Sightseeing in Bangkok

The River Chao Phraya cuts the city in half, to the east you find the "old" Bangkok with the royal palace and the most important temples like Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Pho. You can also find Chinatown and Khao San Road in this part of the city. To the east of Krung Kasem Road you find the "new" Bangkok with its skyscrapers, malls, hotels and the Skytrain and MRT.

The Royal Grand Palace is like a fairytale but the king only stays here on important holidays and official duties.The buildings are in different styles and within the walls you find Thailand's most sacred Buddhist temple, Wat Phra Kaew. You will be amazed by the mythological creatures and the amount of gold that is used. 11 meters above the crowd on a golden altar is the 75cm emerald Buddha. The Grand palace is open from 8:30 to 15:30 and the entrance fee is 250 bath (for the Thais it's free).
Beware: When you arrive some Tuktuk drivers try to convince you that the tempel is closed and try to get you to another place, just ignore them and buy your ticket only at the normal ticket boot inside the Grand Palace walls. Furthermore you have to dress appropriately meaning long trousers, closed shoes and a shirt that covers the shoulders.

Just next to the Grand palace is Wat Pho, home to a 46 meters long laying golden Buddha, this is the most famous one in Thailand and you should definitely check it out since it's an amazing sight. Wat Arun is a 79 meters high "tower" completely covered with mosaic, it represents a cosmic mountain that is home to the Hindu gods. It is just next to the river so it's best to take a boat there.

Right acros the street from Wat Phra Kaew is Wat Manathat, in this complex you find a Budhist University as well as a Budhist meditation centre with instructions in english. Check out the market at this place for Thai herbal medicines.
Wat Traimit: The temple of the golden Buddha with a 3 meters high ,solid gold Buddha image. Wat Traimit is near the intersection of Charoen Krung and Yaowarat close to Hualompong train station so easy to reach by MRT.

These are the main tourist attractions, there are however more temples and places that are definitely worth seeing:

Wat Benchamabophit: On the crossing of Si Ayuthaya and Rama5.

Wat Thammamongkhon: Sukhumvit soi 101 with a huge Buddha made from jade.

Wat Saket: Close to the Democracy Monument on Worachak. This place is build upon a man made hill with a nice view.

Wat Rajanadda: Just acros the street from Wat Saket.

The National Museum: This is the largest museum in South-East Asia, it gives visitors an insight into Thai art and how it developed over time. From woodcarving to clothes and English speaking guides and documentation is available.

Jim Thompson's House: Founded by Jim Thompson who was a businessman from the US. He started to export Thai silk and made it thereby famous in the rest of the world. Nowadays it's a place to visit for architecture and traditional art. It's next to Khlong Saen Saep.

Chinatown: Of course Bangkok has a Chinatown, just after Hualompong. It's filled with small shops from jewelry to hardware and food. During Chinese new year this is the place to be with thousands of people celebrating on the streets and live performances. Great bargains can be found here but make sure to bring either your Thai or Chinese phrase book (or girlfriend) since most people here have never heard of English.

Dusit Zoo: Really a nice place to go and relax a little bit, the most fun here I think are not the animals but the Thai people as it is fun to watch how they're having a good time. Lots of animals with some rare species and the best part is that the entrance fee is only 30 bath. Don't worry about getting food over there since they have a KFC right in the middle of the park. Visit during a weekday since the weekends can be crowded.

Snake farm: Go to this place on Rama4 to see milking sessions from the most dangerous snakes around (King Cobra, Malayan Pit Viper) but go early as these sessions are usually before noon. Just been walking in the bush and been bitten by some unidentified creature? This is the place to get your anti venom.

Lumphini park and Suan Lum Night Bazaar: Lumphini park is the only nature left within Bangkok and is a good place to go jogging. The aerobic sessions that are given here are highly amusing so just take a break and join them. When you finish you can go to Suan Lum Night Bazaar right next to the park to do some shopping or even better have a drink in the Beergarden with live shows and quality beer.

Dinner Cruise: A good way to see the city and eat at the same time is a dinner cruise, make a reservation before you go, for example at Riverside Company: 024340090. Prices depend on what you include of course but it's nice to take a buffet so you know how much to pay before you get on.

Ancient city: Defenitely worth to visit, it shows all the major temples and buildings (build on scale 1:3) in Thailand in one park. The park covers a vast area so it's better to take a car around. The Ancient city is just south of Bangkok and a taxi should cost you around 250 bath to get there.

Crocodile Farm: Close to the ancient city is the crocodile farm with thousands of crocodiles and crazy Thais sticking their heads inside them. They are breeded here for their skin and meat so crocodile burgers are on the menu and if you need a new bag made from one of these guys check out the shops.