Itineraries
Where to stay
Sukhumvit or Silom for first-timers, near the Skytrain; the riverside for hotels with a view and boats to the temples; Banglamphu for budget stays near the Grand Palace.
The areas: Sukhumvit, Riverside, Silom and Sathorn, Banglamphu (Khao San).
Where to stay in Bangkok: areas and adviceHotels in BangkokPlaces to see
All things to do in ThailandMarketBang Lan Night Market, AyutthayaFood stalls that line Bang Lan Road every evening, near Chao Phrom Market.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketChao Phrom Market, AyutthayaThe old city's big daily market, with a covered hall of food stalls on the east side of the island.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketChatuchak Weekend MarketThousands of stalls selling everything from clothes to plants, open on weekends.Entry: Free to visit
FoodChinatown (Yaowarat Road)Neon signs and street food stalls that fill the sidewalks every evening.Entry: Pay as you go
ShrineErawan ShrineA busy Hindu shrine to Brahma on the Ratchaprasong junction, among the shopping malls.Entry: Free to visit
TempleGolden Mount (Wat Saket)A temple on an artificial hill topped by a golden chedi, with views across the old town.Entry: ฿[fee]
TempleGrand Palace and Wat Phra KaewThe former royal residence and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred temple in Thailand.Entry: Includes the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles
MarketHuai Khwang Night MarketA local night market of street food stalls by Huai Khwang MRT station, busy until late.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumJim Thompson HouseTeak houses and Asian art collected by the American who revived Thai silk.
NatureLumphini ParkA big green park with a lake, joggers and monitor lizards in the middle of the city.Entry: Free to visit
MarketOr Tor Kor MarketA covered market across the road from Chatuchak, known for top-quality fruit and cooked food.Entry: Pay as you go
MarketWang Lang MarketA busy lunchtime market of food stalls and clothes beside Siriraj Hospital and the Wang Lang pier.Entry: Pay as you go
TempleWat ArunThe Temple of Dawn, its tower covered in porcelain, across the river from Wat Pho.Entry: ฿[fee]
RuinsWat Chaiwatthanaram, AyutthayaA riverside temple in Khmer style, at its best in the late afternoon light.Entry: A pass covers seven sites in the park
RuinsWat Mahathat, AyutthayaTemple ruins in the old capital, known for a Buddha head wrapped in tree roots.Entry: A pass covers seven sites in the park
TempleWat PhoHome of the 46-meter Reclining Buddha and a famous Thai massage school.
RuinsWat Phra Si Sanphet, AyutthayaThree tall chedis in a row, once the royal temple of Ayutthaya.Entry: A pass covers seven sites in the park
RuinsWat Ratchaburana, AyutthayaA ruined temple across the road from Wat Mahathat, its tall central tower still standing.Entry: A pass covers seven sites in the park
TempleWat Yai Chai Mongkhon, AyutthayaA working temple southeast of the old city, with a huge chedi and rows of seated Buddhas.Entry: ฿[fee]