BKK Experts Please
 

Seems as though I will have lousy timing when in BKK. We arrive on a Wednesday, Thursday we have the day scheduled with Tong to go out to the floating market, tiger temple etc. (yeh!). Then I reeeeally have to go shopping and buy some jewelry - probably call JL International, and then on to Siam Paragon or MBK mall.
We are with Tong again on Monday - that gives us Saturday and Sunday to see the Grand Palace etc. That's bad isn't it? I am assuming that the weekends are busy with national tourists. Is one day less crowded than the other?
And what if it's raining? Are the sights pretty much indoors?
As it is low season - will there still be piles of people all over the place?
We leave on Tuesday and go north but will be back June 22 at 11:25am for 2 last nights.
Oh, and is the weekend market at Chatuchak market a real MUST SEE? Even considering that we will be going to the big markets in Beijing?

I await your advise. Thank you.

The Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha/Wat Po are always crowded with both visitors and locals. Just get there when they open. Some of the sights are indoors, but many are outdoors. If it rains (and even if it doesn't), take an umbrella. Really, none of this is anything to worry about.

I don't consider the weekend market a must see. You'll see plenty of markets elsewhere - this is just the granddaddy of them all.

The jewelry store I recommend is JS International. Take the phone number with you and call them to come and pick you up at your hotel (and return you).

"As it is low season - will there still be piles of people all over the place?" Bangkok is a huge city. Most of teh people you see live there. The visitors are only a small percentage. This is like asking whether there will be lots of people everywhere in New York or Mexico City.

The first time we went to the weekend market we loved it, the second time a few months ago, not so much. I dont think there is anything there that you cant also find in the thousands of other shopping places around bkk. if you do go, then go early and look at nancy's map so you know which places you really want to see.
tell tong hi from jeffrey and carrot, and ask her how she likes the kansas city royals jersey we sent her :)

I would skip the weekend market unless you love heat and humidity. You can find plenty to buy in a lot pleasanter surroundings.

Grand Palace etc is almost all outdoors. Take an umbrella and use it for rain or sun. Get there the minute the doors open.

At the grand palace, it's worth noting that the throne halls and armory museum are CLOSED on the weekends. You can only see the outside of the buildings.

The Temple that houses the Emerald Budda is under renovation so the outside of the structure is covered in green mesh and scaffolding. As said above, go early. Grand Palace is one of the hottest places in BKK.

A minor point, but isn't the jewelry store SJ rather than JS international?

The weekend market is quite intersting compared to many others in Asia though I have not been rto Beijing. Getting their too early it is cooler but the until 10AM you will see only 50+% of the vendors. Between 10-1PM you will see them all and the heat and hunidity will get toyou. Then with an A/c taxi go for a nice lunch in a well A/C lunch. The palaces are worth visiting and can be done in 6-7 hours tops with a guide. The ones mentions plus the Marble Temple are worth visiting. I have gone to the floating market 2 times over the years. If you leave BK at 8AM you can be back by 12 with 1 hour tops on one of the the boat redes. More time and you see the same over and over again. The authentic craft center was not a big draw for us on 2 visits that can save 1+ hrs.You can enjoy MBK, Siam Paragon and 1 other in 6 hours. Yes, a driver/guide does not do much during that time but at the price it is well worth having.
On our 3 trips at different times of the year people are everywhere and the temperature varies butonly by 5-6 degrees has been our experience.
Kathie has been to SJ many times and on the SJ thread you can get the exact address. You really have to love saphires to spend more than 1-2 hours jewelery shopping.
Enjoy.

Yes it is Sj International (Here I was trying to be helpful, and I must not have proofed by post!)