The Hairy giraffe… IN THAILAND
During our 8-month world tour, we made a stop in Bangkok on our way from Delhi to Siem Reap. We spent two nights but only had one full day to get a first glimpse of the city.
A day is certainly not enough to see everything in Bangkok, but it allows you to visit three of the most important sites and be amazed in a very short time!
This layover has certainly sparked our desire to dedicate several weeks to exploring Thailand.
Check out our reflections on our layover in Bangkok:
We made this layover at the beginning of February, a time when the weather is generally sunny and hot. It is also the high tourist season, and Bangkok is a very popular destination, so don’t expect to be alone at the sites!
It’s worth noting that the entrance fees to the sites are quite expensive, and even a layover can be costly, especially for family travel.
On the other hand, the safety and health conditions are good, and there are no specific dangers threatening the traveler.
PROGRAM FOR OUR ONE-DAY LAYOVER IN BANGKOK
Here is the detailed program for our one-day layover in Bangkok:
As we arrived around noon on the first day at Bangkok airport and departed early the next day, we spent two nights but the equivalent of a full day exploring. We stayed at a hotel near the center and a metro station, allowing us to move around independently. Alternatively, Grab works quite well in Bangkok, but the service can be slow during peak hours due to heavy traffic.
Day 1: We landed at BKK airport and took the express, reaching a metro station. Within about an hour, we arrived at our hotel. Coming from the cool weather of Delhi in January, we were immediately immersed in the humid warmth of Southeast Asia.
After eating and resting a bit, we decided to take the metro to visit Wat Pho, one of the city’s largest Buddhist temples.
The site features a 46-meter reclining Buddha, along with beautiful buildings and statues. The expansive site allows for a leisurely 2-hour visit. As we went a little over 2 hours before closing, the crowds diminished, and the buildings were illuminated in the late afternoon.
We had a great time in this complex. It’s the first time we’ve seen such a colorful Buddhist temple. The buildings are adorned with floral-patterned tiles. Buddhism in Thailand is far from being somber!
Day 2: The plan includes two sites quite close to each other, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. We take a boat that connects the two riverbanks in a few minutes to reach Wat Arun. The temple is stunning, even though we navigate through tourists taking photos in traditional attire.
A quick meal break after crossing the river: an excellent Pad Thai!
We probably saved the best for last: the Grand Palace. We hesitated for a long time to visit this site due to the high cost of the entrance ticket and mixed reviews on the internet. The ticket allows access to two sites: the Royal Palace, which is of little interest, and the Emerald Buddha Temple, an exceptional site.
Some important details: the visit starts with the temple, and once you leave to go to the palace, you can’t return. It’s advisable to dedicate most of your time to the temple as the palace tour is very quick. Additionally, the site has the strictest dress code: despite the high temperatures, it’s mandatory to have legs and shoulders covered (for both men and women).
Of course, there are many other interesting places in Bangkok, and we would have liked to have the time to visit markets or stroll through less touristy neighborhoods. But in a one-day layover, there’s plenty to do, and we’ll have to come back to explore more!
Check out our reflections on our layover in Bangkok:
