BKK · A long weekend on a ticket · published · checked
72 hours in Bangkok from BKK
Seventy-two hours is when Damnoen Saduak can be the plan for one day. The other two days are still Bangkok, not a second province.
The shape
Day one: arrive, river or palace, hotel on a station or the river.
Day two: the thing you did not do on day one. Sit down in the afternoon.
Day three: either a slow morning and the airport, or the market tour if the flight is late and you accepted the early start.
The market day
The Suvarnabhumi transit tour picks up at the airport, goes to the floating market and the railway market, and brings you back. About eight hours, on the road before 08:00. Book it only when that morning exists.
It is the day. A palace visit afterwards is how you miss the flight.
Ayutthaya can wait
The old capital is a real day trip and a poor add-on. On 72 hours it competes with the market tour. Pick one outing that leaves the city, or pick neither and walk Bangkok properly.
Dress and heat
Temples will turn you away for bare shoulders and short shorts. Carry the layer. The heat is the other rule: the good walk is early, the good boat is late.