Discover the Wonders of Bangkok: The Ultimate City Tour Guide
When you're in Bangkok, things don't always go according to plan. But fear not, because that's just part of the experience. Having a rough guide is essential, even if you end up deviating from it. Our trip encountered a lot of changes and route problems, but it was during these times that we truly began to have fun exploring the city. Join me as I take you through the thrilling chaos of our trip - and don't worry, the itinerary looks much better now! Let's go!
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1st Day Sunday
Arrival 1920H at Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Check-in: A2 House Bangkok for 5 days Promotion Price: 5,200 BAHT
Address: 21/5, 1st Floor, Juladis Tower, Petchburi 19, Phayathai, Rachatevee, Pathumwan, 10400 Bangkok
Address: 21/5, 1st Floor, Juladis Tower, Petchburi 19, Phayathai, Rachatevee, Pathumwan, 10400 Bangkok
Shopping in Pratunam Night Market
2nd Day Monday
City Tour- estimate 1500 BAHT for each person - Wake-up time: 5:30 AM
Walking while having breakfast
Grand Palace Wat Pra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Entrance: 350=700 BAHT, inclusive of: the Grand Palace and the Temple of Emerald
Buddha, Entrance ticket to Vimanmek Mansion Museum, Support Museum Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, Sanam Chandra Palace, The Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins.
Drive through the Giant Swing in front of Wat Suthat. Further ahead, Democracy Monument and pass by Khao San Road.
Check out Terminal 21 Mall
Lunch at Sansab Restaurant. Total of: 500 BAHT
Pratunam Night Market ( 5:00 PM-11:00 PM )
Dinner: Street Food Stalls align near Central World Mall. Food Rates: 50-200 baht
3rd Day Tuesday
Cancel Ayutthaya Tour -2500 BAHT (temples close due to flood)
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour: 700 BAHT
Damnoen Saduak Residence
Lunch Damnoen Floating Market, Food rates: 50 BAHT - 150 BAHT
Wat Pho Reclining Buddha - Directly adjacent to the Grand Palace
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) Opening Hours: 08:00 -17:30
Located on the west side of Chao Praya River (opposite Tha Thien Pier)
Take photos of Wat Arun by the river at Sunset
Dinner- Street Market
4th Day Wednesday
Shopping at Pratunam Fashion Mall
Night Food Bazaar in Ramkhamhaeng Soi 65
Food Prices range from 10 BAHT - 200 BAHT
5th Day Thursday
MBK Mall & Siam Square Mall (Siam Paragon is less than 500 metres away while Platinum Fashion Mall is less than 100 metres away)
Also nearby is Pantip Plaza famous for electronic goods (External Drive prices per terabyte: 1,800 BAHT-2,500 BAHT) and Pratunam Shopping Centre.
Night Departure at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
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What to do in Bangkok: Airport to Hotel
We had a late afternoon departure from Cebu, Philippines to Bangkok around 1650H with an estimated arrival time of 1920H at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. We meet up with my cousin's friend's mum at the waiting lounge along with her funny and talkative friend. It's nice to see these ladies traveling; I'm glad I was able to purchase a ticket for my mum. I believe that we all should be traveling with our parents as often as possible because they're not getting younger and life is too short. It doesn't have to be an overseas trip, I've brought my family for a 3 days trip to Bohol and we had a blast. Despite the fact that I've been to Bohol several times; it's always a different experience with different people.
I'm reading a book entitled "Time Keeper" by Mitch Albom while I glanced at my window. I've always loved sitting by the window when I'm on board a plane. I want to see how the day fades away or catches the first rays of sunlight. I see the light as it splatters the sky with orange light; too bad my camera can't catch the sunset in all its glory. The clouds were like mountains made with white boulders, or like series of waves on the beach as surfers wait for the big ride.
I was trying to check my itinerary when the stewardess passed by with their goodies. I saw that they were selling sunglasses and in minutes I brought sunglasses on board the plane. We haven't reached the shopping capital of Thailand yet and here I am already doing my shopping. It's funny how I managed to budget ahead of time for this trip and reminded myself not to buy anything unnecessary. Flight goodies are just too expensive; I guess I'm like a fly caught in a spider's web.
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Mode of Transportation in Bangkok
We landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok at night time, the terminal was humongous and people from different countries were everywhere. Thailand is one hour late compared to the Philippines so set your time right whichever country you're coming from.
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.jpg "Mode of Transportation in Bangkok")
I was surprised when we purchased our MRT ticket in the form of a token. It reminded me of my childhood days we used to have this kind of candy of the same color, and size and it tasted sour.
1 token: 40 BAHT
MRT minimum fare: 20 BAHT
Airport to Pratunam: 40 BAHT
.jpg "the famous \"Tuk Tuks\" ride in Bangkok")
Introducing the famous "Tuk Tuks" ride in Bangkok
It got its style from an old-fashioned rickshaw during World War 2. Be vigilant when dealing with the drivers as sometimes they overpriced everything for the tourist. If you want a comfortable ride take the colorful taxis, and bargain if you need to, sometimes those metered ones just want more.
.jpg "Where to stay in Bangkok")
Where to stay in Bangkok
A2 House Bangkok was more like a condominium than a hotel and the advantage of staying here is that you're in the city center and when you head down you're just a few minutes away from Pratunam Market.
.jpg "Check out Bangkok's McDonald's")
Check out Tallest Hotel and McDonald's
My cousin was our official tour guide for our stay in Bangkok. Firstly, we checked out Baiyoken Hotel which is just around the corner, it's the tallest hotel in Bangkok around 85 stories high. Then there's McDonald's a few minutes away from our place with Ronald doing the famous hand gesture of Thailand.
Don't forget to buy your Water at 7 Eleven: 13 BAHT (1.5 ml bottled water)
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The next day: Bangkok City Tour Begins
We woke up early to get ready for our city tour and knowing I was in a different country again totally lifted up my spirit of being a traveler. It immediately spiced up my morning smile. We decided not to waste our time sleeping and besides, it's better to avoid the traffic, with fewer people in the streets it will be easy to maneuver your way to find the best street food in town.
If you're a fan of "Dragon Ball Z" then definitely you'll notice right away the monks in orange robes that walk barefoot along the streets of Bangkok. These Monks roamed around the market for a free shopping spree. They're highly respected and given goods when they pass by vendors, in return, they are given a small prayer which the people of Thailand believe is a blessing.
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We wanted some french fries so we headed to McDonald's for some snacks, I noticed people with their heads bowed down and holding incense, they were praying to their God. Bangkok has a majority of Buddhist worshipers, an altar placed in the streets or beside any infrastructure is considered normal. Pay your respect as if it is your own religion.
.jpg "Bangkok's Grand Palace")
Grand Palace to Terminal 21 Mall with Metered Taxi: 95 BAHT
The next stop is Terminal 21, one of the famous attractions here in Bangkok. It was just constructed two years ago and now it's gaining a massive appraisal from people around the globe with its unique theme which can be seen in every level of the mall. I've managed to go to six countries in minutes! It only happens at Terminal 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The last step is to feed our tummies as we get hungry while walking along the Pratunam area. We were lucky to have a cheap Tuk Tuk ride from Pratunam Market to Central World for only 50 baht. Usually, they charge around 100 baht or more for tourists. I guess it's better to ride this vehicle at night when they're tired and much easier to please. The Food Bazaar near Pratunam's High-end shopping center, the Central World Mall was mouth-watering. The food stalls along the streets were packed with people craving a delicious dinner. More about that here: Must-try foods in Bangkok.
Third-Day High: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located in the province of Ratchaburi. It is considered the most famous tourist destination among the floating markets in Thailand. Read more: Floating Market Tour.
Promo Package: 700 BAHT (inclusive pick-up transfer-back from the hotel)
Travel time: 2 hours away from Bangkok
After we had our visit to the floating market, we headed to Wat Pho Temple or Wat Phra Chetuphon, famously known as the temple of the reclining Buddha. It is located at Chetuphone Road, behind the Grand Palace. It is considered the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. The temple is really not that strict with the dress code they provide covers for people who want to see the reclining Buddha inside the temple.
The next stop was the Temple of the Dawn or Wat Arun located on the west side of Chao Phraya River. Wear proper dress code when you visit this temple, the same goes for Grand Palace to avoid renting clothes that are unnecessary for your budget list. We took the river ferry at Tha Tien Pier which is just a walking distance from Wat Pho Temple. I've actually planned to see the sunset at the temple but we were not able to get inside. On the other hand, as we departed going back to the city proper, the sunset by the Chao Praya River was explicitly beautiful. More about that here: Temples of Bangkok.
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The temple run in Bangkok was energy-draining; we needed fuel to jam-start our system. A good old Bangkok-style food feast was all we needed. We had our dinner in a standing-style position while eating Barbecue with the popular sticky rice. It cost at a very affordable price.
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Best Day Ever! More about that here: Must-try foods in Bangkok.
.jpg "Bangkok Shopping Malls")
5th Day Shopping Time: Bangkok Shopping Malls
What you need for this day is a pair of comfortable flats, a summer dress, loads of bats in your pocket, I mean BAHT, sunglasses, sunscreen, bottled water (must-have!) and of course some strong muscles to carry all the loads of shopping bags, well if you're a princess.
The sun was up and the streets were buzzing with people as we made our way to the market. No matter how other women deny they love shopping, we always have it within us. We might have different preferences and time allotted for shopping but women just love shopping. I can attest to that! In spite of my continuous bragging about how long my mom can decide on a certain dress or the color of a polo shirt, I was actually enjoying my bragging about it. It sounded so ridiculous but at the end of the day when we arrived at our place; I saw my new clothes and t-shirts for my brothers laid down in the bed and I had this huge smile on my face. However, It was really exhausting and just don't want to do it again. It's not really my idea of a vacation I would prefer to be trekking for hours in the mountains or have the sunburn my back at the beach.
.jpg "Terminal 21 Mall")
Terminal 21 Mall
Lower Ground Floor - Caribbean
A relaxing and cool beach theme with a lighthouse and benches you can hang around. It is a wonderland for beach lovers and laid-back people who want a new environment that feels like you're away from the city, despite you're actually in the city.
Outlets: luxury brands and boutiques
See the mesmerizing mini Eiffel Tower and the romantic ambience of Paris.
Outlets: Thai designer's boutiques and beauty shops.
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1st Floor - Tokyo ( Nakamise-Dōri Market and Harajuku Town )
Meet the famous Sumo wrestlers as they battle for strength and flaunt their sexy backs, as you walk along you'll find Torii and Maneki Neko in the corner.
Meet the famous Sumo wrestlers as they battle for strength and flaunt their sexy backs, as you walk along you'll find Torii and Maneki Neko in the corner.
Outlets: ladies' boutiques.
2nd Floor - London's Oxford Street
Walk in the hallway with red telephone booths and pass by double-decker buses.
Outlets: men's wear, jeans, and sporting goods.
The hanging lights were hypnotizing and beautiful, the color filled my eyes with a splash of vibrant details.
Outlets: mini-shops of shoes, bags, jewelry, gifts and decoration products.
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4th Floor - San Francisco City
The Golden Gate Bridge was eye-catching and everybody can't seem to grasp the idea of an enormous replica of the San Francisco Bridge in the mall's center. Picture taking was on all sides of the bridge.
Outlet: Thailand's famous restaurants..jpg)
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5th Floor - San Francisco's Fisherman Village
Giant marine creatures are everywhere; if you're starving, the sight will surely keep you salivating.
Outlets: International restaurants and food court of Pier 21.
6th Floor - Hollywood
Outlets: Cinema City, Fitness First, spa and IT products zone.
.jpg "shopping at Pratunam Market")
More shopping at Pratunam Market
Pratunam's Market is located at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi Road, opposite Platinum Fashion Mall and nearby is the famous Baiyoke Tower II. Pratunam Night Market starts at 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM. You'll get more discounts if you buy clothes at wholesale prices. For a minimum of 3 items, you can save up to 30-50 baht each and for 6 items almost 50% discount.
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Platinum Fashion Mall
A few meters away is the Platinum Fashion Mall which is opposite Pratunam Market. This is where more fashionable with more quality items are sold at much higher prices compared to the market.
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Surprisingly, I've taken two shots of the streets without even knowing: the daylight and nighttime view. It's a great comparison of how traffic works in Bangkok.
.jpg "MBK Shopping Mall")
Pratunam to MBK Shopping Mall by taxi: 50 baht. From MBK Mall you can transfer from one mall to another, they're all closely built along with Siam Malls. MBK Mall is located on Phayathai, near Siam Tower and Hard Rock Cafe, also near BTS National Stadium. The MBK mall was next to Siam Square and Siam Center and they're connected by sky bridges. The next mall we headed to was the Siam Center/Siam Discovery Center which features class and sophisticated shops.
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An asleep white-colored friend of Snoopy was enormously placed near a post to give people mischievous thoughts or simply an eye-teaser. Alongside is a tunnel that leads to the Siam Paragon Mall. As we made our way to the hallway we passed by interesting art. A vein-like tree branch literally hung on a rectangular frame giving the corner an eerie feeling. While a set of wine glasses were literally pasted to a whiteboard which exceptionally creates beautiful reflection shadows.
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The highlight shot of my day. It was looking through a fish-eye lens, which I don't have and I just ridiculously imagined it when taking this photo. A simple picture that shows lifeways. Two couples cuddle in one chair, while a young lady reading a book perhaps a student sits quietly. A guy waiting for someone and glances at the lovebirds at the corner of his eye and a young woman relaxing after a day's work. One picture can tell a thousand stories.
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.jpg "Siam Paragon")
Siam Paragon
.jpg "Pantip Market")
Pantip Market
Pantip Market located on Petchaburi Road and opposite Pratunam's City Complex, is famous for selling cheap electronic goods. We bought a pocket MP3 player for my brother that turned out to be just junk for him. I use it now for my routine running and I only paid 450 baht for it.
When the sun goes down a different kind of shopping emerges in Bangkok. We definitely did not miss the chance to be there, we headed straight to the Night Bazaar at Ramkamheng Soi 65 for cheaper clothes and delicious street foods. I had more street food shopping during the night bazaar. I feel more satisfied trying out a variety of foods than shopping for clothes. More about that here: Must-try foods in Bangkok.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
If you still have more days to spare then have an exciting day checking out these places :
Other Places To Visit in Thailand:
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is a Backpacking Trip in Cambodia and seeing the ruins of Angkor Wat.
My next adventure is a Backpacking Trip in Cambodia and seeing the ruins of Angkor Wat.
Related articles you may find interesting:
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