How to Plan a 4-day Trip to Bangkok – The best of Thailand

The smelly and noisy Bangkok is a fascinating place. With something unique and unusual going on everywhere in the city, Bangkok promises tourists a memorable experience filled with culture, history, delicious food, and adventure. If you have four days in Bangkok, rest assured that you are going to have a cracking time here. Here’s how you can spend your four days.

Christophe95, Chatuchak Weekend Market 2, CC BY-SA 4.0 

Day 1

On your first day here, you should focus on the main attractions.Visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun:The Grand Palace is a symbol of Thai royalty and the country’s proud history and heritage. The royals don’t occupy the palace anymore, but important official celebrations are held at the palace. The garden surrounding the palace is an attraction in itself and deserves about half an hour of your time. Once you are done exploring the Grand Palace, you should head to Wat Pho, located adjacent to the palace; this is where you’ll find the famed reclining Buddha. Another place you should visit is Wat Arun. Also called the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is located opposite the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Mornings are a less busy time for the temples and are ideal for tourist visits.River cruises:A river cruise will offer you a chance to view Bangkok in its most mesmerising form. There are luxury river cruises, with some of them taking to the water at night. If you are on a strict budget, however, you can just take a water taxi – it’s the same experience but less ostentatious.Khao San Road:If you like activity, noise, and vibrant and flashy lights, you’ll find yourself in paradise here. Khao San Road is popular with tourists, particularly backpackers. You’ll find hordes of tourists cramming the narrow alleyways, trying to sample new food and buy exotic items.

Day 2

On your second day in Bangkok, you should prioritise shopping at street markets and malls and soaking up something of Thai culture.Malls:Bangkok’s malls are less glamorous than what you find in cities like Dubai, but they offer so much for you to buy and see. Terminal 21, for example, is one of the must-visit malls, not least because it’s located just 10 minutes from Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. The Emporium is another excellent suggestion for those considering luxury hotels in Bangkok. Keep in mind that you might not be able to haggle at malls, but you are sure to find some good discounts.Chinatown:For more culture and colourful diversions, head to Chinatown. This region of Bangkok absolutely bursts with colours. At times, it can be a little too much for a first-time visitor. Streets are lined with vendors selling all kinds of food and drinks, and you’ll also find plenty of cheap souvenirs.Muay Thai: Make sure you have time on your second day to watch some Muay Thai boxing. Most tourist places offer the less intense version of Muay Thai, so you should head to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium to see some real Thai-style boxing.

Day 3

If your third day falls on a weekend, you should explore Bangkok’s weekend markets and visit Jim Thompson’s House.The Chatuchak Weekend Market:This is the largest street market in Bangkok. Stretching over many miles and offering a dizzying array of shops, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the best place to get a glimpse of local life. With 15,000 stalls at your disposal, there’s nothing you won’t find here.Jim Thompson’s HouseJim Thompson was an American expat who’s remembered for reviving Thailand’s silk industry. He went missing, and his house now serves as a museum. You’ll find an array of valued possessions that belong to the entrepreneur.

Day 4

You shouldn’t cram your last-day schedule with too many things to do.You can do some more shopping at street markets and visit the National Museum for a history lesson. But make sure you have time to treat yourself to a rejuvenating Thai massage.