Detour: Need a Break?

Taking in all the sights can be exhausting, especially on a hot and muggy day. Fortunately, two parks by the Grand Palace provide some respite from the heat. Sanam Luang is north of the palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Trees offer shade and benches a place to sit with a cold drink and a snack from one of the vendors. You can also buy bread if you want to feed the numerous pigeons. Suan Saranrom, across from the southeast corner of the palace and the northeast corner of Wat Po, is smaller but just as pleasant. It's surrounded by well-kept government buildings. In the late afternoon you can join the free community aerobics sessions.