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Bangkok is a vibrant fabulous city which is often the starting point for many travelers to see Asia.

And if you are on your way to Europe, Bangkok is also a great city for a three-day stopover.

All you need to decide now is whether to stay in the modern area of the city or Khao San district. Khao San is popular with backpackers, but it’s also one of the older areas of Bangkok.

If you choose to stay in Khao San, your challenge is getting to the district. There is no direct train, so it’s either a taxi, shuttle, or bus.

 

How to get the Local Bus from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport to Khao San District

We decided to take the local bus from outside the Don Mueang airport, but first, we had to find where the bus stop was.

Fortunately, we had worked out a route before we landed. So here it is.

Turn right as you exit the airport terminal and look for the walkway over the highway.

Enter the next building and take the stairs up to the overhead walkway. Then take the stairs immediately to your left, down to the bus stop.

Do not cross over the road, as the bus stop is on the same side as the airport terminal.

Take the No. 59 bus and have your cash ready. It costs about 30 Bhat for a bus without air conditioning.

Ask the bus driver to stop at the Democracy Monument, the destination stop for Khao San.

Three Days exploring Khao San in Bangkok

Khao San is well known as the backpacker’s destination of choice because of:

• budget accommodation
• street food
• markets
• a pumping nightlife

The streets are busy all day and all night, and the sidewalks are full of vendors selling all sorts of items, including food, clothing, and even watches.

Food always seems to be on the streets of Khao San, but a restaurant is an alternative to the heat. We found a northeast Thailand restaurant called Tam Laii. Their food was spicy and sour, with some tasty sauces.

The Pad Thai encased in an egg, as did the fish cakes, had a great flavour. 

The guys in the restaurant are courteous and make a great coffee, too.

There are plenty of Street Vendors in Khao San

Be adventurous and try food from street vendors like:

• Banana rice and coconut rice wrapped in banana leaves
• Egg and coconut-filled crepes the size of a pikelet with a meringue centre
• Fried pork tasty skewers
• Pineapple twists
• Spicy curries
  

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Where Not to Stay in Khao San, Bangkok

We found our hotel Villa Cha Cha quite easily, the entrance area looked nice with an inviting swimming pool and restaurant.

However, when we got to the room, it was budget.

We had read glowing reviews, but when we arrived, we found the rooms tired, basic, and noisy. The view from the window was of buildings overlooking Rambuttri Street.

However, it was cheap, and the bed was comfortable. Two nights was enough, so we decided to move.

Stay at Full House Khaosan Hostel

While strolling along that night for dinner, we noticed a sign saying, “Villa Cha Cha?”

Now we were confused, so we had to investigate.

It turns out there are two hotels with the same name, one new and one old, which explains the reviews.

They offered to stay, but we had already settled on Full House Khaosan Hostel.

Experiencing the Nightlife of Khao San and Rambuttri

That night, the streets of Khao San and Rambuttri were transformed into food markets, and the selection was amazing.

Everything from the usual dumplings, curries, noodles and rice to deep-fried insects, other bugs, spiders and scorpions!

We settled for some Thai food cooked in front of us.

But Terry did try the grasshoppers later with dire consequences. At least we got to see the Grand Palace first.

Visit the Grand Palace, Bangkok

The next morning we headed to the Grand Palace walking the 2.5km from Khao San.

Your ticket to the Grand Palace has entry to three main attractions:

1. The Grand Palace
2. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
3. The Throne Halls

All we could say was, “Wow.” The palace complex had so many breathtaking buildings, temples, shrines, and statues. It had us in awe.

But first, the photoshoot for Terry

A Chinese lady bumped into Terry, and she was mesmerised when she looked up at him.

Next, Terry was having his photo taken. This led to the rest of the nine ladies, each wanting an individual photo with Terry until, finally, he was requested for the group photo.

Now that the photoshoot is over, we must look at all these stunning buildings and shrines.

The Mint Museum exhibits include many jewels and gold items. We also found exhibits on the history of the Kings of Thailand. As a bonus, the building has air conditioning. 

 

Take the Ferry to Wang Lang Market

If you want to escape the crowds, take a ferry ride across the Chao Phraya River.

The Wang Lang Market is local, so there are not a lot of Europeans to be seen.

We ate at the restaurant Som Tam Sida, as suggested by Mark Wien’s blog Migrationology.

Before leaving New Zealand, we watched many YouTube videos on Mark’s food guides, which provided information on what and where to eat.

Luckily, Mark had written the restaurant name in Thai, so the locals helped us find the right place. Som Tam Sida’s dishes were flavoursome and yum. Thanks, Mark.

Enjoy the Sunset at Phra Sumen Fort

Phra Sumen Fort on the river bank is a busy place for locals playing sports, exercising, and jugglers practising.

With views along the river, you’ll see plenty of boats moving people within the city.

Across the road from the Phra Sumen Fort, we picked a Halal restaurant from the Migrationology blog.  We tried a new dish, Roti Mataba, stuffed with fish and herbs. And the fish curry was fabulous as well.

As no alcohol was served, we opted for fruit juice, Maura’s “Butterly Pea,” a blue flower—interesting!

Take a Canal Cruise in Bangkok

A highlight of Bangkok for us was the canal cruise on the old waterways.

We had the boat to ourselves, and the 71-year-old driver was very chatty.

The cruise started by travelling through two locks, with our driver pointing out places of interest, such as Iguanas and monitor lizards.

Our driver was awesome as he drove at a slow pace ride for photos and to avoid the swells of the boats zooming past.

We were amazed at how many canals there were in Bangkok.

Tourists are still vulnerable

Be aware of the price charged for a cruise.

The day before, we were quoted 600 Baht each for a canal cruise, but on the morning of the cruise, we were told 1000 Baht. This was from the same vendor.

So, we tried a vendor at the entrance of the ferry terminal and paid 600 Bhat each. And we had the boat to ourselves.

 

What to See and Eat in Chinatown Bangkok

If you are up for a walk to Chinatown from Khao San, maybe take a tuk-tuk instead.

We took a route along the canal of 5.5km, which turned out to be local residences and tarpaulin shops. Very interesting but most of the owners a little surprised to see us.

But we reached our place of interest, Golden Mount in Chinatown.

The view of the city from here was fantastic, even if it was a little cloudy with heat and smog.  It was 35 degrees Celcius.

Chinatown has more shrines and temples, familiar stores selling everything you may need, and delicious food.

Food choices in Chinatown allow you to pick and eat, like picking up tiny delicious pork buns. Melt in the mouth dumplings. Durian and Mango pastry cookies, too.

With tummies full, we hailed a tuk-tuk for the ride back to the Khao San Road.

Tourists are still vulnerable.

Make sure you organize the price upfront of a tuk-tuk. Or, if you do hail a taxi, ensure the meter is turned on.

You may find the taxi is cheaper than a tuk-tuk.

Visit Wat Pho Royal Monastery and Temple

Wat Pho is a royal monastery and temple of the reclining Buddha with pagodas of the Kings.

Having a guide for Wat Pho helped us absorb so much about the temple.

We learned about the different Buddha images and colours for each day. If you know the day you are born, you learn your Buddha and its meaning.

Wat Pho is also known worldwide as the first massage school with courses in the art of Thai massage. Certified masseurs can then offer their services to the public.

 

Spend a Day in Ayutthaya: Day Trip from Bangkok

Ayutthaya is about 80km north of Bangkok.

It was a former capital from 1350 to 1767, covering most of modern Thailand. And in the mid-1700s, its population was said to be around 1 million, making it the most populous city in the world at the time.

Ayutthaya was invaded in 1767 by Burma, and the city’s population fled to other parts of Thailand.

It left Ayutthaya abandoned to be ransacked.

How to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok

Take the train from Hua Lamphong train station to Ayutthaya.

A second-class ticket costs about 65 Baht, significantly better than a third-class ticket costing 15 Baht.

If you take an early train at 7 a.m., it’s easier to get a seat and avoid the heat of the day. Don’t expect air conditioning, as ceiling fans are the only way to stay cool.

The trip can take longer than the scheduled 1.25 hours. When you pull into Ayutthaya station, it’s more likely closer to two hours.

Then, take the Ferry across the river for about 5 Baht.

How to See the Sights of Ayutthaya

The main things to see at Ayutthaya are within an island surrounded by three rivers. So, to see Ayutthaya, you have three options:

• Rent a bike for 50-100 Baht per day
• Hire a tuk-tuk for 300 Baht per hour
• Book an air-conditioned taxi for 500 Baht per hour

We decided it would be more fun to cycle and searched for a bike rental place.

It wasn’t hard to find one, and we soon were on our way with a map in hand.

However, we would later agree that cycling for hours in temperatures close to 40 degrees Celcius was silly. A tuk-tuk would have been a better option.

See the Temple Ruins of Ayutthaya

The ancient structures, with their tall prangs (spires) rising above the trees, enthralled us. It was quite mind-boggling to think how old these temples were and that civilization had built these huge structures hundreds of years ago.

1. Wat Ratchanaburi

2. Wat Phra Ram

3. Wat Phra Si Sanphet

4. Buddha Wat Lokayasutharam

5. Golden Buddha inside Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit

6. Wat Chaiwatthanarm across the Chao Phraya River

Getting Back to Bangkok from Ayutthaya

After an incredible day of high temperatures, we finally returned to drop off our bikes. Hot, dehydrated and perspiring, we were ready for an easy trip back to Bangkok.

We booked an air-conditioned van back to Bangkok rather than the train as it would be a quicker trip. Unfortunately, the drop-off point was 6km from our hotel. Thankfully, we hailed a metered taxi for 60 Baht.

The day was genuinely worthwhile as Ayutthaya for its incredible history and ancient architectural skills. Now, it’s time for a beer and a shower.

 

Incredible Three Days in Bangkok

Spending three days in Bangkok is a cultural experience of ancient history and food. Considering our expectations weren’t high. Nearly everyone we spoke to had nothing positive to say about this amazing city.

Staying in the historic Khao San of Bangkok is a food centre haven with a nightlife that never seems to end.

And when you’ve had enough food experiences, you have palaces, pagodas, shrines, temples, canals, and markets to explore. Every day brings something new and different.

For a stopover to Europe or New Zealand, Bangkok is a gateway to an Asian experience.