Baiyoke Tower 2, Bangkok

Baiyoke Tower 2, located in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok, is the tallest building in Thailand. It contains the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the fourth-tallest all-hotel structure in the world. Consisting of 85 floors, it is 328 meters (1,076 feet) tall including antenna which was added two years later. Tower was completed in 1997 with the hotel offering 673 guest rooms. Observation Deck on the 77th floor offers incomparable panorama views of Bangkok. Sky Buffet restaurant on the 76th floor offers a variety of food. A bar called Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge exists on the 83rd floor and for the fearless a 360-degree revolving roof deck is present on the 84th floor.

Baiyoke 2 is one of the first high-rise buildings in Bangkok which utilized high strength concrete for construction. Original plans of the tower included a telecommunication facility on top. The tower is planned to have 94 storeys so that floors 85-94 would be given on lease to telecommunication companies wanting to take advantage of the building's height.

In January 2002 five Norwegian skydivers set world record for “base jumping” when they jumped from the 81st floor of the Baiyoke II tower and landed on the rooftop of a hotel nearby.

Baiyoke Tower 2 is the highest landmark defining the Bangkok skyline. You have to climb 2,600 steps to reach the top if you do not want to use the facility of lifts. Best time to visit the tower is at sunset when you will be amazed to look at the spectacular sunset in Bangkok. It is well worth a visit if you have time – and of course if you are not afraid of heights!