While in Bangkok

I’ve spent the last week or so finalizing plans for the up coming trip to Thailand and planning out where I’ll be and when, which is basically all over Thailand.

The first 4 days of my trip I’ll be in Bangkok because I wanted to retrace some earlier steps I’ve taken there and get some better pictures. Or in the case of certain places like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace get pictures this time,  as my camera broke the last time I was at these places. Having only four days will make it a little tight but I’m hoping to get in at least the following places.

  1. Grand Palace
  2. Wat Arun
  3. Chatuchak Market
  4. China Town
  5. Jim Thompson House
  6. Vimanek Mansion
  7. The Government House
  8. Victory Monument
  9. Democracy Monument
  10. Dusit Park
  11. MBK

Some of these will be quick visits like the monuments. Others are very close and can be done consecutively, like taking the skytrain to Chinatown then heading over to the river and catching a boat to Wat Arun and The grand Palace.

I’m also hoping that either in the beginning of the trip or at the end to take a trip to Damnoen Sudak to see the floating market. Basically I’ll be in full tourist mode at the beginning of the trip and then heading to Pattaya for a bit to see friends and catch up before heading up country to Mukdahan for a few weeks. From Mukdahan I’ll be heading to several other nearby provinces and probably into Laos for a day trip.

Here’s where you come in. While I obviously have a bit to see already planned for my first four days in Bangkok I think I can squeeze in a bit more. What have I left off the list that you think is a must see in Bangkok? What else do you think I can add to the list in the limited amount of Time I have there?

Please fill the comments with suggestions. and see if  you can help wear me out in the first few days.

sig1 While in Bangkok
Related Posts with Thumbnails

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
12 Responses to While in Bangkok
  1. Mike
    March 16, 2009 | 12:29 am

    Talen two things I enjoyed spring to mind although the second is best done with your partner.

    1. A cycle tour of BKK-sounds crazy but was great fun and I swear we never went on a main road-used the paths at the side of the klongs. I have a Thai friend who runs a tour company and included this!

    2. An evening boat trip on the river, theres a huge selection but we did a dinner cruise which came in at 700 Baht each and well worth it(more expensive when booked through hotels).

    Mikes last blog post..Visit to Ban Krud Thailand.

    • Talen
      March 16, 2009 | 8:01 pm

      Dinner cruise is an excellent Idea Mike…That’s definitely going on the list. Cycle tour sounds like fun but I don’t know if time will permit or if my teelac will enjoy that much exercise lol.

  2. Malcolm
    March 16, 2009 | 12:47 am

    Talen, looks like you’ve got your plate pretty full already , but what you really need to do is get your pictures and get out of BKK as soon as possible and see some real Thailand , for instance, Kanchanaburi and the Death Railroad The Bridge On The River Kwai, Hell Fire Pass , Wang Pho, and all the beautiful waterfalls around the area. Maybe you’ve done this aready , just a suggestion . Malcolm
    And as promised I’ll take you out to see Moll-Lee for a ride ,and a swim with her in the River Kwai .

    Malcolms last blog post..SMOKEY—JOKIE

    • Talen
      March 16, 2009 | 8:02 pm

      Oh I will be getting out of Bangkok fast no doubt there. I was thinking of the Bridge on the River Kwai a little later in my trip.

      • Andy
        March 17, 2009 | 2:21 pm

        Much more interesting than the bridge itself is the train ride from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok, especially the last part where the valley gets narrow and the track is on a curved viaduct directly at the valley wall.

        Andys last blog post..Number of administrative entities 2008

  3. nomadicmatt
    March 16, 2009 | 1:49 am

    no chinatown? some great food there. I’d add it your list.

    nomadicmatts last blog post..How to Make Your Money Last

  4. Andy
    March 16, 2009 | 2:08 am

    I’d add two more museums to the list – first the National Museum within walking distance from Grand Palace, but for that you should reserve at least two hours to make the visit worth it and not rushing through the exhibitions. A smaller but quite charming one is Suan Pakkard, which I just wrote about on my travel blog. The second one is a bit like Jim Thompsons, but more quiet.

    Damnoen Saduak is OK if you don’t mind it being completely touristy, but I read on one of Richard Barrows blogs that there’s a similar floating market just opened somewhere near Pattaya, that might be easier to do on the way. Or if you’re in Bangkok on the weekend you can also go to Taling Chan, actually more a floating eating place with the market on the road towards the canal, quite different from Damnoen Saduak but still interesting, much cheaper and more near.

    Andys last blog post..Province governor reshuffle – Update

    • Talen
      March 16, 2009 | 8:06 pm

      The Museums sound like a good choice and I’m going to do my best to work them in.

      I had heard that the floating market at Damnoen Sudak was the real deal and not the tourist trap like the one inside Bangkok…I also plan to see the one in Pattaya.

      Taling Chan sounds great so I will definitely be adding that to the list….gonna be a tough four days I might just need a vacation after this!

  5. martin in bulgaria
    March 17, 2009 | 10:24 am

    Are you trying to fit too much in. Maybe I’ve been in Bulgaria too long, but taking it easy should be on the agenda if you are ‘on holiday’.

    In all instances, enjoy the trip and show us some photographs when you have time.

    martin in bulgarias last blog post..Two Tonics in One

  6. Martyn
    March 17, 2009 | 1:29 pm

    When it comes to big cities and Bangkok is certainly in that category then I am of little use to anyone. The last time I visited my countries capital London was about ten years ago and it will probably be another ten years before I do so again.

    Smaller cities like Pattaya I can handle and I am looking forward to your posts from there. However lately I have realized that one day myself and Wilai must visit Bangkok and spend a few days seeing the sights as you are going to do. I will read your reviews with interest and perhaps mark down some time next year to visit a couple of your recommendations.

    Most of all though I’m eager to view your stories and photos about Mukdahan as that kind of place holds more interest to me now.

    Martyns last blog post..The Buffalo Gang

    • Talen
      March 17, 2009 | 10:57 pm

      I’m not much on big cities either…and my tolerance for Bangkok will only last a few days. Between the traffic and the smog it gets old fast.

      Pattaya is always a good time and there is so much to see and do…lots of pictures yet to be taken there.

      The bulk of my time will be in Mukdahan with some side trips to Nakom Phanome and probably Ubon. I’m hoping to get a lot more pictures and stories and hopefully avoid snakes and squat toilets!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks
  1. Bangkok's Floating Market | Thailand Land of Smiles
Leave a Reply


Wanting to leave an <em>phasis on your comment?

Trackback URL http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/03/15/while-in-bangkok/trackback/