Bangkok has over 400 wats, and the vast majority charge nothing to enter. The famous ones — Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace complex — now charge foreign visitors between 100 and 500 baht. But step one block away from the tourist circuit and you'll find temples that are just as architecturally striking, with nobody asking for a ticket. Wat Suthat, near the Giant Swing, has a modest entry fee but the surrounding temple courtyard is free. Wat Ratchanatdaram, with its distinctive metal castle-like Loha Prasat, charges a small fee for the tower climb but the grounds are open. Wat Benchamabophit (the Marble Temple) charges for entry, so it doesn't quite qualify — but Wat Rakhang across the river in Thonburi is free and far less crowded, with old murals in the monks' quarters that are special. The general rule: if a temple is on the tourist map, it likely charges. If it's not, walk in, remove your shoes, and take your time. Mind you, modest dress is expected everywhere — shoulders covered, knees covered, no exceptions.

Bangkok's public transit is not free, but some options come close enough to mention. The Chao Phraya Express Boat's orange-flag line runs along the river for 16 baht flat — not free, but close, and the views rival any paid river cruise. Canal boats along Khlong Saen Saep cost similarly little and offer a view of Bangkok that most visitors never see: laundry lines, stilt houses, kids jumping into murky water. Walking remains the cheapest option, and Bangkok is more walkable than its reputation suggests — at least in certain neighborhoods. The old town, Silom, and Sukhumvit are all manageable on foot once you accept that sidewalks are obstacle courses (vendors, motorcycle taxis, spirit houses, the occasional tree growing through concrete). The BTS and MRT are air-conditioned and efficient but run 16-50+ baht per trip, so they add up. To be fair, even paying for transit here costs less than a single subway ride in most Western cities.

Bangkok's heat is relentless from March through May — hovering around 35-38°C with humidity that makes it feel worse. The good news is that free air conditioning exists throughout the city if you know where to look. Shopping malls are the obvious refuge: CentralWorld, MBK, Terminal 21, and Siam Paragon all welcome browsers. The BACC is air-conditioned and free. Public libraries have expanded in recent years — the Bangkok City Library near Ratchadamnoen Avenue is a quiet, cool space open to anyone. Some temples have air-conditioned halls. And Benjakitti's elevated boardwalk, while still outdoors, catches enough breeze to feel noticeably cooler than street level. The trick is planning your outdoor time for mornings and late afternoons, with a midday retreat into somewhere with working AC. Your body will thank you.

You don't need a rooftop bar to see Bangkok from above. The Mahanakhon Skywalk charges admission, but there are alternatives. Several parking garage rooftops in Silom and Sathorn offer surprisingly good city views — not officially viewpoints, but nobody stops you from walking up. The pedestrian bridge connecting BTS stations at Siam gives you an elevated perspective of the city's busiest intersection, with the light rail curving through towers. At street level, Phra Athit Road and Santichaiprakarn Park give you the old fort with the river behind it. The Memorial Bridge at sunset frames Wat Arun well. Inside Chatuchak Market, the clock tower area has a slightly raised platform with good angles over the stall canopies. These are working spots, not designed as photo ops — which tends to make the pictures more interesting anyway.