Bangkok

The capital of Thailand is a vast city,

a great metropolis and a major gateway into Southeast Asia. Bangkok is always full of people, has a hellish traffic and a frenetic environment 24 hours a day. The climate is hot and very humid, noise is permanent and the mixture of scents include gases from cars, motorbikes and tuk tuks with the wonderful smell of street food. Bangkok is a city full of contrasts, the ultra modern and traditional stand side by side. Along with modern skyscrapers and modern shopping centers in the world are Buddhist temples and stalls where you can buy everything. Don’t forget to visit the street markets, the most famous in the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Hotels in Bangkok

The Chao Phraya River crosses the city from north to south and make the boat ride an excellent opportunity to see quite a few important points of the city’s Grand Palace, Wat Pho better known as Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Arun. A journey in the muddy river is something unforgettable and a good way of transport to reach other parts of the city as the first Chinatown outside of China. Another excellent ways of transport is the Bangkok Skytrain that has links to many subway stations. There are even air-conditioned taxis and tuk tuk famous running through the whole city. Must negotiate well before entering, are very cheap but the low price may include stops in some tailors shops between where you hired the tuk tuk and place of arrival, are these tailors who pay the fuel to motorists. It is impossible to be bored in Bangkok because there are much to see and do, there are many museums, temples , street markets, exhibitions, bars, clubs and more. The most famous floating market in Asia is near Bangkok and there are organized tours every day. A good daytrip from Bangkok is the historic city of Ayutthaya. The paradise of the travelers is the Khao San Road, a ghetto of individual and group travelers passing through Bangkok, ideal place to buy everything you can imagine, have a massage and something to drink during the night. It is possible to eat a PadThai 24 hours per day or take a great milkshake or a natural juice. Don’t forget to visit the Jim Thompson House. Krungthep is the name of Bangkok in thai which means “City of Angels.”

Transports in Bangkok

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): The main Bangkok airport is one of the busiest in the world.

Don Muang Airport (DMK): The second Bangkok airport was the main until 2006, now is used to domestic flights and low cost international flights.

Map of Bangkok

Where is Bangkok on Map of Thailand

This is Bangkok

The vast Asian metropolis is insatiable, a monster that feeds on shopping malls, street markets and exhausts of diesel engines. The city requires your own presence, smiles and “sanuk” (fun in Thai) are the main passports society of Bangkok. A joke and a compliment is common, the social demands of this megapolis are more common in villages recondite than a big city, but from the need to survive. The strength of Bangkok is overwhelming but the Thai smile will melt any foreign visitor (farang). A city certainly hedonistic, where pleasure and purification of the soul is sometimes confused each other.  The best feature of Bangkok is its blend of opposites, a modern world of affluence to the wheel of a peaceful and traditional core. Take the Skytrain to some of the best malls in the world where luxury brands are present, enjoy the famous city temples, shrines or simple street vendors. You can jump between all these different worlds, Bangkok is an example of how a city that is not particularly pretty, can be extremely charming and leave the visitor with a great desire to return.

 Bangkok Highlights

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

Make a pilgrimage to Buddha’s princely Thailand

The Wat Phra Kaew is drawn and colored in the main hall has the Emerald Buddha. It is one of the most important Buddhas in Thailand, is the legitimacy of the ruling dynasty. This beautiful picture was discovered in northern Thailand in the 15th century, when a stupa was opened and split by lightning. Several generations gave no importance to the fact that only in the mid-16th century invaders from Laos stole the sacred Buddha, later the Thais regained again. The figure was placed where it is in 1782 when Bangkok became the capital. Due to his condition, the Emerald Buddha is ceremoniously wrapped in robes, which are exchanged in each season by the king himself. The Grand Palace is located next to Wat Phra Kaew, a place where the royal family lived until Rama V then moved to the official residence of the Dusit Palace Park. The main buildings have a fusion of Thai and Western architectural styles, are used in official functions. In this temple applies a strict dress code.

 

Chao Phraya River

Travel with the people along the river of the kings

Central Thais are the people of the river, building homes, livehoods capital and along the waterways. A major artery is the Mae Nam Chao Phraya (literally “River of Kings”), which begins in the mountains of northern Thailand, is the former capital Ayutthaya and defines the western boundary of Bangkok before reaching the Gulf of Thailand some 370 km distance from its source. The river is always full of activity: cargo ships, elegant long-tailed boats to skip across the mat, and cannonballs children to practice in the muddy water. Residents claim a full sea view from world class hotels to very busy warehouses and beautiful temples. As evening sets in, the river breezes cool the extreme temperatures and blinding sun slips in quiet bands of red and gold. From this perspective, sooty Bangkok suddenly seems beautiful. The best way to explore the watery part of Bangkok is on board the express boat river, which runs south from Wat Ratchasingkhon to Nonthaburi in the north. On the waterfront along the way, discharges ferry crowds map-toting tourists, commuting office workers and groups of monks. (The back of the hand starboards is reserved for monks, women should opt for the side door). Start a trip up the river from Tha Sathon, accessible via the Skytrain station Saphan Taksin. To your right is the old farang (western) quarter, first inhabited by sailors and shipping companies multinationals. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel and other neoclassical buildings are some of the monuments remaining this season, when water was the main thoroughfare. Around Tha Ratchawong brushes River to Chinatown and against your cubicle – hidden warehouses where the goods are discharged from the old way – by hand. After a while, reaching Wat Arun appears on your left and then ornate Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew on your right – forming a triangular convergence of sacred sites. The final stop is Nonthaburi, the starting point for boat trips to Ko Kret.

 Long-Tail Safari

One of the major channels (khlong) of the Chao Phraya river is Khlong Bangkok Noi, which is lined with stilt houses that use the channel as everything including the kitchen sink. This channel was actually the original course of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya, but was ignored in the 16th century to facilitate navigation of Ayutthaya. Climb aboard a long tail boat hired to meet these water districts. Hiring a boat is available at all docks on the Bangkok River. Some charge by boat (700 baht per hour), other person (200 to 300 baht per person). Tours which include Wat Arun Canal or riverside attractions others are more suitable for large groups.

Wat Pho

Wat Phra Kaew gets all the spotlight, but Wat Pho is the favorite of all.

Rarely crowded, walking the grounds of Wat Pho claim a birthday the 16th century, before the city itself. It is also the largest temple in the country. Primary symbolic of death and passing of Buddha into nirvana Wat Pho, the reclining Buddha measuring 46 meters and is gilded with gold leaf. Aligning the soles of the feet is a mother of pearl inlay depicting the magnificent 108 laksana auspicious (traits) which means the birth of Buddha pre-destined. During the reign of Rama III, Wat Pho was an open university and continues to serve as the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai massage. The giant granite that decorate the courtyard of Wat Pho are perhaps the oldest immigrants from Thailand. These statues came on board as ballast in Chinese ships and empty shells were left behind on the return trip. Some are warriors, philosophers and other one is said to be Marco Polo.

Chinatown

The art of get lost

Chinatown is pure energy, blazing neon signs, bus filled, streets full of commerce, is the ideal place for getting lost. Each block of the district, specializes in a particular product.
Th Yaowarat, is the main artery of Chinatown, is full of gold shops. The most famous temple here is the Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, which worships gods Chinese and thai. Another temple not to be missed is the Wat Traimit, which has a golden Buddha. Sampeng Lane, is a market that sells everything but he was once a red light district. Trok Itsaranuphap is a short walk near Talat Gao (Old Market), is mythical and worth visiting.

Wat Arun

Standing along the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun visual deserves the respect that its history requires. It was here, on the Thonburi side of the river, that General Taksin raised thai capital after the fall of Ayutthaya. A local shrine was transformed into Temple of Dawn. The Wat Arun remains today, a sense of superiority in imposing height of 82 m, imitates the architectural style of aggressive Angkor Wat. This central tower symbolizes Mount Meru, center of the universe Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Some people like more of Wat Arun seen in the distance than locally.

 Chatuchak Weekend Market

A market where bargains can all be purchased, Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest and most intense, Bangkok market. Imagine a tangle of narrow streets all lined with thousands and thousands of stores. Prepare portfolio because certainly find something to buy. In theory, Chatuchak is organized into numbered sections, but will need luck to decipher it. There is no air conditioning and heat can become unbearable, before that happens, drink bottled water which is sold every corner, or have a natural juice of every fruit possible. Visit Chatuchak, it’s not just shopping, it’s an adventure, worthy of anyone visiting Bangkok.

Dusit Palace Park

No other place in Bangkok is a beautiful and peaceful as Dusit Palace Park, a magnificent three dimensional scrapbook made by Rama V of his European tour.
Rama V moved the royal residence of the Grand Palace complex for this European-inspired. The Dusit Palace, is open to the public and filled with museums tribute to former Thai king. Besides the historical significance that has Dusit, is a necessary relief to the total energy that Bangkok has. The building’s most famous palace is the golden mansion, Vimanmek Teak Palace, which was used by the king and his wife, children and concubines, as the main house. The Vimanmek Teak Palace has 81 elegant rooms. Besides the beautiful architecture, there is the personal items of Rama V as grand pianos. The Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall is a mixture of good taste, a character distinctly Thai with Victorian and Moorish influences. Today, the hall is used to show a collection of regional crafts. There is also the Ancient Cloth Museum and the Royal Elephant Thai. The neoclassical domed building near the Royal Plaza, is Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, built in early 1900 by Italian architects. Currently it is used for ceremonial purposes.

Golden Temple and Wat Saket

Bangkok is a city of views, there are few places in the city with views as good as the Wat Saket on the hill called the Golden Mount. Near the top of the temple, the bells are runged by the faithful before reaching the golden chedi covering the top. There are many explanations to ring the bells, some say they are sending messages to heaven, others to scare off evil spirits, but no one disagrees that ring the bell. The artificial hill, was commissioned by Rama III to form the body of a giant chedi. The initial project failed but Rama IV (1851-1868) took over the construction project. Until 1960, the Golden Mount was the highest point in Bangkok, after being left for new skyscrapers.

Jim Thompson House

American-born Thomson was an intriguing chapter on life and death. He served in Thailand during World War II then returned to Bangkok after finding her hometown of New York a little too quiet. During his tenure at City of Angels (Bangkok as it is known), he helped handmade Thai silk industry to grow again. He sent tissue samples from their neighbors to fashion houses in Europe, resulted in a silk business, which continues today. The charmed life of Jim Thompson had a dramatic end, he disappeared during a walk in Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 1967.

Wat Mahathat and Amulet Market

Most tourists skip the area north of Wat Phra Kaew to see other attractions. The Wat Mahathat is an important Buddhist shrine in Bangkok, the locals flock in large numbers to this temple. Rambling Wat Mahathat is the most important center of Buddhist learning, in Southeast Asia. The Buddhist University at this location, educates monks from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Wat Mahathat was built in the Ayutthaya period and has a very important role in the community, there are also many foreigners looking for meditation courses. Outside the gates of the temple on Th Maharat, there is the Amulet Market, a daily market that sells everything to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Most amulets are square-shaped medallions with images of Buddha, Hindu gods or famous monks, bringing with them powers of protection to stop bullets, ensure fertility or harvest material success. Who are at high risk professions relies more on these amulets, which in the western policy of insurance.

Mah Boon Krong

The Mah Boon Krong (MBK) mall is an impressive, almost the entire population under 20 can be found here. Ali than if purchased there, the mall has a social role in youth thai. There are many bargains to be bought in this location, but more than we buy, it’s worth going to see Thai teen having fun.

Food Market and Street Stalls

Despite being one of the most polluted cities in the world, Bangkok is a capital of outdoor dining. Despite the best modern conveniences like air conditioning and trendy cafes, the best meals are served in the city’s street markets. Forget the three daily meals, eat in Bangkok during the day. In the mornings, vendors selling cups of filtered coffee, sweetened with condensed milk. At midday, the buffet is based on rice as Padthai. The rest of the day continues to eat and drink on the streets of Bangkok. The most popular markets are Aw Taw Kaw, Soi 38 Night Market and Chinatown.

Skytrain

In a city with infernal traffic for 24 hours a day, there is an escape unhindered, the Skytrain one of the world’s smoothest mass transit systems. The Skytrain glide above the city streets that connect to several crucial points of Bangkok. From this high vantage point, you can prowl the city in a more calm. Siam Square, Sathon for 10 minutes was a fantasy before the Skytrain. Despite its coverage still limited, the Skytrain transformed mobility of Bangkok, there are connections of Skytrain stations directly to a mall without having to descend to ground level.

National Museum

The National Museum in Bangkok has extensive collections of art of Thailand and Southeast Asia. It occupies a 18th century palace and who love art must visit this museum to better understand the traditions that have made the history of Thailand. Visit the restored Buddhaisawan (Phutthaisawan) Chapel to see one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand, Phra Phutta Sihing.

 Lumphini Park

Lumphini Park is the “lung” of Bangkok, a walk or a jogging in the park is like a pause in breathing in polluted city. Groups of elderly often do karaoke sessions in Lumphini Park. As in any public place in Bangkok, there are vendors of almost everything including snake blood. At 8am the anthem is played, the stopping of all is total. The Lumphini Park offers the best free entertainment in town.

 

Bangkok – the Southeast Asia’s capital of chic

What Bangkok became the capital of chic in Southeast Asia?
Bangkok never win awards for most beautiful city or more organized as Singapore or Kuala Lumpur but the City of Angels (as Bangkok is known) has no rivals when it comes to energy, history, food, fashion, charisma or adventure. The traditions fuse with cutting edge, in a bright and charming way. The joy thai, transcends the chaos, the sense of fun and joie de vivre (sanuk) are present at all times. Welcome to the world of elegance in Bangkok.

Bangkok Neighbourhoods

Ko Ratanakosin and Thonburi

The first stop for all tourists, Ko Ratanakosin was the royal center of Bangkok until the turn of the 20th century. Bounded by river and artificial channels, this district contains important island palaces and temples, showing the peculiar marriage of Thailand’s monarchy and religion. More monuments to the history of Thailand are found directly across the river in Thonburi which served briefly as the capital until replaced by Bangkok. Cultural attractions will dominate his visit here. Come early in the morning, before the sunrise and the crowds achieve maximum strength and stroll the sidewalks of Th Maharat past the warehouses and small medicine shops.

Places to see in Ratanakosin and Thonburi:

– Grand Palace

– Lak Meuang

– Museum of Forensic Medicine

– National Gallery

– National Museum

– Royal Barges National Museum

– Sanam Luang

– Silpakorn Art Gallery

– Wat Arun

– Wat Mahathat

–  Wat Pho

– Wat Phra Kaew

– Wat Prayoon

– Amulet Market

Banglamphu

The most charming neighborhood of Bangkok, Banglamphu, is a former aristocratic enclave of the city, once filled with royalty _ riverside mansions. Today, the old neighborhood is dominated by backpackers looking for R & R on the famous Khao San Th, public officials who roam between offices lunch spots in Bangkok enclave of bohemian artists and students. In Banglamphu, the monks make their morning alms route, often before the backpackers have drank the last beer. The amenities and cheap travelers are thick in the neighborhood, you will find a lot of souvenir shops. Vendor carts are plentiful in the region, everything sells. To get a better glimpse of Thai daily life, where wander branch, Th Samsen, on the north side of the Khlong Banglamphu or verify the nationalist paraphernalia shops on Th Phra Sumen.

Places to see in Banglamphu:

– Democracy Monument

– Giant Swing

– Golden Mount

– Phra Sumen Fort

– Queen’s Gallery

– Santichaiprakan Park

– Wat Bowonniwet

– Wat Ratchanatda

– Wat Saket

– Wat Suthat

– Khao San Road

Thewet and Dusit

Rama V (King Chulalongkorn, r 1868-1910) returned from his grand tour of Europe with an idea for a new building. He wanted his kingdom to reflect the regal style that he had witnessed and appreciated in Europe. And so a new royal district was built in Dusit area, which was once a fruit orchard. As a result, the roads are in Dusit large avenues instead of converted and new channels Rama V palace is fanciful and Victorian style. After visiting Dusit Palace, the former royal residence, take a taxi or tuk-tuk to the riverside section of the neighborhood, known as Thewet for an elixir of Bangkok village life, with markets, children playing games and food novice monks fish on the Thewet ferry stop.

Places to see in Thewet and Dusit:

– Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall

– Ancient Cloth Museum

– Chitlada Palace

– Dusit Zoo

– Royal Thai Elephant Museum

– Thewet Flower Market

– Vimanmek Palace

– Wat Benchamabophit

 Chinatown and Phahurat

Bangkok owes much of its urban identity for workers who left the Teochew region of China in late 1700, hoping to find their fortune in Siam. Many of the descendants of the Chinese Bangkok, graduated from the elite of the city, but Chinatown, still retains its charm and nobody denies its origin. The main street is the Th Yaowarat, there are concentrated restaurants, fruit shops on the street, stores of gold and jade and hue neon lights. During the day you see Chinatown at most trade with its numerous markets, at night is a festival of light and color.

Places to see in Chinatown and Phahurat

– Hang Sura Lao Ngi Chun

– Nakhon Kasem Sri Gurusingh Sabha Temple

– Trok Itsaranuphap Wat Mangkon

– Kamalawat

– Wat Ratchabophit

– Wat Traimit

– Phahurat Market

– Sampeng Lane Market

– Pak Khlong Market

 Siam Square, Pratunam and Ploenchit

If you could choose a center for Bangkok, would be in this area. The Skytrain transit helped greatly in Siam Square, various locations converge to the lush malls Siam. In this cluster of malls and offices to rent for a space is high for Thais and foreigners. Here are also some of the most trendy restaurants of Bangkok.

Places to see in SiamSquare, Pratunam and Ploenchit:

– Chulalongkorn Art Centre

– Erawan Shrine

– Jim Thompson House

– Lingam Shrine

– Siam Ocean World

– Asia Books Bookstore

Riverside and Silom

In the Chao Phraya riverside docks are swollen ships, remnants of many years ago along with abandoned warehouses and decadent neoclassical palaces. The new kings of the river are luxury hotels that invest in unobstructed and breathtaking views over the city. During the week the streets are full of office workers in transit for lunch or business meetings. Silom at night is famous for its red light district, Patpong, now dominated by the night markets.

Places to see in Riverside and Silom:

– Holy Rosary Church

– Kathmandu Photo Gallery

– MR Kukrit Pramoj House Queen Saovabha

– Memorial Institute Snake Farm

– Robot Building

– Sri Mariamman Temple

– Patpong Night Market

Lumphini

Bangkok seemed hopeless as congestion but city officials preserved Lumphini Park as space in the city center in the 1920s. The intense tropical heat, keeps the athletes away, except for a jog in the early morning and evening, when viewing various practitioners of physical activity. The area around the park is very represented by embassies.

Places to see in Lumphini:

– Lumphini Park

– Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit is the most cosmopolitan city of Bangkok, Sukhumvit Th its main avenue. It is one of the city where there are more sex tourism. This area is also Bangkok Little Arabia, where the restaurants proliferate.

Places to see in Sukhumvit:

– Ban Kamthieng and Siam Society

– Benjasiri Park

– Chuvit Garden

– Play Garden

– Thailand Creative and Design Center

 Greater Bangkok

Outside of downtown, the neighborhoods are more suburban than Thai and fewer signs of commercial life. The Victory Monument commemorates a victory Siamese, over the French. Very close is a night market, which feeds and clothes thai students who live there. Don’t miss the Bayoke Tower.

Places to see in Greater Bangkok:

– Baiyoke Sky Tower

– Bangkok Doll Factory and Museum

– Children’s Discovery Museum

– Lettuce Farm Palace

– Tadu Contemporary Art

– Victory Monument

Museums, Art Galleries and Heritage Buildings in Bangkok

Bang Khun Thien Museum;  Bangkok Folk Musem;   Bank of Thailand Museum;   Bangkok Noi Museum;   Children’s Discovery Museum;   Museum of Counterfeit Goods;   Kanjanaphisek National Museum;   King Prajadhipok Museum;   King Rama VI Museum;   National Museum of Bangkok;  Museum of Imagery Technology;   Plai Nern Palace;   Prasart Museum;   Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre;   Royal Barge National Museum;   Queen Sikirit Gallery;  Royal Elephant National Museum;   Royal Thai Air Force Museum;  Samphanthawong Museum;   Siriraj Medical Museum;   Thai Human Imagery Museum;  Thai Labour Museum;   Thai Philatelic Museum;   The Science MuseumEkamai;   Klong Luang;   The Science Museum;  Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall;  Bangkok Fashion Trend Centre;   Bangkok Art and Culture Centre;   Bangkok Doll Museum;   Bangkok University Gallery;   Benchamabophit National Museum;   Gem and Jewelry Museum;  H Gallery;   Jamjuree Art Gallery;  Museum of Buddhist Art;   National Gallery;   Rare Stone Museum;   Silpa Bhirasri National Museum;   Span’s Cultural Gallery;  Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum;   Suan Dusit Art Gallery;   Tadu Art Gallery;   Tang’s Gallery;   Silapakorn Universitiy Art Gallery;   Wat Phra Keo Gallery;   Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall;  Bangkok Corrections Museum;  Jim Thompson House;   Hall of Railways Heritage;   Kamthieng House Museum;   M.R.Kukrit’s House;   Suan Pakkad Palace;   Varadis Palace;   Vimanmek Palace;

Suan Pakkad Palace

Suan Pakkad means “cabbage garden” in Thai, is a museum but it was the home of a royal prince. It was the residence of the Prince of Nagara Svarga Chumbhot, grandson of King Chulalongkorm, better known as Rama V. The complex has six large houses thais from different parts of Central Thailand, houses a fine collection of sculptures of Buddha and royal furniture. The highlight of all is the Lacquer Pavillion, Thai-style house made from awesome black and gold lacquer. The pavilion is believed to date from the Ayutthaya period and remains a stunning example of exquisite lacquer art, with scenes of Buddha’s life, and the lives of the people of that time.

 Excursions from Bangkok

Ayutthaya

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the temple ruins of Ayuthaya are all that remains of the heyday of the illustrious former capital. Before Bangkok rose from the river basin to become a giant city it is today, the Siamese capital was 85 kilometers north of modern along the mighty Mae Nam Chao Phraya and enjoyed patronage of itinerant traders sea route Asian trade. There are trains from Bangkok Hualamphong Station and buses from Bangkok’s Northern and Northeastern Terminal. There are also organized excursions.