Thailand is a city of vast diversity and ancient charm. Ruled by the Royal family whose law still forbids you to speak ill of the royal family, it is in fact a study in both ancient and modern lifestyles.
If Thailand is the crown the the gem in that crown is Bangkok
The Temple of Dawn
Bangkok, as they say, is a city to overload each and every one of the senses.
Streets crowded at rush hour will teem with typical traffic as well as the odd surprise, the motorized tricycles called tuk tuks, or the occasional elephant making its way through the bumper to bumper traffic.
Whole families enter the small motorbikes to make their way home, while monks in orange robings wait their turn to pass through the crowded streets.
A day at the beach
On the sidewalks, food vendors will sell you anything from fried sweets, to fried grasshoppers and the sidewalks teem with the scent of spices from the cookery that takes place everywhere.Flowers scent the air and unusual foliage and florals seem to be growing everywhere. The area is lush with greenery and teeming with life.
Some of the incredible wildflowers Thailand offers
There are so many attractions in Bangkok that advising you where to begin is not an easy task.
There is something for everyone, a trite phrase used to lure the tourist, but in this case its so much more than true.
There are historical sites, religious features, open air or inside shopping experiences, ancient history brought to life in the museum, produce markets and restaurants that can provide some of the most wonderful foods that you’ve ever tasted for reasonable, even inexpensive prices.
A ceremony at a Wat in Bangkok
The daytime and the night life are full of new experiences, all waiting to be discovered.
For the history buff, and those who admire lovely things, Bangkoks most famous feature, the Palace, was built in the late 1700’s and offers some magnificent buildings, which include the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo).
The temple of the Emerald Buddha houses an awe inspiring Emerald Buddha that has been dated to about the 14th century.
Another temple, considered the most famous in Bangkok as well as the most photographed, bears a spire that soars to an incredible 200 feet tall, and is entirely decorated with minute pieces of colored glass and porcelain.
Bangkoks Grand Palace
For the Shopper, Siam Paragon, located in the midsection of Bangkok, near multiple attractions and althoug it can assuredly be crowded the atmosphere is laughter and fun, and the paragon has it all.
YOu can spend the entire day here, and find the best of everything that Bangkok has to offer from movies, restaurants, shops and even a grocer or two.
To see what Siam Paragon is all about, pay a visit to the website: Siam Paragon and check it out.
Bangkok also features Siam Ocean World, where you will get a real under the sea type of experience. Located on the bottom floor of Siam paragon, you’re going to be beneath the sea along with creatures that you rarely get the chance to see in such an up close and personal way.
Siam Ocean World also housed in the Siam Paragon is a real under the sea experience. Located on the very bottom floor of Siam Paragon. Here you will find all kinds of sea creatures that you have never before-seen.
Another tourist mecca, and a must see for anyone in Bangkok is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok, which affords you a glimpse at the world reknowned reclinging Buddha, the largest buddha in Thailand, which measures more than 150 feet long.
The weekend Market in Bangkok
The weekend open air market will be another of those things you simply can’t miss when visiting Bangkok.
Covering more than 35 acres, it houses over 15000 shops or stalls that will offer you anything imaginable in Thai merchandise, including household goods, handcrafted gifts for taking home to friends, down to plants and fruits and even live animals can be purchased in one of the few open air markets left of this size. this is something you certainly don’t want to miss.
Its not at all unusual to see elephants competing with traffic in Bangkok
The National Museum Bangkok the largest in Southeast Asia, is home to more than a vast array of collections, including centuries old offerings of prehistoric art, murals, bronzeware, and antiquities from many other Asian countries. It is also home to many of the carriages used by the royal families in the ceremonial processions.
Chao Phraya River is scenery that you can’t imagine flowing through the heart of such a large city, yet it is remarkably clean and lovely, and offers boat transportation and sightseeing cruises to many of the places you’re going to want to see. Why not go boating, since many of the major attractions are easily accessible from points along this waterway, and the leisurely method of seeing them will also be an attraction in and of itself..
A view of the Chao Praya River at night
Before you leave Thailand you will of course need to visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha, which holds the status of being one of the most revered places in Bangkok. It is home to the the Golden Image Buddha, which is made of solid gold and weighs approximately 5 ½ tons. Can you imagine trying to vacuum under that statue?
With so much to see and do, take the time to preplan your days and nights so that you can see as much as you’re able before you leave the country.
Thailand is among the most unique places on earth, and Bangkok is the heartbeat of Thailand. It truly does offer something for everyone.
