48 hours in Bangkok – Weekend Edition
Bangkok in Less than 48 Words
The torch of being the nation’s capital was passed from old Ayutthaya to Bangkok in 1782, effectively turning it into Thailand’s cultural, economic, and spiritual center. It has since become one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, reputed to be brimming with excellent locations for tourists.
Wat Suthat (Photo by ScubaBeer)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the exotic city of Bangkok via the Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is located 25 kilometers east of the city’s downtown area. From there, you can catch a shuttle bus that will take you to the Hua Takhe railway station, where you can take a train to the city center. Alternatively, you can opt to ride an airport express bus up to downtown Bangkok for THB150. You can also decide to hire a taxi at the airport terminal, although this may cost you around THB350.
Bangkok is a bustling metropolis of more than nine million people, with a chaotic web of intertwined streets, so that navigating the city can prove to be fairly difficult. It is divided into five major districts: Old City, Downtown, Dusit, Thonburi, and Chinatown. You can visit its tourist information center (1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10400, +66 2250 5500), which is open during Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and collect important tourist information.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Bangkok’s hotels
You can arrange your stay in Bangkok at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the SilQ Bangkok (54 Sukhumvit Soi 19 | Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, +66 2 252 6800, website). It offers elegant accommodation, a high level of personal service, a convenient location, and buffet breakfasts.
SilQ Bangkok (Photo from Google images)
You can also try out Chatrium Suites Bangkok – A Dusit Thani Hotels Partner (28 Chareonkrung Soi 70, Bangkholame, Bangkok, 10120, 02-307 8888, website), which is a five-star hotel with a nice view of the Chao Phraya River, comfortable rooms, a pool, and excellent service. A nice alternative is the Radisson Hotel Bangkok Sathorn (36 Narathiwat-Ratchanakarin Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok, 02-210 9000, website). It offers modern rooms, a chic pool area, a terrace with nice city views, and delicious food.
GRAND PALACE: Visit a royal residence
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok is the Grand Palace (Na Phra Lan Road, Old City (Rattanakosin), Bangkok), a palace complex that had served as the official residence for the kings of Thailand since the 18th century. It was built in 1782, and is noted for its impressive architecture. Inside the complex, you’ll find various royal temples, golden palaces, throne rooms, and landscaped gardens.
Wat Phra Kaew (Photo by Sean Byron)
However, the highlight will be the Wat Phra Kaew, which is generally considered to be the most scared Buddhist temple in the country. Also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, it houses a figurine of the Buddha depicted in a sitting position and made using green jasper. It is 45 centimeters tall, and is usually adorned with garments of gold.
The Grand Palace is used still as the site of royal rituals and ceremonies, such as marriages, funerals, and banquets. The site is open daily from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, and entrance tickets will cost you around THB250.
WAT PHO: Have a religious experience
You can have a religious experience by visiting the Wat Pho (2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakhon District Bangkok 10200, 0-2226-0335, website). Also called The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, it is a Buddhist temple considered to be one of the largest and the oldest in Bangkok. It covers an area of about 80,000 square meters, and houses over a thousand Buddha images.
The Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho (Photo by Alberto Perdomo)
One of these is the Reclining Buddha, which is one of the largest single Buddha images in the world. It stands 15 meters tall, and has a length of 46 meters, and is plated with gold and mother-of-pearl. The Buddha’s feet are beautifully carved with auspicious Chinese and Indian scenes. The temple is open daily from 8 am to 5 p, and admission will cost you THB50.
DUSIT ZOO: See wildlife
Another noteworthy tourist attraction in Bangkok is the Dusit Zoo (71 Rama 5 Road, Bangkok, 10300, 02-281 2000, website), which is considered the oldest of its kind in Thailand. Inside, you’ll find more than 1,600 animals of different species. Moreover, you can watch breeding, animal-raising, and training facilities. The site is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you THB50.
YAOWARAT: Have a Chinese experience
Yaowarat Road (Photo from Google images)
For a unique Chinese experience in Bangkok, you can try visiting its Chinatown district, which is centered at the Yaowarat Road. It has served as the main trading center for the city’s Chinese community for around 200 years, and is best known for its shops and stalls hawking all types of goods. You can also try the unique street food served around the area, or go on a shopping spree at the mall complexes of nearby Siam Square.
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Bangkok’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is the Sirocco Sky Bar (The Dome at State Tower, 1055 Silom Road, Bangkok, + 66 (0) 2 624 9555). It is an award-winning open-air bar perched atop a building, where you can enjoy creative drinks while seated a bit away from the edge.
Sirocco Sky Bar (Photo by strinik09)
You can also try out the Phra Nakorn Bar (46 Thewet Soi 1, Phranakorn, Bangkhunprom, Bangkok, 10200, 02-6288188), which is a favorite spot for university students for its exciting parties. A nice alternative is the Water Bar (107/3-4 Rangnam Road, Bangkok, + 66 (0) 2 642 7699). It is best known as the home of the original Thai cocktail, which is made from Thai whisky, soda water, Coke, and ice.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover Bangkok’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. Remember to include the Wat Suthat (Sao Chingcha Square Bangkok, 02-222 0280), which is one of Thailand’s six first-grade temples. Inside the complex, you’ll find the Phra Sri Sakyamuni, a Buddha image which originated from the Sukhothai province, as well as 28 Chinese pagodas that represent the 28 Buddhas who had been born on Earth.
However, it is best known for the Giant Swing, a religious structure considered as one of the city’s most popular landmarks. It dates back to 1784, stands at a height of around 30 meters, and is the site of the annual Swing Ceremony. The temple is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.
VIMANMEK PALACE: Visit a former royal palace
You can also go for a visit to the Vimanmek Palace (Ratchawithi Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, +66 2 628 6300, website), which dates back to 1900 and was the royal residence of King Rama V for five years. It is considered as the world’s largest golden teakwood mansion, and today functions as a museum dedicated to the king who had occupied it. Inside, you’ll find various photographs, handicrafts and personal art owned by King Rama V. The site is open daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
Vimanmek Palace (Photo by norisons)
JIM THOMPSON HOUSE: Head to an architectural marvel
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok is the Jim Thompson House (6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, (662) 216-7368, website). It is a unique building built between 1950s and 60s by the American Jim Thompson (founder of the Thai Silk Company), out of the parts of six Thai teak houses taken from different parts of Thailand. Although it is noted mainly for its architectural value, you can also see inside it a rich collection of art and antiques spanning 14 centuries. You can stroll through its flower-filled gardens as well. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around THB100.
LUMPHINI PARK: Unwind at a park
You can relax at the Lumphini Park (Rama IV Road, Wangmai Sub-district, Patumwan District, Bangkok, 02-252 5948), which is one of the few open public spaces in Bangkok. Established in the 1920s by King Rama IV, it covers an area of 142 acres, and is known for its trees, playgrounds, and artificial lake. You can go for a leisurely stroll along its 2.5-kilometer long walking paths, have a picnic by the grasses, or go boating at the lake. You can also see there the first-ever public library in the city, as well as the Palm Garden that regularly hosts concerts and other events. The site is open daily from 4:30 am to 9 pm.
Lamphini Park (Photo by Steffen Gerd Osear)
DINNER TIME: Discover Bangkok’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the Le Beaulieu (Sukhumvit Soi 19, Bangkok 10011, 662-204-2004, website). It offers an authentic French cuisine, and is best known for its crème brulee. A nice alternative is Le Normandie (Soi Oriental Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, 02-2360400, website), which serves delicious French dishes, plus an excellent wine selection.
Have a taste of Italy in Bangkok at Enoteca italiana (Sukhumvit soi 27 n 39, Bangkok 10110, 02 2584386, website). It specializes in authentic Italian cuisine where the most famous options are the black-ink cappuccino and suckling pig. You can also try out Vicolo 4 (Silom Soi 4, Bangkok, 10110, 02 632 7778, website), which off
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