
Are you passing through quickly and only have one day in Bangkok? Here's how to fill it to get straight to the point and visit the city's must-see attractions.
I had already prepared a list for you 10 must-see places in Bangkok, but I did not give any notion of time or advice on how to access the different sites. This article is therefore intended as an example ofa typical day in bangkok to visit the main sites of the Historic District, called Rattanakosin.
1- Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo)
Visiting time: 1h30 to 2h
We start with the essentials, The Grand Palace and the Royal Temple which is associated with it. While I admit that the crowds that flock there every day spoil the experience a little, this would be It’s still a shame to miss out on this visit, which is one of Bangkok’s classics.
Built from the beginning of the new capital (from 1782), this complex houses what was once the home of kings (up to Rama V). The interior of the building is not open to visitors. (we can just see 2 small rooms on the ground floor housing ceremonial weapons), the main part of the visit consists of admiring the royal temple, the centerpiece of which is the emerald buddha statue.
This statue is the most revered in Thailand, although the latter is not made of emerald, but of jade (the term actually refers to its color). Every season, la outfit worn by the statue is changed by the king (one for winter, summer and rainy season). The chapel where the Emerald Buddha statue is located is the only place where you will not be able to take pictures. (but this remains possible from the game outdoor).
To have more peace and quiet while observing the frescoes surrounding the cloister, go behind the large chedi doré, with most people rushing to see the Buddha, it is usually quieter at the back of the temple.
Among the interesting points, on the platform where the large chedi covered with gold leaf (where part of the ashes of the previous sovereign, Rama IX, among others), you will see four structures (two on each side of the chapel located there) surrounded by elephant statues and a promontory in the middle topped with gilding. It is in memory of the first four sovereigns of the dynasty Chakras.
In this same area, there is a Angkor Wat model, a symbol of the power that the kingdom of Siam once had over its Khmer neighbor.
Getting to the Royal Palace
If you are staying near Khao San Road (Rambuttri, Phra Athit, possibly Samsen Soi 1 to 4), it is quite possible to get there on foot. However, if you have children and the heat is sometimes stifling, a practical way is still the boat. You will find the Pra Athit pier next to the hotel Navalai River Resort (which is also one of my recommendations for accommodation in this part of Bangkok). Just go down to Tha Chang ruling and it should cost you 15 or 20 Baht depending on the flag of the boat (orange or yellow, blue being the tourist boat, at 50 Baht).
Recently, it has become possible to get closer to the Grand Palace by metro, since the MRT (blue line) has just extended its line from Hua Lamphong by four stations, passing through Chinatown. Sanam Chai is behind Wat Pho, just 1 km from the entrance to the Grand Palace.
Of course, as everywhere in Bangkok, there is still the possibility of getting there by taxi, whether car or tuk tuk. But beware of scams and ask for the meter if you take a car (consider using an application like Grave, this could save you some time, even if it is a little more expensive than the normal fare, it displays the fare before you get on and makes it clear where you are arriving).
There are also bus lines, although this last mode of transport remains quite confusing for novices.
Once there, you will see that you have to follow the barriers and go through a whole circuit towards a checkpoint (with staff more busy on their phones than checking anything despite the gates ringing non-stop...).
Good to know
Please note that The outfit in this complex is particularly demanding. You must have your legs and shoulders covered and no low-cut tops for ladies. So pants for men, long skirt possible for women (if it reaches the calves), t-shirt for the top ideally. They no longer accept shawls placed over the shoulders to cover up or sarongs that are poorly tied or put on haphazardly. No ripped jeans, tight leggings or skirts, semi-transparent tops either.
These restrictions are a delight for sellers of elephant trousers, a typical souvenir for good tourists in Thailand. The advantages of these are that they are fairly easy to put on and take off. (elastic waist), that it doesn't cost much (100 Baht) and it's quite light.






2- Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)
Visiting time: 30 min to 45 min
Le temple of dawn (also called the Temple of Dawn, although its name, derived from the Hindu god Aruna, please say aurora and not dawn) is recognizable by its richly decorated tower Chinese porcelain.
This one is a bright white, having benefited from a long renovation recently. (three years of work). Built by Rama II on the site of a previously existing temple, the tower of the What Arun has become a symbol of Bangkok in its own right. As an aside, the original temple on these banks was the royal temple and housed the Emerald Buddha until 1785. In fact, before the founding of Bangkok in 1782, there was a provisional capital, set up by the king preceding the dynasty. Chakras.
Following the destruction ofAyutthaya In 1767, two generals of the Siamese army retreated further south, following the curves of the Chao Phraya. One became the new king, A taxi the Great and established his capital there, Thon Buri, on the right bank of the river. Fifteen years later, it was the other general's turn to take power and founded Bangkok, on the left bank, preferring to keep a natural barrier between them and Burma, located to the west.
Rama II enjoying the place, located next to the old royal palace of Thon Buri, the residence of A taxi, had this tower built there, recalling Khmer tower architecture that we call prang. The stairs leading to the upper floors are quite steep and once allowed you to admire a superb sunrise over the island of Rattanakosin opposite, forming old Bangkok.
As shown on the map I provide below, don't just stick to the tower, which you can no longer fully admire as the upper floor is now inaccessible since the renovation. Go see the courtyard where the ordination hall is located. It is a quieter area and you may have the opportunity to be blessed by a monk.
Getting to Wat Arun
If we assume that you follow these visits in order, you will arrive from the Grand Palais. In this case, two solutions:
- On foot + ferry (4฿)
- By boat directly (Chao Phraya Express: 15-20฿)
In fact, the boat dock used to be on the Wat Pho (Tha Tien) side, so it was more interesting to simply walk the short kilometer separating the Grand Palace from the dock located a stone's throw from Wat Pho and then take the ferry crossing the river to reach Wat Arun. The latter costs only 4 ฿.
But since a planned renovation of the quay never happened, the authorities must have finally realized that having the boat go directly to the Wat Arun side had its advantages. So when you leave the Grand Palace, head towards the Tha Chang Wharf (see map below).
Don't listen to the touts who want to take you to long-tail boats and go to the main dock at the end of the alley. (after the souvenir stalls and others). This is where confusion arises. You will see a queue system set up, 3 rows separated by posts and ropes. You may eventually be asked where you are going, specify « What Arun " and get in line. You will also probably be charged for tickets in advance, 15 Learn More if the next boat is an orange flag, 20 Learn More if it's a yellow flag.
You may be offered the tourist boat which has a blue flag, the latter is 50 ฿, much more expensive, but has the advantage of being less crowded, the other boats being public and therefore sometimes quite full. When you board, you will be asked quite rudely to push yourself to the back of the boat so as not to disturb the platform at the back where they want people. At least go down the stairs, but the What Arun being the next stop after Tha Chang, no need to get stuck deeper either.
Good to know





3- Boat trip on the canals
Visiting time: 1h30 to 2h (with a 30-minute stop)
After visiting Wat Arun (or before), you can board one of the famous long tail boats and discover life along the canals, Thonburi side. For a long time, Bangkok was known as the Venice of the East and it's not for nothing.
Crossed by many channels, that we call klongsBangkok grew along the water, with people traveling by boat for decades before roads supplanted the canals across the capital.
You will find a dock allowing this walk on both sides of Wat Arun. Personally, I prefer the dock on the Wat Arun side. Since the long-tail boats are basically taxis, it is possible to go almost anywhere as long as the canals are navigable.
You will usually be offered a generic tour of the klongs if you don't know where to go. This includes a visit to a orchid farm, a temple on the waterfront and if it's the weekend, stop at a floating market (Taling Chan, which is mostly floating except for the restaurant). It is also possible to include a stop at the Royal Barge Museum (100 ฿ per person).
MY VERSION: Personally, I like to do a loop going through the klong Mon, then joining the klong Bangkok Yai. As an anecdote, a few centuries ago, this part of the canal forming a loop was the original watercourse of the river. Chao Phraya, before a shortcut was dug in front of what would later become the Palais-Royal.
In doing so, I make a 30-minute stop at the artists' house. If the puppet shows are now only on weekends (at 14 p.m.), I take the time to see the paintings exhibited upstairs, possibly sipping a coffee by the canal after stopping to feed the many fish whose inhabitants always offer croquettes for doing a good deed.
I like the atmosphere of this neighborhood, where wooden houses, most of them centuries old, line up, the welcome is warm and it is calm, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. I would happily stay longer, but a boat that is rented by the hour quickly becomes quite expensive... Afterwards, it would still be possible to end the boat trip there and continue to your next visit by taxi once satisfied with your break in a local neighborhood.
Good to know





4- Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
Visiting time: approximately 1 hour
Another particularly important temple, Wat Pho, famous for its large reclining buddha statue, majestic with its 40 m length and all covered in gold leaf. The name used today is a shortened version of the original temple, Wat Phodharam, which already existed on this site before Bangkok was even founded. The full official name being the Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan.
Construction of the current complex began upon completion of the Grand Palais next door in 1788. Most of the buildings, including the one housing the reclining Buddha, were additions made by Rama III, who renovated and considerably extended the temple.
Later, his successors Rama IV and especially Rama V added a few more elements, making it today a large complex of 8 hectares, dotted with many small chedis. There are countless Buddha statues in various positions to be seen, but what makes this sumptuous temple unique is its massage school. Indeed, the What pho is often considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, as evidenced by the wall frescoes establishing the different pressure points on the muscles and nervous system.
His school, located behind the temple, is today one of the most prestigious in the country.
Don't just see the large reclining Buddha, I strongly urge you to "lose" yourself behind it, by going to the imposing ubosot. Behind the entrance to the latter, in a small annex building, is a large statue of a standing Buddha. The interior of the ubosot is a call to serenity, even more so when, around 17 p.m., the monks gather to perform religious chants.
Getting to Wat Pho
From Wat Arun, there are two possibilities. Either, as I mentioned before, you arrive after a boat ride and you can ask to be dropped off at a dock not far from the temple, or you cross by taking the ferry dedicated to crossing the Chao Phraya.
The ferry only costs 4฿.
Good to know







5- Optional: flower market
Visiting time: 30 minutes
Depending on your general state of fatigue (and I'm thinking in particular of being with young children or to), it is quite possible given its location to add a visit to those proposed above.
Ideally, this visit can be done following that of the What Arun, before joining the What Pho, but it depends on your timing (if you approach 17h, it is better to go to the first What Pho, the flower market being always very active at all hours).
The flower market is in reality a market dedicated, certainly to flowers, but also to spices, fruits and vegetables. So it's a set very colorful, lively, because these are goods that are particularly purchased on a daily basis.
Go to the flower market
If you finish your visit at Wat Arun, you can take the water bus (Chao Phraya Express) back to Saphan Taskin and get off at either Rajanee Pier (N7), Yodpiman Pier (or Pak Klong Talad, N6-1) or even Memorial Bridge Pier (Saphan Phut, N6).
If you finish the canal boat ride before, you can ask the boatman to take you to Yodpiman Wharf (or ask for Pak Klong Talad, which means flower market).
Finally, if you have visited the What Pho first, you can just walk to the flower market. On the way out from the front the temple (river side), just walk along Maha Rat Street, you will come across the market after a crossroads where there is a school on one side, a police station on the other and the crossing of a bridge spanning the canal Rop Krung.
Good to know





6- Evening at the rooftop bars
To complete this beautiful day, what could be better than enjoying a panoramic view in the heart of Bangkok. You can get inspiration from my article suggesting places to go out in bangkok, where I mention the famous rooftop of the city.
To summarize, although the most popular (at least the best known) or the Sirocco, at the top of the tower Lebua, the Octave, along Sukhumvit is a trendy choice. Another beautiful view possible, from the bar of the So Sofitel, which overlooks the park Lumphini.
Finally, an option available since this year, the bar at the top of tower Mahanakorn, the tallest tower in Bangkok with these 314 m.
Bangkok in a day: the map
To help you find your way around and summarize this day in Bangkok, here is a map showing the points of interest and nearby amenities (restaurants, ATMs, transportation). I have also given you the walking tour in each place so as not to miss any of the unique character of these different temples.
If you ever extend your stay in Bangkok by one or two extra days, don't hesitate to visit the dedicated article:
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Pak
Yodpiman, not Yopdiman.
Roman
Oops, yes thanks, it's fixed!
DEGRAVE
Hello,
We are going to Thailand in January and only have 2 days in Bangkok.
For the 1st day, I was thinking of following some of your ideas mentioned above. And for the 2nd day, I was thinking of going to the Tha Kha floating market: is it possible in your opinion? What is the best transport option from Bangkok to reach this market? and is it really ideal to arrive there quite early?
Thanks for your advices.
Vanessa
Roman
Hello,
If this 2nd day falls on a weekend, yes, it is a possibility to visit. The easiest way is to find a taxi to take you there directly and possibly see other sites in the same area: the Mae Klong train market in Samut Songkhram for example, and possibly the one in Amphawa. The ideal is to arrive before 9am, so leave Bangkok around 7am roughly.
DEGRAVE
Yes, that would be for Sunday.
Thank you very much for your reply 🙂
Jo
Thanks for the advice! Top 🙂
Roman
With pleasure !