What is Baiyoke Tower and is it worth visiting?

Baiyoke Tower II is an 84-storey hotel in Pratunam, long one of Bangkok's tallest buildings, with a revolving observation deck on the 84th floor and an open viewpoint on the 77th. It is the city's classic, lower-cost view tower — tickets are cheaper than the newer Mahanakhon SkyWalk, often bundled with a drink or a sky buffet. It is older and more retro, but the revolving deck and central Pratunam location make it a fun, affordable panorama.

Baiyoke Tower Bangkok 2026 — observation deck & buffet

Baiyoke Tower is Bangkok’s original sky-high view — an 84-storey hotel rising over the Pratunam garment district, crowned by a revolving observation deck that slowly turns to give a full 360° panorama without you taking a step. For years it was the tallest building in Thailand, and while newer towers have overtaken it, it remains the city’s classic, affordable viewpoint, often bundled with a sky buffet. This guide covers the decks, the buffet, the prices, and how it compares to the newer Mahanakhon SkyWalk.

Baiyoke Tower II opened in 1997 and is around 300 metres tall, a landmark on the Bangkok skyline visible from much of the city. It is a working hotel — the Baiyoke Sky Hotel — with the observation experience and buffet on its upper floors, which gives it a slightly retro, group-tour atmosphere compared with the sleek newer attractions.

The observation decks

There are two viewing levels. The 77th floor has an indoor observation area with windows, and the 84th floor holds the signature revolving outdoor deck — a platform that rotates slowly so the whole city drifts past you in a full circle while you stand still. A high-speed lift carries you up.

The view stretches across Pratunam, the central business districts, the river and the endless sprawl to the horizon — extensive, if from a slightly lower and older vantage than the newest towers. For the full menu of high views, see the Bangkok with a view guide.

The sky buffet

Baiyoke’s other draw is its sky buffet — a large all-you-can-eat international and Thai spread on the upper floors, usually sold as a combined package with the observation deck. It is about the experience and the altitude rather than gourmet dining: a sprawling buffet popular with families and tour groups. Lunch and dinner sittings are available, and the dinner sitting pairs naturally with the evening view. Book ahead at peak times.

Tickets and packages

Tickets are relatively affordable — typically a few hundred baht for the observation deck, often including a welcome drink, and noticeably cheaper than the Mahanakhon SkyWalk. Combined deck-and-buffet packages are the popular choice for a longer visit. This affordability is Baiyoke’s main appeal: a genuine high-rise panorama for a fraction of the premium decks.

Baiyoke vs Mahanakhon — which to choose

The honest comparison:

Baiyoke Tower — older, cheaper, retro charm, a revolving deck and a buffet option, in Pratunam. Best for value and the novelty of the rotating platform.
Mahanakhon SkyWalk — newer, higher deck, sleeker, the famous glass floor, in Silom — but costs more. Best for the premium, photogenic experience.

If budget and a fun revolving deck matter most, choose Baiyoke. If you want the highest, most modern experience with the glass-floor thrill, choose the Mahanakhon SkyWalk. Both feature in the iconic landmarks of Bangkok guide.

And as ever, the cheapest views of all are a rooftop bar (see the rooftop restaurants guide) or the 50 THB Golden Mount — worth remembering if a paid tower is not essential to you.

Getting there and combining with Pratunam

Location: Pratunam district, atop the Baiyoke Sky Hotel Nearest transit: Ratchathewi or Chit Lom BTS (both a walk or short taxi), or the Saen Saep canal boat to Pratunam pier Often simplest: a taxi or Grab straight to the hotel, given local traffic

Pratunam is Bangkok’s wholesale garment and shopping heartland, so Baiyoke pairs perfectly with bargain clothes shopping. See the Pratunam destination guide, the Pratunam Platinum market guide, and the Bangkok shopping guide.

Best time and how long to spend

Visit at sunset and early evening to watch the city turn from daylight to a sea of lights from the revolving deck. Clear cool-season days (November-February) give the best visibility; the rainy season can be hazy. Allow about an hour for the decks alone, or two to three hours if you include the buffet — easily combined with Pratunam market shopping.

Frequently asked questions about Baiyoke Tower guide: Bangkok's revolving sky deck

How much are Baiyoke Tower tickets?

Observation-deck tickets are relatively affordable — typically a few hundred baht, often including a welcome drink, and noticeably cheaper than the Mahanakhon SkyWalk. There are also packages combining the deck with the hotel's sky buffet (an all-you-can-eat international and Thai spread on the upper floors), which is popular with families and groups. Prices vary by package and time.

What floors are the Baiyoke observation decks on?

There is an indoor observation area on the 77th floor and the famous revolving outdoor deck on the 84th floor, which slowly rotates to give a full 360° view without you having to move. A high-speed lift takes you up. The building is around 300 metres tall, so the views over Pratunam and central Bangkok are extensive.

Is there a buffet at Baiyoke Tower?

Yes. Baiyoke Sky Hotel runs a large international and Thai buffet on its upper floors, often sold as a combined package with the observation deck. The buffet is more about the experience and the height than fine dining — it is a sprawling all-you-can-eat spread popular with tour groups and families. Lunch and dinner sittings are available; book ahead at peak times.

How does Baiyoke Tower compare to the Mahanakhon SkyWalk?

Baiyoke is older, cheaper and more retro, with a revolving deck and a buffet option in Pratunam. The Mahanakhon SkyWalk is newer, higher in deck terms, sleeker, and has the famous glass floor, in Silom — but costs more. For value and the novelty of a revolving deck, choose Baiyoke; for the premium, photogenic experience and glass floor, choose Mahanakhon.

How do you get to Baiyoke Tower?

Baiyoke Tower is in the Pratunam district, a busy garment-market and shopping area. There is no station directly at the door; the nearest options are Ratchathewi or Chit Lom BTS, both a walk or short taxi away, or the Saen Saep canal boat to Pratunam pier. A taxi or Grab straight to Baiyoke Sky Hotel is often the simplest, given the local traffic.

What is the best time to visit Baiyoke Tower?

Sunset and early evening, when you can watch the city shift from daylight to a sea of lights from the revolving deck. As with all Bangkok viewpoints, clear days in the cool season (November-February) give the best visibility; the rainy season can be hazy. If you combine it with the buffet, the dinner sitting pairs naturally with the evening view.

Is Baiyoke Tower still the tallest building in Bangkok?

No longer. When it opened in 1997 Baiyoke Tower II was the tallest building in Thailand and held that title for years, but it has since been overtaken by newer skyscrapers including King Power Mahanakhon and others. It remains one of the tallest hotels in Southeast Asia and a recognisable part of the skyline, but no longer the outright tallest.

How long do you need at Baiyoke Tower?

About an hour for the observation decks, or two to three hours if you include the sky buffet. The revolving deck does not take long to enjoy a full rotation, but the buffet turns the visit into a longer meal-with-a-view experience. It is easy to combine with shopping in the surrounding Pratunam garment markets.