Bangkok Skywalk: Maha Nakhon Thailands Tallest Building
TheKing Power MahanakhonTower is(arguably) the tallest building in Thailand. It's officially the tallest observation deck in Thailand. Standing 314 meters tall with 78 floors and an open rooftop, there are incredible views of the city of Bangkok from here.
Book tickets for the Bangkok Skywalk online and save 5%
The rooftop is a popular attraction which is open to the public. We thought it would be a cool spot to catch a sunset from. I had visions of sitting on the rooftop while sipping a beer and watching the sunset over the city.
Those visions were quickly shattered by the sheer amount of people here. It was absolute carnage at the top of the tower. A photo-taking free-for-all. Selfie sticks are being swung at you from all directions. There is zero personal space. Just moving through the crowds was difficult enough, let alone having the chance to buy a beer and sit down.
The views were nice, yes. But after a short 20 minutes at the Maha Nakon, we couldn't leave quickly enough.
Tips For Visiting The Maha Nakhon SkyWalk
- Save money by booking online. Basic tickets cost 890 Thai Baht and can be brought at the SkyWalk, on the ground floor. If you like to plan ahead you can save money by booking tickets for the Maha Nakok SkyWalk on Klook.com, the price on Klook is 50 Baht cheaper than going direct. Plus you'll be guaranteed admission, and the online tickets include a free drink.
- The Bangkok Sywalk (Maha Nakhon) gets extremely crowded at sunset. Prepare for the worst, lower your expectations and try to visit earlier in the day if you want a place to sit.
- The last admission is at 7.00 PM
- It's not possible to visit at sunrise, unfortunately, the SkyWalk opens at 10.00 am
- There is no dress code at the Maha Nakon.
- Alcohol sold at the SkyWalk is nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be. Prices are reasonable. if you can get to the bar. Canned beers are sold for 100 Baht, cocktails are around 200 Baht.
- The rooftop (78th floor) is closed when the weather is poor, you can go to the 74th floor and experience the view indoors and the tower will stamp tickets for free re-admission on an alternative date.
- You cannot take any food or drinks to the top of your tower, not even water. Your bag will be x-rayed to check.
What is The King Power Maha Nakhon Bangkok
The Mahanakon is Thailand's tallest building. Sometimes called the 'Pixel Building' or the 'Tetris Building', construction finished in 2016, and the building was sold to King Power two years later, in 2018. King Power also own Liecter City Football Club and a number of duty-free retail stores in Thailand.
The Maha Nakon has become a bit of a tourist attraction, the lower floors are occupied with office units. Residential condominiums occupy the mid and upper floors. But at the top of the tower from the 74th to the 78th floor tourists are able to enter without an invitation, to admire the city view from the tallest point around.
Is There a Dress Code at The Bangkok SkyWalk
No- anything goes at the Maha Nakon SkyWalk there is no dress code in place. Trainers and flip-flops are acceptable. You'll encounter some people dressed to impress and others wearing casual clothes.
Where to Book Tickets For the Maha Nakhon Bangkok SkyWalk
You can buy tickets in person on the ground floor at the SkyWalk. We brought our tickets in person as it was a last-minute decision to visit. But if you are more organised, then it is beneficial to reserve tickets in advance, and it's cheaper too.
Buying Tickets Online
- Tickets are cheaper to book online with Klook by around 50 Baht ✔
- Tickets booked online with Klook include a free soft drink on the rooftop ✔
- Skip the ques when you arrive at the Maha Nakhon SkyWalk ✔
- You are guaranteed admission for your chosen date ✔
- You are committed to a single date when you book online
Buying Tickets in Person
- Tickets brought in person are a little more expensive by around 50 Baht
- No freebies are included with in-person tickets
- There is often a long queue to buy tickets (especially before sunset
- It is possible that the SkyWalk might not have availability
- You have more flexibility if you decided to change your plans ✔
The 78th Floor (Rooftop) at The Maha Nakon Building
The 78th floor is actually the open rooftop of the building, the Maha Nakon has a totally flat roof with views from every angle, (if you can see past the hoards of other tourists). The 78th floor is 310 meters tall and there is an island situated in the middle- at the top of the island('SkyBeach') you'll be 314 meters above the streets below.
It's a pretty surreal feeling at the top and gives a unique perspective to Bangkok. You can see the BTS train lines, the Chao Phraya River and a ton of other landmarks like Icon Siam.
The Skywalk (Glass Tray) at The Mahakanon Tower
The Mahanakon Tower get its name as the Bangkok Skywalk because it has a special feature known as the 'Glass Tray'.
At the highest point of the tower, on the 78th floor, you'll discover the skywalk, also known as the Glass Tray. This attraction offers you the chance to experience the sensation of walking in the sky! The balcony extends out from the rooftop, above the city of Bangkok and is entirely made of glass.
Special shoes are provided to prevent any damage to the glass and you can walk out onto the glass platform to see down 310 meters to the streets of Bangkok below! And likewise, if you are at the bottom of the tower, look up and you'll see the outline of people 'walking' in the sky!
We didn't get to go on the glass during our visit here, partially because it looked ******* terrifying. But also because the queue was snaking around the entire rooftop and back into the stairwell.
Photos At the Maha Nakon SkyWalk
You can take photos at the top of the Maha Nakon.You cannot take your phone or camera onto the glass platform.This is due to the fear that if you drop a camera or phone it could crack the glass.
Friends and family can take pictures of you on the skywalk from the rooftop, just not from the glass. So no selfies here!
But if you're travelling as a couple and want to take a photo together there is no other choice than paying for and using the photography service offered by the Maha Nakon staff. It's cheaper to buy 'Package D' (Memories Package) before you scale to the rooftop -it costs about 100 Baht more, and includes a framed photo taken professionally on the glass SkyWalk.
Are There a Lot of People at The Mahakanon Skywalk
I could not believe how many people were at the top of the Maha Nakon Tower.I know what Thailand is like and I know tourist attractions get super busy here. But this place was next level like it was rush hour in a packed station.
I did not expect to be alone at the Maha Nakon Skywalk, however, I did expect I would be able to sit down and perhaps have a little personal space. Boy was I wrong!
The entire perimeter of the rooftop was packed with tourists it was impossible to see over the edge or take a photo of the horizon. The queue for the Glass Tray was over an hour long and there was zero chance of sitting anywhere.
Is the Maha Nakhon Skywalk Worth Visiting
Sunset is the most popular time to visit the Maha Nakhon Sky Walk for obvious reasons, but in my opinion, the amount of people that ascend the tower at sunset time makes it undesirable, and a place to avoid. I know for sure I won't be going back. If you were to visit earlier on in the day perhaps around lunchtime, then it might be worth a visit, for the skywalk and the views- without the sunset.
How Much Does The Maha Nakhon SkyWalk Cost
The cost of the basic ticket is 890 Thai Baht when purchased in person, or 830 Baht when bought online. This ticket includes admission to both the rooftop and the SkyWalk. There are no readmissions. Tickets can only be used for one entry and expire when you leave the rooftop.
Book Tickets Here: Book Maha Nakhon Skywalk tickets online and save 5%
In addition to the basic ticket, there are four other packages available which include extras such as photographs, drinks, and food.
Here are the exact costs to visit the Maha Nakhon SkyWalk in Bangkok
*Tickets for children and seniors cost 250 Thai Baht
Getting To The Rooftop at The Maha Nakhon SkyWalk
Once you have arrived at the Maha Nakon on the ground floor there is a 'High-Speed Elevator' up to the rooftop. Tourists are allowed to access the 75th to the 78th floors of the Maha Nakhon building.
You'll need to join the queue to buy a ticket when you arrive unless you have brought tickets online in advance. Once you have a ticket you can pass through the barriers staff will search you, and your bags will pass through an airport-style x-ray machine- to ensure you didn't bring a bottle of water. Yes, I'm serious. You'll have no choice but to buy another one (their expensive one) at the top.
Then it's into the elevator which shuttles visitors from the ground floor right the way up to the 74th floor. The elevator is manned by an employee who will rattle off a quick speech about the building before smacking the button to ascend to the top.
The elevator hits speeds of 20 Kilometers per hour but barely feels like you are moving. The lift is an experience in itself and all the walls are TV screens which have a 360-degree show on the ride up.
You have 4 floors to explore at the top. Each floor has views of the city from every angle. Then there is one final elevator or spiral staircase which leads out onto the rooftop. It is here that you'll have unrestricted views- from the highest point in Bangkok.
Getting Back to The Ground Floor
Heading back down to the ground floor is a similar experience in the lift, you hardly feel like you are moving- but the pressure in your ears confirms that you are descending! The elevator doesn't stop on the ground floor, though. Instead, it stops on the 4th floor, where there's a big King Power Duty-Free Shopping area covering the entire lower four floors. You'll need to navigate your way out from there!
How To Get to The Maha Nakhon Building
Getting to the Maha Nakon SkyWalk is really easy. There is a BTS Bangkok Train Station right outside! The BTS Station even has a SkyWalk of its own, so you can walk straight off the platforms and into the Maha Nakhon building.
The nearest BTS Station to Maha Nakon is BTS Chong Nosi. Chong Nosi is on the Silom (Blue) Line and it's three stops from Siam, the Central Station in Bangkok.
Taking a Taxi is the other option, but traffic in Bangkok is not great. Riding the BTS Train is much quicker and more pleasant.
Read my full guide on how to get around Bangkok using the BTS Skytrain.
What is The SkyRide at Maha Nakhon
The SkyRide is included with Package C, the 'Fun Package'! The SkyRide is located on the ground floor and it is an immersive VR experience. You'll be given the VR Goggles and strapped into a seat which moves to simulate a skydive from the top of the Maha Nakhon Building! We didn't try it ourselves but it's good fun to watch! Tickets can be brought individually for 200 Baht.
Where To Next
So that is everything you could possibly need to know about visiting the King Power Maha Nakhon SkyWalk in Bangkok! But if I have missed anything leave a comment on this post. There are a ton of other awesome things to do in Bangkok too, here are my top picks:
- Take a Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise
- Visit Asiqtique the Riverfront to eat, drink and shop
- Head to the MBK Center on a Rainy Day
- Walk the Bangkok Green Mile from Lumpini Park to Benjawti Park
Or if you're thinking of leaving the city behind in search of some islands( I can't say I blame you) then these are my favourite islands to get away from it all.
- Koh Jum: a quiet and authentic beach escape.
- Koh Libong: An untouched Thai Island with a Dugong Population.
- Koh Rok: Uninhabited and White Sand Dream Destination.
R
Robb (BackPack BOB)·11 min read
Robb, who finds it a little unusual to write about himself in the third person, has been living in Southeast Asia for over 10 years. He works online and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. During this time, he has had the chance to travel extensively throughout this beautiful region.
Related Posts
Leave a Comment