Bangkok: 3-day itinerary

Start your day with breakfast at On Lok Yun, an old-school coffee shop that has been around for over 80 years! They are most famous for their traditional Thai-style Western breakfast and variety of toasts.

Recommended things to eat: All Day Breakfast, Butter & Sugar Toast

🗺️ Address: 72 Charoen Krung Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

🕤 Opening Hours: 6am - 2.30pm daily (check their official social media accounts for any temporary closures)

::callout[Take a taxi or grab from On Lok Yun to The Grand Palace Estimated travel time: 5 minutes Alternatively, walk for 20 minutes.]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

After breakfast, head to the Grand Palace, a former royal palace in Bangkok and one of Bangkok’s top attractions. On top of the architecture of the palace, the highlight of the Grand Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), which is considered Thailand’s most important Buddhist temple.

The tickets to The Grand Palace includes a Khon Thai classical masked dance that will be performed on weekdays at 10.30am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm, and 5.30pm at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, which is about 15 minutes away from the Grand Palace.

Recommended things to do: Appreciate the architecture of the grand palace, visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, visit the Grand Palace museum, watch the Khon Thai classical masked dance

Tips:

💡 Beware of scams! A very common scam in this area would be if someone tells you that the palace is closed and recommends you to go to another attraction.

💡The Grand Palace follows a very strict dress code - your shoulders and knees have to be covered. There are stalls selling elephant pants outside the Grand Palace where you will be able to get one of the light and breezy pants to wear over your current outfit.

💡Take off your shoes before entering the main hall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. When sitting in front of the Buddha image, be sure not to point your feet towards the Buddha as it is considered offensive.

💡You can rent an audio guide at 200 THB.

🗺️ Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

⏰ Recommended time spent: 1 - 1.5 hours (excluding the Khon Thai performance)

🕤 Opening Hours: 8.30am - 3.30pm daily

💰Cost: 500THB

::callout[Walk from the Grand Palace to Wat Pho Estimated travel time: 10 minutes]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

Wat Phra Chetuphon, or more commonly know as Wat Pho, is a Buddhist temple complex home to the Reclining Buddha. The gold-plated statue of the Buddha in a reclining pose is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is one of the biggest Buddha sculptures in Thailand. The Thais sometimes also refer to Wat Pho as Thailand’s first public “University” due to the 1360 marble inscriptions about medical, history, and liberal sciences found around the temple grounds.

Wat Pho is also well known as Thailand’s center for the teaching of traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage. Give your feet a break with a Thai massage after a morning of walking around the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.

Tips:

💡As a religious ground, Wat Pho has a very strict dress code - your shoulders and knees have to be covered. Your outfit for Grand Palace would be sufficient for the Wat Pho.

💡If you want to get a Thai massage, book a stop when entering Wat Pho before you start your tour as there could be a waiting list.

🗺️ Address: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

⏰ Recommended time spent: 1 hour

🕤 Opening Hours: 8am - 6.30pm

💰Cost: 100THB

::callout[Walk from the Wat Pho to THE SIXTH Estimated travel time: 1 minute]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

If you are hungry, you can choose to have lunch at THE SIXTH, a cosy little cafe specialising in local Thai fare. The place is rather small with only 5 tables, so you might have to wait. If you are not one to wait for food, there are other restaurants in the area that you could choose from.

🗺️ Address: Maha Rat Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

🍽️ Recommended food: Tom Yum Koong, Phad Thai, Green Curry

🕤 Opening Hours: 10.30 am – 4.45pm daily, closed on Fridays

::callout[Walk about 8 minutes to Rajinee, and take the ferry to Wat Arun. Estimated travel time: 25 minutes]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

After lunch, head over to Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, which is also one of the main attractions of Bangkok. Wat Arun got its name from the Indian God of Dawn, Aruna. Its most prominent feature is its central prang, a pagoda encrusted with colorful glazed porcelain tiles and seashells.

Recommended things to do: Go up to the central balcony for a view of the Grand Palace across the river

🗺️ Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand

⏰ Recommended time spent: 1 - 1.5 hours

🕤 Opening hours: 8am - 6pm daily

💰Cost: 100THB

::callout[Take a ferry from Wat Arun to ICONSIAM Estimated travel time: 25 minutes]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

After Wat Arun, you can choose to stop by ICONSIAM, one of the largest malls in Thailand. On top of the variety of shops and restaurants in ICONSIAM, on of its most impressive and notable features is an indoor floating market showcasing local Thai products. The mall also has a multi-level park with scenic views of the Chao Phraya River. Escape the heat of Bangkok, and spend some time exploring the various shops, restaurants, cafes, or finger food in the mall.

🗺️ Address: 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand

⏰ Recommended time spent: 1-1.5 hours

🕤 Opening hours: 10am - 10pm daily

::callout[Take a ferry from ICONSIAM to Asiatique Estimated travel time: 25 minutes Alternatively, get a Grab / taxi for a ~10 minutes ride to Asiatique]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

Asiatique The Riverfront is a large outdoor shopping and entertainment complex situated along the Chao Phraya River. In addition to shopping and dining, Asiatique also features a range of entertainment options, including a large outdoor stage for live performances, a Ferris wheel with views of the city, and a large open-air market selling a variety of goods. Take the opportunity to catch one of Bangkok’s most popular shows, the Calypso Cabaret, which features a cast of talented transgender artists.

🗺️ Address: 2194 Charoen Krung Rd, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

🕤 Asiatique the Riverfront opening hours: 5pm - 12am daily

🕤 The Calypso Cabaret showtime: 7.30pm daily

💰 The Calypso Cabaret tickets: 900THB (book here)

The Chatuchak weekend market is the biggest outdoor weekend market in the world, with more than 15,000 stalls selling a variety of goods, ranging from clothes, home decor, plants, to street food. On weekdays, certain parts of the market is open for the general public; but you would want to visit the market on weekends to get the full experience. The market can get very crowded on weekends, with tourists and locals visiting hoping to snag up a good deal.

💡Tips:

• Bargaining is allowed at the Chatuchak Weekend Market, and you most definitely should do some bargaining when making your purchases.

• For a quieter and less crowded experience, head to the weekend market early.

🗺️ Address: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

🕤 Opening hours:

• Wednesday - Thursday: 7am - 6pm (only plant section)

• Friday: 6pm - 12pm (only wholesale)

• Saturday - Sunday: 9am - 6pm (whole market)

⏰ Recommended time spent: 2-3 hours

::callout[Take a Taxi / grab from Chatuchak to Pa Yak Boat Noodles Estimated travel time: 10 minutes Alternatively, take the BTS from Mo Chit to Victory Monument and walk 6 minutes (estimated 20 minutes travel time)]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

If you want to escape the crowds at the Chatuchak Weekend Market, you could head over to the Boat Noodles Alley at Victory Monument for lunch. There are various stalls selling Boat Noodles at Victory Monument, but the preferred choice for many would be the Pa Yak Boat Noodles. Boat noodles was originally sold at river canals on a floating boat, and the servings are rather bite-sized that you could easily have a few bowls — perfect if you would like to try all the different flavours that they offer!

After eating, you could drop by the Victory Monument nearby to have a look at the military monument.

🗺️ Address: Ratchawithi 10 Alley, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

🕤 Opening Hours: 9am - 9pm daily

Yaowarat is considered the heart of Bangkok's Chinese community. The area is famous for its narrow alleyways, packed with street vendors selling a wide variety of street foods that are renowned for its bold flavours. Apart from food, you could also visit the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center to find out more about the Chinese heritage in Thailand; or visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha that is in Chinatown. You can have dinner at one of the many restaurants in Chinatown. Some of the most popular restaurants include the Nai Ek Roll Noodles, T&K Seafood Restaurant, or** **Kway Chap Uan Photchana.

Lin Zhen Xiang is also a very popular shop to purchase some local snacks and tidbits from Bangkok. We recommend that you try its coconut rolls with pork floss!

Recommended things to do: Visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha, eat, explore the alleys and streets of Chinatown, See the Odeon Gate

🕤 Opening Hours: Temple of the Golden Buddha: 8am - 5pm daily

🗺️ Address: Odeon Gate: 322 Tri Mit Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand Temple of the Golden Buddha: 661 Charoen Krung Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

Terminal 21 is a shopping mall known for its unique concept, with each floor of the mall being themed after a different world city, including Paris, Tokyo, London, Istanbul, and more. The mall offers a wide range of shopping options, from fashion and clothing to electronics and beauty products. In addition to its retail options, Terminal 21 also features a large food court on the top floor, offering a variety of dining options from local Thai cuisine to international fare.

🗺️ Address: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei Nuea, Thawi Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

🕤 Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm daily

::callout[Walk from Terminal 21 to Sukhumvit Soi 11 Estimated travel time: 15 minutes]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

If you would like to experience Bangkok’s vibrant night life, head over to Sukhumvit Soi 11. The center of Bangkok’s night life, Sukhumvit Soi 11 is a popular street for both locals and tourists looking to party late into the night. Some of the most popular venues include the Levels Club & Lounge and Above Eleven. Most of the hotels in the area also have their own rooftop bars, which are a good alternative if you were looking for something quieter away from the crowds.

Located in Thonglor, a modern neighbourhood known for its trendy and upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment options, theCOMMONS is a gathering ground for quality producers who take pride in what they do and do it with utmost care. There are four main areas at theCOMMONS, each area having its own character and catering to different needs.

Have brunch at ROAST coffee and eatery, and explore the other shops at theCOMMONS. Pop-up markets are sometimes also held at theCOMMONS. Events and workshops are also regularly held, and you can book a spot for these workshops at their website.

Things to do: Have brunch at ROAST, Explore the market area for other food options, spend some time roaming the streets of ThongLor for a different vibe of Bangkok

🕤 Opening Hours: 8am - 1am daily (opening hours of individual shops may vary)

🕤 ROAST opening hours: 8am - 10pm daily

🗺️ Address: 35 Akkhara Phatsadu Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

::callout[Take a taxi or grab from theCOMMONS to Jim Thompson House Estimated travel time: 30 minutes]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

The Jim Thompson House is a museum that showcases the personal collection of antiques and artifacts of Jim Thompson, who is widely regarded as the father of the Thai silk industry. The museum is housed in a complex of traditional Thai teakwood houses that Thompson collected and restored, and it provides visitors with a unique insight into the life and interests of this famous figure. If you wanted a break from the shopping, you can consider visiting the Jim Thompson House. English guided tours are available.

🗺️ Address: 6 Kasem San 2 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

⏰ Recommended Time Spent: 1 hour - 1.5 hours

🕤 Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm daily

💰Cost: 200THB for adults, 100THB for visitors under age 22, free entry for children under 10** **

::callout[Walk from Jim Thompson to MBK Center Estimated travel time: 10 minutes]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

There are many shopping malls in the Siam area, all within walking distance to each other. You would be able to spend the rest of the day exploring the various malls. You can start from MBK Center, followed by Siam Paragon, and end at centralw0rld. Also consider dropping by the hypermarket at the Big C Supercenter at Ratchadamri to get some snacks and tidbits!

You could also choose to visit the Platinum Fashion Mall instead. The Platinum Mall specialising in wholesale fashion, and is known for its extensive selection of fashionable and trendy items at wholesale prices, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking for a good bargain. However, due to the nature of the mall and its large numbers of shops, some people may find it a big disorientating to shop in Platinum.

There are also many options for Thai massage in the area that you could choose from to relief the fatigue after an entire day of shopping. Note that the Thai massages are usually fully booked, so you might want to book online, or drop by the shop to book a time before you start your shopping.

Consider having dinner at one of the restaurants in the mall. Here are some of our recommendations:

🍽️ Baan Ying at Siam Center — traditional, family Thai restaurant

🍽️Thipsamai at Siam Paragon — one of the best Pad Thai (and orange juice) in town

🍽️MK Restaurant at Siam Paragon or centralw0rld — Thai hotpot chain

🍽️After You Dessert Restaurant at centralw0rld — best for its Shibuya toast

🗺️ Address: MBK Center: 444 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Siam Paragon: 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Siam Center: 979 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand centralw0rld: 4, 5 Ratchadamri Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Platinum Mall: 222 Phetchaburi Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

💡 Tips: Prepare some spare cash to tip your masseur if you are planning to go for Thai massage.

🕤 Opening Hours: MBK Center: 10am - 10pm daily Siam Paragon: 10am - 10pm daily Siam Center: 10am - 10pm daily centralw0rld: 10am - 10pm daily Platinum Mall: 9am - 8pm daily

::callout[Walk to Erawan Shrine Estimated travel time: 5 minutes - 20 minutes, depending on which mall you are walking from]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

The Erawan Shrine is a Hindu shrine dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma, and is considered one of the most important spiritual and cultural sites in the city. It is located in the heart of the city centre, and you will pass by the site when walking to Central World. Even if you are not a believer, you could still visit the Erawan shrine to admire the architecture and experience the cultural heritage of Thailand.

Check out our guide to the visiting the Erawan shrine for things to look out for.

🕤 Opening Hours: 6am to 10pm daily

💰 Cost: Admission to the shrine is free

🗺️ Address: 494 Ratchadamri Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

::callout[Take a taxi / Grab from Erawan Shrine to Jodd Fairs Estimated travel time: 25 minutes Alternatively, take the BTS from Chit Lom to Phra Ram 9 and walk 8 minutes (estimated travel time 40 minutes)]{icon="🚶‍♀️"}

End your trip in Bangkok with a visit to the Jodd Fairs night market, one of the most popular night markets in Bangkok in recent years. Being fairly new, Jodd Fairs is neat and clean while maintaining the energy and vibes of a Thai night market. There is a range of stores selling small ornaments and items, but the main drawing factors of Jodd Fairs is most definitely the wide variety of food there is to try.

🕤 Opening hours: 4pm - 12am daily

🗺️ Address: Rama IX Rd, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand