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Buying a SIM Card at the Airport

As soon as I landed at the airport in Thailand, I saw a bunch of SIM cards being sold everywhere. But here’s the catch: they’re mostly for tourists, and they’re not cheap — usually around 600 to 700 baht. I learned from past trips that it’s way cheaper to buy a SIM card at a 7-Eleven outside the airport. You can get one for just 150 baht, valid for 30 days!

These days, though, some 7-Elevens outside have started pushing the expensive tourist SIM cards to foreigners too. If you want to score the cheaper ones, you might need a local friend to help or try visiting a few stores until you find one that still sells the local ones.

Where We Stayed – Prince Palace Hotel Bangkok

We stayed at the Prince Palace Hotel, a 4-star hotel that’s been around for quite a while. It has a sky pool and gym, and it’s right above the Bo Bae wholesale clothing market. Not bad at all!

Chatuchak Weekend Market

After checking in, we headed to Chatuchak Weekend Market. This place is a must if you’re in Bangkok! It’s one of the largest open-air markets in all of Asia with over 15,000 stalls. You could literally shop until you drop.

So, what can you find here? Pretty much everything. Clothes, shoes, bags, home decor, antiques, handmade soaps, art, plants, even pets. And the food? Incredible! Thai iced tea, coconut ice cream, grilled skewers, stir-fried noodles, mango sticky rice — you’ll be snacking nonstop.

If you’re good at bargaining, you can score some real deals. The market is divided into different zones, like clothing, furniture, pets, books, etc., but to be honest, it’s still easy to get lost in there (and that’s part of the fun!).

Tips for Chatuchak:

• Go in the morning. It gets really hot by noon.
• Bring cash. Some places accept cards, but most are cash-only.
• Wear light clothing and comfy shoes.
• It’s open Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Some parts open Friday night too.

If you come to Bangkok and skip Chatuchak, you’re seriously missing out. It’s not just a market, it’s a full cultural experience.

The Reclining Buddha – Wat Pho

If you’re only visiting one temple in Bangkok, make it Wat Pho — home of the giant Reclining Buddha. This massive golden statue is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, lying peacefully on its side with a calm smile.

The feet of the Buddha are especially cool, inlaid with mother-of-pearl illustrations of 108 auspicious symbols.

Wat Pho is also:

• One of Thailand’s oldest temples (over 200 years old)
• The birthplace of traditional Thai massage (you can even try a massage here!)
• A peaceful place with pagodas, statues, and beautiful courtyards

Useful Info:

• Dress respectfully: no sleeveless tops or shorts. You can rent a scarf at the entrance.
• Entry is about 200 baht and includes a bottle of water.
• Best to visit early or late to avoid crowds.
• Pair it with nearby temples like Wat Arun or the Grand Palace.

We watched the sunset from across the river at Wat Arun. Gorgeous view! Then grabbed dinner from random street stalls before calling it a night.

Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

Looking for a great view of Bangkok without the crowds or sky-high prices? Head to the Golden Mount, also known as Wat Saket.

This golden chedi sits on an artificial hill — yes, the hill was man-made hundreds of years ago! Climbing the 344 steps to the top is easy, with bells and gongs along the way you can ring for good luck.

The view from the top is fantastic, especially at sunset. It’s breezy and peaceful, and a nice break from the city chaos.

Fast Facts:

• Built during the Ayutthaya period, but shaped into today’s form during King Rama V’s reign
• Entry is only 50 baht
• Best visited in the morning or just before sunset

It’s not flashy, but it’s a gem. A calm place to reflect and enjoy a panoramic view of Bangkok.

Khao San Road

Now for the wild side of Bangkok: Khao San Road. If you want to party, meet people from all over the world, or just soak up the chaos — this is the spot.

What to expect:

• Cheap and tasty street food: grilled insects, mango sticky rice, banana pancakes, you name it
• Loud music, busy bars, people dancing in the streets
• Budget massages everywhere
• Shops selling t-shirts, souvenirs, tattoos, and all kinds of travel gear

Pro Tips:

• It gets going after 7 PM and stays crazy until late
• Keep your valuables safe
• Be careful with the famous Thai bucket cocktails — they’re strong!

On Christmas Eve, we had a buffet dinner at Avani Sukhumvit Hotel. The food was great, but getting there by bus took 2 hours. Bangkok traffic is no joke! Pro tip: use the BTS or MRT instead.

Maeklong Railway Market + Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

This day was all about classic Thai markets.

Maeklong Railway Market: A real train runs right through the middle of the market! When it comes, vendors quickly fold up their umbrellas and move their goods. Once it passes, everything goes back to normal like magic.

Tips:

• Check the train schedule ahead of time
• It comes super close, so be careful when taking photos

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Just a short ride away, this is the most famous floating market in Thailand. Vendors on boats sell tropical fruits, hot food, and souvenirs as they paddle around.

Things to Do:

• Take a boat tour (around 150–200 baht)
• Eat mango sticky rice, grilled bananas, pad thai, and more
• Snap some iconic photos

Tips:

• Be ready to say “no” politely to pushy vendors
• Bring sunblock and a hat

We ended the day back at the hotel, showered, and got ready for our overnight bus ride to Chiang Mai.

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