Bangkok City
Chaotic Kaleidoscope of Craziness
The world is a book and those who
do not travel read only one page
Saint Augustine 354 - 430
Bangkok City is full of innumerable surprises that can only be characterized as overwhelmingly charming and alluring, both fascinating and majestic, complex yet unpretentious, inconsistent yet harmonious, chaotic yet orderly but whatever you may think, this vibrant metropolis can never be described as dull or boring.Trying to describe this city may not be nearly enough to convince you of what could possibly be your ultimate holiday experience. Why then does the sheer thrill and excitement of this charming and fun loving cosmopolitan environment draw so many millions of visitors from around the globe every year. Bangkok just explodes into this captivating irresistible charm that epitomizes all things Thai. To best sum this up, you would need to leave all of your western values at home and take a walk on the wild side as this metropolis of well over ten million people appears to be a bewildering melange of the ancient and the modern, the exotic and the commonplace, all seemingly thrown together in a chaotic kaleidoscope of craziness albeit, organized. Does this make any sense. One night in Bangkok as I discovered is not nearly enough time to take in all the wondrous sights, smells and sounds of this amazing vibrant city. If anything, it should take your breath away as it did mine. Remember that nothing ventured equals nothing gained. I shall leave the rest up to you to discover and explore.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Bangkok City Shopping
Bangkok City is the biggest in Thailand dating back to the year 1782. It is the political, commercial, administrative and cultural engine that drives the country. The city caters for some of the best shopping in the world and it's not impossible for you to lose yourself in one of many modern malls or shopping centers that are constantly springing up all over the city.
MBK is the ultimate experience
Then there are loads of local stall traders vying for your attention as you stroll the busy streets. You should indeed take a leisurely stroll around the pleasant albeit hectic
Chantuchak Weekend Market
where you will find everything and anything from books, music, handicrafts, clothing, plants and even live animals. If that is not enough, why not take a drive to Damnoen Saduak, the most famous
Floating Market
in Thailand. Here you can enjoy shopping of a different kind as well as a leisurely long-boat cruise around the canals to view the local river-side homes in the region. Another great idea is for you take in a late night visit to one or other
Flower Market
scattered around the city to view the fantastic displays.
Chinatown
Exploring Bangkok City
Places of interest within the City
Chinatown
is another busy and often crowded marketplace where you can purchase virtually anything your heart desires. Well almost anything that is. Items on offer include many local traditional herbal cures, lots of inexpensive jewellery, all sorts of house-hold goods and some electrical appliances.
Jim Thompson House
is a fabulous place to spend some real quiet time away from all the hustle and bustle of city life. This house has been converted into a unique museum. Believe it or not, it's become the second most visited site after the Grand Palace. It is situated right in the heart of downtown Bangkok and is open daily to the public. The house cum museum was originally designed and built by
Jim Thompson
who was Thailand's most famous foreigner. I say was because Jim has long since passed on, albeit under extremely mysterious circumstances.
Suan Lum Night Bazaar
is a fantastic all night shopping market where you can literally shop until you drop for all kinds of silk products, handicrafts, artworks and much much more. It's a great entertainment venue where you can watch a puppet show or be entertained by some young and extremely talented singers and dancers. There are also plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance should you wish to dine in the area. It's got to be one of the best in the city.
Sanam Luang
is a circular-shaped lawn directly north of the Grand Palace and one of the largest open spaces in the city. It is also known as the Field of Kings or Royal Ground. It is the site for traditional royal ceremonies, impromptu soccer matches, jogging, children activities, public protests and the famous Kite Flying Festival. There are also many places of interest such as the National Museum, a Buddhist University and Meditation Centre as well as an awesome amulet market.
Freedom Monument in the City Centre
Exploring Bangkok City
Places of interest outside the City
Nonthaburi
is a pleasant riverside town located just a short distance north of Bangkok. Though accessible by road, the town is best reached by riverboat along the Chao Phraya River. A full day tour by riverboat to Nonthaburi and surrounding area offers a great opportunity to escape the chaos and pollution of the capital. The slow-paced journey takes you through durian plantations and past riverside houses to the tiny island of Ko Kret, home to a community of pottery craftsmen.
The Royal Barge Museum
in Bangkok contains a fascinating collection of some of Thailand's most flamboyant regal boats. While perhaps a little ostentatious you certainly cannot deny the super craftsmanship these fine vessels display many of which carry ferocious figureheads of mystical creatures on their brows. The royal barges seen here are reproductions of some that were built two hundred years ago and whose history dates back as far as the Ayutthayan period.
Nakhon Pathom
is thought to be the oldest city in Thailand and only a one hour drive west of Bangkok. The highlight here is the Phra Pathom Chedi which rises majestically over the surrounding countryside. It's the tallest Buddhist monument in the world and houses several large and small Buddha images and is also one of the most important places of pilgrimages in Thailand. Not too far from the town is Sanam Chan Palace, famous for it's unusual mix of architectural design styles.
The Rose Garden Country Resort
is a well manicured lush tropical garden near the town of Nakhon Pathom along route 4 where you will find not only roses and orchids but also accommodation, restaurants, tennis courts, a golf court, a kids playground and an artificial lake for leisurely paddle boat rides. There are also traditional Thai cultural shows where actors perform all sorts of folk dancing.
Samut Prakan
is a bustling fishing town only a half hour drive south of Bangkok at the estuary to the Chao Phraya River. There are lots of things to do and see here such as a visit to Thailand's largest crocodile farm and zoo as well as a trip to the
Ancient City of Muang Boran,
Thailand's largest outdoor cultural theme park and museum. The mediation temple Wat Asokaram is another magnificent site to visit as is the famous Wat Phra Chedi built in the middle of the river.
Vimanmek Palace
Bangkok City Temples
Some of the most marvelous
Temples
you could ever wish to see in Bangkok are inspired by the Khmer period whose origins date back from the 9th to the 13th century. Others have their origins from the Sukhothat period from the 13th to the 15th century. There are also temples whose style originates from the Ayutthaya period between the 14th to the 18th century. Last but no means least are the 19th century temples which not only include classical Thai architectural features but also Chinese and European influences. The next time you visit Bangkok city and seen all the beautiful advertised places of interest, you might choose to see a completely different side of Thailand as I once did. Yes! the notorious
Thai prison
of Bang Kwang is not exactly on the tourist trail but nevertheless it gave me some food for thought so I decided to give it a try. Go on and take a walk on the wild side. You will be required to gain permission to actually view this prison as with any of the others in the country.
City Temples
Bangkok City Entertainment
Bangkok city boasts a vibrant
nightlife
with hundreds of go-go bars, clubs and pubs as well as various other venues including many expats organizations. There are also wonderful local and international restaurants serving up fabulous cuisine. You just gotta try one of the excellent
seafood restaurants
around town. It doesn't stop here either. The fun scene in Bangkok city is not limited to adults only. There are also loads of
fun stuff for kids
that will keep them amused all day long in the city. So despite the city's reputation for being one of the world's top adult playgrounds, there are also numerous kiddy playgrounds for children to have their day. The Children's Discovery Museum, Dream World Theme Park and Safari World are just some of the best kids entertainment centres around town. No matter how you look at it, you have to admit that this lively and bustling city has it all and then some. You'd be hard pressed to find a better place to enjoy
all the attractions and entertainment in such a warm and friendly environment.
The MBK Shopping Centre
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