One Day In Bangkok - The Ultimate 24 Hour Itinerary

Morning

Start your one day in Bangkok with an early breakfast either at the hotel or at one of the numerous food stalls in city. Mango and sticky rice happens to be a personal favourite, but there are really so many good breakfast options to choose from that you might end up having several courses! Before heading out be sure to take appropriate clothes along for the day, considering the possibility of rain and a morning that will be filled with religious attractions that require knees and shoulders to be covered. Once you’ve had your fill and feel energised and ready for the day, head to a local waterway to grab your means of transport for the morning; a boat! The city is perfectly geared towards tourism, and any decent hotel lobby will be able to point you in the right direction. I think boats are the best way to see Bangkok in a day and a great way to get around, particularly to access the many historical attractions and temples along the river, as well as to view the passing architecture and ancient klongs (canals) that give a feel of old-world Bangkok. The boat-ride alone – be it an express boat, river taxi or tail-boat – is an exciting activity that provides a unique view of the city and the chance to spot the hulking monitor lizards that inhabit the water.

Sightseeing - Wat Pho

Your next stop is Wat Pho (or Wat Phra Chetuphon) where you will see one of the many famous and impressive effigies of Buddha. Known in English as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho houses an enormous reclining Buddha, 46 metres long and covered head to toe in gold leaf. Along with the impressive statue the temple is also famous for its reputation as a leading Thai massage school, which naturally makes it the perfect place to get a Thai massage! Take some time to admire the peaceful form of the reclining Buddha, and perhaps gain yourself a bit of luck by dropping a few charity-bound coins into the symbolic 108 bronze bowls that line the walls – representing the 108 phases that led Buddha to perfection – before you treat yourself to a blissful Thai specialty massage. The coins make a beautiful sound as they come to stillness inside the bronze bowls, and if that doesn’t do enough to relax you the massage that follows most certainly will – just be sure to specify the intensity and pressure you would prefer, as the Thai style of massage can be a bit much for total newbies.

Midday

Finally, it is time to shed those layers and hit the sidewalks! I hope you’re hungry because a delicious lunch in nearby Chinatown is next on the cards. Every major city in the world has a Chinatown of its own, but Bangkok is a formidable rival being as it is the largest in the world! Passing through the ceremonial Chinese gates you’ll know at once that you have arrived, and will be instantly captivated by streets lined to bursting with stalls, stores, and restaurants. A foodie haven the choices of just what to fill up on are endless, with all manner of Chinese food imaginable on offer. If you feel inclined to stick to Thai cuisine you will be more than satisfied because even in Chinatown the choices for authentic, mouthwatering Thai food are plentiful (and at super low prices)! When hunting for a good place to eat follow the nose and your eyes; if a place has a winding queue of locals, you know it is worth a try! Fikeaw is a particularly popular seafood spot, with widely sought-after dishes like stir-fried crab, and a cook that likes to create his dishes with a dash of theatre. After lunch, be sure to indulge in one of the many exotic dessert specialties; grab a chocolate-filled bun on the go, so that you can snack while you browse the enormous variety of goods for sale.

Evening

After your shopping spree you might be in need of well-deserved pitstop. Head back to the hotel to deposit your retail-therapy treasures and refresh in preparation for a night out on the town! Once ready and revitalised, pick your preferred mode of transport – sky train or taxi will work perfectly – and make your way to Victory Monument where a world of street food flavour awaits. If you prefer, you can go directly to Victory Monument from Pratunam as it is situated nearby.

As you might already know, Bangkok is one of the world’s best cities for food, particularly the outstanding quality of the street food which is continually in such high demand as to ensure a quick turnover and consistently fresh food! Victory Monument is a Nirvana for street food as it is a central transport hub in the city, with a constant foot traffic. In the surrounding area you can expect to find a banquet of restaurants, street food stalls, and exciting new nibbles. If you head north of the roundabout you will be treated to the sight of a variety of Thai boat noodle restaurants in the famous boat noodle alley.