Things to Do in Bangkok: 12 Spots and 4–5 Day Itineraries
Twelve Bangkok spots grouped by area: the Old Town temples, the Chao Phraya riverside, Siam and Silom, and Chatuchak. Hours and fees are listed only where an official source confirms them.
Itineraries
4 days
Day 1 · Arrival · Siam and Silom
Day 2 · Old Town temples
Day 3 · River and Chinatown
Day 4 · Chatuchak and departure
5 days
Day 1 · Arrival · Silom
Day 2 · Old Town temples
Day 3 · Banglamphu and Chinatown
Day 4 · Siam and the riverside malls
Day 5 · Chatuchak and departure
Things to do 8
The Grand Palace
Former royal residence compound on Na Phra Lan Road. Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Emerald Buddha, is inside the same grounds.
- Hours
- Daily 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; tickets sold 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
- Fee
- 500 baht
- Time needed
- about 2–3 hours
Wat Pho
Temple in the Tha Tien area south of the Grand Palace, known for its reclining Buddha. Its full name is Wat Phra Chetuphon.
- Time needed
- about 1–1.5 hours
Chao Phraya Express Boat
Public river boats with color-coded flags. Useful for moving between Sathorn and the Old Town piers.
- Fee
- Orange flag 18 baht, yellow flag 23 baht, red flag 32 baht (operator listing)
- Time needed
- about 30–40 minutes one way
- Getting there
- Sathorn Pier connects to BTS Saphan Taksin station.
ICONSIAM
Riverside shopping complex on the Thonburi bank at 299 Charoen Nakhon Soi 5.
- Hours
- Daily 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Time needed
- about 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- Reachable by BTS, public boat, hotel shuttle boat (paid) or bus, per the official site.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Riverside night market and shopping area on Charoen Krung Road.
- Hours
- Daily 11:00 AM–midnight
- Time needed
- about 2 hours
Jim Thompson House Museum
Traditional Thai teak houses once owned by silk businessman Jim Thompson. The main house is seen on a guided tour in Thai, English, French, Chinese or Japanese.
- Hours
- Daily 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Fee
- Adults 250 baht; ages 10–21 150 baht with ID; under 10 free
- Time needed
- about 1–1.5 hours
- Getting there
- BTS National Stadium station, exit 1.
King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk
Observation deck at 314 m with 360-degree views of the city.
- Hours
- 10:00 AM–midnight; last entry 11:00 PM
- Fee
- From 500 to 1,200 baht depending on time of visit
- Time needed
- about 1–1.5 hours
- Getting there
- BTS Chong Nonsi station, exit 3.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Large market with more than 15,000 stalls on weekends. On Wednesday and Thursday only the plant section opens.
- Hours
- Sat–Sun 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (full market); Wed–Thu 7:00 AM–6:00 PM plant section only
- Time needed
- about 3 hours
- Getting there
- MRT Chatuchak Park station, about a two-minute walk to Entrance 2.
Good to know
- The Grand Palace sells tickets only until 3:30 PM.
- Chatuchak's full market opens only on weekends; Wed–Thu is plant section only.
- The Chao Phraya Express Boat flag color decides the route and fare; check the flag before boarding.
- Jim Thompson House's main house is entered only with a guide; no reservation is needed.
- Ride-hailing apps such as Grab are an alternative to street taxis.
FAQ
How much is the Grand Palace ticket?
500 baht, per the official site. Tickets are sold 8:30 AM–3:30 PM.
When is Chatuchak Market open?
The full market opens Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM–6 PM. Only the plant section opens on Wednesday and Thursday.
How do I get to Chatuchak by train?
Get off at MRT Chatuchak Park. Entrance 2 is about a two-minute walk.
Is 4 days enough for Bangkok?
Four days covers the Old Town, the riverside, Siam–Silom and Chatuchak. A fifth day adds Khao San Road and Asiatique.
How much is the Mahanakhon SkyWalk?
500 to 1,200 baht depending on the time of visit, per the official site.