Thailand is becoming more and more popular as a destination, and it is easy to see why when it is known for the delicious food it has to offer, the picturesque white sandy beaches, and the friendly people who have made Thailand famous for being ‘the land of smiles’. The bustling city of Bangkok is the usual point of entry for travellers to Thailand, and sometimes it’s available as a layover stop on a longer flight. We put together some ideas and tips for what to do if you find yourself in Bangkok for 24 hours…
Heading into the city
Upon arriving in Bangkok, you will be immediately captivated by the Asian style architecture. You’ll fly into Suvarnabhumi airport which has recently been renovated and is extremely stylish with its statues, Thai style decorations and gold-leaf Buddhas.
You can get one of the numerous multi-coloured taxis to take you into the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city. Once there, you will be greeted with the street food stalls selling everything from Pad-Thai to satay chicken, and if you fancy being adventurous, even fried bugs like crickets.
…and relax
After grabbing some lunch I would recommend heading to one of the many massage spas to relax yourself after your long international flight. I paid 150THB for an hour-long Thai massage on Soi Rambuttri and I have to say it was one of the best massages I have ever had! I left the salon feeling so relaxed and ready for whatever Bangkok had to throw at me.
Tour the temples
Bangkok is famous for its variety of breath-taking temples, and if you’re planning to visit any of them make sure you are dressed appropriately or you’ll not be allowed in. Shorts, sleeveless shirts or spaghetti-strap tops will not be allowed so I would suggest wearing a pair of cotton trousers and a t-shirt.
The first place I would suggest visiting is the Grand Palace (also known as Wat Phra Kaew). This is the former residence of the Thai monarch and is one of Bangkok’s main tourist attractions. You can enter from 8:30am until 3:30pm, and I would highly recommend it as this building covered in jewels and gold-leaf is possibly the most beautiful in the country.
Soak up the culture
You may also have heard of the reclining Buddha, which is also a must see for tourists in Bangkok. It is the world’s largest reclining Buddha at 46m long and 15m wide. This can be found at the Wat Pho in Bangkok and is as impressive in real-life as it sounds. The Buddha is made out of plaster and has been completely covered in gold-leaf.
You can visit any of these attractions by either taxi or tuk-tuk. The taxis tend to be a lot cheaper as they run on a meter and you will find them very economical – about £2 for a 25 minute journey!
See it from a new angle
If you fancy getting a bit active on your Thailand trip then taking a guided bike tour around Bangkok is just the ticket. You’ll get to see areas that are more off the tourist trail, such as morning glory plantations, local schools etc. These tours normally run in both the morning and afternoon so are easy to fit into your 24 hours in Bangkok.
Local transport
If there is one mode of Thai travel that you experience in Bangkok, I would have to recommend a ride in a tuk-tuk. They are notorious for quoting ridiculous prices so make sure you haggle. However, you won’t be disappointed by the journey that’s in store for you. They are a very fast and fun way to get around the city and have been known to go at extremely fast speeds.
There is also a sky-train running in Bangkok which is fast, clean and cheap, and is probably my favourite way of getting around. I would recommend getting a sky-train map and having a go. It’s a great way to see the city as you can look down and watch the hustle and bustle of the city from your nice air-conditioned carriage.
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