Bangkok Itinerary 3 Days

Day 1 — Temples & River

Morning: Grand Palace & Wat Pho (8:00–12:00)

Start early before the heat and crowds build. Dress code strictly enforced at the Grand Palace — cover shoulders and knees (sarongs available at entrance for ฿50 deposit).

• Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (2 hours, ฿500): The Emerald Buddha, the stunning murals of the Ramakien, the perfectly manicured grounds.
• Wat Pho (1 hour, ฿200): 10-minute walk from Grand Palace. Reclining Buddha, traditional massage school, beautiful cloisters.

Afternoon: Wat Arun & Chao Phraya (12:00–16:00)

Take the cross-river ferry (฿5) from Wat Pho pier to Wat Arun.

• Wat Arun (฿100): Climb the steep central prang for city views.
• Arun Residence rooftop: Have lunch with the perfect Wat Arun view (฿300–500 for food).
• Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange flag, ฿15) upriver to Banglamphu area.

Evening: Yaowarat (17:00–21:00)

Taxi or MRT to Bangkok’s Chinatown district. Visit at dusk when the neon signs light up and the street food vendors set up.

• Fresh seafood at street stalls
• Roast duck and rice
• Thai desserts: mango sticky rice, coconut ice cream
• Simply walk and eat

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Day 2 — Markets & Modern Bangkok

Morning: Chatuchak Weekend Market (9:00–13:00)

Note: Only Saturday and Sunday.

Take BTS to Mo Chit station. Arrive by 9am before heat intensifies. Explore systematically — the market has sections (section 2 for vintage clothing, section 7–8 for ceramics, etc.).

Eat: Sai oua (northern Thai sausage), freshly squeezed juices, pad thai from market stalls.

If visiting on a weekday, replace with: Or Tor Kor Market (high-quality fresh market across the road from Chatuchak, open daily).

Afternoon: Jim Thompson House & Silom (13:00–17:00)

• Jim Thompson House (฿200, 45-minute guided tour): Beautiful collection of traditional Thai architecture and Southeast Asian art.
• Walk along Silom Road — explore the lanes off the main road for local restaurants.

Evening: Rooftop Bar (18:00–21:00)

Bangkok’s rooftop bars are a genuine highlight.

• Vertigo (Banyan Tree): Classic Bangkok rooftop. ฿600+ for cocktails but the view is extraordinary.
• Sky Bar (Lebua): The Hangover 2 bar. Stunning location. ฿700+ drinks. Most dramatic view in Bangkok.
• Octave Rooftop (Marriott): More affordable, three levels, 360° views.

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Day 3 — Local Bangkok

Morning: Lumphini Park & Local Breakfast (7:00–9:00)

See Bangkok at its most local — morning exercisers, tai chi practitioners, monitor lizards wandering the paths. Have a Thai breakfast at a nearby street stall: jok (rice porridge), patongko (fried dough), Thai coffee.

Morning: Ari or Thonglor Neighborhood (10:00–13:00)

Take the BTS to Ari or Thonglor to see where Bangkok’s creative class actually lives.

• Independent coffee shops and brunch spots
• Local markets
• Street art

Afternoon: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (if extending) OR

Afternoon: Shopping & Floating Market (13:00–17:00)

Option A: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (2 hours from Bangkok by organized tour): The most famous floating market — very touristy but visually spectacular. Book a half-day tour.

Option B: ICONSIAM or Terminal 21: World-class malls if shopping is your thing. Terminal 21 has each floor themed as a different city — novelty factor.

Evening: Farewell Bangkok Dinner

Try one Bangkok restaurant at a higher price point than street food: Nahm, Bo.lan, or Paste for authentic Thai fine dining (฿1,500–3,000/person). Or return to Yaowarat for one final street seafood feast.

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