Bangkok on a budget

10 things to do for under $10.

By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Monday, September 17, 2018

Bangkok is a bustling, messy and downright chaotic metropolis, but it has so much to offer and is sure to flood your senses with new tastes, smells and beautiful sights.

1. Visit Wat Pho

Price: 100 baht ($4.25)

Wat Pho – just south of the Grand Palace, which is slightly too expensive for this list – is one of Thailand’s oldest and most famous temples.

The main attraction is a 46m-long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf, which you might recognise from the opening scenes of the movie The Beach. It’s also a great place for a Thai massage.

Wat Pho is one of Thailand's oldest temples.

2. Go to a concert at Lumpini Park

Price: Free

As well as being home to a plethora of monitor lizards, Lumpini Park also hosts free concerts by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, held almost every Sunday between November and February.

Lumpini Park hosts concerts every Sunday during the dry season.

3. Discover the Chatuchak Market

Price: Free to visit

Bangkok has countless markets, but the Chatuchak Market – held every weekend – takes the prize for the biggest and best in Thailand.

Whether you’re looking for a souvenir, clothes or a delicious meal, one of the 1500 stalls will have what you’re looking for.

4. Explore Bangkok Chinatown

Price: Free, food from 12 baht (50c)

Every day, hordes of shoppers descend upon this 1km strip to explore the many market stalls and taste the mouth-watering food on offer.

Visit Bangkok Chinatown in the evening to explore the many street stalls.

5. Watch a Muay Thai fight

Price: Free

Bangkok is the place to watch authentic Muay Thai fights, but you don’t need to shell out cash for tickets sold on Khao San Rd.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Bangkok on a Sunday, you’ll have the opportunity to see live Muay Thai fights at the Channel 7 television station, which broadcasts every Sunday from 2pm.

6. Dine in at Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market

Price: About 200 baht for a taxi ($8.50)

Guided tours of the Khlong Lat Mayom Market can cost anywhere between $30 and $200, but there is a far cheaper way to enjoy this fascinating bazaar.

The canal is very narrow so boats park along the riverbank cooking for customers who sit at low tables along the waterfront. Take a seat and join in.

Bangkok's floating markets are worth checking out.

7. Tour Jim Thompson’s house

Price: 150 baht ($6.20)

Jim Thompson was an American architect turned army officer, turned CIA agent, turned businessman who went missing in 1967 under strange circumstances while in Malaysia.

You can take a guided tour of Thompson’s house – where he would host celebrities and dignitaries – in the heart of downtown Bangkok.

8. Try street stall cuisine

Price: Food from 12 baht (50 cents)

Pad Thai, green curry, tom yum soup, satay – the list goes on. Bangkok has thousands of streets stalls offering particular dishes the stallholder has refined over many years.

You can watch the cook prepare your dish in front of you, and best of all, the meal will usually cost you a few dollars.

Bangkok streets are lined with food stalls.

9. Bangkok National Museum

Price: 200 baht ($8.50)

Learn a little bit more about Thailand’s history. The Bangkok National Museum in the former grounds of the 18th-century Wang Na Palace houses the largest collection of Thai art and artefacts in the country.

10. Take in the sunset at Wat Arun

Price: 100 baht ($4.40)

Wat Arun, on the banks of Chao Phraya River, is one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, consisting of five towers covered in mosaic tiles.

Visit in the late afternoon before taking a water taxi across to the other side of the river – there you’ll be able to enjoy the sun setting behind the temple.

Visit Wat Arun during the late afternoon to watch the sunset.

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