Thailand in 3 days

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

Attraction · Dress code

Strict dress code — covered shoulders and knees, no leggings. Ignore anyone outside saying it’s closed; that’s the classic scam.

Wat Pho reclining Buddha

Temple · Walk from palace

The 46m gold Buddha is the headline, but the massage school here is the real deal — ฿480 for an hour.

Pad thai at Thipsamai

Lunch · Legendary

Open since 1966 — order the "superb" version wrapped in egg, and the fresh orange juice, which locals queue for separately.

Wat Arun at sunset

Temple · Golden hour

The porcelain-encrusted spire glows at golden hour — best photo is actually from the Tha Tien side after you ferry back.

Yaowarat street food crawl

Evening · Cash only

Chinatown after dark: start at T&K Seafood’s green-shirt corner, end with kuay jab at Nai Ek Roll Noodle. Cash only.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Temple · Morning mist

Shared songthaew from the university gate is ฿40 each way. Climb the 306 naga steps — the terrace view over the city is worth every one.

Khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai

Lunch · Sells out early

Garden stall near Wat Kuan Kama, open 10:00–14:00 only and sells out — coconut-curry khao soi for under ฿60.

Wat Chedi Luang

Temple · Monk chat

The ruined 15th-century chedi once held the Emerald Buddha. Join the free "monk chat" under the trees — they practice English, you learn everything.

Sunday Walking Street night market

Market · Evening

Ratchadamnoen Road becomes a mile of crafts and grills — go hungry, graze the ฿10–40 stalls, and hit Wat Phan Tao while it’s lantern-lit.

Phuket Old Town heritage walk

Walk · Photogenic

Thalang Road’s pastel shophouses are best before 10:00 light and heat. Sunday evenings the street becomes a walking market.

Lunch at One Chun Cafe

Lunch · Bib Gourmand

Michelin Bib Gourmand Phuketian cooking — order the crab curry with rice noodles (gaeng poo) and moo hong braised pork.

Big Buddha viewpoint

Viewpoint · Free

45m of white marble on Nakkerd Hill — 360° over both coasts. Sarongs lent free at the entrance.

Sunset at Kata Noi beach

Beach · Golden hour

Quieter than Kata proper — swim before 18:00, then dinner at the beach shacks. Mind the red flags in monsoon season.