Thailand is always a popular destination, and has been a ‘best seller’ throughout the duration of my working life as it’s a country rich with culture, filled with sights, amazing food and great shopping. It’s also affordable, easy to get to and has a welcoming climate throughout most of the year.
Bangkok, Thailand’s exciting capital is a fantastic city which offers everything to all whom visit.
The ‘must do’ sights are the Grand Palace and Wat Pra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) and the Floating Markets (Damnoen Saduak). The temples are dazzling, covered in gold and encrusted with precious jewels that shimmer and sparkle, they really are spectacular. The Floating Market is world renowned and definitely worth a visit. Long boats are filled to the brim with fruits, vegetables and flowers which all vie and jostle for attention – a sea of colour on the bustling waterways.
Bangkok is also well known for its cheap shopping and the Chatuchak Weekend Market has more than 8,000 market stalls and is popular amongst locals and tourists. It’s the perfect place to find a bargain, whether you are looking for clothes, handicrafts, homewares etc.
The Patpong Night Market is also popular, famed for its evening entertainment and go-go bars, Patpong is the notorious nightlife district but also well known as ‘The’ night shopping destination, so make sure you do stop by and check out the night markets!
The Bangkok Snake Farm is well worth a visit; watch the snake handling demonstrations as they display an amazing array of snakes of all colours and sizes which is quite fascinating to watch.
There are also a numbers of day tours you can do from Bangkok that are great experiences. You are usually picked up and dropped off at your hotel, so it’s all very easy. Tours include Elephant Riding & Elephant Bathing at the Erawan Waterfalls, Ayutthaya Temples (Ayutthaya is Thailand’s ‘old’ capital) and a day trip to the River Kwai and Death Railway.
Of course the food is to die for (why not try a Cooking Class?), the shopping is great and the people are wonderful….. Bangkok is a great city!
Bangkok is the gateway to other fabulous destinations within Thailand, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north, and Hua Hin, which is a couple of hours drive from Bangkok and home to five star luxury health spas, resorts and retreats where the rich and famous tend to hang out! Both of these are very popular and a little off the beaten track. A Bangkok stopover can also be added to a relaxing holiday in Koh Samui, Phuket or Phi Phi.
Bangkok is a great city, as a destination in itself, as a stopover on your way to Europe or as part of a Thailand/Asian holiday.
With so much on offer, make sure you do stay at least a few days, otherwise you’ll miss out!