'Ko' is the Thai word for 'island', but this is no longer really an accurate term for this area. It was so named due to Bangkok's extensive canals in the late 18th century which surrounded the area but nowadays most are filled in and you'd be hard pressed to realize what there used to be while walking or driving around it.

Just to the north of Wat Phra Kaew is the large park known as Sanam Luang. For most of the year it's nothing special and barely worth a visit, though the spires of Wat Phra Kaew certainly provide it with an impressive backdrop. It's a somewhat more colorful place during February to April when it's a popular place for kite flying.

At the southeastern corner of Sanam Luang, and close to the northeastern point of the Wat Phra Kaew compound, is Saan Lak Meuang, the 'city shrine'. This is the official center point of Bangkok, and the point from which distances to and from Bangkok are measured. Thai tradition dictates that every city has a foundation stone, in which lives the city's guardian spirit, responsible for the power and well-being of the city. Although not especially interesting in itself, it is believed to grant peoples wishes and so receives large numbers of worshippers. There's always floral tributes piled up, and the smell of the burning incense fills the air inside. This is especially so in the couple of days leading up to the lottery draw.

Across Sanam Luang and a short way up Na Phra That road is Wat Mahathat, one of Bangkok's most important wats though it's not particularly inspiring to look at. It is famous as a meditation center, as the headquarters for the country's largest Buddhist sect, as a Buddhist university and for it's royal associations (King Mongkut, Rama IV, was a monk here). If you have an interest in Buddhism, weekly English seminars are given here and it's also possible to study here. In the grounds of Wat Mahathat, and more interesting for the average visitor, is the the large amulet market. Best visited on weekends and the occasional Buddhist holy day, when it extends to nearby Phra Chan road. Found here is a fascinating range of food, clothes, amulets, talisman, herbal remedies, Buddha images, and alms bowls and orange robes used by monks. There is also another, much smaller, amulet market near Tha Chang pier.

A little further north on Na Phra That road is the National Museum. Nearby is the National Theater, where genuinely authentic classical Thai dance and music can sometimes be seen, and the National Art Gallery where contemporary and traditional Thai art is on show. Silpakorn Fine Arts University , also near Tha Chang pier is another place for this.

Further north still on Na Phra That road is Thammasat University, Thailand's second most prestigious after Chulalongkorn University (near Siam Square). It's notable for the radical reputation of it's students, and was founded in 1932 by Pridi Panomyang who orchestrated the bloodless coup which overthrew Thailand's absolute monarchy the same year. In another infamous incident, hundreds were killed or wounded here by a Thai military crackdown in 1976. Visitors are free to tour the grounds of the university.

The market is open 24 hours a day with varying offerings, from 9-20 (in reality more like 11-18) the retail shops are open, later on the evening outdoor stalls mainly geared for tourists come to populate the street sides. It's located at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi roads in the district Ratchathewi. This is maybe the cheapest market for buying clothes, fabrics and textiles in central Bangkok, while the Chatuchak weekend market probably is the low price leader. Other merchandise include watches, handicraft and others.

You can reach this market by BTS Ratchathewi station from there, exit down the right-hand stairs, take a right at the next main intersection and walk down Phetchaburi until you see Platinum department store, the market is directly across the street from Platinum Fashion Mall. Or exit at BTS Chidlom (Chitlom) station, turn north (right) at the Gaysorn Plaza corner and walk past Big C and Central World to next intersection.

Pratunam market covers the whole area around and behind Amari Watergate and Indra Regent hotels with the rainbow colored Baiyoke I hotel and the towering Baiyoke Tower II hotels inside it. If you're a tourist do not hesitate to enter the small alleyways and jampacked small streets, the area is very safe unless you do something stupid like keep your wallet in your back pocket. If the area looks unappealing you might consider doing your clothes shopping at nearby Platinum Fashion Mall.

The Chinatown is an old business centre covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Road. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops and vendors selling all types of goods. It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese community since they moved from their old site some 200 years ago. Nearby Phahurat or Indian market. Yaowarat Road is also famous for many varieties of delicious foods, and become foods street in the night.

Chinatown is located in one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. It was set up by Chinese traders who came in junks to trade with Thailand (Siam) during the Rattanakosin period, about 1700s. By the end of 1891, King Rama V had demanded many roads be built, and Yaowarat Road is one of them. Chinatown does not consist of only Yaowarat Road, but also includes others such as: Charoen Krung Road, Mungkorn Road, Songwat Road, Songsawat Road, Chakkrawat Road, etc. Yaowarat is the center of the area. The path of the road is said to be like the dragon's curvy body, making it an auspicious location for business. Visitors can find leading gold shops, garments, textiles, stationery, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instruments, and local delicacies at a bargain, often at wholesale prices. Year 2003 marked the 111th anniversary of this legendary road.

Land prices around Yaowarat Road have traditionally been the highest in all Thailand, but have become the second most expensive in Bangkok to Siam Square (Siam).

The word Kaosan in Thai means rice, this use to be a place where rice are sold (uncooked) that's where the name came from. Now it is the gate way for economy class tourist where cheap accommodations and active night life is offered.

The night life in Kaosan is very lively from cheap street side restaurants to large establishments. The ambiance is quite unique a mixture of foreign tourist and young locals in a present day street side Bangkok setting with international music.

Many services are offered here from hair beads services to 10 baht Padthai (Thai stir fried noodles).
It is a nice place for people watching. It is a gathering place of people from all over the world. People from each country with different culture and background are unique. If you are an observer you will see a behavior pattern which will identify the origin of people from each country. Just sit have a beer and relax enjoy watching the world go by.

The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial river plain marking the mainland of the country.

According to many European old maps, the river is named as Menam or Mae Nam, the Thai word for river (Me or Mae is "Mother", Nam is "Water"). The name Chao Phraya is a Thai feudal title, which can be translated as General or Lord. In the English-language media in Thailand the name is often translated as River of Kings.

The Chao Phraya begins at the confluence of the Ping and Nan river at Nakhon Sawan (also called Pak Nam Pho) in the Nakhon Sawan province. It then flows from north to south for 372 km from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. In Chainat, the river splits into the main river course and the Tha Chin river, which then flows parallel to the main river and exits to Gulf of Thailand the about 35 km west of Bangkok in Samut Sakhon. In the low alluvial plain which begins below the Chainat dam, many small canals (khlong) split off from the main river. The khlong are used for the irrigation of the region's rice paddies.

Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok is the largest market in Thailand, and largest of the world. Frequently called J.J., it covers over 35 acres (1.13 km²) and contains upwards of 15,000 stalls. It is estimated that the market receives between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors each day. Most stalls only open on Saturdays and Sundays.

The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals.

Chatuchak market is adjacent to the Kamphaengphet station (MRT) of the Bangkok Metro, or about a 5-minute walk from the Mo Chit Skytrain (BTS) station and Suan Chatuchak(Chatuchak Park) station(MRT).