Do I need to book ahead for Grand Palace and Wat Pho?

You can just show up and buy tickets on the day for both. The Grand Palace queue moves fast if you get there by 8:30am before the tour groups roll in. Wat Pho is even easier, I've never seen more than a handful of people at the ticket counter.

Late June is what we call the beginning of the monsoon proper. You'll likely get a heavy downpour for 30-60 minutes in the late afternoon, almost like clockwork around 3-5pm. Mornings are usually fine, so plan your outdoor sightseeing for early and you'll be okay. The rain cools things down nicely actually.

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nah you dont need to book ahead, just rock up. for grand palace id aim for 8am tho, not just for queues but the heat gets brutal by 10am. wat pho is chill, tickets always available and its more shaded anyway

rain wise yeah youll prob get a short heavy burst most afternoons, like 4pm ish. bring an umbrella but dont stress, it passes quick and the streets drain fast. plan any big walks for the morning and youll be fine

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June is a bit of a gamble at Wat Pho but you'll be fine without booking. Just bring an umbrella for the afternoon showers.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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