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Cultured and contemporary, Bangkok's rich tapestry sees the exotic and familiar sit side-by-side.
Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is very
much a marmite city – you either love it or you hate it. Divided by the Chao
Phraya River it is nestled in one of the world's most fertile rice-producing
deltas.
Bangkok is criss-crossed by a series
of canals carrying passengers and cargo and its roads clotted with endless
traffic jams. The new Skytrain speeds above the city, providing visitors with a
relaxed way to observe the hustle and bustle below.
It is polluted, overcrowded and noisy
but most definitely one of Asia’s most exciting and vibrant cities. On the
banks of the Chao Phraya visitors will find the Grand Palace as well as Wat
Phra Kaew, the palace temple housing the Emerald Buddha, built entirely from
translucent green jade.
The city offers its brave visitors
many wondrous sights including the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the famous
Floating Market. At night music and dazzling neon advertise a mix of trendy
bars and nightclubs, as well as the notorious 'girlie joints' that have secured
the Patpong district its reputation for hedonism.
Whatever your feelings towards it,
Bangkok is a city that is larger than life. For some, it’s frenetic pace, heat,
traffic, and overcrowding prove too much to bear whereas others find it
intoxicating. There is nowhere else on earth where you’ll find ramshackle buildings
next to exotic temples and delightful gardens which are overlooked
by modern hotels and offices.
But amongst the hustle and bustle the traditional Thai life
emerges when you spot a saffron-robed monk collecting alms or whole
communities living in stilt houses by the river.
Bangkok’s climate is hot and tropical. Daytime temperatures reach mid 30°C throughout the
year. November to February is the driest time of year and the most popular with
tourists. The hottest months are March, April, and May and the rainy season runs
from May to October.
The average
monthly temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
32 |
33 |
34 |
35 |
34 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
|
Night |
21 |
23 |
25 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
23 |
21 |
Bangkok is
a shopper’s paradise. You can shop ‘til you drop and it will also be fairly
cheap (depending on where you go). Markets line almost every street selling
anything and everything – and if you want a bargain, haggle.
Khao San The road is brimming with stalls selling a multitude of counterfeit goods while
Wong Nakhon Kasem (‘Thieves Market’) is great for antique porcelain,
copperware and furniture. There are several night markets such as the one in
Patpong – this is great fun but be warned, it is in the red light district so
don’t be surprised to see touts and half-naked women standing outside bars.
Chatuchak The market is the world’s biggest weekend market with over 9000 stalls selling a
bewildering array of goods. If all this shopping is making you peckish, there
are also numerous street food stalls but beware as some of the local delicacies
may not be to your taste, such as deep-fried locusts.
As you
would expect with such a diverse city, alongside the markets are also modern,
glamorous shopping malls. One of the largest is Central World Plaza, others
include MBK Shopping Centre, River City Shopping Complex and in Ploenchit and
Rama I roads you will find very glitzy malls crammed with designer names,
restaurants and cinemas.
One of the
most popular areas for shopping is Siam Square – definitely aimed at the
up-market, more affluent foreign visitor.
A Bangkok
specialty is the inexpensive tailored clothing that is made to order within a
few days. The best selection of tailors can be found in Sukhumvit and Khao San
Roads.
Popular
purchases are silk, silver, and gold, gems, pearls, painted umbrellas, and fans,
ceramics, wickerwork, wood carvings, and leather goods.
Bangkok has
just about every type of evening entertainment you can think of; from bars and
clubs, cultural dancing, and theatre to the salaciousness of the Patpong (the
red-light district).
The biggest
live music venue in the city is the IMPACT Arena. If you enjoy cultural
performances and theatre, your best bet is to visit the National Theatre, Siam
Niramit, Charoen Krung Royal Theatre, or the Bangkok Playhouse.
There are
many bars and clubs in Bangkok, many are quite westernized. Below are a few
names you could look out for:
For
something completely different why not try and catch about of kickboxing (muay thai) at either the Lumpini or
Ratchadamnoen stadiums.
April
May
August
October
November
December
Bangkok is
ideally placed to explore more of what this fascinating country has to offer.
Your hotel will be able to tell you about possible excursions, but below are
just a few suggestions to get you started.
Do not
drink the tap water in Bangkok as it can cause stomach upsets. Only use bottled
water (even for teeth cleaning) which is inexpensive and widely available.
Don’t have ice in your drinks and avoid eating fruit and vegetables that are
unwashed or sold unpeeled. Also, unpasteurised milk should be boiled before
drinking and avoid any dairy product that contains unpasteurised milk.
Drink
plenty of water to avoid dehydration. The medical facilities in Bangkok are
good but you are strongly advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance
before travelling. You should also check with your GP before travelling for up
to date immunisation information.
The city is
very crowded so you should take care of your valuables and beware of pickpockets. Also never accept food or drink from strangers as it may be drugged.
Drug
offences are taken very seriously in Thailand. Possession or smuggling drugs
carry heavy custodial sentences or even the death penalty. Therefore always
pack your own bag and never agree to carry someone else’s bags for them.