Bangkok is a large, diverse and very exciting metropolis. It’s a great place to introduce yourself to Thailand and you can see and do a lot in just a few days. There are plenty of palaces, museums and temples, night life, floating markets and posh shops – basically something for everyone. It’s easy to get around by tuk tuk or taxi, particularly around the tourist hotspots.
Within walking distance is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). You will need a couple of hours here at least. Check opening and closing times carefully on the official website before you set out and do not listen toe ‘helpful’ locals who might tell you that it is ‘shut’ – see out section on scams.
The Grand Palace is a walled city within the city, covering 2.4 million square feet. There website gives the entrance fee – which includes access to the Emerald Buddha – currently 500 Baht for foreigners. There is a very strict dress code – check the website – they enforce it – so don’t ignore.
Temples – there are over 400 temples in Bangkok – most still in use. These are religious places, and you will be expected to dress appropriately, legs and arms covered, shoes removed outside. My favourite is Wat Pho. It has a huge reclining, golden Buddha – the biggest in the city – the biggest collection of Buddha images in Thailand and is the country’s earliest centre for education. The compound is 8 hectares in size, and you will see monks of all ages going about their daily routines. It is traditional for Thai men to become novice monks at some point in their lives – the duration in modern Thailand depends on the individual. While 3 months is quite common – they can become a novice for anything from one day to a lifetime. Wat Pho is a wonderful place to wander for a couple of hours, get a blessing and relax.
You can take a short ride by boat from Wat Pho pier across to Wat Arun. This is a great temple to see at dawn or sunset – though remember the rest of the world think this is true too. Dress codes apply – so check before you go. Just remember to come back via the ferry boat or it’s a long taxi ride round.
If you are fit and healthy and can cope with the heat – it is possible to do all of these major attractions in a day. Take a big bottle of water and start early. As with all major cities and tourist attractions – avoid taxis/tuk-tuks directly outside and avoid falling prey to scammers and pick pockets.
Floating markets. There 17 floating markets in Bangkok. Some are easily reachable – we took a fun boat trip to a small one in the centre. Some require further planning as they require a taxi or public transport. – reachable by boat – obviously. They are good fun to while a way a few hours – try something new to eat and pick up trinkets. Damnoen Saduak (two hours from Bangkok) and Maeklong Railway markets (an hour from Bangkok) open every day. Amphawa (90 minutes from Bangkok) is only open Friday to Sunday.
Nightlife. Bangkok’s notorious nightlife suits every desire and every budget. From bustling Khao San Road to Sukhumvit Soi 11 to Lady Boy Cabarets, river cruises and top nightclubs – Bangkok has it all. It is hedonistic mayhem where you can party as much or as little as you like. On our last visit to Bangkok, we were lucky enough to time it on Chinese New Year and had an amazing evening full of dragons, music and fireworks in China Town. Be careful of those offering to take you to a ‘ping pong’ club. Once you are in their taxi – or strip club – you will have no choice but to pay the exorbitant fees when you want to leave.
We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. 