Bangkok Concerts: What to Expect at Rajamangala National Stadium
Getting ready for an upcoming concert in Bangkok, Thailand? I’m here to help you make the most of it with this guide to Rajamangala National Stadium.
Since 1998, Thailand’s Rajamangala National Stadium has hosted some of the biggest names in sports, starting with the Asian Games, and music, from Harry Styles, BTS, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, BLACKPINK, and more.
Now, many are excited to see Coldplay and Ed Sheeran here in February 2024, and Bruno Mars in March!
But before you start humming your favourite tunes and practising your cheers, let me tell you a secret: getting to Rajamangala Stadium can be a real adventure in itself! Since it’s the biggest arena in Thailand — a huge outdoor venue with a capacity of 65,000 people — you can expect busy traffic heading to and from events - and it isn’t exactly central, either. Located in the Hua Mak subdistrict of Bang Kapi, Bangkok, Thailand’s national stadium can be a bit of a challenge to reach by car, rideshare, or bus, especially during rush hour.
Don't worry though, I went recently to see Harry Styles and I took notes for you! I've got your back with some insider tips and tricks to help you enjoy your event to the fullest.
Harry Styles put on a great show in Bangkok as part of Love On Tour. This was the view from the back floor tickets - pretty good for the price!
Keep reading for tips to maximize your event at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
1. Choosing your tickets
Rajamangala National Stadium is a huge outdoor venue with a capacity of 65,000 people. For concerts, as usual, many of the seats aren’t filled so that everyone can see the stage.
Are floor tickets good for concerts at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok?
For the concert I went to in March 2023 - Harry Styles’ Love On Tour - the floor was divided into three sections: A, B and C. We chose floor section C, which was the cheapest floor ticket and furthest from the stage. We were happy with the distance - it wasn’t too far and we were really able to enjoy the show from there with breathing space to jump and dance freely.
From there, it looked like most seats had a decent concert view, albeit quite far from the stage.
Floor space is divided into section A, B and C. This photo is taken from section C, the furthest back, still offering a great view and lots of room for dancing.
Here is the seating plan for tickets to the Coldplay concert happening in Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, in February 2024. Note that prices vary greatly for different concerts/performers.
2. Enjoying a pre-party
In case you’re looking to have some drinks while you get ready for a show at Rajamangala Stadium, you should know about one of Bangkok’s most bizarre laws: there is no alcohol sold in stores between 2-5 PM. Convenience stores and grocery stores block all alcohol between these hours and follow this outdated rule strictly.
So if you want to enjoy a drink from your hotel or rental apartment, you need to purchase it between 11 AM - 2 PM or between 5 PM - 12 AM. If you’re looking to go out before a concert, then know that bars and restaurants sell alcohol throughout the day. The law only affects sales of alcohol from stores.
3. Getting to Rajamangala National Stadium
This is important! Rajamangala National Stadium is challenging to get to. It took us an hour and a half to get there from central Bangkok and an hour to get back.
For a city with great trains, I was surprised to learn that neither the BTS Skytrain nor MRT goes to the stadium. The nearest station is Ramkhamhaeng and it would take you about 30 minutes to walk to Rajamangala Stadium from there. While rumour has it that there are plans to extend the MRT Orange Line to the stadium by 2027, for now, you’ll have to be patient with traffic when seeing a concert here.
Your best bet is to use a rideshare app like Grab, so at least you’re comfortable for the long ride. You could theoretically take a bus to the stadium but I can’t really recommend it because you are likely to be stuck in traffic standing in a crowded bus for a long time.
All in all, be sure to leave early for any show or sporting event at Rajamangala National Stadium and expect to wait a bit after the show to get home. This last part is easy since there’s a nice market just outside the venue! More on that below.
We arrived to the stadium early, which was a relief because the traffic getting to Rajamangala National Stadium is crazy!
4. Getting a rideshare
My advice for getting to Rajamangala Stadium is to take Grab, which is basically the Uber of Southeast Asia - only with better prices.
During very busy or peak hours, it can be hard to find a car, you may have to wait for a long time and the prices can surge. If you aren’t having luck getting a car, try selecting “Grab Premium” in the car options since sometimes they’ll come faster.
You will probably notice a unique rideshare option in Thailand, which is “Grab Motorbike”. While it can be convenient to zip around Asian cities on a scooter, I don't recommend this option since they don’t have helmets for passengers. Generally, travel insurance won't cover you for an accident without a helmet.
This is what the seats look like for a concert at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
5. Finding food at the venue
There are multiple food options in the venue, all located in the middle entrance. This is a busy area with very long lines for some stalls, but if you look around you’ll notice there are simple booths selling packed foods with lower prices and smaller lines.
As far as concert venues go, the food prices weren’t too bad. On the higher end, a personal pizza cost 350 Thai Baht (~ $10 USD / $14 CAD). On the lower end, a sandwich cost 65 Thai Baht (~ $1.90 USD / $2.60 CAD). All payments are accepted in cash only.
If you can wait to eat until after the show, there are great inexpensive options outside the venue. More on that below!
6. Finding drinks at the venue
Note that there is no alcohol sold during concerts at Rajamangala Stadium. Drink options include water, juice, soda and Budweiser 0.0 (alcohol-free beer). Refreshment booths can be found in the back corners of the floor, and by the entryways to stadium seats. There were also salespeople walking around the floor selling water.
Drink prices range from 60 - 120 Thai Baht (~ $1.75 - 3.50 USD / $2.40 - 4.75 CAD). All payments are accepted in cash only.
7. Enjoying the night market
After your show at Rajamangala Stadium, you’ll probably be hungry and thirsty. Luckily, there's a big market with food vendors just a five minute walk from the stadium. Food vendors are selling mouth-watering options like fried rice, satay, kebabs, iced teas, and desserts at great prices. You can find snacks for as little as 20 Thai Baht (~ $0.60 USD / $0.80 CAD). There are also clothing and souvenir vendors.
You will likely have time to kill while waiting for a rideshare back to central Bangkok, and this market will help the time fly. Note that there are no tables or chairs, but you can find a spot to sit on the grass while waiting.
Where to Stay When Seeing a Concert in Bangkok
Hotels Near Rajamangala National Stadium
If you are going to Bangkok explicitly to see a show or attend a game at Rajamangala National Stadium, then you should consider getting a hotel room near the venue to make it easier for you to get to and from the event. Check this map from Booking.com to find options near the stadium:
If you’re planning to stay and visit Bangkok (which I recommend!), then I recommend staying in the city so you can experience its vibrance, attractions, food and nightlife.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
I stayed in the neighbourhoods of Soi Nana and Sathorn before and both provided great budget accommodations and easy access to public transportation and food options within walking distance. Anywhere in Sukhumvit near a train station is a good bet for central stays.
If you have more budget and are looking for a real immersion in Bangkok, you could also consider bustling Chinatown, which is very vibrant, busy and central.
Enjoy your concert in Bangkok!
Attending a concert or sporting event at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok can be loads of fun!
Remember to choose the right tickets for you, and plan ahead if you want to enjoy drinks before the main event. Getting to the stadium can be challenging, but rideshare services are available and will get you there. Leave early, be patient and have fun! You can find food and non-alcoholic drinks at the venue, but you’re better off waiting for the night market afterwards for delicious treats.
With these tips in mind, you're sure to have a great time at your event at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok! Enjoy :)
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