My obessive, detail-oriented trip planning may now be a benefit to others. The three main cities we went to in Thailand were Bangkok, Chaing Mai, and Ayutthaya. Below is my list of things we wanted to see in each destination, when they are open, and how much it is (Prices are listed in baht. The basic exchange rate is 30 baht to 1 dollar, yet this varies). This information may not still be the same, so check before you go. You may want to see other things, but this is what interested us.
We flew into Bangkok, took a plane up to Chiang Mai, took an overnight train to Ayutthaya, and then returned to Bangkok before flying home.
Bangkok
- Grand Palace – open 8:30 to 3:30, 250 baht (throne room closed on weekends) - This is a must-see as it is has the royal temple which is home to the revered Emerald Buddha. Be prepared to ignore scam artists coming up to you telling you it's closed as you approach.
- National Museum – 9am to 4pm, 40 baht - This museum of antiquities has an interesting collection. We were particularly impressed by the funeral chariots. Just don't send too much time in one building...there's much more to see and some of the areas are even air conditioned.
- Wat Pho – 8am to 5pm, 20 baht - Wat Pho is home to the reclining Buddha which is incredibly impressive. It also has a massage school which is nice to take advantage of.
- Wat Mahathat – 9am to 5pm, 20 baht - This is a temple of learning. There is a school attached and most mornings the monks give meditation lessons. It is one of the oldest temples in the city.
- Wat Suthat – 9am to 9pm, 20 baht - Visit this temple for the beautiful wall murals and the giant swing outside. The swing was once used by monks in celebrations but is now just decoration.
- Wat Saket – 9am to 5pm, 10 baht - The main reason to visit this temple is to enjoy the view from the top of the Golden Mount. We ended up getting to the temple too late to climb up and get back down before it closed, so be sure to factor in this time.
- National Gallery – 9am to 4pm, 30 baht – We actually didn't end up going here. There were so many other things we wanted to see and we read that this museum was only really worth a visit if they had a particularly fascinating traveling exhibit.
- Vimanmek Palace – 8:30 to 4:30, 40 baht - The largest teak wood palace in the world, Vimanmek Palace in Dusit Park is a great place to learn about the Kings and Queens of Thailand.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market - 9 to 6, Friday through Saturday - The prices are good and the selection is amazing at this weekend market. It is on the outskirts of town and accessible via the sky rail. Be careful because it is very crowded and a group tried to rob Chris when we went.
Other plans for Bangkok included a river boat tour, a trip to the Vianamek Palace, and a walking tour of Chinatown.
Chiang Mai
- Warowot Market – throughout the day - This market was interesting to see but not shop at, as it has a lot of household goods, dried fish, and other non-tourist items. The night markets on the weekend in the center of town had a better selection for us at good prices.
- Wat Chedowan – 9 to 4, free - The wood carvings and impressive chedis make this temple well known. We went to see it because it was along our route, yet is probably not so different from the other temples that it requires a separate trip.
- Wat Phra Singh – 9 to 4, free - This temple has 14th century wall murals and ornate door carvings that are well worth seeing. If you see one temple inside the walls of Chiang Mai, make it this one.
- Wat Chedi Luang – monk chat noon to 6:30 - Destroyed in an earthquake, the partly rebuilt brick chedi at Wat Chedi Luang is impressive in its size and its age, dating back to the 14th century. It was once the home of the Emerald Buddha which now resides in Bangkok.
- Wat Chang Man – 9am to 5pm - This is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai and it is home to both a marble and crystal Buddha. Be sure to take off your shoes before entering any temple building that houses a Buddha.
- Chiang Mai National Museum – 9 to 4, 30 baht - We spent our time up at Wat Doi Suthep instead of spending an extensive amount of time in Chiang Mai. If we had not done that, we definitely would have gone to the Chiang Mai National Museum. It has ancient artifacts and a good deal of Lanna crafts.
- Tibal Museum – 9 to 4, free - We did not go here, but it is supposed to be a very good place to learn about the hilltribe villages and many treks up into the mountains begin with a visit to this museum.
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – 9 to 4, 30 baht - A songthaew will take you out of Chiang Mai and up to this temple, located on a mountain outside of town. It has spectacular views of Chiang Mai and is one of the holiest spots in Thailand. It may not be the most convenient temple, but it is certainly one of the most rewarding.
Other plans for the Chiang Mai area included a two day trek into the mountains to see the hill tribe villages.
Ayutthaya
- Wat Mahathat – 8am to 6pm, 30 baht - Built in 1374, Wat Mahathat is one of the temples in this old capital of Siam. Like most of the temples here, it was destroyed by the Burmese. This site has a tree that grew around a Buddha head, making it a popular site for photographers.
- Wat Ratchaburana – 8am to 6pm, 30 baht - Wat Ratchaburana is another interesting temple ruins site. If you get there earlier than 8, as we did, you're welcome to enter and see the place before the other tourists arrive, but be prepared to pay the maintenance person your entrance fee.
- Wat Phra Sri Sanphet – 8am to 6pm, 30 baht - This is known as the king's temple and is one of the nicest ruins in the city.
- Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit – 8:30 to 5:30, free - The huge Buddha here is impressive and this is one of the relatively few rebuilt temples in the city.
- Ayutthaya National Museum – 9am to 4pm, 10 baht - This palace also serves as the National Museum and houses many of the treasures found hidden in the chedis at Ayutthaya.
- Wat Phra Ram – 8:30 to 5, 30 baht - This picturesque temple has a beautiful line of ruined Buddha statues as well as a large main chedi.
- Wat Yai – 8am to 5pm, 20 baht – Outside of Ayutthaya is the giant reclining Buddha at Wat Yai. We did not end up getting out to see this, but photos of the Buddha lead me to believe that if you have the time, it's worth the trip. Especially if you have rented a bike to get around, as then it would be easily accessible.
- Wat Na Phra Mane – 8am to 5pm, 20 baht – This is another temple we had on the list yet did not get to. It is on the far side of the river and is one of the oldest and best preserved temples in Ayutthaya.
Other plans for Ayutthaya included an elephant ride around some of the ruins, starting by the national musuem.
