Here are some places in the Thai capital that Chasing Places recommend for you to check out, if you have a day or two to explore:

1. Ko Ratanakosin

This is also known as the royal district of Bangkok.   All of the major attractions in the city can be found in this neighborhood.   Since most of these attractions are of walking distance from each other, this may be the first place you should visit.  Start your day early as the weather is much more pleasant in the early morning.

Wat Phra Keuw – This is also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.  Consistent with the other name suggests, it is the home of the highly venerated Emerald Buddha.  Thus, Wat Phra Keuw is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in all of Thailand.

The Grand Palace – Just adjoined to Wat Phra Kuew. This is the former residence of the Thai monarchs. Both Wat Phra Keuw and the Grand Palace are set in a massive complex, encompassing a land area of almost 95 hectares.  Aside from the palace and the temple, there are over 100 buildings situated in this complex, and they reflect the Thai’s ingenious architectural designs and the royal history of the country in the last 200 years. The green space that surrounds the Palace and the temple complex is called Sanam Luang.

 Wat Pho – This is the home of the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. The Buddha measures 46 meters long and 15 meters high, making it an impressive sight.

There are definitely other Wats (Wat Arun and Wat Mahathat) worth visiting but this is left to your discretion. But remember that these buildings and religious monuments and sacred places. Thus, visiting those means that you observe respectful behavior and the appropriate dress code. You are expected to wear shirts or tops with sleeves, long pants or long skirts, as well as close-toe shoes if you want to wander around the temple grounds. You need to remove your shoes if you want to enter the main shrine area . It will not be hard to see where they are.

Travel Suggestions: If you would like to see most of the sites in the Ko Ratanakosin district, one way to go about it is to go onboard the Chao Phraya Express, a ferry service that stops in several spots along the Chao Phraya River. Another option is to hire a longtail boat and enjoy a private tour around the river. Just make sure to not say ‘yes’ right away to the initial price that the boatman tells you as it is most likely an inflated price!

After getting a large dose of Thai history and culture by spending time within the Ko Ratanakosin area, it is time to experience the different side of Bangkok. Shopping in Bangkok is an incredible experience because Thai products including clothes, jewelry, and crafts are varied and relatively affordable. The city’s shopping spots are attractions themselves because of their very lively ambience.

2. Chatuchak Market

This is the biggest street market in Southeast Asia. This massive market has everything your heart desires and some stuff that will still surprise you!  The only drawback is Chatuchak is a tourist hub, so if you are looking for a great bargain, it is hard to find it here as vendors are used to selling things at a premium price. Fortunately, there are other smaller and lesser known markets all over Bangkok, where you can find products that are sold at standard Southeast Asia prices. But don’t shun Chatuchak completely. It is still a nice place to soak in the atmosphere and people watch. You can also dine in some eateries here that sell traditional Thai dishes.