Traveling to Bangkok for a concert? Here’s everything you need to know about Rajamangala Stadium and how to get there!
As Thailand’s biggest stadium, Rajamangala is known for being a popular spot for national football games, concerts, and much more. Since opening for the 1998 Asian Games, this massive venue, with a seating capacity of over 50,000, has welcomed some of the biggest music artists, including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Blackpink, EXO, BTS, and Bruno Mars.
Being the biggest outdoor venue in Thailand, Rajamangala Stadium will no doubt draw big crowds—and even bigger traffic jams. So going there can be quite an experience!
This stadium is located in the Hua Mak subdistrict of Bang Kapi, and that’s not exactly in the city center. Getting to it will be a bit tricky, especially during rush hour or right before the concert when everyone else is going the same way.
But don’t stress! Having attended a few concerts at Rajamangala myself, including ones with Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars, I was able to pick up a few helpful tips and I’m here to share them all with you so you can plan ahead!
How to Get to Rajamangala National Stadium from Central Bangkok
Getting to the stadium is not the easiest journey since no railway goes directly to it. Even from the closest airport link station, you’ll still have to either walk or grab a motorbike taxi to the stadium. There’s been talk of extending the MRT lines in the future, but no official updates just yet. So until then, here are three easy ways to get to Rajamangala National Stadium:
- Airport Rail Link – The nearest station to Rajamangala is Ramkhamhaeng. From there, it’s a 30-minute walk to the stadium. If you’re coming from the BTS line, you’ll have to transfer to the airport rail link at Phaya Thai BTS station.
- Grab Taxi – You can use a taxi app like Grab to book a ride to the stadium. From downtown Bangkok, the fare can range between 200 and 300 Thai Baht.
- Rental Car – You can also drive a rental car, but just know that parking will be limited during concerts.
For Ed Sheeran, we got on the BTS to Phaya Thai station and then transferred to the Airport Rail Link. From Phaya Thai, we rode the Airport Rail Link to Ramkhamhaeng Station. After arriving at the station, we took motorbike taxis to the stadium, which took around 15 minutes. Easy peasy!
For the Bruno Mars concert, we booked a taxi. If you do decide to use this option, I suggest leaving early, maybe around 3 hours before your concert starts because Grab taxis can be difficult to book closer to the concert’s start time, most likely from traffic and high demand. When using Grab, you can enter Rajamangala Stadium as your destination, it doesn’t matter which gate you choose. From any gate, you can easily walk to the stadium.
I wouldn’t suggest driving a car if you don’t want be stuck for hours in traffic. It’s manageable if you arrive early, but traffic after the concert can be a nightmare. After the Ed Sheeran concert, we took a motorbike taxi and still spent 1 hour to pass through the heavy traffic around the stadium, a car would likely take even longer. A friend who lives next to the stadium told us that traffic normally starts to clear up around midnight after concerts, which is already pretty late!
Once You’re There
If you went by taxi or motorbike, you’ll probably be dropped off in front of the stadium gate. From the gate, it’s a 5-minute walk to the stadium, just follow the crowd and the line of street food vendors. You might even find stalls selling some knock-off merchandise if that’s your thing, I got myself a fan with Bruno Mars’ face on it : )
You’ll see food stalls outside the stadium, so it’s a good idea to grab some dinner before the concert starts. Just remember not to overbuy or bring snacks you want to eat inside, as food and drinks aren’t allowed past the security check.
Where to Pick Up Your Tickets at the Venue
If you need to pick up your physical tickets, they’ll usually have ticket stands near the main entrance. If you’re not sure where those are, you can just look for signs around the stadium that will point you in the direction of the ticket stands.
The lines for this can be pretty long, but they also move quickly. It took us just about 10-15 minutes to get ours.
What to Expect Inside Rajamangala Stadium
-
Security Checkpoints
After soaking up the pre-concert vibes outside the stadium, you can head to the security checkpoints. Keep in mind that once you pass this point, there’s no leaving and re-entering until the concert ends. Security will scan your tickets and they will also check your bags here. There are a few things you can’t bring inside:
- Outside food and beverage
- Any items that can be considered a weapon
- Professional cameras
My boyfriend once tried to bring in his Gopro at a concert, and he had to leave it in the locker/storage area.
-
Bag Policy and Requirements
Bag requirements can change depending on the concert/event. For the concerts I attended, clear bags weren’t necessary, but any bags you bring will be searched.
-
Food and Drinks
Once you pass through security, you’ll find food and snacks around the stadium area, but the selection isn’t as many as outside. There are drink stands with water and sodas, but the options are limited.
I suggest grabbing all your food and drinks before the concert begins. You wouldn’t want to miss any part of the show by having to head back down or wait in line.
-
Finding Your Gate
Follow the big lettered signs around the stadium, they’re usually above each gate entrance. If you need extra help, they will have a map near the stadium entrance in front of the security check. Or you can ask the concert staff, you’ll see them by the entrance.
-
Restrooms
There will be restrooms throughout the stadium, so you don’t have to worry about finding one near your seating zone. The restrooms are pretty basic with modern, sitting toilets (as opposed to traditional Thai squat toilets that you see at gasoline stations). I would recommend bringing your own tissues, they can run out towards the end of the concert.
The lines can also be long, especially before the concert starts so if you want to avoid missing parts of the show, it’s a good idea to use the restrooms before it starts.
-
Rules on Alcohol and Smoking
Now, I totally get wanting to relax and have a good time. But as I’ve said, you won’t be allowed to bring drinks into the concert stadium, and in concerts I’ve been to, they normally don’t sell alcohol inside. It’s best to enjoy your drinks before you enter. If you try to bring alcohol, it’ll probably be taken away during security checks.
As for smoking, it’s not allowed inside the stadium. There are areas outside where you can smoke before and after the event.
Tips for Enjoying Your Concert Experience
1 – Arrive early! Arriving at least an hour before the concert begins will get you a head start, especially if you’re in the standing zones. Gates normally open a few hours before the concert.
2 – Pack smart! Bring only what you need like earplugs (it can get loud!), a portable charger, and a small bag for your personal items. With less things, you’ll be able to dance more freely : )
3 – Dress for the weather! Bangkok gets hot and humid, so dress lightly and comfortably.
4 – DRINK WATER! When going to an outdoor concert/event in Thailand, it’s important to stay hydrated. Even after living here for over 16 years, the heat is still something I can’t get used to.
Where to Stay When Seeing a Concert in Bangkok
You’re probably already thinking about going for hotels around the stadium area, which can be a good idea if you want to avoid traffic jams after the concert. BUT, keep in mind that the stadium area isn’t in the city center. So if you plan to go around Bangkok before or after the concert, it’s probably not the most accessible location.
I’d suggest staying in the city center near a train station, you can always take the BTS or Airport Link to get to the stadium anyway. Sukhumvit would be my go-to choice for a central location, but if you want to make a more informed decision, you can check out this article about where to stay in Bangkok.
Post-Concert Tips
Here are some tips for after the concert at Rajamangala Stadium:
- Plan Your Exit: Be ready for big crowds after the concert because everyone will be leaving at the same time. You can maybe stay back a bit to let the crowd die down.
- Transport: If you’re using Grab, try to book a ride in advance or prepare for a longer wait. Traffic can be heavy, and getting a ride after a concert is close to impossible.
- Stay Safe: If you’re walking at night, always check your belongings. The sidewalks in Bangkok can be narrow and you’ll likely see motorbikes driving through it, so just be aware of your surroundings.
- Grab a Snack: If you’re hungry, you can still find food stalls open around the stadium or look for the nearest 7-11, there’s usually one at every street.
After concerts, we usually take our time to grab some snacks and let the crowd thin out. We’ll then walk towards the airport link station, and after the traffic clears up, we use a Grab motorbike or taxi from there.
Just keep in mind that Grab taxis will be hard to book because of high demand, and try to avoid any local taxis charging you crazy rates (1000 Baht and up), it’s a common scam. Wearing comfortable shoes is a good idea so you can walk a bit further from the crowd and get a public transport from there, or you can also grab a motorbike taxi from the stadium to Ramkamhaeng station if you don’t feel like walking. Just remember that the airport link station closes at 12am, so if you’re planning to go back to your hotel using the train, you’ll need to be there before closing time.
You’ll see a photo I took above of the situation around the stadium at 11:33 PM. It should give you an idea of how bad the traffic can be after a concert.
FAQs About Rajamangala National Stadium
To reach Rajamangala Stadium from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the easiest way is to take a taxi, which takes around 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can take the Airport Rail Link to Ramkhamhaeng Station and continue by taking a cab or motorbike taxi for the remaining 5–10 kilometers to the stadium.
You can take a boat along the Saen Saeb Canal to either Ramkhamhaeng University Pier or Wat Thepleela Pier, both of which are about a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from Rajamangala Stadium.
Yes, Rajamangala Stadium is the largest stadium in Thailand and is often used for large concerts and sporting events, with a seating capacity of around 50,000–55,000 people.
Rajamangala Stadium is an outdoor stadium. It is an open-air venue, which is great for large-scale events, but keep in mind the weather, as it can get hot or rainy depending on the season.
Around Rajamangala Stadium, you’ll find several local eateries, shops, and Ramkhamhaeng University. The area is primarily residential, but it also has some malls like The Mall Bangkapi. It’s also conveniently close to the boat pier, making it a great starting point to explore the city. The nearest pier to Rajamangala Stadium is Wat Thepleela Pier, located along the Saen Saeb Canal.
Rajamangala National Stadium hosts some of the biggest concerts by top artists from around the world. To see who’s performing next, you can check out the Thai Ticket Major website.
