Ayutthaya - Thailand
 

We only have 1-3/4 days in Bangkok and it is our first trip. Would you recommend spending one day at Ayutthaya and Bang Po In Summer Palace? We want to spend the short day in town looking at the temples and the Grand Palace. Is there a better "must see"? This is our first trip to Asia and would like a well rounded introduction to the different cultures, people, food, etc. Thanks!

With a mere day and a half, you don't have time to see even the highlights of Bangkok. Spend your day and a half in Bangkok. My must-sees: Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha at Wat Po (there are all located together, best way to get there is the water taxi); the Jim Thompson House. Many other things to see, depending on your interests.

For a slam bang "tour" of Thailand, you might consider Ancient City.

http://www.ancientcity.com/?q=/en/index

Yuck! If you consider visiting Epcot Center in place of a foreign trip - or Las Vegas - this place is for you. Otherwise, go out and see the real thing in Bangkok.

Ever been there, Kathie?

"With a mere day and a half, you don't have time to see even the highlights of Bangkok..."

As it is your first trip I would not bother with Ayutthaya and Bang Pa In as this would take up an entire day and there are more than enough spectacular sights to see in the city (they are not as impressive as the other sights in the city). Kathie's list is spot on, but I would add a couple of hours wandering the streets markets of Chinatown and maybe a boat rip on the klongs for a taste of real Bangkok life if you are interested in that sort of thing.