Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. It’s huge, modern and very Westernized. The city is renowned for its many sights, dining and hotel options, and a vibrant, eclectic nightlife. It has more than 11 million residents.
To enjoy Bangkok to the fullest, it pays to know its most tourist-oriented districts and what each one has to offer. Among the most worthwhile places to visit in Bangkok are the following.
Sukhumvit
Stretching across Sukhumvit Road, this is the bustling commercial core of Bangkok as you can tell from the elegant malls and hotels. From Siam Square, tourists can take the Skytrain to everywhere else in the city.
Silom
By day, it’s a formal financial district, but by night, Silom is the premiere party venue in Bangkok. The infamous Patpong quarter is located here. Silom spans the surrounding areas of Silom Road and Sathorn Road.
Rattanakosin
Known as Old Bangkok, this is where most of Bangkok’s historical sights can be found. It’s also a backpacker’s mecca.
Thonburi
This is the quiet side of Bangkok and home to offbeat attractions.
Phahonyothin
It’s known mainly for the Chatuchak Weekend Market and the old Don Muang Airport.
Ratchadaphisek
This area only recently opened up thanks to the new metro line.
Once a tourist arrives in Bangkok, he may shocked by the heat, traffic, and sheer number of people on the streets. Fortunately, the city is more organized that it first appears to be. The people are friendly and the city comes alive with the sight of many colorful flowers and orchids and the smell of tropical fruits from October to February. There is much to be discovered here. Many tourists have found a side of Bangkok that they find addictive.
Attractions
At first glance, Bangkok seems like an urban jungle that’s difficult to navigate, but there are many hidden treasures in the city. One just has to know where to look.
Most of the tourist attractions are on Rattanakosin Island, at the Old City. It is striking to see so many temples in Bangkok, a fact that illustrates the deep religious fervor of the locals. Given that, it’s equally surprising to discover how naughty the city’s nightlife can be.
The following are some of the most popular attractions in Bangkok.
Wat Arun
The Temple of Dawn is located at Th Arun Amarin, Thonburi and overlooks the river like a huge, imposing sentinel. It is one of Bangkok’s most popular temples and an architectural wonder comparable to today’s modern skyscrapers. Dating back to the 18th century, the temple signaled the re-emergence of Bangkok after the Burmese invasion.
Wat Phra Kaew
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of Bangkok’s most unique architectural structures. Built in 1882, it is a gleaming, gilded building with beautiful marble pillars and a shiny orange and green roof. But the Emerald Buddha itself is hard to see. It stands only 25 inches tall and is positioned high above the main temple building. It’s as if the Buddhists are saying that what is essential is often obscured by what is shiny and colorful.
Grand Palace
Right next to the temple is the Grand Palace where the monarch of Thailand used to reside. The most prominent of the palace buildings is the Grand Palace Hall, built by British architects in 1882 with a strong Italian Renaissance flavor. It is located at Th Na Phra Lan, Ko Ratanakosin
Wat Pho
Built in the 16th century, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is one of the oldest temples in the city. It also has the biggest collection of Buddha images in the country. Moreover, the temple has the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. Wat Pho is located at Th Sanam Chai, Ko Ratanakosin.
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall
This royal building was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn, the first ruler of Thailand to visit Europe. As such, the throne hall has a strong Western influence. Since this is royal property, visitors should dress modestly – shorts, minis-skirts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. It’s located at Th Ratchawithi, Dusit.
Lumpini Park
Located at the busy corners of Rama IV and Ratchadamri streets in downtown Bangkok, Lumpini Park always seems to be buzzing with activity. You can tell you’ve found the park when you see the statue of King Rama VI in front. The locals enjoy strolling, jogging, picnicking and doing martial arts here from the crack of dawn until the sun goes down. People sit at the gazebos and sitting areas or feed the pigeons and koi. They can also rent a paddle boat to go around the pond. The park’s lush green gardens are a welcome contrast to Bangkok’s steel and concrete façade.
Jim Thompson's House
Jim Thompson is the American businessman who is credited with the popularity of Thai silk around the world. An architect by trade, Thompson reassembled parts of old Thai homes to build his house. From the outside, it looks like typical Thai architecture until you go indoors and realize the exteriors of the old houses are now inside. Tourists can also view Thompson’s small but impressive collection of Asian art. The house now has a plush bar where live jazz music is performed regularly. Jim Thompson’s house is located at Soi Kasem San 2, Th Phra Ram I, Siam Square
Dining
After only a few h ours in Bangkok, tourists will be surprised by the wide variety of places to eat. The city has many notable Thai and world-class international restaurants. Perhaps the best thing about Bangkok's restaurants is that the food is delicious but very cheap compared to other cities.
The following are some of the best restaurants in Bangkok.
100 Ratchadamri
A place for the blue-bloods, 100 Ratchadamri is located on the complex of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. It specializes in Thai and Italian cuisine. The house specialty is deep-fried crab with a pomelo salad. The dining area is outdoors, facing the lush club grounds. As its name indicates, this restaurant is located at 100 Th Ratchadamri, Pathumwan.
Ban Glang Nam
Located at 288 Soi 14, Th Phra Ram III, Greater Bangkok, this traditional Thai restaurant provides a soothing riverside view. The kitchen specializes in seafood dishes cooked the Thai way. Their spicy shrimp soup is a hit among expatriates. There are other riverside restaurants in the area but none have the same old-fashioned charm.
Bed Supperclub
One of the most popular international restaurants in Bangkok, Bed specializes in European and American dishes but also has a Thai menu. It has a unique setting: diners eat on beds rather than tables. In keeping with its futuristic theme, the restaurant projects art films throughout the day. Bed is located at 26 Soi 11, Th Sukhuvmit, Sukhumvit.
D'sens
This elegant French restaurant is at the top of Dusit Thani, overlooking Lumpini Park. It’s the brainchild of the Pourcel twins, Jacques and Laurent, the men behind the Le Jadrin de Sens in Montpellier, France. D'sens conjures images of the south of France and serves outstanding French cuisine and French wine. It’s located at 946 Th Phra Ram IV, Lumpini.
Somboon Seafood
Located at 169/7-11 Th Surawong, Silom, Somboon Seafood is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Bangkok. They are renowned for their authentic Chinese cuisine, especially seafood dishes featuring crabs and fish. The Somboon crab curry is famous all over town. Make sure that you book ahead for reservations.
Bars and Nightlife
The nightlife of Bangkok is notorious for being wild but things have quieted down in recent years. For one thing, all bars and clubs are required to shut down by 1 a.m., which is why locals have learned to start partying early. Smoking has also be banned in all air-conditioned bars, clubs and restaurants.
Police occasionally raid bars, both high-end and sleazy, to check for full nudity (not allowed) and to administer drug tests on all the guests.
For sheer variety and novelty, Bangkok’s assortment of clubs, bars and discos are comparable to any other city. One of the city’s staples is its go-go bars, where dozens of women dance on stage in bikinis. Most bar girls aspire to meet wealthy foreigners. Prostitution is illegal, but it exists.
The following are some of the most popular bars and clubs in Bangkok.
Moon Bar at Vertigo
Located at the 59th floor of the Vertigo building, guests have a breath-taking view of the city’s traffic far below. On weekends, the Moon Bar is filled early by people who want to get the best seats and watch the distant sun set while sipping their drinks. The Moon Bar is located at 21/100 Th Sathon Tai, Silom.
Lucifer
The crowds at this club and disco can get pretty wild, proving that this is indeed the place for sinners. A young hip crowd sways to electronic music on the dance floor, especially once the DJ starts blasting hard-core techno. Lucifer is right at the heart of famous Patpong, at Soi Patpong 1, Th Silom.
Diplomat Bar
Located at 87 Th Withayu, Pratunam, this is the hangout of the beautiful people, including Bangkok’s models, moguls and young celebrities. It’s a very hip and well-dressed crowd so wear your best party clothes to fit in. The Diplomat Bar is a temple to conspicuous consumption. If the mood to dance hits you, Club 87 is right next door.
Getting to and Around Bangkok
Bangkok has two airports but all international passengers arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, the biggest airport in Southeast Asia, which is pronounced as "soo-wanna-poom."
Most tourists prefer to travel from the airport to the city center either by limousine taxi or public taxi because they’re the most convenient and comfortable options available and don’t cost that much. Limousine taxis cost around 800 baht to Sukhumvit while a taxi costs 400 baht. Both take 50-60 minutes to reach the city.
There are plenty of people who offer tourists taxi rides at the terminal but don’t pay them any mind. They will charge you twice as much as the regular taxi. Instead, head to the second floor and look for the “public taxi” sign.
Airport buses are available until midnight and charge a flat rate of 150 baht on any of the four routes to the city center. Each trip takes between 60 to 90 minutes. There are also public buses and minivans that ply the airport route, but they can take as much as two hours to get to the city center and are not worth the hassle.
Once in the city, the bus, metro and Skytrain are three of the most common ways for getting around. The bus may not be advisable for new visitors to Bangkok because they take a rather circuitous route around the city. The metro may be a bit confusing as well with its many routes. On the other hand, the Skytrain is another thing altogether. Try to take a trip on the Skytrain if only to get a feel for its space age allure. There are clear-cut directions in maps available at all Skytrain stops.
Most tourists take a taxi to travel around Bangkok. The fare is usually around 100 baht or less anywhere in the city, and that already includes the 35 baht meter charge. All taxis here are air-conditioned.
If you're traveling a short distance, why not try the local tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled vehicle that is alternately loved and hated by the citizens of the city. Walking is also a fine option.
Festivals and Events
There always seems to be a cultural or religious event or festival taking place in Bangkok, especially from November to February. The following are among the most popular of these events and festivals.
Coronation Day
One of the most awaited days is May 5, Coronation Day, commemorating the 1946 coronation of His Majesty the King, because it’s a chance for people to get a glimpse of the royal couple.
King’s Birthday
December 5, the King’s Birthday, is another festive events that inspires some locals to turn their homes or businesses into temporary shrines.
That Phanom Festival
Held in January or February, this 10-day festival honors Phra That Phanom, a sacred Buddhist stupa. Devotees from all around Thailand and Laos undertake a pilgrimage to Nakhon Phanom Province.
Bangkok International Film Festival
In February, the Bangkok Film Festival attracts films from around Asia, Europe and North America. The Golden Kinnaree is awarded to excellent films in several categories.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Held in January and February, this festival is celebrated with colorful parades and floats decorated lavishly with all kinds of flowers.
Chinese New Year
As with any country with a large Chinese community, Bangkok celebrates the Chinese New Year with great fanfare in February by lighting fireworks, staging lion dances and cleaning the house.
Bun Phra Wet Festival
To reenact a Buddhist legend, people dress as spirits and go around town with wooden swords. According to legend, spirits welcomed the Buddha-to-be when he entered his hometown. Its held every June.
Rocket Festival
During this June festival, farmers shoot bamboo rockets into the evening sky so that rain blesses their rice fields.
Kathin
It’s held in November to mark the end of the Buddhist holy season and celebrated with boat races that draw the crowds.
Surin Annual Elephant Roundup
During the third weekend of November, tourists never fail to cheer on the biggest elephant gathering in Thailand. Their numbers are amazing.
Book your Bangkok online with Gtahotels and get the best rates for your Bangkok accommodation
No comments:
Post a Comment