10 Reasons to Visit Bangkok - Why We Keep Coming Back, Bangkok, Thailand

A bustling vibrant city where the traffic is a nightmare, the heat intense, the noise deafening, but you can experience amazing temples, boat rides on the river, great food, friendly people and it is unique like no other place on earth. These are the reasons why we love Bangkok. But what if you only have a short stopover, what could you do and see in 12 hours.

We stayed at the Arize Hotel close to Phrom Phong BTS station. For 42 Thai Baht (THB) you can ride the BTS to Saphan Taksin (Central Pier) changing at Siam. The BTS is a great way to travel around Bangkok, fast clean and efficient.

At Central Pier, a few minutes walk from Saphan Taksin BTS, you can travel via longtail boat for THB100 to the Grand Palace or THB25 by local ferry. The longtail boat will drop you at Tha Tien and then you walk about 15 minutes to the Grand Palace or you can get the local ferry and it drops you at Tha Chang which is located on the river by the Grand Palace.

The Grand Palace is #16 of the world’s most visited sites. It is Bangkok’s most famous landmark. The Palace was built in 1782 and was the home of the King, the Royal Court and the administrative seat of government for 150 years. The complex houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where it is believed that the small buddha image is over 2,000 years old. Photos are not allowed inside the Temple. It is an awe-inspiring place well worth the visit. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).