Bangkok is a city of contrasts — gilded royal temples stand within walking distance of neon-lit food alleys, and canal barges pass beneath the modernist Sathorn skybridge. Three days is enough for a solid introduction if you plan by neighbourhood rather than by attraction.
Day 1 — Rattanakosin, the royal core
Begin at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (opens 08:30, admission 500 THB, includes access to the Emerald Buddha). Dress code is strictly enforced: shoulders, knees and ankles must be covered — sarongs are available for rent at the entrance.
Walk south along the palace wall to Wat Pho, home to the 46-metre Reclining Buddha and the country's largest collection of Buddha images. Wat Pho is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage — a 30-minute session at the on-site school costs around 320 THB and is worth the queue.
Cross the Chao Phraya River on the 4 THB public ferry to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), best photographed from the eastern bank at sunset. The main prang is climbable in the morning.
Evening on Khao San Road only if you are curious — it is loud, touristy and increasingly commercial. Nearby Rambuttri Alley is calmer and better for a genuine dinner.
Day 2 — Markets, canals and Chinatown
Start early at Chatuchak Weekend Market (Saturday and Sunday only, 08:00-18:00). Over 15,000 stalls across 27 sections — pace yourself, bring cash and drink water. The best section for food is Section 26 near Or Tor Kor Market.
From Chatuchak, take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin and board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (200 THB unlimited day pass, better than the orange flag line for tourists). Stop at Tha Tien or Tha Chang piers to explore the canals of Thonburi by longtail boat — a two-hour tour costs around 1,500 THB per boat (up to six passengers) and takes you past stilt houses, old temples and floating vendors.
Evening on Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) after 18:00 when the street food stalls open. Must-try: T&K Seafood (blue building at Phadungdao intersection) for grilled river prawns, Nai Ek Roll Noodle for pork guaydiaw, and Wattana Panich (opened 1957) for the legendary 45-year-old beef broth soup.
Day 3 — Modern Bangkok and rooftops
Morning at Jim Thompson House Museum (150 THB, guided tours every 30 minutes) — a beautifully preserved traditional Thai teak house belonging to the American who revived the Thai silk industry.
Lunch and shopping in the Siam-Chidlom area: Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and CentralWorld are all connected by air-conditioned skywalks. The MBK Center opposite Siam Discovery is Bangkok's classic bargain electronics and fashion market.
Afternoon at Lumphini Park — Bangkok's largest green space, with paddle boats, huge monitor lizards (harmless) and outdoor aerobics classes at dusk.
Sunset at a rooftop bar: Sky Bar Lebua (from the film Hangover Part II) is spectacular but overpriced. Better alternatives: Vertigo & Moon Bar at Banyan Tree, Octave at Marriott Sukhumvit, or Above Eleven for a more relaxed vibe. Most rooftop bars enforce smart casual dress — no shorts, no open sandals.
Getting around: the BTS Skytrain and MRT metro cover most tourist areas efficiently. A Rabbit Card (single-use tickets from 16 THB) or MRT stored-value card saves time. Avoid taxi drivers who refuse the meter — walk to the next junction and hail a fresh one, or use the Grab app.