Mahanakhon Skywalk: tickets, height and interesting facts about the skyscraper

How high is the observation deck?

The highest observation deck in Bangkok is the Mahanakhon SkyWalk on the King Power Mahanakhon tower. The complex's official website directly calls it Bangkok's highest observation deck and also Thailand's highest observation deck; the highest point of the observation area is at a height of 314 meters, and the Glass Tray platform is at 310 meters.

For comparison, the observation deck of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel is lower: the enclosed observation area is on the 77th floor, and the rotating Revolving View Point platform is on the 84th floor. In third-party descriptions its height is usually given as around 309 meters, that is, lower than the Mahanakhon SkyWalk.

King Power Mahanakhon has an architectural height of 314 meters — this is the official height of the tower, and according to CTBUH data the building was completed in 2016. The complex's tourist website states that the covered observation area begins on the 74th floor, the Glass Tray platform is on the 78th floor at a height of 310 meters, and the highest point of the observation part, The Peak, is at a height of 314 meters.

In the professional CTBUH database the tower is counted as a building with 79 above-ground floors, which is why a difference is sometimes encountered between "78 floors" in tourist descriptions and "79 floors" in the engineering classification — this is not an error, but a difference in the methodology for counting levels.

The tower and its architecture

Floors and engineering

The Mahanakhon tower is an outstanding architectural object that has become a new dominant feature of Bangkok's city skyline. The building has 78 above-ground floors and one additional underground level.

The total internal area of the complex is about 150,000 square meters, and vertical movement is provided by 22 modern elevators. The skyscraper project was developed by the architect Ole Scheeren. The building's unusual "pixel" facade gives it a unique, futuristic appearance.

What's inside

Mahanakhon is a multifunctional complex offering a wide range of services and amenities:

• modern residential premises and an extensive shopping and entertainment gallery;
• a luxurious hotel, restaurants and bars;
• an impressive observation deck, from which panoramic views open up;
• the seven-story Mahanakhon Cube shopping and entertainment complex next to the main building, with premium bars, restaurants and relaxation areas.

How do you plan your visit?

The glass floor

The glass floor in Bangkok is at the top of King Power Mahanakhon, at a height of 310 meters, with a transparent surface that lets you see the city directly beneath your feet. It is one of the highest glass panels in the world.

Should you book tickets in advance

Booking tickets for the Mahanakhon Skywalk in advance is not mandatory, but highly desirable: this is one of the most sought-after attractions in Bangkok, so large queues almost always build up on site. Buying a ticket online lets you avoid a long wait at the ticket offices, and the process takes only a couple of minutes.

Opening hours and how long to plan for

Mahanakhon Skywalk is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00, with the last visitor admitted at 18:30. There are no strict time limits on the deck: most guests spend between an hour and a half and two hours here, exploring the indoor observatory, walking along the glass roof and relaxing at the bar.

The observation deck and the views

The indoor observation zone begins on the 74th floor, the Glass Tray is on the 78th, and the highest point, The Peak, is at 314 metres. From here you get a full circle over the city: the bend of the Chao Phraya, the Silom business district and the blocks running out to the horizon.

How Mahanakhon Skywalk rates

How do you get to the Mahanakhon skyscraper?

Location of Mahanakhon

The Mahanakhon skyscraper (King Power Mahanakhon) is located in the central Bang Rak district of Bangkok, at 114 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road. The nearest station is BTS Chong Nonsi (green Silom line), just 2-3 minutes' walk from the entrance. The MRT Silom underground metro is 1-1.5 km away, about a 15-minute walk.

From Bangkok (public transport)

The most convenient way is the BTS Skytrain. From Siam, transfer to the Silom Line and ride to Chong Nonsi (฿16-59 ≈ $0.4-1.6, 6:00-00:00). From Suvarnabhumi Airport: Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, BTS to Siam, then to Chong Nonsi (about 1 hour, ฿45-100). Grab/Bolt taxi — ฿200-400, allowing for traffic.

From the nearest cities

• Pattaya (150 km, 2-3 hours): bus from the North Bus Terminal to Ekkamai (฿119-150 ≈ $3.3-4.2, every 30 min from 4:30), then BTS via Siam to Chong Nonsi; minivan to Mo Chit or Ekkamai (฿150, 2 hours); taxi/Grab direct — ฿1500-2500.
• Ayutthaya (80 km, 1-2 hours): train to Krung Thep Aphiwat (฿20-100, 1 hour), then BTS/MRT; bus to Mo Chit (฿160, 1.5 hours); minivan/taxi direct — ฿900-1200.
• Kanchanaburi (120 km, 2-3 hours): bus/minivan to the Southern Bus Terminal (฿150-160, every 1-2 hours), then MRT to Silom; train to Thonburi (2-3 hours); taxi — ฿950-1200 plus BTS.
• Hua Hin (180 km, 3-4 hours): VIP bus from Sombat Tour (฿250-400, 3.5 hours) to the Southern Bus Terminal or Mo Chit; minivan — ฿200-300 to Nakhon Pathom; train 4-6 hours (฿100-400) to Hua Lamphong; taxi — ฿1400-1700.

Comparison of options from the nearest cities

Grab is convenient for taxis; during morning and evening rush hours (7-9 a.m. and 5-8 p.m.) there is traffic, so BTS or MRT is faster for getting around the city.