Bangkok is a stunning amalgam of indulgent delights, unfathomable beauty and sobering truths. Lining the green waters of the Chao Phraya, a bustling river that splits Bangkok in two, glittering temples rest beside corrugated shacks built on teetering stilts. English is a second language for many and, though much of the help offered on the street tends to have a dual purpose, it is always well-meant and offered in the spirit of keeping trade alive.
How to Get Around Bangkok
For traveling around Bangkok there is a comprehensive sky-train system which is fast and efficient but for those who want to keep their feet on the ground, the streets of Bangkok run thick with taxis and tuk-tuk’s, three-wheeled covered scooters with a sort of truck bed on the back. Taxi’s are the more affordable option and should always be metered, while tuk-tuk’s require some haggling to reach an acceptable price but are a wonderful way to enjoy the city. A driver’s first price will typically be 50% above the normal value, especially around popular tourist areas.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Where a traveler stays can have a huge impact about how they feel towards a city and Bangkok is no exception. Shoestring budgets work well in Thailand but, in Bangkok, if possible, go luxury: there will be no disappointment.
The Peninsula Hotel is one of the best hotels in town: resting on the banks of the Chao Phraya with a small fleet of boats to take you across to the public piers, it is set back from the bustle of the streets on a compound thick with trees and exquisitely manicured. The service is impeccable, the food is delicious and even the standard rooms boast marble bathrooms, luxury linens and stunning views of the city. Using a hotel such as the Peninsula for a base will help first-time travelers adjust to the inevitable culture shock while the helpful staff’s wealth of local knowledge will aid in the assembly of an enviable itinerary.
What to See in Bangkok
Bangkok is a city that should be freely explored but for those with limited time, there is a short list of highlights. The Grand Palace is an immense compound of stunning temples sitting on the banks of the Chao Phraya. Erected in 1782 as the home of the Thai royalty, the Grand Palace plays host to several treasures including the Emerald Buddha and countless gold-accented murals depicting the histories of subsequent kings.
Bangkok is awash with temples but for those on a schedule, Wat Arun and Wat Pho (Wat means ‘temple’ in Thai) are a must. Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, boasts Khmer-style architecture with a main tower, or prang, standing 104 meters high, which you can climb to enjoy a stunning view of the river. The tower is covered with porcelain ballasts from boats that came to Bangkok from China during the reign of King Rama III. Wat Pho is the largest temple in Bangkok and is home to the gold-plated Reclining Buddha, a massive figure measuring 46 meters long and 15 meters high.
Down the road from Wat Pho is the Odeon Circle with its immense ceremonial gate that marks the entrance of Chinatown, an area packed with restaurants serving every kind of Asian cuisine, a beautiful flower district, Indian market and unusual temples, which includes Wat Traimit, home of the world’s largest solid gold Buddha. For those looking to step off the beaten track, hire a water taxi to explore the back canals near Thonburi: the sights of this hidden Bangkok are gorgeous and strangely moving.
What to Do in Bangkok at Night
When night falls, Bangkok turns on its lights and ups the ante: tourist treasures include the Khao San Road, a street market popular with backpackers of every nationality and the most likely place to get a tattoo, and Suan-Luan Night Market, an incredible sprawl of market stalls and an open food hall boasting delicious Thai food, stiff drinks and live performances by local pop stars. Patpong Night Market is another amazing experience with everything on offer until late.
Travelers should be advised that at both Patpong Night Market and the Khao San Road they will be offered sex shows. Please bear mind that these shows typically exploit very young girls and attendance at them supports the unregulated sex trade.
For family friendly entertainment, head to the Asia Hotel for the Calypso Cabaret: this vivacious show is packed with amazing routines, gorgeous costumes and incredible arrangements making it an unforgettable night out.
Leaving Bangkok
Whether one goes to Bangkok for business or pleasure, the luminous beauty of this deeply cultural and intensely joyful city is sure to have the adventurous traveler planning a return visit before their plane leaves the runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
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