Bangkok’s Former Tallest Building
Before rooftop bars became the norm and every new condo tried to outdo the last, Baiyoke Sky Tower was the place to see Bangkok from above. At 304 metres to the roof (and 328 metres if you count the antenna), this 85-storey tower was the tallest building in Thailand when it opened in 1997. It held that title until MahaNakhon came along in 2016, rising just a few metres higher at 314 metres. While it’s no longer the city’s tallest, Baiyoke still stands proud in Pratunam, towering over the endless maze of markets and fashion malls.
What’s the Experience Like?
Your visit starts on the 77th floor, inside a large glassed-in observation room. You can walk around comfortably and take in wide views of the city. There’s a collection of Thai-themed displays and antiques on this level too—it feels a bit random and dated, but some people still find it interesting.
Then you take another lift up to the 84th floor, where the building’s main draw is: a rotating open-air observation deck. The deck slowly turns, giving you a 360-degree view of the entire city, including the Chao Phraya River and, on a clear day, even the Gulf of Thailand in the far distance.
A View That’s Not So Easy to Capture
Note that the open-air deck is surrounded by a metal mesh, which makes it challenging to take a good photo. You can wedge your camera or phone through a few gaps, but the rotation and mesh make clean shots difficult. It can be frustrating, especially if you came for the view and the photo.
The rotating platform itself is quite slow, but the combination of movement and blocked views doesn’t really help the experience, and the metal clanking noise is quite loud too!
Free Drink on the 83rd Floor
The 450 baht entry ticket includes a free drink on the 83rd floor, where there’s a quiet rooftop-style lounge area. It’s indoors, with large windows, and while it’s not a rooftop bar in the modern Bangkok sense, it’s a decent place to sip a cold beer or a basic cocktail after climbing the tower.
Don’t expect craft cocktails or chic vibes—this isn’t Vertigo or Octave—but it does the job, especially if you’ve been battling the crowds in Pratunam all day.
Still Worth Visiting?
That depends on what you’re after. If you’re curious about old Bangkok icons or just want to tick it off your list, Baiyoke Sky still offers one of the city’s highest viewpoints. But compared to what’s available now—like the glass-floored Skywalk at Mahanakhon or the stylish rooftop bars in Sukhumvit—it feels dated and a bit overpriced.
The tower itself is showing its age. The lifts are slow, the decor feels stuck in the late ’90s, and it’s clear that little has been updated in years. For the same price or less, you can now get better drinks, better service, and clearer views elsewhere in Bangkok.
Why We Still Mention It
We usually include Baiyoke Sky Tower because it’s part of Bangkok’s skyline history. It was once the ultimate high-rise experience in Thailand. For older visitors or anyone who remembers Bangkok before the skyscraper boom, there’s a sense of nostalgia here. It’s not the best sky view anymore, but it still has a story.
The Hotel
More Photos of Baiyoke Sky Tower
Baiyoke Sky Tower Info
Location: Pratunam
Address: Baiyoke Tower 2, 222 Ratchaprarop Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
Hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Phone: 02 656 3000
Floor: 84th Floor
Price: 450 Baht
Baiyoke Sky Tower Map
Get the directions on your phone: Click Here
