Undoubtedly, the Baiyoke Sky Tower in Pratunam is the best place to see Bangkok in all its glory. It is pronounced “by-yolk”, not “by-ok”, and is also known as Baiyoke Tower II. It’s the tallest building. The tower spans 80 floors and houses a public observatory, several restaurants and bars, a shopping complex, a 360-degree rotating sky platform, and a hotel with more than 600 rooms. The Open Cage Sky Deck on the 84th floor gives you a bird’s-eye view of Bangkok’s skyline. Just a few feet below, a more enclosed observation deck rotates 360 degrees so you can see Bangkok without taking a step.
Families and individual travellers alike will enjoy this experience of discovering Bangkok from more than 300 meters above sea level. With every possible amenity under one roof, what better place to enjoy an unforgettable Bangkok sunset?
Baiyoke Sky Tower Observation Deck
Baiyoke Tower’s most famous attraction is its incredible view of Bangkok city. The 77th floor offers stunning views of the bustling city, while the 84th floor houses the top terrace and may only be, for some, tea. It has an open-air environment consisting only of security cages and visors. If you look down too far, you may feel like you’re falling! Meanwhile, the observation deck has large windows and excellent air conditioning.
There are multimedia guides to guide you through the views in front of you and maps along the walls. It is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. Views vary depending on the time of day of the visit. The Sky Platform is most popular at sunset and night when you can see the twinkling lights of Bangkok city and car headlights stretching as far as the eye can see. During the day, you can see all the city’s sights, including the Chao Phraya River.
Best of all, this aerial platform rotates 360 degrees for five minutes, so you can see all parts of the city without moving. Your ticket even includes a free drink to enjoy at Baiyoke Hotel Bar.
Shopping at Baiyoke Tower II
In addition to the incredible views and luxurious hotel rooms, the Baiyoke Sky Tower has six levels of shops. Intended as a wholesale and bulk shopping experience similar to the Pratunam area around the tower, shopping here offers affordable clothing and bulk discounts. It may not boast big brands, but for the avid bargain shopper, this place is a gold mine – air-conditioned! Imitation sporting goods, tie-dye jerseys and band logos. On the fourth floor, you will find bags, hats, belts and more accessories.
There is even a tiny section dedicated to buying fruit, where you can find quality products at reasonable prices. No wonder there is a fruit buffet in the building! The tower also has a museum on one of the floors dedicated to the history of Bangkok, Baiyoke Tower and the royal family. In the museum’s gift shop, you can buy trinkets such as keychains, magnets, playing cards and more. They also sell postcards, which you can post here in Thailand’s tallest mailbox.
History & Architecture:
The Baiyoke II Tower has 88 floors and an unofficial height of 1014 feet. Construction began in 1990 and was completed in 1997. The Baiyoke Sky Hotel inside the tower opened in January of the following year. The building, with its lightweight construction and steel reinforcements, is said to feature one of the country’s most sophisticated uses of concrete. It cost about THB 3.4 billion to build and was the tallest hotel in the world at its completion, but it was never included in the Guinness Book of World Records. However, it is still the tallest building in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
