is the River Vibe Restaurant and Bar, the bar in the terrace of the River View Guest House. Enjoy a cold drink overviewing the river and Chinatown lit up.

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3. The Millenium Hilton Bangkok Rooftop
Location: 123 Charoennakorn Road (Google)
Best Views: old Bangrak Fire Station and other Sino Portuguese buildings such as the Embassy of Portugal, the Assumption Cathedral of Bangkok, First Siam Commercial Bank and the Mandarin Oriental and Sheraton hotels built along the river
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB300
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (7-00)
Description: 360 bar at Millennium Hilton is possibly one of the best rooftop bars in Bangkok but surprisingly one of the least talked about. There are two rooftops in the hotel: the beach (4th floor pool with garden and river views) and the 360 Bar (32nd floor). Surprisingly the 360 panoramic bar is often quite empty which makes it even more amazing. Both of them offer great views from an unusual point of view.

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4. Sky Bar Rooftop at Lebua
Location: The Dome at Lebua, Silom Road (Google)
Best Views: The River, Wat Yannawa and the Robot Building
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB300
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (18-1)
Description: 63 floors up and overlooking the river, it has become a must-do for any photographer. It may not be the most relaxed experience as a lot of people will come here on a clear day, but the vista is one you won’t forget in a hurry. Sky Bar has received worldwide recognition and numerous awards, with no surprise, since this is one of the best rooftops in the world. For similar and a little less expensive views in this area, check Sathorn Hotel Rooftop.

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5. Hotel Banyan Tree Rooftop
Location: Sathorn road (Google)
Best Views: MahaNakhon by OMA
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB300
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (18-1)
Description: Reaching for the clouds at Vertigo and Moon Bar on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel is one of the best ways to end a perfect day in Bangkok. The prices at the bar are a bit high, you are in a five-star city hotel after all but everybody seems to agree it’s worth it, especially if you love architecture. This is the best place to capture OMA’s recently built MahaNakhon building, the tallest structure in Bangkok.

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6. Sofitel So on Sathorn Rooftop
Location: 29th floor, 2 North Sathorn Road (Google)
Best Views: Lumpini Park
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB300
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (18-00.30)
Description: Banyan Hotel and the Sofitel are very close to each other. However, views from each of the rooftops are slightly different. Just below the Sofitel hotel is the green immensity of Lumpini Park and beyond the striking glass-and-metal skyline of Siam and Silom; tall towers with their ever-changing colours and lights. For similar views of nature and urban skyline, visit Benjakiti Park.

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7. Fraser Suites Sukhumvit Rooftop
Location: Sukhumvit Soi 11 (Google)
Best Views: Siam
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB300
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (18-2)
Description: Above Eleven is a rooftop bar & restaurant on the 33 rd floor of the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit. From here you get a 180-degree panorama of Bangkok’s most popular neighborhood: Siam. This is one of the best spots to photograph the famous row of Bangkok’s shopping malls, the new towers and the existing vernacular architecture. For similar views visit L’Appart at Sofitel Sukhumvit Hotel.

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8. Baiyoke Tower II
Location: 83rd floor, 222 Ratchaprarop Road Ratchathewi (Google)
Best Views: 360º Central Bangkok
Admission: General admission THB300 (includes access to the revolving observation deck and one free drink)
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (10-22.30)
Description: Bayoke is currently the tallest building in Thailand, at 309 metres. Although there’s a public observatory on the 77th floor, the rooftop bar is located at the 83rd one and it’s probably one of my favorite spot in Bangkok. Up top, the cool breeze, the exciting atmosphere, the open space and the feeling that you are on top of one of Thailand’s tallest buildings make it a one of a kind experience in Bangkok.

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9. Octave Rooftop Bar
Location: Marriott 57 Hotel, 2 Sukhumvit Road Soi 57 (Google)
Best Views: 360º East Bangkok
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB320
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (17-2)
Description: Although the location is conveniently close to the metro, it is slightly off the main tourist trail meaning not many tourists around (oh yeah!). No rooftop bar in the city has a 360 degree view of Bangkok that offers a three level venue for a party. For other Eastern views of Bangkok, don’t miss Cielo Rooftop Skybar.

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10. Blue Sky Bar
Location: 24/F, Sofitel Centara Grand (Google)
Best Views: 360º North Bangkok, Elephant Building, Chatuchak Park
Admission: Free admission, drinks around THB300
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (18-2)
Description: Blue Sky is a stylish and intimate rooftop bar and restaurant. This unique view is one of the major selling points of Blue Sky, but so too are the full-bodied and fruity cocktails and gourmet menu. Don’t forget to photograph the Elephant Building by Sumet Jumsai Na Ayudhaya and the famous Chatuchak Park.

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Check these and other amazing spots of Bangkok on the map below or download the free architecture guide of Bangkok: