Swadekhaa!
As someone who loves to immerse himself in culture, cuisine, and local traditions my trip to Thailand with my friends in 2023 was truly one of the best life-learning experiences for me.
My first introduction to the culture, people, and spirit of Thailand like many who travel to this beautiful country was through the vibrant and bustling city of Bangkok.
Despite having only 3 days to spare, I was able to explore the cultural, traditional, and modern side of Bangkok, from mouth-watering street food, magnificent temples, and bustling canals to its lively nightlife.
Here is my perfect itinerary to make the most out of your trip to Bangkok in 3 days, especially if you are traveling on a budget.
Bangkok in 3 Days
Table of Contents
Day 1
One of the best ways to experience and learn about any place is to get a taste of its local culture and traditions, and for a country that has such a rich culture and traditions, Bangkok is the place to learn about Thailand’s religious as well as political history.
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Grand Palace
One of the most obvious and iconic attractions to start your Thailand experience is to visit the huge and fascinating Grand Palace.
As the name suggests the Grand Palace is ‘Grand’. This huge and magnificent piece of architecture has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (now Thailand) since 1782 until the year 1925 when King Bhumibol Adulyadej decided to shift his stay and royal proceedings in Dusit palace.
Being the former home to the Kings, the palace still plays a significant role in several royal ceremonies and religious programs, some of which are attended by the current serving monarch King Maha Vajiralongkorn on weekends.
Keep in mind that the Grand Palace is the most popular tourist attraction in Thailand, so thousands of tourists visit the palace every day, so make sure you visit the Palace as early as you can experience the sheer beauty of the palace and take some amazing clicks without having to worry about other tourists walking into the frame.
Tip
All Buddhist temples in Thailand follow a strict dress code for men and women. Make sure you wear a shirt with sleeves (half sleeves are acceptable), long pants, and shoes. Socks are not compulsory to enter the temple, but sometimes the temple authority might ask you about them.
If you wearing short pants, especially for men you can easily get away with them as long as they are not too short and cover your knees and if you have tank tops or sleeveless shirts, don’t worry you can buy or borrow extra clothes for a few Baht.
Related post: Is Bangkok Worth Visiting? 15 Reasons to Visit Bangkok in 2023!
Wat Phra Kaew
Also known as the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha“, Wat Phra Kaew is one of the most significant Buddhist temples in the country, mainly due to its location inside the premises of the Grand Palace and is considered the ‘palladium of Thai Society’.
The history of its origin dates back to early India and the Buddha statue has traveled extensively believed to bestow legitimacy and prosperity on those who possess it.
The arrival of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok marked the beginning and rise of the Chakri dynasty in Thailand and the first king authenticated his reign over Thailand and his possession of the Buddha by building a magnificent temple inside the Palace premises.
Talking about the statue itself, the statue is carved out of a single jade stone and the Buddha is in a meditative position (known as the Lotus position).
Considering its spiritual and historical significance, Buddhists from all over Asia come to pay respect to the Emerald Buddha.
Only the royal family, especially the presiding king is allowed to touch the statue of the Buddha, and the cloak around the statue is changed three times a year by the king signifying the start of respective seasons i.e summer, winter, and rainy seasons to bring good fortune to the country.
Opening hours: Daily from 8:30 AM – 3.30 PM
Admission fee: 500 Baht for foreigners, Free for Thai people
Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Official website: https://www.royalgrandpalace.th/en/home
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Located just ten minutes walk away from the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most iconic and probably more well-known landmarks the Wat Pho or ‘Temple of Reclining Buddha’, as is popularly known for its iconic and sublime 46 meters long and 15 meters high reclining Buddha statue.
The massive size and the sheer artistry with which the statue is made have made Wat Pho more popular on social media platforms and in travel magazines than any other temple or Buddha statue in Thailand.
The massive temple complex tops the list of six temples in Thailand classified as the highest grade of royal temples in Thailand and is home to the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including the 46 m long gold-leafed and extensively jeweled reclining statue of the Buddha.
Apart from its architectural brilliance, the temple complex also served as the earliest center for public education in Thailand and you would be glad to know that it houses a school of Thai medicine and is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, a practice which still exists and taught at the school.
So, if you are tired after all that walking in the sun and finally looking forward to treating yourself to the rejuvenating Thai massage, then this is a perfect time.
Just make sure you book a massage right after entering the temple premises as the spots get filled early due to a large number of tourists.
Tip
By now after all the exploring and walking in the sun if you are getting hunger pangs then you can find plenty of eateries located on the right side of the Grand Palace near Wat Pho temple after you walk for 5 min on the sidewalk.
There are also several street hawkers selling caps, hats, Buddha souvenirs, and other accessories along the street on the right if you are interested in shopping.
Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily
Admission fee: 200 Baht per person
Address: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Lunch at Ratchaworadit Pier (Tha Rat) or Tha Chang Pier
It’s lunchtime!
After walking since morning and exploring two of the most popular and magnificent temples since morning by now you might be feeling a bit peckish. Well, don’t know about you but we certainly did before we headed to yet another magnificent Wat Arun.
Now, there are two spots where you can have your lunch before you head to one of the Piers nearby to catch a ferry/ boat to Wat Arun.
One is Ratchaworadit Pier while the other is located a bit further near Silpakorn University, known as Tha Chang Pier.
Both Pier has some amazing restaurants lining the way to the Pier where you can try some authentic Thai dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum Kung, or Mango Sticky rice.
Pad Thai with shrimp and Tom Yum Kung were my personal favorites, but if you are someone who loves Western dishes be it American hamburgers or European dishes you can also find them here, but let me tell you they will cost you way more than the local Thai food.
Catch a ferry to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn is located on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River, so to go to the other side you can either take a ferry from Ratchaworadit Pier or Tha Chang Pier.
A ticket to the ferry would only cost you around 10 to 15 baht, but if you really want to explore the beauty of Bangkok and its skyline from a different perspective then I would highly recommend buying a 150 baht full-day pass of the hop-on-and-hop-off ferries (blue ones). (I’ll talk more about it in detail later)
As your ferry slowly sails closer to the Wat Arun Pier, the tall pagoda slowly starts to ascend and grow bigger as you marvel at its sheer beauty.
Wat Arun is named after the Hindu goddess Aruna often personified as the radiations of the rising sun.
The early rays of the sun reflect off the surface creating a mesmerizing iridescence and the temple is built in such a way and at an angle that the sun rises and sets behind the temple.
The most iconic part of the temple is the 82-meter-high Khmer-style tower which stands tallest and can be seen miles away from the other side of the river bank.
The best part about the temple is that you can actually walk to the top of the tower by steep stairs where you can take a closer look at its intricate details and get one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River.
Tip
Wat Arun at Sunset – Hands down one of the most mesmerizing scenes you can witness on your Thailand trip which will be etched in your memory forever is watching Wat Arun in the late afternoon or in the evening when the tower lights are on.
The beautiful scene with the glowing Wat Arun tower with the sky painted with a reddish-orange hue due to the setting sun makes the entire scene so surreal as if a Bob Ross painting has come alive in front of your eyes.
This is the time to click some amazing social media-worthy photos of yourself that will make your friends and family jealous back home.
One of the best spots to witness this beauty is from another side of the river from the Pier even the best from the ferry.
Note 👉: If I had to point out only one thing why the 150 baht one-day river pass is worth it, then I would definitely put watching Wat Arun in the evening from the ferry at the top.
If you have already seen Wat Arun in the afternoon and want to witness it under the lights, you can easily do so, catch any hop-in and hop-off ferry which runs every 30 min from 9 piers between 8:30 am – 17:30 pm. From 15:30 – 17:00 pm, the route is extended to Asiatique.
So, you can hop on and off the ferry, all day, just make sure when the last ferry leaves from each Pier.
Opening hours: Daily from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission fee: 100 Baht for foreigners, Free for Thai people
Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Visit Chinatown
To get to Chinatown you can catch a hop-on-hop-off boat which runs every 30 min or you can catch a boat from Ratchawongse Pier then head straight from the pier and you arrive at Yaowarat Pier.
The Chinatown in Bangkok is amongst the largest Chinatowns in the world and has been serving as a business district for the Chinese-Thai community for the last 100 years.
You can find everything under the sun here. From gold shops, restaurants, and small vendors selling fruits, Thai food, Chinese food, cheap clothes, deserts, and seafood to souvenirs and toys, and fashion items.
We reached Chinatown a bit earlier when most of the street vendors were still setting up their shop for the evening, so to enjoy Chinatown at its fullest I recommend going there after 6 pm where you can also enjoy people-watching under colorful lights.
Evening: ICONSIAM & Back to your Hotel
Although there is so much more you can squeeze into your first day of exploring Bangkok, I certainly wouldn’t recommend doing so.
Before going back to your hotel room you can certainly check out ICONSIAM mall. It is one of the largest shopping malls in Asia spanning over 525,000 square meter area with over 500 retailers from every corner of the world.
Whether you’re looking to buy the trendiest Zara top or local Thai clothes ICONSIAM has everything you could ask for and more.
Apart from the world-class shopping centers, you will find your favorite fast food franchises like Mcdonald’s, Dominoes, and Burger Kings to name a few alongside a 3-Michelin star restaurant and more than 100 of the world’s famous restaurants.
Even if you don’t end up buying anything at this grand mall, you can still enjoy its sheer Thai architectural beauty and take a leisurely stroll alongside the riverside promenade that features amazing fountains and a light show on the bank of Chao Phraya River.
Just make sure you have the energy and time to check out this huge mall, as it closes around 9 pm in the evening.
Getting here – The boat stops in front of the ICONSIAM
Opening hours – 10:00 am – 22:00 hrs
The ICONIC Mulimedia Water Features schedule – 14:00 pm, 17:00 pm, 18:30 pm, 20:00 pm, 21:00 pm
End your day with a party at Khao San Road
Now that you have explored one of the most beautiful attractions in Bangkok, tasted delicious Thai cuisine, and indulged in a rejuvenating Thai spa and retail therapy, it’s finally time to end an eventful day on a ‘high’.
Khao San Road is an assault on your senses.
It is famous among backpackers due to many cheaper accommodation options, food options, and its wild nightlife scene and is regarded as one of the major backpacking hubs in South East Asia.
The road is lined with several street food vendors and souvenir sellers, and as you move into the heart of the street you will find many bars and nightclubs blasting loud music from both sides of the street.
Now, this can be too much for some people but I and my friends certainly had a great time having some drinks and dancing like maniacs until midnight, when we finally decided to leave as we had to wake up the next day to explore the rest of Bangkok.
Being the legendary street that it is, you can also find many massage parlors where recliners are directly laid outside on the street where tourists enjoy a relaxing foot massage.
If you really want to enjoy the vibrant and wild nightlife of Khao San Road to the fullest. I’d recommend going after 10 p.m. This is the time when things start to get more lively and crazy.
Tip
1 ) I wouldn’t recommend getting a massage on Khao San Road as the street is jam-packed with tourists all night, instead, you can head over to Rambuttri Road which is just a few minutes away from Khao San Road and is much quieter compared to the lively vibe of Khao San Road.
2 ) Also, know that many bars and nightclubs have sales girls or boys trying who are a bit pushy to attract you towards their bar or nightclub. Just be respectful and don’t engage with them too briefly otherwise they will talk you into at least buying a few drinks.
Just keep walking if you don’t agree with something.
3 ) Lookout for scammers on Khao San Road- The most common type of scam that you might encounter is a Tuk Tuk scam or a taxi scam.
We successfully averted a taxi scam as we already were aware of it. A taxi driver approached us offering to be our guide and drive us around all day for just 50 Baht each.
Even after making it quite clear that we weren’t interested in his offer he followed us around everywhere on Khao San Road, even waiting beside our table as we were having our breakfast.
Taxi scams mostly happen during the day on Khao San Road while Tuk Tuk scams are prevalent at night too.
So, if you planning to take a Tuk Tuk make sure you haggle hard because most often than not they charge you way more than they should even for a short distance.
List some of the things you can do on Khao San Road
- Party all night
- Drink at the bar within walking distance
- Eat Bugs (If you want to, I certainly didn’t, but you can)
- Get massage
- Get a tattoo
- People watch
- Shop (Make sure to bargain, most Westerners don’t)
- Eat street food
- Meet monks at sunrise
- Meet new friends (Probably the best thing about Khao San Road)
Day 2
Oh what an eventful 1 day we had, now that you got a taste of the city, make sure you take it easy the next day as we did.
Chances are you might still be having a serious hangover from the previous night on Khao San Road, so make sure you take enough rest before you head out to discover more of Bangkok on day 2.
Take a Canal tour
One of the best ways to explore Bangkok from a different perspective is to take an hour-long Canal tour.
As your boat navigates through the narrow canals you get to see a side of Bangkok that you normally don’t while on the road.
Beautiful wooden houses on stilts at the back of towering skyscrapers, iconic landmarks like the Big Buddha statues, and temples old and new, this contrast between the old and modern is truly mesmerizing.
Unlike, the bigger ferries and luxurious boats on the Chao Phraya River, the pace of life along the canals is much calmer, where you can actually see the local people going about their day-to-day life.
One of the best highlights of the tour was the bustling stalls selling souvenirs and yummy Thai food, although I didn’t buy any souvenirs, the Thai dessert we tried (I cannot recall what it’s called) was certainly one of the most delicious I ever had.
I would highly recommend taking the Canal tour, especially if you are traveling as a couple and looking forward to a great romantic start to your day while also immersing yourself in the local culture.
In order to enjoy this tour you need to get to Rashinee Pier where most of the Canal tour operators run. You can reach Rashinee Pier within a few minutes from Khao San Road or Grand Palace by taking a Tuk Tuk which should cost you around 30-50 Baht/per person.
Tip
Note that a typical tour lasts for around an hour which it can cost somewhere around 1000 baht and if you are looking for a private longtail boat with an English-speaking guide it would cost you around 2500- 3000 Baht.
Make sure you ask other tourists and locals (not Tuk-tuk drivers or Taxi drivers) before you book a tour as there are some operators who might try to rip you off for extra cash.
We especially saw this happening with mostly Western tourists.
If you feel that the operator is ripping you off just walk away from the deal. I would also suggest bargaining as you could easily do the same tour for less than 800 baht if you haggle hard.
Lumpini Park
To continue your day of peaceful and romantic exploration of the city head over to Lumpini Park.
The park is located right in the heart of the bustling city and is a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s pacy life.
The park is popular among locals and tourists alike and you will find many locals enjoying their morning walks, jogging, or exercising in groups.
One of the main highlights of our visit to the park was a huge monitor lizard just lazing around in the sun. This was the first time in my life that I saw a monitor lizard and that too such a huge one.
You can also spot many cats roaming around and if you are looking to relax, there are lots of green spaces or picnics, and the good part is there is also an artificial lake where you can hire boats to enjoy a leisurely time with your loved one.
Opening hours: Daily from 4:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Admission fee: Free for all
Address: 192 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Jim Thompson House Museum
Hands down one of the most overlooked tourist destinations in Bangkok.
Although we initially had no plans to visit the museum, we later had to after it was recommended to us by an Italian couple we met at our hotel.
The Jim Thompson House Museum was built in 1959 by Thai silk merchant Jim Thompson who made a major contribution towards giving an impetus to the traditional Thai silk industry.
The museum thus houses some of the most impressive art collections of the late museum designer and former owner.
The museum is situated along the canal or ‘klong’ as referred to in the Thai language and is also home to an impressive garden full of amazing Buddha art and flowers.
If you are looking to buy authentic Thai silk and other garments made from real Thai silk this is the best place to do so, as the museum complex is also home to a shop that sells silk made by his company.
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission fee: 200 Baht
Address: 6 Kasem San 2 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Catch some Muay Thai action at Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium
I’ve been a fan of the Muay Thai style of boxing since I first started watching Tony Jaa movies like Ong Bak & Tom Yum Goong when I was a teenager, and after watching the 2017 action/ drama movie ‘A Prayer Before Dawn’, I dreamed of watching a Muay Thai fight if I ever visited Thailand in my life.
I am glad that I was able to witness the first Muay Thai fight of my life in Rajadamnern – the biggest Muay Thai boxing stadium in the world.
The atmosphere and the lively vibe of the place are simply uplifting and adrenaline-inducing.
The stadium itself is magnificent which makes it a joy to enjoy the action even if you are not sitting closer to the ring.
It was also one of the cleanest stadiums I’ve ever been to and the whole atmosphere along with the thrilling experience of witnessing some of the best Muay Thai fighters go against each other really makes it worth your time and money.
Opening hours:
| Saturday | 7–9 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–12 pm, 6–10 pm |
| Monday | 7–9 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 6–10 pm |
| Thursday(Songkran) | 6–10 pm |
| Friday(Songkran) | 7–9 pm |
Ticket prices:
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Ring side | 2,500 THB |
| First-class | 1,800 THB |
| Second-class | 1,500 THB |
Address: 8 Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, เเขวง วัดโสมนัส Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Go shopping and dining at Chatuchak Weekend Market
If by coincidence if the third or second day of your Bangkok trip happens to be on a weekend, either a Saturday or Sunday, then you certainly cannot miss one of the biggest weekend markets in the world.
Located just a 10 min taxi ride from the Rajadamnern stadium, Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest markets in the world and also happens to be the largest market in Thailand and Asia with more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors that are categorically divided into 27 sections.
Luckily for us, we were in Bangkok on the weekends, so we had to visit this amazing market to shop for some souvenirs and gifts for our families.
From the trendiest clothes, handbags, shoes, hats, caps, Thai essential oils, souvenirs, Thai snacks, and tea to even pets like dogs, cats, and other exotic animals, there is so much to see and explore that even a whole night is not enough.
If you are buying more than one item from a shop I recommend bargaining for a discount. You won’t get it everywhere but there are certainly some shopkeepers who agree to your price if you buy more than one item from them.
After walking for hours exploring this huge market we were quite hungry so we decided to have our dinner at one of the small restaurants in the food court that is inside the market.
Just like the things you can buy here, there are so many food options on offer here that you would want to have a bite of everything on display, but we settled down on Fried Rice and Pad Thai with shrimp with a coconut ice cream (must try) later.
- Opening hours: 6:00 pm to Midnight on Friday; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
- Admission: FREE
- Address: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok
Day 3
Wat Traimit- Temple of Golden Buddha
Before we left Bangkok for Chiang Mai we thought of visiting one last temple in the city.
To go to Wat Traimit temple, catch a ferry from Tha Chang Pier or Ratchaworadit Pier and get off at the Yaowarat Pier (Chinatown)
Walk through Chinatown for a few minutes and you will come across the tall spire of the temple.
Like other temples in Thailand, Wat Traimit is also famous for its striking beauty and gold-plated spires and entrances, a style which is common with most of the temples in Thailand.
But above all, the main highlight like always is the statue of the Golden Buddha which stands 3m tall. The history of the statue is as fascinating as the statue itself.
This magnificent statue which mesmerizes tourists was once lost to the world for over 200 years due to wars, as statues like these were wrapped in plaster to hide them from the invaders.
Luckily, the 13th-century statue was discovered in 1955 during its relocation inside the temple when some of its plaster wore off revealing the gold surface underneath.
The temple also has images of the statue on display when it was covered in plaster and also of the grand ceremony when it was first reinstated inside the temple.
- Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Admission: 40 baht
- Address: 661 Charoen Krung Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Damnoen Sadauk Floating Market
The Damnoen Sadauk Floating Market is one of the main tourist attractions in Bangkok and is certainly a must-do thing on your trip to Bangkok.
There are many tours and taxi drivers who will offer you a trip to the floating markets and other attractions like Elephant parks and whatnot, but I recommend not going for those.
The floating market is an hour’s drive away from Khao San Road so book a taxi (Grab or Bolt taxi) to reach the floating market or you can also hop on a public bus if you want to save money.
This narrow canal gives you a wide perspective into how the canal system serves an important purpose for the locals and gives a glimpse into the lives of locals along the canal.
Damoen floating market is the liveliest of all the floating markets in Thailand and as you enjoy your ride you will get to see the vivid scenes of vendors selling flowers, souvenirs, Thai food, and vegetables from their boats and also from the shops along the canal.
Even you if don’t want to shop for anything the entire experience with so many boats meandering through the narrow canal definitely makes for an unforgettable experience.
Sunset – Skywalk King Power MahaNakhon
One of the best ways to end your Bangkok trip is to get a bird’s eye view of the entire city from the tallest building in the country.
The MahaNakhon stands 320 m tall in the central business district and most Porsche areas of Bangkok.
Started in December 2016, the MahaNakhon is a mixed-use building that is not just famous for its height but also due to its striking spiral-cut design at the side of the building making it stand out from the other towers in the central district.
The uppermost deck features a Skywalk which has become one of the major attractions in Bangkok since it started in 2016.
The observation deck which is located 316 m above in the sky gives a spectacular panoramic view of this vibrant city, and witnessing this at sunset makes it an unforgettable experience, and also the perfect time to click some Instaworthy photos at the backdrop of vividly colored Bangkok city.
Entrance tickets for the Skywalk should be booked in advance online.
- Opening hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.
- Admission: 836 Baht
- Address: 114 Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Best Way to Travel Around Thailand
Taxi – One of the most common and easiest ways to get around Bangkok is by Taxi.
To get the best deals and save money on your Taxi I highly recommend downloading the Grab app and Bolt app on your phone.
Grab is the most widely used app in Thailand to book a taxi, but you can also order food, or book a table at a restaurant. It is a multipurpose app but is mainly used for booking taxis.
Thanks, to our hotel receptionist in Chiang Mai the Bolt app turned out to be a huge money saver for us to book taxis for the rest of our trip.
Bolt is relatively a new kid on the block, so to attract new customers to its platforms, the app offers the best deals on taxis than Grab app.
The big downside to this currently is that not many taxi drivers use the Bolt app in Thailand and due to the limited availability it is hard to find a cheaper taxi during peak hours.
So, before you book a taxi make sure you check on both apps to get the best deal possible.
Rent a motorbike– One of the best ways to explore Bangkok at your pace is to rent a motorbike and drive around the city.
You can easily rent a motorbike anywhere in Thailand, all you need is a passport, which will remain with them as a deposit, but if you are skeptical about leaving your passport you will have to deposit around 5500 Baht with them.
You will have to pay in advance and you can use the bike for 24 hrs.
Pro tip- I won’t recommend renting a motorbike in Bangkok as traffic can get overwhelming during peak hours and accidents related to tourists are on the rise in recent years.
But if you want to rent anyway make sure to take photos and a video of the bike in before you drive it away from the shop. If you find anything missing or something is broken let the owner know about there and then and yes, always wear a helmet.
Most of the bike rental places are quite good and we didn’t face any issues whatsoever, just take a business card with you in case you need to contact them.
The average cost of a motorbike (prices vary from one area to another)
110-120 CC – 150-200 Baht per day
200-400 CC – 350-400 Baht per day
Sports bike – 500 -600 Baht per day
Offroad bikes- 600-1000 Baht per day
Best Sim Card to use in Bangkok (Or Thailand)
There are three big sim card companies that operate in Thailand namely AIS, d-Tac, and True Move. Of the three, True Move is head and shoulders above AIS and d-Tac when it comes to high-speed data, network coverage, and customer support.
You are going to need a SIM card if you are going to travel around Thailand to book taxis, make calls, use the internet, or for emergency situations. The best place to buy a SIM card in Thailand is to directly buy it from the company outlet or a 7/11 store.
Note- If you are traveling with a partner or friends and need a SIM card, I recommend you buy only one SIM card from the airport to book your taxi to the city.
Once you reach the city you can easily buy a SIM card for a much cheaper rate than at the airport. Also, note that the rate of the same SIM card is different in different 7-11 stores and regions of the country.
The True Move SIM card I bought for 700 Baht (15 days validity with unlimited high-speed internet and 24 min of international calling) only cost about 150 Baht for an entire month in 7-11 stores in Pai Village in the north of Thailand.
So, before buying a SIM card in Bangkok, make sure to check the prices in several stores before you buy it. You can easily get the same plan for much less than what it would cost at the airport and some 7-11 stores.
Best places to stay in Bangkok
| Area | Accommodation type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Khao San Road | Budget | Pubs, night bars, shopping malls, international dining options |
| Sukhumvit | Mid-range | Pubs, nightbars, shopping malls, international dining options |
| Bangkok riverside | Luxury | Luxury Hotels and Condos with riverside views, Close to main attractions in Bangkok |
