How to Have Fun With 24 Hours in Bangkok

Bangkok is one of those cities where it’s hard to get your fill. Regardless of how many times you visit, you’ll constantly uncover new and thrilling things to see, do, and eat. It’s got a near-perfect mixture of food, culture, nightlife, shopping, and affordability unparalleled by anyplace else in Southeast Asia. But if you only have 24 hours in Bangkok, here are four places to make sure top your one day itinerary.

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CONTENTS: In this article, you will learn which attractions and experiences not to miss when you have 24 hours in Bangkok Thailand, including:

• The Grand Palace
• Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
• Queen Sirikit Park
• Dinner Cruise along Chao Phraya River
• Final Thoughts on 24 Hours in Bangkok

1. The Grand Palace

Most of the top attractions in Bangkok are temples or spiritual sites. You’ll find a huge selection of temples in Bangkok. If you only have 24 hours in Bangkok, you should visit the most well-known and most beautiful ones first. Since the main temples and the Grand Palace are near to one another, it will be possible for you to visit them in a few hours.

Although it gets super-congested, you certainly shouldn’t miss the Grand Palace, a former residence of the Thailand king.

You’ll want to get up early for this attraction. If you arriving when it opens, that is the time of the day when it is not jam-packed. It might seem too early, but it’s really a magnificent experience worth rising for.

And, you’ll want to spend a lot of your time here because the grand palace is huge. The site spreads out over a vast 218,400 square kilometers (8.42 square miles) so be sure to be prepared for a long walk.

You could easily spend a full day to examining each intricate section of the complex properly, but you only have 24 hours to spend in Bangkok. The solution is to get a great guide, map, or a guided tour.

For the most immersive and insightful experience on short time, rent an audio manual at the entrance and skip through it to hear the background information about each temple and building of the Grand Palace.

When is the Grand Palace Open?

The Grand Palace opens every day from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. For further details about the grand palace prices, location and the dress code, we recommend you check out this post. 

2. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

The Bangkok Art and Culture Center is a great spot for taking in modern art and civilization representing both Thai and overseas artists. It has a massive variety of artworks, sculptures, and literature documents. You’ll find two floors of impressive modern art exhibitions in addition to interesting exhibits on the lower floors. The architecture of the museum is magnificent, too!

The Bangkok Art and Cultural Center is one of the best places to see visit in Bangkok, especially if you adore art and modern architecture. Plus, it’s not far from Siam Square and entry is free.

Related Article: Make sure to review these 7 Do’s and Don’ts of Thailand before your trip to Bangkok.

How to Get to The Bangkok Art and Culture Center

Grab a BTS Skytrain toward National Stadium Station and get out via exit No. 3. Then walk-through Skybridge straight to the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. You will emerge on the 3rd floor. 

3. Queen Sirikit Park

Queen Sirikit Park is an exquisite park in Bangkok where you’ll find many exotic plants, trees, fountains, and lakes. If you love nature and the outdoors, this stop is a perfect reprieve from the cityscape.

Many people don’t know Queen Sirikit Park is actually a combination of three different parks that appear as one. You could spend many hours exploring this vast park area. It can get busy with crowds on the weekends, but remains mostly quiet on the weekdays if you can manage to visit then.

Even though you may only have 24 hours in Bangkok, be sure to take a stroll in Queen Sirikit Park for a breath of fresh air. You’ll love the variety of flowers in bloom during different seasons; it maintains a colorful display throughout the year.

Tip: You’ll also find washroom facilities accessible throughout the park. 

How to Get to Queen Sirikit Park (and Getting Around)

Reaching Queen Sirikit Park is easy from Chatuchak MRT or Mo Chit BTS Station. Simply walk across Chatuchak Park, and you will arrive at the park. The park always remains open between 05:00 to 20:00 and entrance is free. 

You’ll find an entry gate on Kamphaeng Phet 3, and at first, this place doesn’t appear special. But as you move forward further into the park, it turns out to be extraordinary, with plenty of footpaths and bike trails.

The bicycle rent is inexpensive and so worth the small investment. Plus, it’s a great way to make the most of your time with only 24 hours in Bangkok.

Also, be on the lookout for wildlife. You might see storks and even water monitor reptiles, which look like baby Komodo dragons!

Fun fact: the locals still call the park by its old name, “Chatuchak Park,” as it’s located close to Chatuchak market.

4. Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River

By now, no doubt you’ve worked up an appetite!

Plan a romantic dinner on a river cruise at night to wrap up your 24 hours in Bangkok.

It’s a unique experience to eat on a Thai traditional cruise. You’ll have lots of options to choose from, based on your choice of cuisine and amusement. Normally, cruise operators serve local Thai foods, seafood, western fare, and vegetarian dishes.

The cruises usually last about 2-3 hours. That will give you time to enjoy the food and live music while taking in the scenic beauty of the longest river in Thailand.

Be aware that the drinks on the cruise are costly, but an optional expense. 

Related Article: To find out the Best Places to Live in Thailand, click here.

Final Thoughts on Spending 24 Hours in Bangkok

So, with just 24 hours in Bangkok, you can see it’s still possible to enjoy a variety of attractions and experiences. In fact, it’s one of the best places to visit in Thailand for first-timers.

Of course, this 1 Day Itinerary is purely an introduction to Bangkok. With any luck, it will give you a starting point and the desire for many happy returns.

Have you been to Bangkok? Which of these suggestions sound the most interesting to you? If you’ve visited Thailand, what were your favorite things to see and do?