Oh.. Bangkok
Always love the city, despite how horrible traffic is but it always brings me joy. It is such a vibrant city that has some of the best street food in the world. Not just food, it also has historic sites that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Even though traveling can be a challenge sometimes, especially when you are so busy working, you probably won't have time to organize an itinerary. Don't worry.. here I will help you to have three fun days in Bangkok.
Why only three days?? Well, I don't think there is ever a limit on how many days you want to travel, but Bangkok is such a chaotic city where it can be overwhelming to some people. Giving yourself just a few days to explore the city is enough before you start relaxing in another part of Thailand.
Here are the list:
Day 1. Visiting Temples and Khaosan rd
If you landed in Bangkok at midnight, that jetlag probably starts getting to your nerve now. I think it is a good thing because if you can't sleep you can explore the temples early morning so you can skip the crowd.
Grand Palace
If you stay in the Khaosan area, you can easily take Chao Phraya express boat to this most iconic temple in Thailand. For budget traveler out there, be sure to take an orange boat since it is cheap enough, the ticket is 15 baht/person and don't forget to stop at Tha Chang pier.
You can buy the ticket on-site by cash only, or online with a credit card for 500 Baht/person. The Grand Palace complex was established in 1782 and it consists of not only royal and throne halls, but also several government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Also for your information, please dress properly before visiting temples in Thailand as those temples are not just tourist attractions, but they are also places where Thai people pray. A full list of practical information can be found here.
Wat Pho
Not far from Grand Palace, you will find Wat Pho (known for the sleeping buddha). The entrance fee is 200 Baht/person. Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's oldest temples. It existed before Bangkok was established as the capital by King Rama I. It was originally named Wat Photaram or Podharam, from which the name Wat Pho is derived.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also known as Temple of the dawn. It doesn't mean you can only visit it at the dawn! You can visit it anytime during the day from 8 am to 5:30 pm. After visiting Wat Pho you can reach this temple by boat at Tha Tien pier for 3 Baht/person. I always love visiting this temple, because it is the cheapest to get in amongst famous temples in Bangkok, which is 50 Baht/person.
The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks. The first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) was built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.
Ok… After visiting all of those three temples, you probably are exhausted by late afternoon... Maybe time for lunch..? There is a good spot for lunch nearby Grand Palace complex around Maharaj pier.
Khaosan
Once the sky turns dark, the weather gets cooler so it is perfect to enjoy the nightlife in Bangkok. YUP!! You are not going to Bangkok only to see temples.. go out there! Enjoy its nightlife. There are plenty of red districts in Bangkok, I prefer the Khaosan area rather than Patpong or Soi Cowboy or even Nana. You will see the difference amongst them once you visit all of them.
Oh, yeah, Baby!! time to have fun! If you are a drinker, there are a lot of bars here. If you are an eater, there are a lot of restaurants and street food vendors here. And if you love to dance, plenty of music that will move your body. Khaosan is known amongst backpackers because there are plenty of cheap hostels around and it is pretty close to river access to get into the city center. Khaosan road itself can be pretty loud for some people because every single bar on the street plays their music. So, You are welcomed to roam around and maybe relaxing at Rambutri Alley or Soi Rambutri which both streets are quieter than Khaosan.
When you are in Bangkok, be sure to have enough cash in your pocket, because there is plenty of street food option that you can't resist to try, from pad thai, seafood, to the fried scorpion. They are so cheap compare to the restaurants around the area. Like I said at the beginning, Bangkok is awesome because of how affordable it is. Street food can cost from 10 Baht and alcohol drink cost about 180 Baht (around $5.50) which are soo damn cheap compare to everything in the US. Well.. if you are feeling full and drink enough, it is time to get rest for more adventure...
Day 2. Explore the Markets
I love to eat.. Wherever I go, I always try to find a place where locals like to eat because it is guaranteed that the food is delicious and cheap. Who doesn't love cheap food..? isn't that why you travel to Southeast Asia? because of how affordable it is...
On day 2 in Bangkok, I would suggest exploring the Market. But before you start to jump on a boat, sky train, or grab (rideshare company that similar to Uber), get a Thai massage! You will be addicted to it. I recommend full body massage after a long flight and a full day exploring the city. Thai massage or Thai yoga massage is a traditional healing system combining acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures. It usually doesn't use oil which I love, but you can opt one with oil. Some places will also offer you ginger tea after to help you relax even more. To give you a piece of information, the average Thai massage is about 250 Baht/person/hour.
Floating Market
Now your body is relaxed, time to feed the belly. There are a few famous floating markets around Bangkok, but some could be far away from the center. So if you are not a morning person, and hate taking 2+ hours to drive each way just for a floating market, then Khlong Lat Mayom floating market could be for you.
It is about 30 minutes from the city center, to get here the easiest way is to take a grab (rideshare company). There are so many food vendors for you to choose from. Also, there are boats that willing to take you around to see the neighborhood for a small fee which is about 100 Baht/person for 45 minutes. The market is pretty small, so I would say 2 hours should be enough to hang around.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Yes.. your trip would not be completed until you check out this market. It has everything! from exotic animals, puppies (even if I hate seeing them stuck in little cages..), fish, fashion, home decoration, souvenirs, street food, restaurants, and alcohol!
The market is HUUUUUGE and the best time to come here definitely on Friday since it is the "weekend market" it opens the latest on Friday. Since you probably had breakfast at the floating market, well why not have lunch here? and buy some souvenirs to bring home?
Talad Rot Fai Night Market
We are still not done with Bangkok markets yet, last but not least to visit is Talad Rot Fai night market or known as the train night market. Plenty of food.. unlike the market that you have been so far, there is a lot of sitting seafood restaurant here. They offer fresh seafood, from fried fish, shrimp, fresh oysters, to lobster. Price is usually not far from other vendors, but I usually walk around a bit, see your options...
Don't be judgy... Yes, I ate all three of those huge oysters by myself! They were so cheap, so I couldn't help myself.. one huge oyster for 60 Baht or 3 for 150 Baht?? Hell yea! But be careful for you out there that are not used to Asian street food.. for some people it will bother their stomach a little bit. So, watch out what you eat! the last thing you want to be sick on your vacation. Enjoy your time! and don't forget to wake up a bit early tomorrow as we will explore the old city in Thailand!
Day 3. Ayutthaya
On this last day, we are going back to history. Ayutthaya was the capital city of Siam (which is called Thailand now). Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Portuguese, Indians, Japanese, Persians, Pathans, and later Spaniards, Dutch, English, and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the walls of the capital, also called Ayutthaya. In the 16th century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East.
There are plenty of temples you can visit in this old city. The best way to get here I would say by train. You need to catch a train from Hualampong station, go straight to the ticket booth and tell them you need to go to Ayuttaya. Economy ticket costs around 15 Baht/person for about 1.5-2 hours ride.
Wat Mahathat is one of the most popular temples in Ayutthaya because of the Buddha head that is embedded in a banyan tree. The entrance fee is 50 Baht/person or you can buy a package ticket if you are planning to stay in Ayutthaya the whole day. Also because the temples are kind of far from each other, go rent a bike or rent a tuk-tuk to get you around.
Exploring the city can be tiring, drink plenty of water, and don't forget to feed your belly. I know the perfect place to eat! Khrua Muslim Ayutthaya. It was the best biryani rice I have ever eaten... it was delicious and cheap!
TIPS:
Bring enough cash, because some of the places in Bangkok won't take a credit card, especially the street food vendors
Bring a reusable water bottle! You have to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated in a humid Bangkok weather and also less plastic
Bring portable hand fan! It is a life safer
Download offline google maps
Get a local sim card (I recommend AIS) to keep you connected with the internet because you can't rely on public wifi. FYI, if you have a T-mobile plan in the US, it will work in Thailand.
Download offline google translate in Thai
Download grab app on your phone and add your card information (less cash to use)
Be sure to notify your bank before traveling abroad
Last but not least, you are in a different country so be polite and obey the rules!
Ah, Bangkok... definitely will miss you! So, let's pack your bag and explore another part of Thailand!
Follow me on Pinterest too!
Comments