Bangkok is in National Geographic’s 2025 Best of the World List

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that Bangkok has been featured in National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025 list.

Statement

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “We are honoured that Bangkok has been included in National Geographic’s much-anticipated annual list of awe-inspiring destinations. Bangkok’s inclusion reflects its vibrant atmosphere, world-renowned street food, majestic temples, and bustling markets – all elements that make it a unique city for visitors seeking both adventure and relaxation.”

This accolade joins numerous awards Thailand has received over the years. According to National Geographic, following a rigorous nomination, research, and reporting process, Bangkok was selected as one of the Best of the World 2025 by National Geographic’s team of travel experts and Nat Geo Traveller’s international editorial teams, which serve millions of readers through their magazines and websites globally. In its official announcement, titled “The 25 Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2025,” which went public on October 22, 2024, National Geographic highlighted Bangkok as a must-visit destination to “Explore a temple reborn.”

The feature praised Bangkok as “an intoxicating blend of old and new,” where glittering skyscrapers intermingle with luxury shopping malls like Siam Center and upscale hotels such as Innside by Meliá Sukhumvit. The city is also lauded for its growing status as an art and design hotspot, with cultural events like the Bangkok Art Biennale and the Bangkok International Film Festival, particularly in the up-and-coming Bang Rak neighbourhood.

National Geographic also emphasized Bangkok’s significance as a gateway to Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, drawing attention to Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a 17th-century Buddhist temple just outside the city. Located in Ayutthaya and described as one of Thailand’s most important monuments, the temple has been undergoing extensive restoration after suffering damage from flooding in 2011. Recent efforts, including 3D laser scanning and the construction of a flood wall, are aimed at preserving the temple and transforming it into an educational site that highlights Thailand’s cultural heritage.