The most obvious has to be the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is pretty much what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. If you come to Bangkok, you have to go there.

Luckily, the Grand Palace is a short leisurely stroll from Phra Athit, as is the famous Wat Po (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) with its world famous Thai massage school. The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun is also well worth a visit, and is a fun ferry ride across the Chao Phraya River.

Khao San is obviously another must-see. Get ripped off by street vendors, buy banana pancakes or fake pad Thai from the street, and watch fellow backpackers do the same things. It’s just one of the things that will make your experience of Bangkok a truly authentic one.

Sanam Luang or the Royal Field is a huge field at the end of Phra Athit, just in front of the Grand Palace. In the summer months, Bangkokians come here to fly kites. You can buy colorful kites in all shapes and sizes from the many vendors here during those months and try your hand at the popular local past time.

The National Museum is just across from the field and houses some interesting artifacts and displays about the Thai history. Admission fee is just over a dollar. Another interesting place to visit if you’re interested in the rich history and culture of Thailand is Vimanmek Mansion, the world’s largest teakwood building.