Gatorman82

My wife and I are spending a week in Phuket and a week in Chiang Mai with two days in Bangkok in between. We are most interested in the Buddist temples and other interesting sites unique to Thai culture and history. I'm sure we'll do some shopping, but that's not really why we will be there.

I am looking for recommendations about what part of the city to stay in, and specific hotels in that area. My research makes me think we want to stay along the river somewhere - perhaps not to far from the Skytrain? But the amount of information out there is overwhelming, and much of it recommends staying in the shopping areas along Sukhumvit Road.

I lived in Bangkok for a couple years as a child (many years ago), and remember a floating market that we visited. My wife very much wants to see one, but there are a number of choices. I don't know which would be best to visit - I would prefer one that is not too touristy (if that is possible), but because we are only there two days I don't want it to be too far out of town. Is there a clear choice?

Thanks in advance - I always come to this forum for help when my travel research isn't going well.

Ed

Kathie

Since your interests are in the temples, do stay along the river. All of the river hotels have shuttles to the skytrain station, so proximity to the station isn't that important.

I do not recommend the floating markets - they were tourist traps when I visited in the 1980s, and they have only gotten worse.

With a mere two days, you will get to visit only a few of the fabulous temples. I'd recommend that your first day, you get to the Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha when it opens at 8:30. Next, visit Wat Po (reclining Buddha), followed by Wat Arun.

I have been visiting Bangkok since the 1980s, and always try to visit a couple of wats I haven't been to before. If you need suggestions, let me know.

Enjoy my favorite city!

LancasterLad

Hi, have a look at this recent thread, particularly all the good stuff contained in the link in the opening posting...

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...erent-side.cfm

Gatorman82

Kathie,

Thank you for the recommendations on the temples. Is there anything else in your favorite city that we should see?

Ed

Kathie

Do you have a copy of the Nancy Chandler Map? If not pick one up. The map is not to scale, but will give you a good sense of where things are in relation to each other. And the little booklet that comes with it is very useful. There are plenty of other wats to be recommended, and we always make a stop at the Erawan Shrine right in the middle of downtown. I also recommend the Jim Thompson House. If you are interested in SE Asian Arts, I'd recommend the Prasart Museum - a private museum right outside the city. You have to reserve in advance, which you can do online.

There are lots of other things I could recommend, but you only have two days. If it was me, I'd spend two days in Chiang Mai and a week in Bangkok!

Thailandnomads

Try out to look these Hotel
http://bit.ly/2eGOiq0