Bangkok Things to Do Tips by Myndo

Wat Phra Kaeo and the Palace are located right next to each other and are accessed with the same entry ticket(s).
For 250 Baht per person you gain entry to the big complex. You also get a map with explanations. Of course you can also hire one of the guides that offer theis service at the entrance.
We were quite put aback by the masses of people here. Groups and single travelers, both.
Note that you can only enter the complex when dressed properly (for examples look at the local custom tip).

Wat Phra Kaeo is Thailands most well known temple complex. It was founded 1782 at the same time when Bangkok was founded.
At the inner sides of the wall are many frescos that are from the Ramakien - the Thai version of the indian Epos Ramayana.
The Pantheon (Prasar Phra Tepidorm) is a sight not to miss. It is decorated all over with sculptures.
In the Bot you can find the famos Smaragd Buddha. 60 cm hisgh and it is not Smaragd, but Jade that it is made of. The whereabouts of it are unknown.

The Kings Palaceyou reach through a gate in the backside of the temple. The many buildings are made in the different stiles of the times they were erected during 200 years.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

This is Bangkoks biggest and oldest Temple.
It has 4 Vharns, 95 Cedis, a galerie with about 400 Bddha statues and many side buildings.
The main attraction is a 46m long and 15 m high golden statue of a lying Buddha.
On the feet of this Buddha are pearlmut inlaid ornaments. They show what is necessary for a Buddha.

Compared to the Wat Phra Kaeo the visit is really cheap. Only 20 Baht per person.
There are also not so many people around here as at the Palace. If you can only have a look at one temple in Bangkok, choose this one.

To enter the Wat Buildings itself you have to take off your shoes. Have alook not only at the big things (said Buddha), but also on the small ones. I am always enjoying the craft and the beauty of the ornaments that cover almost everything.
The walls, the doors, the pillars, are all decorated, painted, sculpted, plated with pearlmut inlaids, golden etc.
There was a curious sound in this temple, you will notice it shortly after entering. A sort of rhythmic "pling, pling" but not really regular. I found out what it is when coming around the feet of the Buddha statue. There is a row of pots in which people throw coins. "pling, pling, pling".

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Phone: 02-221-991
Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Directions: The entrance to Wat Pho is on Chetuphon road. Entrance is 20B. It's open every day, opening hours are from 08.00am to 5.00pm, with a break from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

On the other side of the River Chao Phraya (seen from the Old Town), you can see the big Prang of Wat Arun.
"The Temple of Morning Dawn" as it is also called is said to be one of the most beautiful sacral buildings of Thailand.
It is covered as you can see when you get closer by millions of ceramic tiles. The ground color is white what makes the Prang glow from far, but there are actually many more colors on it.

To get there, take the ferry from behind Wat Pho. Maybe you have to search a little, until you find the dock, but it is worth. Crossing the River costs an amazing 3 Baht per person :-)
Entrance to the Wat was free.

From the dock there also go ferries to other destinations along the river and you can rent a boat for a trip through the Klongs.

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Phone: 02-466-3167
Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River
Directions: From this pier take a cross river ferry to Wat Arun.

The Klongs are more than just water filled channels.
For Bangkok they are means of Transport: better than the roads that are so stuck up in rush hour. They are like the roads. All the houses at the rims have their own access to the water. You wash yourself there, you maybe trade what you have there.

If you want to explore the Khlongs, make a tour, or maybe better: just rent one of the long tail boats you find at the jettys (like in front of Wat Arun). Don't forget to bargain. Maybe you ask others to join you, because you will pay per boat, not per person.
We paid 600 Baht for a trip from Wat Arun to the Banglampoo Pier that took us through the Klongs way back from the main river. Time was a little more than an hour.
I liked how our boat driver made a detour to bring something he bought home to his house at the water.

The water does not look very clean, but it must have a lot of fish in it. People were fishing, we even saw a kingfisher bird.
It is a very special way to see a part of Bangkok that is a little more relaxed than what you experience elsewhere.

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Well known from the film "the Beach" with Leonardo Di Caprio. Here you find all the road sellers, bars, cafes that you want.
The Road used to be a secret tip for the Backpacker community, but got a tourist destination by itself in the last years.

After 5 p.m. the road is closed for traffic and becomes a pedestrian mile.

There are many guest houses, hotels etc here or close by. The location makes it a good starting point into Bangkoks Old Town. In walking distance from the Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Khlongs.

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Address: T. Khoa San Road (KSR) BKK

When you are in Wat Pho you can have a traditional Thai Massage or Foot Reflexology here.
Wat Pho is Center of learning and keeping the knowledge of Thai Traditional Medicine.

The prices are reasonable, maybe you have to make an appointment here first (before having a look around the temple).
120 Baht for 30 Minutes
200 Baht for 1 hour
You can find the building on the left hand when you enter the complex.

If you have the time, you can also make a course in Thai Massage here.
30 hours in total 10 days and 6000 Baht

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Address: Wat Pho

Day trips outside of Bangkok:
Ayutthaya: wonderful temples, some old ones beautifully restored, reminiding of the Angkor Wat area.

Damnoen Saduak, the swimming market: go as early as possible, the market starts officialy around 6 o'clock, the tourists with the big buses start to fall in after 9-10 o'clock. Maybe you use a taxi or private driver to avoid this.

Bridge over river Kwai and Kanchanaburi: there are excursions and boat trips that are worth taking.

Erawan Ntl. Park: behind Kanchanaburi: a wonderful place for a walk in the jungle like forest, you follow a small river up. There are 7 waterfalls, one after the other. In the pools under the waterfalls you can go swimminf/bathing, so take your swim suits. I highly recomend this one! Go in the morning, when it's not too hot.

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