Description: Located in Ratchathewi, near the Central World Plaza, the Baiyoke Tower II is
Thailand’s tallest building, reaching slightly above 300m (there are various versions; with its antenna it reaches almost 330m). The building can be seen from far away, making it one of the better landmarks in
Bangkok. For the vigorous visitor, it is possible to climb all the 2060 steps from the bottom to the top.
The building main attractions are an observation floor (77th), the "Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge" on the 83rd floor, and a 360-degree revolving open deck at the 84th; both can be accessed between 10 AM and
10 PM, the entrance fee is 200B.
All these are part of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in
Southeast Asia and the third-tallest all-hotel structure in the world, with almost seven-hundred guest rooms. Inaugurated in 1998, this is a four stars hotel, with rooms of high quality divided in seven categories, from Superior to Presidential Suite. It is recommended to take a look at the various options before checking in.
The unusual features of the hotel brought the lobby up to the 18th floor, where it shares the space with a business center, a souvenirs store, a tour service desk (including a limo service) and currency exchange facility. Slightly higher, on the 20th floor are a swimming pool with a bar, a beauty salon and a health and fitness club that includes a sauna and various massage types.
All the rooms include all the facilities expected from such a hotel, including tea and coffee making facilities; wireless internet is accessible in public and private areas. The hotel includes various convention, seminar and banquet rooms, with options for these going up to the 75th floor.
AccessEvery vehicle reaching the
Central World Plaza is perfect for getting to Baiyoke. See details in my
Roaming Bangkok journal.
Gathering Strength for a Tough ClimbingThe Sky Coffee Shop is on 18th floor; open 24 hours, it offers casual meals; next to it is the Sky Lounge Lobby Bar, open between 10 AM to 11 PM. However, the better options are higher. The Sky Restaurant on the 76th and 78th floors serves a buffet breakfast from 5:30 AM until 10 AM, lunch from 11 AM to 2 PM and dinner from 5:30 PM to 10 PM. If eating there, it the access fee to the Observation Deck and Sky Walk is waived.
Even higher is the Stella Palace, a Chinese Restaurant on the 79th floor, open between 6 to 11 PM, it offers also buffet options; on weekends it is open also for lunch. The Crystal Grill is on the 82nd floor and offers sumptuous sights of Bangkok through a window wall, if eating here the access to the Observation Deck and Sky Walk is free; it opens daily from 5 PM to midnight.
Atop it is the Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge on the 83rd floor and the Revolving Roof Deck on the 84th, on clear days the Gulf of Thailand is visible from there. The place features maps, multimedia kiosks and coin-activated telescopes.
NearbyThe area is next to the main shopping district of Bangkok. The Central World Plaza Bangkok, Gaysorn Plaza Bangkok, Sogo Department Store, Siam Square and Siam Paragon are only within walking distance from the hotel.
However, next to the building is one of the most attractive traditional markets in the city. Pratunam Market is exceptional; not only for being the largest clothing one in
Bangkok but also since few traditional markets have managed to survive at the very center of vibrant metropolises. Surrounded by modern shopping malls and supermarkets, Pratunam retains the looks of a traditional Thai market; moreover, no other place in Bangkok compares in variety and prices.
The narrow and dark alleys - almost collapsing under the unforgiving pressure of the shops - are covered by improvised roofs, which provide protection from the weather and the noisy streets. The market is surrounded by many street stalls - some of them ambulant - selling similar merchandise; actually T-shirts are slightly cheaper just outside the market. The Baiyoke Tower low floors are also occupied by clothing shops, as are all the locals in the small streets surrounding the market.
The market offers a big variety of basic clothing for men and women, mainly of cotton and silk. Related items are also available, like typical triangle and elephant pillows, backpacks, luggage, belts and others. Everything can be purchased by the unit; however, the market functions mainly as a local wholesale outlet.
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