The SkyWalk in Bangkok, officially known as “King Power Mahanakhon,” is the tallest building in Thailand and one of the highest in all of Asia. However, what truly delights and literally knocks you off your feet is the glass observation deck located on the… 78th floor. You can actually walk on it, having the entire city (again, literally) right under your feet. Seriously, staring down at the Thai capital from 314 meters makes a huge impression. Anyway, see for yourselves.
If you are planning to explore the city, start with our guide to Bangkok with kids and if capital of Thailand is just your first step, definatelly you want to see our whole trip to Thailad with kids.
It is amazing that in the metropolis of 10 million people that is Bangkok, you can experience basically everything: 24-hour street food stalls and massages, the silence and focus of Buddhist temples, traffic jams stretching for kilometers, peaceful green oases in the city center, or the largest buildings in all of Thailand. And today, we are taking you to one of these skyscrapers – Thailand’s tallest building, the 314-meter King Power Mahanakhon. At its summit lies one of Bangkok’s biggest and most spectacular attractions – the SkyWalk, a walk on a glass tray on the 78th floor.
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Unique Architecture of Mahanakhon – An Unfinished Game of Jenga
The SkyWalk, or King Power Mahanakhon, stands out not only because of its height but also because of its original architecture. It looks like a crumbling tower made of LEGO bricks, an unfinished game of Jenga, or a huge piece of contemporary art. The building was designed by the German architect Ole Scheeren, known for his unconventional approach to design. Scheeren has actually received many awards for this innovative project.
[Photoss above: Instagram of Buro Ole Scheeren architectural studio]
Thailand’s Tallest Building – A Panorama of Bangkok from the Glass Tray That Takes Your Breath Away
But let’s get to the attraction itself – the glass terrace, which you reach via two elevators. The first one, enclosed, travels really super fast. You reach the 74th floor in just less than a minute (seriously, it’s fast!). Then, you have to walk along glass walls to another elevator, which is also glass-walled. This one travels at a normal speed to the open space on the building’s roof.
And that’s where the whole spectacle begins: delight, fear, dizziness, and amazing views all around. After all, we are on the 78th floor! But the best is yet to come: the glass tray – a transparent sheet of glass with the panorama of Bangkok stretching out beneath it!
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Is There Anything to Be Afraid Of On King Power Mahanakhon Glass Roof?
The glass observation deck is a designated space on the roof guarded by several staff members. They ensure that everyone (except small children) wears special fabric covers on their shoes so the glass doesn’t get scratched. You are also not allowed to take photos or record videos while standing on the glass tray. Documenting the delight (and terror – seriously, it takes courage to take that first step) must be done from behind the barrier.
Standing on glass at 314 meters is a bizarre feeling. On one hand, we know it’s a solid construction and there’s little chance the sheet will crack, but on the other hand, primal instincts kick in, telling you not to do it. Many people crawl onto it on all fours or with their eyes closed – that’s how strong the feeling of fear and amazement is that nothing is cracking beneath you.
However, it is worth overcoming this feeling and stepping out. An unforgettable experience! Especially for kids – ours lay there for a good several minutes, watching everything from above.
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How to Get to the SkyWalk in Bangkok?
Getting to the King Power Mahanakhon building is relatively easy – it is located in the central part of Bangkok. You can get there in several ways:
- Public Transport: The most convenient way to travel around Bangkok is using public transport, such as the subway (MRT) or Skytrain (BTS). The closest stop to the SkyWalk is “Chong Nonsi” on the BTS line.
- Taxi, Tuk-tuk, or Grab: Every taxi or tuk-tuk driver in the city knows this building. Just say “SkyWalk” or “Mahanakhon,” and they will know immediately where you want to go. If you catch a taxi or tuk-tuk on the street, be sure to agree on the price first.
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How Much Does Entry to the SkyWalk Cost?
As you might guess, one of Bangkok’s biggest attractions is not the cheapest. After all, it is very popular. For our family of five, we paid 2,930 THB – 250 THB per child and 1,080 THB per adult. If we had arrived before 3:30 PM, we would have paid 200 THB less per adult. After 3:30 PM, the “sunset rate” begins – as you know, a panorama with a sunset is always much more spectacular than a regular one with the sun just hanging in the sky :).
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SkyWalk Bangkok – Opening Hours
The SkyWalk observation deck is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. However, our Thai experience suggests always checking before visiting a place to see if anything has changed for that specific day. In Thailand, various Buddhist holidays and ceremonies often take place, and schedules can change.
More info: King Power Mahanakhon website
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