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Bangkok

Bangkok...what can I say that will fit on this page. Bangkok is an amazing city with an incredibly varied array of things to keep everyone occupied.

Bangkok Skytrain

Bangkok is actually called Krung Thep. It is an abbreviated version of the ceremonial full name which holds the Guinness record for the longest place name in the world. Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. Which roughly means: The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of the God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.

Bangkok Skytrain

Bangkok can be a little intimidating at first but that feeling will dissipate as long as you relax, slow your pace and enjoy things. The Skytrain and the Metro are easy to use and convenient. Taxis are also a great way to get around the city, as they are cheap and plentiful. Try to flag a moving taxi and get the taxi to use a meter. If you are in a rush or there is heavy traffic, grab a motorcycle taxi.

Grand Palace: The palace, situated in Rattanakosin (The Old Royal City), is a must see. It houses Thailand's most sacred site, Wat Phra Kaeo. There is a dress code. No shorts, backless sandals or sleeveless shirts etc. There are places nearby to purchase or rent acceptable clothing if refused entry. There are many buildings to explore. Fantastic architecture, the Emerald Buddha and many other wonders await you within. Early morning is best to avoid the crowds. Open daily 8:30-3:30. Baht 250.

Wat Po: This temple is Just south of the Grand Palace and is the oldest and largest in Bangkok and holds the huge gold-plated Reclining Buddha. A great place to get a massage is at the onsite massage school where you can even take a course in massage (in English). Open daily 8-5. Baht 20.

National Museum: A short distance to the north of the Grand palace, sits this great museum that takes a bare minimum of 2 hours to breeze through or a whole day to see everything. Open Wed-Sun 9-4. Baht 40.

National Gallery Museum: Opposite the National Museum, it exhibits traditional and contemporary works of art by Thai artists. Open Wed-Sun 9-4. Baht 30.

The National Theatre: Is located next to The National Museum. If you enjoy theatre and want to see how they do it in Thailand then definitely check this place out. Thai classical dramas as well as international productions can be seen. They have Thai classical dancing and music on the last Friday and Saturday of each month. Contact the theatre for details. (Tel. 2241342)

Siam Ocean World: is the largest aquarium in SE Asia. It can be found in The Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok. Siam Skytrain stop. Open daily 9am-10pm. Baht 450.

Wood Carving Fair: Sometime in January or February (date changes), Bangkok holds the Ban Thawai Wood Carving Fair. Demonstrations of wood carving and other local handcrafting can be seen. The work is very intricate and worth a visit. Great place to get some gifts for those back home.

Klongs: Explore Bangkok's Chao Phraya River and canals (klongs). Hire a boat or join a tour from Tha Chang landing in front of the Grand Palace or grab a longtail boat taxi from one of the ferry landings along the river for 250-400 Baht an hour depending on your bargaining skill.. You can even jump on a river bus. This is a great way to see river life in the city. There are floating stalls with some tasty food if you feel hungry.

Chinatown: Take a walk around Chinatown. Get your astrological chart done, visit some neat Chinese temples and shops while getting lost in the narrow Sois.

Tuk Tuk: Bargain with a tuk tuk driver for a good rate and get him to drive you around the city. These smelly crazy 3 wheel deathtraps are a must for first time visitors. It does not really matter where you go as there is always something fascinating to see.

Riverside Meal: Have lunch, dinner or tea at one of the riverside hotels. Shangri-La, Marriott, Oriental and the Peninsula all have great views, food and service. It is a little expensive for everyday dining but a great once in a while treat.

Dinner Cruise: Have a great meal on a converted teak rice barge while cruising along the Chao Phraya River. There are a number of these and your hotel or travel shop can set it up for you. It is a great way to see the brilliantly illuminated temples and palaces. There is also a stop at Wat Arun, which is beautifully lit up. Very romantic trip. 2-3 hours costing 1200 Baht and up.

Royal Barge Museum: These wonderful barges are rarely launched. They are housed in a large boathouse situated on the north side of Klong Bangkok Noi. If you like boats this is a fabulous place. Open daily 9-5. Baht 30

Dinner Show: There are numerous places to go and see some traditional Thai Dance while having dinner. Your hotel or one of the small travel shops can recommend places and set it up.

Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium: Situated in the south eastern part of Vachirabenjatas Park (Railway Park), this large comprises an exhibition area, feeding room, embryo breeding room, insectariums, Lamphu tree ground and a butterfly garden. It connects to Chatuchak Park and Queen Sirikit Park. Open Tue-Sun, 8:30-4:30.

Kamthieng House: This is a very neat teak house situated in the Siam Society's compound on Sukhumvit Soi 21. It shows how rural people in the north lived in the past. Open Mon-Sat 9-5. Baht 70

Chatuchak Weekend Market: You will get lost here but don't worry, it is great fun and people will point you towards the exit if you ask. There are over 25 acres of shopping stalls situated in this large open space. You can get everything here from fresh fruit and pets to clothing and kitchen ware. This is a definite must see. The market lies between the Northern Bus terminal and the Mo Chit Skytrain stop, or take the subway. Open Sat and Sun, 7-6.

Bangkok Shopping Malls: For those of you only familiar with western malls, the ones in Bangkok should definitely be a treat. If you need software or hardware, then the giant tech mall Pantip Plaza on Petchburi Road in Pratunam is the place to go. Pirated software was blatently sold but while still available, has now become more of a back room event. MBK is a big mall between the National Stadium and Siam Square. Theatre, bowling alley, and 2000 shops (some the size of a small closet) selling everything are all packed into eight floors. One of the floors is totally covered in cell phone shops and is a good place to pick up a sim card, get a new phone or even unlock your existing one. There is a great food court on one of the upper floors. Siam Paragon is on Rama I Road in Pratunam. Nothing overly special here except for Siam Ocean World and a good food market with lots of imports. Siam Square is a densely packed area off Rama I Road filled with malls, shops, hotels and restaurants. A good place to start is MBK and then walk East on Rama I Road through Siam Square. Of course there are many more places to shop, including the upscale Emporium, the huge World Trade Centre and of course the Robinson's Department Store chain.

Children's Discovery Museum: If you have young children, this museum is a good place for them to have some fun. It is located inside Queen Sirikit Park. The museum offers shows and fun activities for children to enjoy and learn about all sorts of social and natural sciences, as well as cultural and environmental issues Open Mon-Fri, 9-5 and Sat-Sun, 10-6. Adult Baht 70 Child Baht 50.

Sanam Luang: This large open area, north of the Grand Palace and beside the National Museum, was used in the past as Royal funeral grounds but is now a great place to relax. There are plenty of food stalls and even some shade along the edges. Rent a kite and have some fun.

City Pillar Shrine: This is an interesting spot. At the SE corner of Sanam Luang, this tiny temple houses Lak Muang, a stone pillar placed there by King Rama I. It was placed here as the foundation stone for his new capital city of Bangkok. The pillar is believed to grant wishes.

Muay Thai Boxing: If you are into contact sports, catch a Muay Thai match at Lumpini Stadium or Rajdamnoen Stadium. Every night 50-1200 Baht depending on who's fighting and where you sit or stand. Check the Bangkok English papers for times. The vibrancy of the crowd is fantastic and these fighters have great skill. But be warned, it is a violent sport and not suited to all. You can see tamer versions in the beach resort areas.

Lumpini Park: This is one of the few open spaces in the city. Many people spend lunch hours here or just strolling around. If you are feeling foolish you can rent a tacky pedal boat and head out on to the lake or challenge a grand master to a game of chess. After you lose, you can head north and have a spot of lunch from one of the many food stalls. The park becomes quite seedy at night and is best avoided.

Sunthorn Museum: This is an interesting little private museum situated at 82/10 Sukhaphiban 1 (off Phetkasem Road near the Lotus Supermarket). There are antiques, WWII items, clocks and electronic gizmos from different periods. I am not sure what the theme of the museum is but it was quite interesting. Open Sat 11-5. Baht 200.

Vimanmek Palace: I could live here with no difficulties. It is a teakwood palace built without a single nail. The Royal Elephant Museum is also on the grounds but the elephants have been relocated. All white elephants, wild or captive belong to the king and are sacred. There is a dress code so no shorts etc. It is in the Dusit area of Bangkok, only a short taxi ride from the Grand Palace. Open daily 9-4. Baht 50 or free with Grand Palace ticket.

Jim Thompson's House: Jim Thompson was a former OSS operative who brought Thai silk to the world. He was an adventurer who mysteriously disappeared. His house is a teak house built from a mix of numerous other houses from all over Thailand. The house is found at the north end of Soi Kasemsan II which runs off of Thanon Rama I, near Siam Square. Open Mon-Sat 9-4:30. Baht 100

Geological Resource Museum: Located on Rama VI Roadon the first floor of the Emerald Building next to the Department of Mineral Resources. It has an exhibit of minerals, rocks, fossils and ancient tools. Open on weekdays during 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Admission is free but advance contact in writing addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources is required. Open : Mon-Fri from 8:30-4:30. No admission fee but you need to book an appointment (022023670).

Suan Pakkad Palace: If you like art and antiques then this is the place for you. It was the home of Princess Chumbhol who was an avid collector of Asian art and antiques. The Palace is a collection of 5 traditional Thai houses set within well tended gardens. Situated on Si Ayutthaya Road near the intersection of Phaya Thai Road, Open Mon- Sat 9-4. Baht 100.

Queen Saowapha Institute: (Snake Farm) This former Pasteur Institute and largest anti-venom producer in Asia is located at the corner of Henri Dunant Road and Rama IV Road, west of Chulalongkorn Hospital. It is operated by the Thai Red Cross. The institute has a large collection of live poisonous snakes. If you feel a little off, they also do testing for rabies, STDs and can even inoculate you for hepatitis and smallpox. Open daily 8:30-4 on weekdays and 8:30-12 on weekends. Venom extraction daily at 10:30 and also at 2 on weekdays. Baht 70.

Kukrit House: Located at 19 Soi Phra Pinit, South Sathorn Road. This was the house of Mom Ratchawong Kukrit Promoj, a great grandson of King Rama II and the 13th Prime Minister of Thailand. He was a man of many talents, ranging from Hollywood acting and newspaper editing to choreographing traditional Thai dance drama and story writing. The house is set in beautiful tropical gardens interspersed with ponds. The house is in the Ayutthaya style, constructed of teak wood. Open Sat-Sun. 10-5. Baht 50.

Wats: In Bangkok there are numerous Wats (temples) to see. They are too numerous to list here. If you see one that looks good, stop and take a look. Sometimes there will be a fee to look around but it will be low (20 Baht or so). If you happen upon Wat Rajnadda, check out the amulet market. Very cool!!!

Philatelic Museum: For those of you who are into collecting stamps. On the 1st floor of the Metropolitan Postal Bureau, behind the Sam Sen Nai Post office in the Saphan Kwai area of Bangkok. Open Tue-Sat from 9-4. No admission fee.

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre:This research and study centre will, through it's 4 exhibitions, give you a good look into past and present Thai culture and history. The first exhibition documents Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's life and social contributions through photographs. The second is a Thai Ceramics Collections from Ban Chiang and other ancient sites. The third covers social and cultural development in Thailand focussing on social and cultural relationships between various ethnic groups. The fourth compares past and present culture. 20 Boromaratchachonnani Road, Taling Chan (on the West side of Chao Phraya River) Open Mon-Sat from 9-4. No admission fee.

Dusit Zoo: I am a sucker for zoos, I love them. Located near Vimanmek Palace at 71 Rama V Road. Open everyday from 8-6. Baht 30.

Mahachai Prison Corrections Museum: For those who like the bizarre, this neat place should fit the bill. The museum is situated at the eastern end of Rommani Nart Park on Thanon Maha Chai, opposite Thanon Luang. Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4. No admission fee.

Bangkok Planetarium and Scientific Museum: If you are near the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) on Sukhumvit Road and have some time to kill, then drop in for the daily planetarium performances on the solar system. Open Tue-Sun 8:30-2:30. Baht 40.

Labour Museum: Thailand's Labour history is focused on. If you are near the Makkasan Railway Station and have some spare time then give them a visit. Nikhom Rotfai Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi. Open Wed-Sun 10-5. No admission fee.

Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand: Located at Chulalongkorn University Pathumwan in the Faculty of Science. This institute is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and display of gems, jewelry and gemological equipment. Its mandate is also to help, develop and support the gem and jewelry industry of Thailand. There is a gem identification services and library. Open Mon-Fri 9-4.30. Baht 100.

Forensic Museum: Another weirdly macabre place but interesting and worth a look. You can see some preserved corpses of famous Thai killers. Next door are the museums of anatomy and parasitology. Situated near the Bangkok Noi train station at Siriraj Hospital on Thanon Phrannok. Open Mon-Fri 9-4. No admission fee.

Prasart Museum: This was an interesting museum but I only saw a small section as I arrived a little late. I definitely plan to go back. The museum holds a large collection of artifacts dating from pre-historic through the Rattanakosin periods. As it is set on the outskirts of the city call first and find the best transportation options. (023793601) Open on Fri-Sun 10-3. Baht 300 (snack and beverage included).

Bangkok Dolls Museum: If you need a doll for a daughter or are a collector, this is where you will find one. No Barbies. Instead you will find lots of Thai dolls made in this factory which is on Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mo Leng) off Ratchaprarop Road. Open Mon-Sat 8-5. No admission fee.

Bangkok Blues Festival: Although not as large as the Ottawa Bluesfest, The Bangkok Blues Festival is a must if you want to hear some blues. July 19-21, 2007 at Tokyo Joe's on Sukhumvit Soi 26.

Bangkok Jazz Festival: If you want to listen to Jazz and happen to be in Bangkok in mid-December then you are in luck. The lineup always looks great and is comprised of local and international musicians. Located at Sanam Sua Pra (Dusit Palace) from December 15-17, 6pm-midnight. Tickets are Baht 1200/day or Baht 3000 for a pass.

Jazz for Brunch: The Sukhothai Hotel has a Sunday Brunch with live jazz. Located on South Sathorn Road, this brunch will cost you Baht 1300 and up. However, the brunch is very good.

Film Festivals: The Bangkok International Film Festival in July and The World Film Festival of Bangkok in mid-October are both wonderful events to catch some great local, regional and World films.

Fabric Markets: There are some great fabric markets that sell clothing and bolts of fabric. Bo-Be Market: is found where Klong Saen Saep meets Krun Kasem Road so you can go by water or road. This market has fabric, fabric and more fabric. Pahurat Market: Set in an Indian area of Bangkok on Chakrawat Road, this market has lots of fabric and some great Indian food across the street.

Day Trips There is a wide variety of half and full day trips that can be easily done from Bangkok.

Ayutthaya: You can visit this old capital city on a day trip. There are lots of great ruins, palaces and Wats (more on the Ayutthaya page). However, the best trip is by boat. The Mandarin Oriental and The Shangri-La both have boats (one is a converted rice barge) that will take you up river to Ayutthaya. You can even set up an overnight cruise. 8000+ Baht.

Vineyard Tour: Winemaking is a growing industry in Thailand. There have always been fruit and herbal wine but until recently grape growing was unheard of. Now with new technology and ingenuity Thailand is making some good wines. There are only a handful of wineries and most of them are in remote areas but there are a couple near Bangkok. Siam Winery has a vineyard 1 hour from the city in Samut Sakorn. PB Valley Vineyard is about an hour and a half northeast of Bangkok near Khao Yai National Park. There is also one near Kanchanaburi set on a river and harvested by boat.

Floating Market: I grudgingly have to put this on my list. It is a great sight marred only by the number of tourists and the so called "traditional Thai village" the tours show you. This is a half day trip from Bangkok and takes you on the river where hundreds of vendors sell their produce from their boats. Try some of the food stall boats...mmmm...good.

Catfish Farm: Located in Bungsam Lan. This place is a great place to bring the kids or the laid back angler. They could catch a 300kg catfish. The Mekhong catfish is supposedly the largest fish in the world. They stock the lake with over 50 different types of catfish. They claim to have numerous fish over 100kg and lots over 50kg in the lake. You can rent gear but need to ask for the good stuff. Food and drinks can be ordered. There are companies that will pick you up from your hotel and cover everything for around Baht 5500 (Siam Fishing Tours). We took a taxi and did the trip for 3000 Baht (bungsanlanlake.netfirms.com has good directions). I did not catch anything impressive but my friends did.

Ancient City: I found this quite an odd place. It is a giant (purportedly the largest in the world) outdoor museum consisting of humongous sized replicas of famous sites in Thailand. The museum covers hundreds of acres and is shaped like Thailand. It is located a ways down Sukhumvit Road. Open daily from 8-5. Baht 50.

Kanchanaburi The Bridge on the River Kwai has made Kanchanaburi known around the world. A long day trip can accomplish a lot here. You can take an organized trip by minivan or take the train. The Bridge, Jeath War Museum and The Death Railway are some of the more known sights that are easy to get to and quickly seen. There is enough here to keep you occupied for a couple of days if a day trip is not long enough.