Bangkok- Crown of Thailand
When l think of Bangkok, many things come to mind such as lots of people, color, markets, rivers, boats, wonderful food, cheap things to buy, temples.....well Bangkok is all this plus more. So lets have a look at what this beautiful city has to offer.
Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep, is the capital of largest urban area and primate city of Thailand. Bangkok is a city to overload your senses. If we peep in history, Bangkok was founded when King Rama I moved the city across the river from Thonburi in 1782.Thai is the official language, although English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Streets are crowded by tuk-tuks (motorized three wheelers) and the occasional elephant weaving through congested traffic. The climate of Bangkok is tropical, remaining uncomfortably hot and humid throughout the year. March, April and May are the hottest months. The city has a wet and a dry season, the driest months, between November and February, being the most popular time for tourists to travel to Bangkok. The rainy season is between June and October, when brief downpours are usual in the afternoons, though occasionally it rains all day.
Major attractions
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is an escape from the Western-style shopping malls of Bangkok and a glimpse into the past, revealing the centuries' old way of life of the residents whose stilt-houses perch on the canals. Visitors can explore the market with boat trips and sample the wares of local farmers as they do so.
They can also enjoy the experience of floating through one of Thailand's many river villages. During the long-tail boat ride to market, you'll pass orchards, traditional teak houses and local people going about their lives. It is truly an amazing site. You'll also visit Nakorn Pathom town, site of the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. You jump on Bus 78 from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to Damnoen Saduak Bus Terminal.
Royal Grand palace: Construction of the palace began in 1782 and was completed in time for the coronation of King Rama I, and opened in 1785 to signify the end of the Burmese invasion of Thailand. The palace itself is made up of a complex array of smaller buildings, most notably the Wat Mahatat (the Palace Temple) and the Wat Phra Keow (the Royal Chapel), which houses the famous Emerald Buddha sculpted from a single piece of jade, and one of the most revered objects in the Kingdom.
This place came to be known as the grand palace, in which the earliest edifices contemporary with the foundation of bangkok were the two group of residence s named the Dusit Maha Prasat and the Phra Maha Mountain.
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Make sure you have your camera ready as there are many wonderful photos to take, so that when you go back home you can remember this fantastic palace. |
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Royal Barges National Museum: The Royal Barges National Museum houses several decorative royal barges, the earliest of which dates back to 1357. Most of the barges served as War Vessels at one point, and were subsequently used on royal or state occasions on the Chao Phraya River. Due to their age the barges are now rarely used, but their intricate designs reflecting Thai religious beliefs and local history are of great importance to the country's heritage. The barges were last used at the end of 1999 to celebrate the king's 72nd birthday.
Once upon a time in Bangkok the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries were the most important avenue of communication, boats the main mode of transport for all, even royalty. Here you can discover eight of the country's most unique and stunning - the Royal Barges reserved for auspicious ceremonies and state occasions like the very rare Royal Barge Procession.
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Each is carved from huge pieces of teak with prows carved into mythical creatures, gilded in gold and intricately decorated with tiny shimmering pieces of glass. I am sure it must have taken many hours to build this beautiful peice if art work. Look at all the fine detail and the great colurs. Rowed by up to 50 specially trained oarsmen, the boats leave their dry dock at festival times and important state occasions for these spectacular processions along the river. |
The Temple of Reclining Buddha: Situated adjacent to the Royal Grand Palace, It's the largest temple in Bangkok and famed for its huge and majestic reclining Buddha measured 46 meters long and covered in gold leaf! The Buddha's feet are 3 meters long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious 'laksanas' (characteristics) of the Buddha. When you stand next to it, you really understand the size of this Buddha while taking pleasure in all the art work involved. ?In the 19th century King Rama III turned Wat Pho into a center of learning and visitors today can still have a massage and learn about the ancient art of Thai Medicine.
This Temple is famously known as "Wat Pho" in Bangkok. If you've never tried a traditional Thai massage, Wat Pho is a good place to start. It's quite different to most other forms of therapeutic massage and tends to be invigorating rather than relaxing, incorporating yoga style postures to relieve stress and improve blood circulation. Cost is around 120 baht for half an hour or 200 baht per hour, which l think ism money well spent!
| Chatuchak Market: Covering 70 rai (35 acres) of land with over 15,000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors every Saturday and Sunday, Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is the mother of all markets - and possibly one of the biggest and most famous markets in the world. If bargain-hunting gives you an adrenalin rush, get ready for a head-spinning, earth-moving experience. Conquering this massive market is no easy feat though. The reward for taking a lot of patience along - together with a bottle of water - is that you can find pretty much anything here at a great price. |  |
Jim Thompson's House & Palace: H.W. Thompson, the American ex-military officer who revived the craft of Thai silk-weaving. American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson deserves most of the credit for the current popularity of Thai silk around the world. His fame increased when, in 1967, Thompson disappeared in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia under mysterious circumstances. He has never been heard of since. MMMM I wonder were he went?
The house itself is an excellent example of Thai residential architecture, and inside is a display of his Oriental art and antique collection, as well as an array of his personal belongings.
Temple of the Dawn: Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is situated on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River. This temple is considered to be the most famous and photographed temple in Bangkok, which features a soaring 70-meter-high spire decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain. Once you visit it you are able to see why it is the most famous, it is breath taking.The beauty of the architecture and the fine craftsmanship declare its status as a temple of the first grade and one of the most outstanding temples in Thailand.
: Like all urban rivers, the history of the Chao Phraya is intertwined with the city it flows through. The original site was chosen by early settlers because of its fertility and abundant fish. Later King Thaksin, after the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese, located his new capital here, on the western banks today known as Thonburi.
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Truly, the River of Kings - as King Rama I named it - is the lifeblood of Bangkok. And not just because of this rich history. Around 50,000 people still use its ferries to get to each day. Slow barges bearing cargo coast upstream. Kids still frolic in the russet-brown water. Wooden shacks, mottled by the elements, still lurch over the water. |
Safari world: In the safari park of Thailand's biggest zoo, see zebra, deer, giraffe, birds, tigers, lion and bears roaming in a natural habitat. In the marine park, find marine life and many other rare aquatic creatures. The attractions include several shows the main one's are (a) Urang Utan Show (b) Sea Lion Show (c) Dolphin Show (d) Elephant show and (e) Bird Show, and at least two non-animal attractions (i) jungle cruise and (ii) spy war.
They are all worth seeing, so get there early, to get the most out of your day. Whether a safari drive through the picturesque African wilderness, an intimate encounter with friendly dolphins, or an exhilarating action stunt spectacular, Safari World has it all! Safari World comprises of a theme park with attractions and an open zoo. If you are going with you children, this is a must visit which will add fun to your trip.
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Bangkok has many tours available which guides you to the most famous places in Bangkok. You can always keep with your hotel to see what they suggest. Choosing a hotel in Bangkok that perfectly lives up to your expectations is the easiest thing in the world. Bangkok offers a wide range of places in every style, price category, and all popular locations. So you can choose according to your preference. Don't forget to carry the map of Bangkok. And remember the locals are always there to ask for help!
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Despite its pollution and overcrowding, Bangkok is undoubtedly one of Asia's most exciting cities, and one of the world's largest, promising to reveal to each traveler the wild and untamed mysteries of the east. So Plan and trip and explore the beauty.
(Sources: tripadvisor.com, bangkok.com)
