Bangkok on the Cheap

Description:

Author: Kevin

Day 1 - Bangkok

Your ticket from the Grand Palace should get you into Vimanmek Palace today. After exploring the mansion, head over to Chinatown. Loads of cheap eats can be found around here. The next site is the Chao Phor Seua shrine. Not far off is a Hindu temple as well. Two more temples might leave you begging for mercy but it'd be a pity to miss both Wat Suthat and Wat Traimit. When you leave the Chinatown area, be sure to see the Giant Swing. One last stop for the day should be across the river at Wat Arun as the light fades from the sky but comes up on the stately temple. Be aware that several of the riverside hotels have their own ferries and it is free to just hop on board.


1

Big John's Guesthouse

Location:

view in google maps
161/8-9 Sukhumvit Soi 55
10110 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 0 2 712 9712


2

Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha)

Location:

view in google maps
Na Phralan Road
Phra Borommaharatchawong
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 222 0094 / +66 2 222 6889 / +66 2 222 2208


2

New Empire Hotel

Location:

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572 Yaowaraj Road, Sampanthawong
10100 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 234 6990 6


2

Asia Hotel

Location:

view in google maps
296 Phayathai Road
In front of Ratchathewi Skytrain Station
10400 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 0 2215 0808


2

Royal Princess Larn Luang

Location:

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269 Larn Luang Road
Watsommanut, Pomprabsattruphai
10100 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 22813088


2

Silom City Inn

Location:

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72 Soi Prachurn (Silmo 22), Silom Road
Silom Road, Bangrak
10500 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 263562114


2

Reno Hotel (The)

Location:

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40 Soi Kasem San 1
Rama 1 Road
10330 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

66 0 2 215 0026 7 / 0 2 612 3096 7


2

Wat Ratchanatdaram

Location:

view in google maps
2 Mahachai Road
Bowonniwet Sub-District
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 224 8807 / +66 2 225 5749


2

Vimanmek Palace

Location:

view in google maps
16 Rajavithi Road
Dusit
10300 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 628 6300


2

National Museum

Location:

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Na Phrathat Road
Phra Nakhon
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 224 1404 / +66 2 224 1333


2

Corrections Museum

Location:

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436 Mahachai Road
(near Rommani Nart Park)
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 226 1706


3

Chao Phor Seua

Location:

view in google maps
Between Tanao Road & Trok Khrut Road
San Chao Phor Sub district
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 226 0060 (Tourist Information Center)


4

Wat Suthat

Location:

view in google maps
146 Bamrung Muang Road
Ratchabophit Sub-District
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 02 224 9845 / +66 02 222 9635


5

Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)

Location:

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Traimit Road
Chinatown
10100 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 (0) 2 623 3329 - 30

Day 2 - Bangkok

Today should fall on a weekend or else move it there in your itinerary. This is a good day to ride the SkyTrain. Get yourself a day pass which will allow you unlimited rides. Either start or end (or both) at Erawan Shrine. Either time something will be going on at the shrine but daytime and nighttime visits offer their own distinct ambience. While your in the area be sure to check out the quirky Lingam Shrine. In the late morning ride to Mor Chit station and head to the Chatuchak Market (better known as "J J" Market or weekend market. For most the Victory Monument is just something you will pass on the SkyTrain. From the market head back to Siam Station and transfer to the Silom line. Get out at Sala Daeng station and cross the busy intersection to Lumphini Park. This is a great shaded place for a picnic or to rent a paddleboat. Late afternoon often sees free public aerobics with large groups of Thais. Finish off the day with a bit of budget shopping and street food at the Suan Luam Night Bazaar right across the street from the park.


1

Erawan Shrine

Location:

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494 Ratchawithi Road (corner of Ploenchit and Ratchiwithi)
(Next to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel)
10330 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 225 7612(Tourist Information)


2

Lingam Shrine

Location:

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Wireless Road, Nai Lert Park
(Behind the Hilton International Hotel)
10330 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 226 0060 (Tourist Information Center)


3

Chatuchak Park

Location:

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Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand


4

Victory Monument

Location:

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Between Din Daeng, Phahonyothin, Phayathai and Ratchawithi Roads
Thung Phayathai sub-district
Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)


5

Lumphini Park

Location:

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Entrances on Rama IV Road, Sarasin Road, Wireless Road and Ratchadamri Road
10330 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Day 3 - Bangkok

The muddy waters of the Chao Praya River make a great setting for a city tour. You can purchase them of course, but one great budget option is to pay pocket change to hop on and off of the fast ferry (or get a day pass from one of the tourist information offices at the SkyTrain stations) and make your way up the river. At Tha Tien pier, near Wat Pho are a variety of great local restaurants. Local boats offer cheap tours farther upriver to Koh Kred, a car-free island with an old market featuring some Thai desserts you might not find just anywhere and pottery workshops. This is both off the beaten path and highly recommended. At the end of the day stop at Phra Sumen Fort before heading over to Khao San Road for some evening entertainment.


1

Chao Phraya River and Bangkok Waterways Cruise including Wat Arun

Location:

Bangkok, Thailand


2

Phra Sumen Fort

Location:

view in google maps
North-east end of Phra Athit Road
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 226 0060 (Tourist Information Center)


3

Khao San Road

Location:

view in google maps
Khao San Road
In Banglampoo, just north of the Grand Palace area and Ratchadamnoen Road
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 225 7612(Tourist Information)

Day 4 - Bangkok

Start your day off with breakfast in Khao San Road where you can find both Thai and Western options. Head over to Wat Sa Ket for a morning climb and then take in the layout of the city from the top. Your next stop should be the Grand Palace. Save your ticket because it should be good for Vimanmek Palace tomorrow. In the afternoon see the massive Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and perhaps do a bit of reclining yourself in the on site massage school parlor. This is a cheap massage and by masseuses trained at the nearby Wat Pho Thai Massage School. Head over to the pier to watch the sun set behind Wat Arun on the other side of the river. You might stay around here for dinner and take a river ferry back south.


2

Wat Saket (Golden Mount)

Location:

view in google maps
Boriphat Road
10100 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)


3

Grand Palace

Location:

view in google maps
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
East of the river, on Na Phra Lan Rd., near Sanam Luang
10500 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)


4

Wat Pho

Location:

view in google maps
2 Sanamchai Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone:

+66 2 222 5910 / +66 2 226 2942 / +66 2 226 1743 / +66 2 225 9595

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