Thailand- Bangkok
Bangkok
Exciting, smile-inducing, noisy and head-spinning, there’ s nowhere quite like Bangkok!
Sprawling and chaotic, yet brimming with cultural gems and intrinsic traditions, Bangkok divides opinion – you either love its buzz or hate the frenetic pace. Make up your own mind by taking time to explore and let the city unravel around you. Bisected by the Chao Phraya river and adorned with parks, temples and a profusion of golden spires, the must-see landmark is the resplendent Grand Palace complex and its manicured grounds. Other architectural treasures include Wat Phra Kaew, home to the highly revered Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho with its colossal golden reclining Buddha, and the exquisite Wat Arun( Temple of Dawn), where a climb to the top rewards with enthralling views. For sunset views, it has to be Wat Saket( Golden Mount) in Old Town, which does involve trekking up more than 300 steps for the best viewpoints, but the panoramas are well worth the effort. To truly immerse yourself in Thailand’ s rich cultural, historical and architectural heritage, consider a day trip to Ayutthaya( see page 21), the ancient former capital and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dig into the art scene by visiting MOCA( Museum of Contemporary Art), discover the Jim Thompson House Museum( former home of the American merchant and architect who disappeared mysteriously in the Malaysian jungle) or, for local history with a twist, try the Siam Museum. Navigate the city via the sleek skytrain or convenient subway trains( MRT), flag down an affordable taxi or ramp up the excitement with a hair-raising ride on an iconic tuk-tuk. Take advantage also of the countless water taxis, tourist boats and ferries that cross the river. For a glimpse of local life by the water, longtail boats can be hired for a trip along the intricate network of canals( klongs) leading off the main river. Shopping is pretty much a 24 / 7 activity, whether you hope to snag a bargain at the labyrinthine markets or splurge on designer labels within gigantic malls. Popular spots include ICONSIAM, CentralwOrld, MBK Centre, Siam Paragon, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Asiatique the Riverfront, Terminal 21 and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Bangkok is also an excellent place to get a tailor-made outfit at a fraction of the price you’ d pay at home. Boasting 50,000 places to eat, from humble street stalls that tempt with fragrant aromas of authentic cuisine to great value mid-range eateries and swish venues serving Michelin-starred dishes, tasty treats are always on the menu. If it’ s street food you fancy, you’ ll be spoilt for choice, with offerings at almost every turn, although we do recommend you check out what the many vendors have sizzling and bubbling along renowned Yaowarat Road in Chinatown or hit Khao San Road, Bangkok’ s iconic backpacker hub known for its authentic food. Bangkok’ s vibrant nightlife has evolved over recent years with an emphasis now on swanky rooftop bars with panoramic skyline views, chic nightclubs, lively jazz lounges as well as hip cocktail bars and microbreweries boasting craft brews.
Rama VIII Bridge •
• Royal Barges
• Khaosan Road 2
• Wat Ratchanatdaram
• The Giant Swing 6
• Grand Palace
Jim Thompson House • Siam Paragon
• Wat Pho National Stadium • • • CentralwOrld
• MBK Centre ••
Wat Arun Chinatown •
Siam Square 7
• Bangkok Railway Station
• Terminal 21 4
• Lumpini Park
3
5 1
ICONSIAM • 9
Chao Phraya River
Asiatique The Riverfront •
8
1 Cross Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit 2 Century Park
3 Rembrandt Hotel & Suites & INNSIDE by Melia
4 Pathumwan Princess 5 Royal Orchid Sheraton
BANGKOK
6 Lancaster Bangkok 7 The Landmark
8 The Salil Hotel Riverside
9 Shangri-La
Getting there: Non-stop flights from the UK to Bangkok take around 11½ hours.
Best time to go: Thanks to a tropical monsoon climate, Bangkok enjoys consistent hot temperatures year round. Rain is possible at any time, but the driest months tend to be November to March.
Grand Palace
20 Thailand
Bangkok skyline prices & offers change constantly- call for today’ s best available deals!