Archives for Thailand category
Over the last few decades, Thailand has emerged as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. Millions of people from all over visit Thailand every year to enjoy its vibrant nightlife, which in turn has resulted in the growth of new clubs hotels and bars.There are many striking and beautiful cities throughout Thailand. Read more… »
A luxury vacation or trip is perhaps the dream of everyone. Just imagine if the trip is to such a destination that is a blend of modern and ancient and which offers an array of options to see and do. One such destination is Bangkok, situated close to the Gulf of Thailand, on the eastern banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the south-west region of Thailand.
Covering an area of about 1600 square kilometers, Bangkok is regarded as the gateway to the country, and is made up of about 50 Khets or districts. Founded as the capital of the country in 1782, Bangkok has now become a modern destination with towering skyline and well maintained establishments, al though retaining its ancient glories. No wonder why many tourist organizations as well as magazines have rated Bangkok among the top tourist destinations in the world.
Bangkok boasts of such a great number of attractions that it is quite difficult to list them all. Of which, perhaps the most noteworthy are exquisite palaces and ancient shrines in the region such as Grand Palace, which would be the first attraction that comes into the mind when one think about the city.
Suan Pakkad Palace, which served as the residence of Princess Chumphot; Wat Trai Mit, whose centerpiece is a golden image of Lord Buddha; Wat Mahathat, which is home to Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University; Wat Pho, the oldest as well as largest of its kind in the city, which is much famed for its mural paintings and inscriptions; Wat Arun, with a 79-metre-high pagoda; and Wat Ratchabophit, whose architecture is a blend of traditional and western styles.
A visit to Bangkok would not to be complete without taking a tour to some of the fascinating museums in the city such as National Museum, with a vast selection of items collected from Neolithic and Ayutthaya periods; National Gallery Museum, exhibiting both traditional and contemporary works created by Thai artists; Museum of Imagery Technology, the first camera and photograph museum in Asia.
Science Museum, with an interesting aquarium, a planetarium, and several other sections for entertainment and education; Philatelic Museum, which is a must-see for stamp collectors; and Royal Barge National Museum, which has on display an array of royal barges that were used during royal occasions.
Interesting attractions in Bangkok also include Dusit Zoo, boasting of more than 200 mammals, 150 reptiles, and 1000 birds; Pasteur Institute or Snake Farm, with an amazing collection of poisonous snakes; Thai Cat Palace, featuring several breeds of cats such as Siamese, white pure Maeo Khao Mani, and diamond-eyed cats. Thus goes on the attractions in the city.
Bangkok has something for everyone. For instance, if you are a shopping enthusiast, some excellent options are available in destinations like Chinatown, a business center packed with a plethora of shopping malls, Chatuchak Weekend Market, a huge open ground where everything from food and clothing items to handicraft items and pets can be shopped, and Pak Khlong Talat - the largest wholesale market in the country to shop all types of vegetables and cut flowers.
Likewise, while your stay in the city, take a cruise along the much celebrated Chao Phraya River to experience the majestic beauty of the destination. For fun and recreation, some better options are available in the form of Magic Land, Siam Water Park, and Dream World. Apart from these, there are a myriad of centers in the city presenting Thai cultural shows such as National Theatre, Thailand Cultural Centre, and Chalerm Krung Royal Theatre.
In short, Bangkok has everything to make your vacation truly unforgettable as well as enjoyable. A host of accommodation options, especially luxurious, are there for visitors who want to spend their vacation in Bangkok in style and elegance. Many of the five-star accommodation choices are based in the central Silom district of the city. Some of these hotels are attached with more than 700 rooms and provide options to choose from suites, standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and apartments that are suitable for long stays.
Further, many of the upscale hotels in the city are excellent dining facilities. Even some render superb choices for fitness and rejuvenation in the form of fitness centers and spa facilities. Apart from these, some luxury hotels in the region offer packages for such events as wedding parties.
Mostly, these hotels are in close proximity to some of the top attractions in the city. An added advantage is that many of them are within easy reach of almost all major transport system such as the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the Saphan Taksin station of the Skytrain, which is the elevated metro system of the city.
Since many of the hotels have their own websites with rates and pictures of rooms, this allows you choose an accommodation of your choice and book it in advance via online. All you have to do is to let them know your preferences and rest they will take care!
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Bangkok is also the most fabulous shopping destination in Asia. In fact, shopping in Bangkok is truly fun as well as a great experience, with an array of shopping locations, ranging from glitzy modern shopping malls to traditional bustling street markets selling antiquities and designer and traditional jewelry.
In short, Bangkok is a mecca for shopping enthusiasts, and everything including electronic items, computer software and hardware, art and craft items, Chinese specialties, textiles, jewelry, and much more can be shopped here.
Perhaps most popular among the shopping highlights in Bangkok is the Siam Square, which is strategically positioned at Central Station on the BTS Sky Train route. This area is dotted with hundreds of high-end shopping malls, among which one of the most sought after is Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center, within which one can find a number of shops selling branded items.
There is also an elegant cinema complex on the top floor of Siam Discovery Center, with comfortable seats. This is a great place to relax after a day of tired shopping. Located just ten minutes walk from the Siam Square is another much famed shopping spot in Bangkok, namely, Mahboonkrong Shopping Center, dotted with a large number of shops selling quality clothing and electronic items at knock-down prices.
One can also find a couple of shopping malls and department stores, close to the Chit Lom BTS Sky Train station. Among which, perhaps the most significant is the eight-storied World Trade Center, attached with a number of duty free shops. Found on the top floor of the World Trade Center is an ice skating rink. The Central Group’s flagship store, Central Chit Lom Department Store, is also located here. Such shopping centers as Gaysorn Plaza, Maneya Centre, Sogo, and Narayana Phand, a great spot to shop handicraft items, are also situated in this area.
For those who want to shop computer-related items and peripherals at cheap prices, a great way would be to head to Pantip Plaza on the Phetburi Road. This is a paradise for shopping computer items. Every floor within the plaza has a number of shops selling both original and pirated software and hardware items. One could buy copy of VCD movies for a price as low as 100 baht.
A good number of small as well as large shopping malls can also be found along the Ploenchit Road and Sukhumvit Road, such as, Robinson, Ploenchit Plaza, Times Square, Emporium, and Landmark.
Popular shopping areas in Bangkok also include Silom Road, located to the south of the Siam Square. Just few among the shopping malls in this area are Silom Center, Central department stores, Silom Plaza, Thaniya Plaza, Silom Village, and Holiday Inn Crown Plaza.
Shopping at Bangkok would not be complete without taking a tour to Chatuchak market, which becomes alive in the city every weekend. Located near the Mo Chit BTS Sky Train station, Chatuchak market is an incredible outdoor market, from where everything from handicraft items and livestock items could be shopped and that too at bargain prices. Further, you can also find a large number of food stalls in the market, selling delicious Thai food items such as fried noodles, noodle curry, and barbequed satays.
Other popular shopping areas in the city are Bangrak Market, a bustling area which is famed for its flower stalls, engage in selling enormous variety of cut flowers, jasmines, and orchids; China Town, with alleys packed with outlets dealing in almost all types of goods; Pratunam Market, which is a great place to relish hygiene as well as delicious food items; Woeng Nakhon Kasem - a popular spot to shop items such as brassware, old fashioned furniture, industrial items, antiques, and Chinese porcelains.
Above all, for a unique shopping experience, take a tour to some of the most fabulous night markets in the area. Most prominent among the night markets in the city are the Suan Luam Night Bazaar, whose specialty is stalls that sell products brought from every corner of the country.
Pratunam Market Complex, which is a great spot to shop fashion accessories such as handbags, purses, trendy apparels, and designer accessories; Patpong Night Market, which is not only popular for stalls selling designer good at cheap prices but also for night clubs and other establishments conducting sex shows; Buanglamphu Market, a descent place to shop clothing and food items; and the Memorial Bridge Night Market.
What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways