Rajadamnern Stadium One-Day Travel Itinerary

If you have one day and only one day to visit Rajadamnern Stadium, why not experience some of what Old Town Bangkok has to offer? It is, after all, one of the most unique parts of the Thai capital.

It’s where you can experience trendy cafes alongside mom-and-pop-run publishing houses. Where the sounds of latte machines frothing milk mix with the clinking and clanging of printing presses compiling stacks of books. And somewhere in the midst of all this is your destination — Rajadamnern Stadium.

One-Day Rajadamnern Stadium Itinerary

I’ve compiled this one-day Rajadamnern Stadium travel itinerary based on my favorite places in Old Town Bangkok, places I’ve been visiting since 2007.

But before I get into the details, I’d like to add a caveat here. I’m not much for travel apps, especially those that tell you where to eat and what to see, because I think it breaks an unwritten rule about traveling: that stumbling onto an eatery or attraction is sometimes better.

That said, use this itinerary solely as a guide. If you pass someplace and it speaks to you on another level, go in, grab some food or drinks, and strike up a conversation with the shop owner.

Walk Through Trok Mor Morning Market

• Time: 7 AM
• Cost: Free unless you buy food
• Time needed: 30 minutes
• How to get there: To get there from your hotel, book a Grab or take a taxi.

Your excursion begins at Trok Mor Morning Market at 7 AM. This isn’t your average tourist-bound market in Bangkok. In fact, you might not see another tourist during your entire time at the market, especially if you go early. Trok Mor Morning Market is packed with local vendors who sell everything from fresh-caught fish and just-picked vegetables to tropical fruits and cooked foods. The market isn’t very long, though. In fact, it runs up and down just one small road. But this forces you to slow down and absorb all that it has to offer.

Relax At Saranrom Park

• Time: 8 AM
• Cost: Free
• Time needed: 45 minutes
• How to get there: To get to Sananrom Park from Trok Mor Morning Market, turn right down Ratchabophit Road and then walk down to Fueang Nakhon Road. When you get to Soi Phraya Sri, make a right and walk straight ahead until you cross a small bridge into Saranrom Park.

At Saranrom Park, you really get a sense of what everyday Thai life is all about, especially in the mornings. Many locals visit the park to jog, walk, and exercise. There are two water fountains, three ponds, an outdoor gym, and a playground. You can stroll down the many winding paths of the park, or find a seat and enjoy the food you bought from Trok Mor Morning Market.

Visit The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha And The Grand Palace

• Time: 9 AM
• Cost: 500 Thai Baht per person
• Time needed: 2 hours
• How to get there: When you’re done at Saranrom Park, exit so that you are on Sanam Chai Road. Then walk north toward The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and The Grand Palace.

Both The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and The Grand Palace are popular attractions with first-time visitors to Bangkok — and for good reason. They thrust you into the sometimes magical, sometimes mythical world of Thailand’s rich culture and belief system.

Pro tip: Be careful of the tuk-tuk scams near The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. There are people who stand around the area that will intercept you before you arrive at the entrance and tell you the temple is closed. Then they’ll tell you that they can take you on a tuk-tuk tour to another temple instead. Although they will bring you to another temple, they will also bring you to shops and other locations, where they get kickbacks for you spending money there.

Whet Your Appetite At MOLTHIP Coconut Ice Cream And Smoothies

• Time: 11 AM
• Cost: 50 Thai Baht per person
• Time needed: 30 minutes
• How to get there: From The Emerald of the Emerald Buddha, exit toward Tha Suphan Alley and walk south until you get to MOLTHIP Coconut Ice Cream.

MOLTHIP is famous for its coconut ice cream and coconut smoothies. The shop usually has seating available, so you can sit down and rest your legs to get ready for the remainder of your itinerary.

Shop At The Old Siam Plaza

• Time: 12 PM
• Cost: Depends on what you buy
• Time needed: 90 minutes
• How to get there: Make a right out of MOLTHIP and walk down to Chetuphon Road. Make a left and walk down to Sanam Chai Road. Turn right onto Sanam Chai Rand and walk down to Prah Phiphit Road. Continue straight until you get to Tri Phet Road and make a left.

The Old Siam Plaza is a unique shopping center in Old Town Bangkok and contrasts some of the larger, more modern malls like Siam Paragon or Em Quartier. Here, you can pick up lots of Thai ornaments, clothes, and souvenirs, plus indulge in some traditional Thai desserts.

Eat Lunch At Petit Peyton Traveloque Cafe

• Time: 1 PM
• Cost: 100 to 200 Thai Baht per person
• Time needed: 1 hour
• How to get there: From The Old Siam Plaza, continue down Tri Phet Road until it turns into Ti Thong Road. Continue walking straight until you get to the Giant Red Swing and then turn right on Bamrung Mueang Road. Continue straight until you reach Maha Chai Road. Turn left and the cafe is on the corner.

Petit Peyton Traveloque Cafe has great food and an even better ambiance. It’s dark Thai wood interior makes you forget, for just a moment, that right outside of its doors is a vibrant city painted in an assortment of colors. If you like beef, I recommend the pad krapao neua, medium spicy.

Learn About Thai History At King Prajadhipok Museum

• Time: 2 PM
• Cost: Free
• Time needed: 90 minutes
• How to get there: Exit Petit Peyton Traveloque Cafe and turn left. Walk down Maha Chai Road until you come to the main junction at Ratchadamnoen Klang Road. Turn right and walk over the canal. Once over the canal, the museum will be toward your right.

At King Prajadhipok Museum, you’ll discover much about the life of His Majesty King Prajadhipok and Her Majesty Queen Rambai Barni. The museum features three floors of royal photographs, documents, and records of the king’s life.

Explore Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan (Loha Prasat)

• Time: 3 PM
• Cost: 20 Thai Baht per person
• Time needed: 90 minutes
• How to get there: Exit King Prajadhipok Museum and backtrack toward where you just came from. Cross over Maha Chai Road toward the Royal Pavilion (small park on the corner). Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawhihan is just behind the pavilion.

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, also known as Loha Prasat, rivals many of the other temples in the area yet remains relatively unknown with many travelers to Bangkok. The highlight of the temple is its spiral wooden staircase that you can take to the spire. From there, you can get some good views — and pictures — of Old Town Bangkok.

Enjoy Dinner At Likhit Gai Yang

• Time: 5 PM
• Cost: 150 Thai Baht per person
• Time needed: 1 hour
• How to get there: Exit the temple and walk back toward King Prajadhipok Museum. Instead of going right toward the museum, make a left onto Ratchadamnoen Nok Road. Walk all the way down that road until you pass Rajadamnern Stadium on your right. At the next corner, make a right and walk down the road until you come across a large yellow sign.

Likhit Gai Yang (Likhit Grilled Chicken) has been around for over five decades. It started as a humble grilled chicken stand in front of Rajadamnern Stadium but grew into the restaurant it is today. The owner takes pride in his food and sees to it that everyone leaves satisfied. Although the ambiance is nothing to gawk over, the food rivals most of what I’ve eaten elsewhere in Bangkok. Although the grilled chicken is its specialty, the other dishes are just as good.

Experience Muay Thai At Rajadamnern

• Time: 6/7 PM
• Cost: 1,500 to 3,500 Thai Baht per person
• Time needed: 3 to 4 hours
• How to get there: Backtrack from Likhit Gai Yang.

After all is said and done, you can finally enjoy what you’ve been waiting for all day — the muay thai fights at Rajadamnern Stadium. Be sure to arrive at the stadium at least 30 minutes before start time.

Itinerary Map