How to spend 3 days In Bangkok

Travel Itinerary

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Itinerary by: Oksana Petersen

2 years ago

Traveller

Duration: 3 days

Itinerary Contents

Day 1
Day 2
1. Siam Paragon
2. Chatuchak Market
Day 3

Itinerary Introduction

Thailand is an extraordinary country where a mix of amazing beaches, buddhist values, pristine nature, skyscrapers and street food together with astonishing temples and bustling nightlife co-exist well together. Millions of tourists flock to Thailand every year and the first city they explore upon arrival and before departure is usually Bangkok. There is a lot to explore in Bangkok and just three days is usually not enough, however the essentials can easily be covered. My latest 3 day trip is a mix of touristy sightseeing, shopping and places known only to locals. It is not an ordinary time in Bangkok for now amidst the Covid pandemic so it's a great time to visit places without tourist crowds.

Useful information about Bangkok

Best times to visit Bangkok

The best time to visit Bangkok is between October (just when the rainy season is finished and temperature becomes cooler) and April (right before the rainy season starts and Bangkok turns into a sauna).

Getting around in Bangkok

The best way to get around Bangkok is downloading the app “Grab” which is the Asian version of “Uber” in Asia. It is safe, the price is fixed, drivers are registered and there is no overcharging. Sky train and MTR are the best if you know where you are heading. Also public transportation is a must during rush hours in the morning and evening if you don’t want to spend hours in traffic. Trust me, Thailand is notorious for its congested traffic and you can easily get stuck in a taxi for an hour on a way which might have taken you only 15 min to walk.

Where to stay in Bangkok

There are a huge variety of hotels for every wallet and taste in Bangkok. There are luxury 5-star hotels with world-class service, cheap hostels for backpackers and middle level 3-4 star hotels with excellent amenities. Make sure to choose your accommodation close to places you want to visit since Bangkok with it’s 10 million population is a huge city and traveling from one place to another in different parts of the city can consume a lot of time.

Bangkok - Travel Itinerary

Day 1

10:00 - 13:00

Grand Palace Bangkok

Na Phra Lan Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand

Since the pandemic has hit even Thailand, it has led to disappearance of tourist crowds. This was the reason I decided to visit the Grand Palace for the very first time after being in the country for more than 3 years. In the current situation you don't have to queue for an hour to buy a ticket to get in as it used to be before the pandemic. You can also enjoy the beautiful surroundings while not being squeezed among hundreds of people. So here I went and did not regret it. The palace, as a former residence of the Royal family, is a beautiful, impressive, sometimes breathtaking complex of buildings. It not only used to be a home for the king but also his court, and his royal government was based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. Today, it is still used for various royal and religious ceremonial purposes such as the Royal Coronation. While you can immerse yourself in the environment, architecture and culture as well as elements of the history, you can follow and listen to a guide you can hire and who will guide you through the entire palace complex. The historical background of the Royal Palace highlights the history of the entire Thailand and former Siam, therefore an authorized guide is highly recommended. The temple of the Emerald Buddha is probably the most well-known reason why people visit the Grand Palace. It's majestic, breathtaking and it hosts the most sacred Buddha statue and image in Thailand. The Buddha statue changes 3 different seasonal costumes during the year to mark the change of hot, rainy and cool seasons, so many local residents are visiting the temple every time the costume is changed under a ceremony which is performed by His Majesty King of Thailand. The visit was great although the hot weather made me stay in temples and palaces longer than admiring them from the outside in the sun. So, remember to put your sunscreen on. It was a great decision to start my sightseeing in Bangkok with a visit to the Royal Palace since it provided me with a deep understanding of Thailand’s history, culture and their traditional elements. The entire area of the Royal Palace was built like a city so make sure to allocate enough time for the visit. Photo: Oksana Petersen

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Article By: Oksana Petersen

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Grand Palace Bangkok
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	500.00 THB

Notes

Allocated time for visiting: 3 hours Important! Remember to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs. Entrance is not permitted to those who are dressed inappropriately (short sleeves, shorts and short skirts are not permitted). This goes for both men and women.

Getting there

The best way to get here: Grab from the Sukhumvit area costs 200 THB.

Grand Palace Bangkok

14:00 - 16:00

China town in Bangkok

ถ. เยาวราช Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand

After a lunch we decided to explore China town. While initially China Town in Bangkok might not sound like an authentic experience, the fact is, Thai Chinese are the largest minority group in Thailand and the largest overseas Chinese community in the world accounting for about 10 million people. If you want to experience authentic environment, great street food, a culture chock and quality shopping of rare products, you have to head to the China Town. The variety of street food offered here, even during the Covid times, is astonishing. Small cozy cafes and beautifully designed restaurants are the new hipster spots and have become extremely popular by photography professionals and Instagram loving kiddos. Strolling around and checking shops selling gem stones, Chinese medicine, herbs, spices and tea is a must when traveling to Bangkok. Most of those shops are owned by families for generations. It's a mecca of Chinese medicine and there are many Chinese Traditional Medicine clinics located here. The finest and the most high-quality green and black tea can be found only in China Town. Small hidden temples and street cafes can be found on every small street so you barely need a map, just stroll around and enjoy the daily life of people living there. It's a fascinating mix of two cultures: Thai and Chinese. You will surely experience unique vibrant colors, smells and hustle and bustle. Photo: Oksana Petersen

Article By: Oksana Petersen

Notes

Recommended café: CHATA Specialty Coffee offering a wide selection of coffee brews and teas. Some selections are exclusive yet affordable and can't be found elsewhere in Bangkok.

Getting there

There are two convenient options to get to China Town from the Grand Palace. You can take bus nr 1 just opposite from the Palace entrance to Suapa Center. Ride 5 stops and it will cost you 8 THB or you can get a Grab car and pay 230 THB to get to China Town.

China town in Bangkok

19:00 - 22:00

Yao Roof Top Bar

262 Thanon Surawong, Khwaeng Si Phraya, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand

There is a large number of amazing roof top bars in Bangkok and there is nothing better than finishing off the first day in Bangkok at a roof top bar with sun downer cocktails. Make sure that while being in Silom visit one of the best restaurants and rooftop bars there - Yao Roof Top Bar on the 32nd floor of Bangkok Mariott Hotel the Surawongse. They serve delicious snacks and drinks while you are watching the sun going down over Bangkok. Their menu has Thai, Chinese and Western food alternatives and their drinks are crafted with attention. The prices are more wallet-friendly than compared to roof top bars in the central area and the views are far more beautiful. Price range - median Sunset views - amazing Photo: Oksana Petersen

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Article By: Oksana Petersen

Price covers: Entry+Snack

Prices for Yao Roof Top Bar
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	400.00 USD

Notes

Making a reservation is recommended.

Getting there

Grab car from Central Sukhumvit will cost you 230 THB and is the best way getting there.

Yao Roof Top Bar

Day 2

10:00 - 12:00

Siam Paragon

991 อาคารสยามพารากอน Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

The best shopping mall in Bangkok is by far Siam Paragon because you can find literally everything there. The bottom floor has food courts and restaurants that cater all types of food from all parts of the world starting with Japanese, Italian and finishing off with Hawaii bowls. The first floor is for upmarket brands like Chanel and Balenciaga and the higher floor you pick the cheaper shops and brands you will find. If you are looking for big stores such as Mango, Zara and H&M then Siam Paragon is the right spot for you. Most of the brands have their flagship stores in this mall. The reason to start off your shopping here? All brands under the same roof, excellent air-conditioning (trust me, you will appreciate it after being outdoors for some time), a great way to mix shopping with taking coffee breaks in cozy cafes. It is cool, clean and has it all! There are even lounge areas where you can just enjoy a coffee, get a WIFI and relax. There is a large department store with a great selection of local and imported foods so if you are looking for some goodies to buy and bring to your hotel, this is the place. You can also find a good selection of wines but remember that alcohol can’t be bought and sold in Thailand between 2-5 pm. In addition, Siam Paragon is surrounded by the Central World shopping mall with more traditional items and Thai brands and Siam Square Mall aimed at younger shoppers. Photo: Oksana Petersen

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Article By: Oksana Petersen

Notes

You can easily spend 3 hours there. Price range: Median-High Perfect location on a rainy day

Getting there

Location: Siam BTS

Siam Paragon

13:00 - 18:00

Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak Park, ซอย Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand

Chatuchak Market is a must-do on a visit to Bangkok. It's the largest open air and weekend market in the world and you can easily spend a day just wandering around and still without seeing it all. The market is spread across 35 acres and has more than 15 000 stalls (although less stalls are now open due to pandemic). You can find literally everything here: clothing (imported mass-market and local Thai designers), leather products (can be literally made in front of you), antiques, furniture and home decorations, plants and flowers, jewelry, pets, electronics, toys, food.. you name it. Before it used to be the place for wholesale trade but it was quickly discovered by regular shoppers and now most of the stalls cater to them. Even if the market is theoretically open air it has a partially covered roof so you won't be exposed to direct sun all day. Chatuchak can definitely be overwhelming but it's a must visit while in Bangkok and you won't leave empty handed, that's for sure. Make sure you have plenty of water and comfortable clothes. You can literally spend a full day here, eat, shop and repeat. There are plenty of food stalls selling food, fruits, ice cream and treats so you will definitely not go hungry. There are two shopping malls in adjustment to the market: J.J Mall and Mixt Chatuchak Mall, so if you feet are still carrying you and you feel like you haven't fullfilled your shopping desire, these malls will do it for you. Photo: Oksana Petersen

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Article By: Oksana Petersen

Notes

Bring water with you and wear comfortable clothes/shoes.

Getting there

Take the BTS to Mo Chit (green line), the sky train stops right outside the Chatuchak market and it's the most convenient way of getting there. The cost is 62 THB and it will take you 15 minutes.

Chatuchak Market

Day 3

10:00 - 12:00

Lumphini Park

192 Witthayu Rd, Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

We decided to visit Lumphini park which is often described as Central Park of Bangkok. It’s like a breath of fresh air after all the shopping and sightseeing. You can run, exercise, ride a bike, rent a pedal boat or just relax in the shadows and watch people going on with their daily lives. You can easily see water monitor lizards, a huge variety of birds and other species after just sitting down somewhere for 20 min. The park lies on a 142 acre large landmark and has an artificial lake as well as many areas for relaxing. Lumphini was the first public park in Bangkok and it lives up to it’s name of Bangkok Oasis with it’s smoking ban, no dogs are allowed and even biking around the park is permitted only during certain hours of the day. You can also buy food at a cafe or street food stalls, all options are available here. Lumphini park is easily accessible from the central Sukhumvit area, you don’t even need a transport to get here. The big, green spot on the map of Bangkok is this park, impossible to miss and it’s astonishing that this green oasis is located right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of central Bangkok. Find a good and quiet spot, bring some take-away food from nearest restaurants and enjoy a picnic for an hour or two. You will even forget that you are in the middle of the city with a population of 10 million. Oksana Petersen

Article By: Oksana Petersen

Getting there

BTS: Sala Daeng station MRT: Si Lom and Lumphini stations

Lumphini Park

14:00 - 16:00

Maha Nakhon

MahaNakhon, 114 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand

Maha Nakhon is one of the most famous buildings in Bangkok located in Silom/Sathon. It’s design and observation deck on the 78th floor are considered as important attractions. You can choose to experience a blood-chilling glass tray walk on the 78 floor also called SkyWalk or just attend an observational deck to see Bangkok’s skyline in 360 degrees. It is considered the highest observational point in Thailand with its sweeping 314 meters above the ground level. Photo: Oksana Petersen You can also find Mahanakhon Sky Bar in the building and you won’t be disappointed about anything except the price level which is hefty. But why not enjoy a cocktail while watching the sun going down from the 78th floor while listening to jazz music? A note to consider, the bar doesn’t serve alcohol between 2 and 5pm. Make sure to come early in the morning as there are no queues at that time. Naturally, it is more packed with people in the evening when everyone wants to see the sunset and night skyline.

Website

Article By: Oksana Petersen

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Maha Nakhon
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	19.00 USD

Notes

Entrance fee: 19 USD queues You will handed disposable shoe cover before entering the skywalk Annoyance: you have to pass by a lot of “touristy” shops when leaving the skywalk.

Getting there

Take BTS Green Line to the station Chong Nonsi or Sala Daeng MRT: Si Lom

Maha Nakhon

19:00 - 23:00

Phrom Phong

Phrom Phong กรุงเทพมหานคร Thailand

Phrom Phong is an area in central Bangkok with the largest Japanese diaspora meaning the best authentic Japanese restaurants and even a Japanese fresh seafood market, similar to the one in Tokyo, can be found here. Phrom Phong also boasts an active nightlife, many night clubs and hole-in-the-wall karaoke bars. Phrom Phong is often considered as an upscale area, however once you see it you’ll wonder why as it’s street life, small shops and ramen noodle stalls are just like anywhere else in Bangkok. Photo: Oksana Petersen You will find a special mix of massage places, 5-star hotels, Japanese small restaurants and book stores, as well as upscale malls in the same area. Like in any part of Bangkok, the mix of all these features is what makes Thailand unique.

Article By: Oksana Petersen

Notes

No map needed, just walk around, street by street and discover hidden jams. My new discovery was the best ramen I have tasted in Thailand so far (and my standard for Ramen is High): Nanase Ramen

Getting there

BTS station: Phrom Phong

Phrom Phong

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Submitted by: Oksana Petersen, 2 years ago

About the author

Oksana Petersen

Hi! My name is Oksana Petersen. I am from Sweden but currently living in Thailand. I have traveled extensively throughout the South East Asia and Thailand is where I decided to Settle. I like to travel in style, try local food and usually immerse myself in the local culture. My motto is: "When in Rome do like Romans".

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