Joanna James
If you have just under 24 hours in Bangkok you should know that you still have plenty of time to whatever it is that you want to do. If you are unsure which of the plans on your bucket list you'd like to tick off, let us help you with this list of quick things you can do.
The Grand Palace is spectacular. You can believe that the most powerful man in Thailand lives here. It is an iconic landmark in Bangkok and is at the very top of our list. Take a tour of the great halls and gardens and catch a glimpse of what life must have been for the royals that walked these halls from 1782 when the palace was first built to this very day. The architecture is breathtaking and the intricacies of the details that have been put into the aesthetics and majesty of the place will just hold you in utter awe.
The Klongs of Thonburi are canals which are situated on the west banks of the Chao Phraya River. They are manmade canals and feature an almost ramshackle charm that your Instagram account would love. It showcases how the people of Bangkok used to live in the past on stilted shacks and wooden townhouses.
Called the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is a landmark of the Thonburi area on the banks of the Chao Phraya river. It has to be the most beautiful temple in Bangkok with beautifully decorated spires and its situation with a gorgeous reflection on the river. You should spend at least an hour at the temple and if you got at sunset it is even better when the light hits the spires just right. The spires rise 70 m high and are decorated exquisitely in Chinese porcelain and coloured glass mosaics. You can climb up to the top of the central prang or spire but it is a bit tricky so might we suggest caution.
Chinatown in Bangkok is where you go if you are looking for the best shopping spots in the country. It is quite easy to get lost in the maze-like lanes where the forefathers of the current stall owners first set up shop. The prices are also the cheapest you could find anywhere including somewhat authentic looking knock-offs of luxury brands. Each lane is differentiated by what you can buy there so for example, Sampeng Lane is where you go to look for everything from flip flops to plastic Christmas trees. And Old Siam Plaza is a lovingly restored European era building that sells fashion items and street food.
There are plenty of luxury Bangkok hotels that have their rooftop bar as well as well-stocked bars where the barkeeps are magicians with the cocktails they create. Check out the bar at one of the hotels belonging to Chatrium Hotels & Residences and enjoy a sunset over the pretty Bangkok skyline before heading back to the airport.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
