You can certainly easily do this on your own. You will want to take the water taxi to see the Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha and Wat Po (Reclining Buddha) for sure. Get there when the grounds open at 8:30. Read up on the scams of tuktuk drivers telling you the wat or the Palace are closed - don't believe them, don't go with any taxi/tuktuk driver to tailor shops, jewelry stores.

You would likely enjoy the markets in Chinatown (actually walking distabce from the Royal Orchid, though you can take teh water taxi one or two stops to cut doen on walking time. You might also enjoy the Jim Thompson House Museum. Get a Bangkok guidebook - there is so much to see and do, you will have to select where you want to go carefully.

PS You will be there at absolutely the hottest time of the year.

Thanks Kathie! Can't alter the weather, but can hydrate, and try to utilize the time for what we most want to do. Taking water taxis seems ideal way to beat the heat. I hope!

i can't imagine doing that walk kathie, even if i were 15..

places to see:

grand palace, wat pho and emerald buddha (in GP)
jim thompson house, near national stadium stop on skytrain--good place for lunch
wat arun
flower market, not far fr GP
klong tour of thornburi--ask ROS to have a boat come for you or go next door to river city and get one off their dock-- afternoon is best

Thanks for taking the time. I will follow your guidelines!