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Bangkok..Once known as the Venice of the East, due to its hundreds of connecting canals and waterways. Many of which are still in use today. This great city is full of life, it is both modern and ancient. Skyscrapers and Temples reach into the horizon, the streets sizzle with cooking and buzz with markets. An intoxicating city of life, energetically laid back, organised chaos and one of my favorite cities. Bangkok became Thailand's capital in 1782 after the Burmese raided and burnt Ayutthaya to the ground. Ever since, Bangkok has been growing in to one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities, a world travel hub and the beating heart of South East Asia's backpackers. A large city with many dazzling sights, great food and easy to get around, lets take a look..
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When to go?
Nov-Feb Best time March-April HOT! May-Oct Wet season |
Get AroundThe skytrain, cheap and efficient and will get you most places in the city.
Bangkok's BTS or Skytrain is possibly the best and most hassle free way of getting around the city. It will get you most places, or at least with in walking distance of where you want to go. No stops in Khao San road or City Palace though. You can buy tickets at the station, all machines take coins, just press the fare button that corresponds to your desired stop, fare usually 15THB to 35THB around the city, a little more the further you go out.
Tuk Tuk
Tuk Tuks are awesome, the drivers are fun, usually up for a laugh, cheeky and very helpful. Many will want to or at least try to bring you to some sort of shop, handicraft, tailors, jewelers etc where they will earn a little commission for delivering you to the store. At first many drivers might look at you as a bit of a cash cow, a bumbling tourist with more money than sense. But once you say, 'I want to go here, but none of this shopping, suit making stuff' They usually laugh then treat you like a normal person.. You can of course negotiate prices with these stops in mind. 'Ok il go to the shop if you drop the price' many will. half price trips across the city for trying on a suit jacket along the way! Dont pay attention to any drivers that say, 'That temple is closed today, that hotel is terrible,' it is most likely a little lie so they can bring you on a little Tuk Tuk tour or a hotel where they will get a some comission |
Map of Central Bangkok
Bangkok's full name..
Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit, translated "City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Visvakarman at Indra's behest |
Taxi
Taxi's i found to be a little less trustworthy, I've only used them a hand full of times. I generally never use taxi's as they are a bit expensive, and i like walking around cities and using public transport. Bangkok's taxis are metered. The initial pickup fee is 35THB (More from Airport) But some drivers need to be reminded to turn on the meter, as they hope to rip you off, others might try telling you the price before you get there. (Not necessarily a bad thing if you know the correct price for your trip) Others might take you on a loop of the city's highways bringing you on a 30km drive instead of a 4km trip. Another scam to watch out for is a fast running meter, with your fare increasing much quicker than normal. Get the taxi number and report them. They are not all bad, but just be aware! Most of these drivers are found waiting all day outside hotels or big attractions, walk a little further and hail a cab.
Taxi's i found to be a little less trustworthy, I've only used them a hand full of times. I generally never use taxi's as they are a bit expensive, and i like walking around cities and using public transport. Bangkok's taxis are metered. The initial pickup fee is 35THB (More from Airport) But some drivers need to be reminded to turn on the meter, as they hope to rip you off, others might try telling you the price before you get there. (Not necessarily a bad thing if you know the correct price for your trip) Others might take you on a loop of the city's highways bringing you on a 30km drive instead of a 4km trip. Another scam to watch out for is a fast running meter, with your fare increasing much quicker than normal. Get the taxi number and report them. They are not all bad, but just be aware! Most of these drivers are found waiting all day outside hotels or big attractions, walk a little further and hail a cab.
Where to stayBangkok is one large city, maybe a little daunting to the first time arriver, but it needn't be, Bangkok has a huge amount of world class hotels suiting all budgets. Staying in three, four or five star hotels can be quite affordable here, even for backpackers. After slumming it on a loop around South East Asia you might wanna treat yourself to a nice hotel, with AC, Wifi and a HOT SHOWER! Anywhere near a BTS station should be just fine.
First time we stayed along Silom Road. Theres a few BTS stations nearby, at night the street sides turn into a night market. What was also very handy was Silom is right on the doorstep of the Embassy area, so if you plan on getting Visa's for onward travel, like we were, most embassy's are with in walking distance. Many embassy's make you arrive at 8am-9am to que up and fill in forms, not great if you are the other side of the city. Not a deal breaker but a welcome bonus. We've stayed in different places all over the city, but most areas are fine and once near a BTS you can be anywhere in just a few minutes. Silom and around Ratchathewi are good places for us. Ratchathewi is much less touristy, its near the BTS and also Bangkoks main train station. Also the train to and from the Airport stops at Phaya Thai, one BTS stop away Most backpackers will be drawn to the fun loving crowds on Khao San road, a now world famous backpacker street. There is plenty of cheap accommodation here. If all you need is a bed and a shared bathroom, you can just show up and find a place in seconds. If your a little more fussy and wanting double bed, wifi, private bathroom, ac maybe book ahead, best places go fast. Check Agoda for hotels, or Hostelworld for cheap hostels, great for checking reviews and booking ahead! |
Tasty street food is found everywhere!!! om nom nom...
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Khao San road
The infamous backpacker fun loving ghetto, this small street is located about a ten minute walk from the Grand Palace. The street, and the small surrounding area is crammed with, bars, neon signs, fast food, hostels, tourist agencies, internet cafes, cheap knock off clothes, fake ID's, tourist tat touting hawkers, with the street sandwiched at both ends by hawking taxi and tuk tuk drivers. Some backpackers will enter a Khao San twilight zone, entering one day and emerging ten days later, after a string of blurred Chang clinking nights. It is a self contained backpacker bubble, plenty of cheap accommodation, and many buses and mini vans leave from here for onward travel. It is loud, in your face, good for a night out but dont enter the twilight zone and miss out on where you really are. Although there’s no BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway connection, Khao San is right in the centre of Old Bangkok.
See Stuff...
 Wat Pho, Reclinging Buddha
Bangkok Old City
The hugely impressive and historically significant area of Bangkok. Bordered by the Chao Phraya river on one side and canals of the other. Out of all of Bangkoks hundred's of temples the top must see's are found here. Rattanakosin island has the largest number of majestic and awe inspiring sights Including, The insanely impressive and spectacular Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand and home of the greatly revered Emerald Buddha. Wat Pho and its large reclining Buddha, an iconic image of the area. And another must see temple Wat Arun, just located across the Chao Phraya river. |
Old City/Rattanakosin Map
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Grand Palace
Probably the most visited landmark in Bangkok or indeed Thailand. Once the home of the Royal family for around 150 years until 1925. Today the palace is still at the center of religious and Regal celebrations.
Rather than being a single structure, the Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, spires, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. The Grand Palace is divided into three main zones. The outer court, middle and inner court. With one corner of the outer court being occupied by the fabulous Wat Phra Kaew. The Kings residence lies in the inner court, you are free to walk around and have a look, only two of the throne halls are open to the public, and only on weekdays. |
Wat Pho
Wat Pho
An impressive and large temple complex. Beautifully designed and decorated statues, pagodas, chedis and buildings, home of the huge golden Reclining Buddha. A must visit Operating hours: 08:00 – 18:30 Admission fee: 100 Baht Tourists are to dress politely, no shorts, trousers are permitted, cover knees and shoulders |
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Amazing intricate designs around the Grand Palace complex
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There is a strict dress code for visiting the Grand Palace & The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred site. Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves -- no tank tops. If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (so no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc. If you show up at the front gate improperly dressed, there is a booth near the entry that can provide clothes to cover you up properly. If you try and stroll in, guards with microphones will quickly get your attention and tell you how to correct yourself. There are plenty of opportunist traders selling clothes outside if you are caught out and a place where you can rent some clothes just inside.
Operating Hours 08.30 - 15.30
Admission 500 Baht
Operating Hours 08.30 - 15.30
Admission 500 Baht
Wat Phra Kaew
Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We pretty much discovered the Emerald Buddha here in Bangkok and as we traveled on around Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia etc this small little Jade Buddha's hugely revered significance soaked in. He has traveled more than many. Legend says he originated in India, was there for a few hundred years, then had to be moved to Sri Lanka to escape war. Then the Burmese wanted a lend of him to spread Buddhism through their country, however he got lost on the way and ended up in Cambodia..In 1432 the Thai's captured Angkor Wat, found the Emerald Buddha, brought him to Ayutthaya, then into Laos and finally hid him in Chiang Rai. Two years later in 1434 the temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Phra Kaew also) was struck by lightening and some monks found the Emerald Buddha, after his rediscovery, he moved around northern Thailand, to Chiang Mai, then to Luang Prabang., and the onto Vientiane. Where after a failed uprising the Thai's Captured Vientiane took the Emerald Buddha and in 1784 the emerald Buddha was moved to its current home, Wat Phra Kaew! phew he gets around!
Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We pretty much discovered the Emerald Buddha here in Bangkok and as we traveled on around Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia etc this small little Jade Buddha's hugely revered significance soaked in. He has traveled more than many. Legend says he originated in India, was there for a few hundred years, then had to be moved to Sri Lanka to escape war. Then the Burmese wanted a lend of him to spread Buddhism through their country, however he got lost on the way and ended up in Cambodia..In 1432 the Thai's captured Angkor Wat, found the Emerald Buddha, brought him to Ayutthaya, then into Laos and finally hid him in Chiang Rai. Two years later in 1434 the temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Phra Kaew also) was struck by lightening and some monks found the Emerald Buddha, after his rediscovery, he moved around northern Thailand, to Chiang Mai, then to Luang Prabang., and the onto Vientiane. Where after a failed uprising the Thai's Captured Vientiane took the Emerald Buddha and in 1784 the emerald Buddha was moved to its current home, Wat Phra Kaew! phew he gets around!
Wat Arun
Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn, is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. Its design is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology. Once of the most iconic images of Bangkok. The temple stands strikingly majestic across the Chao Phraya river. The almost 80 meter tower is wonderfully decorated with intricate porcelain mosaics. It is also one of the few temples that predates the founding of Bangkok. You can climb up the central prang up some steep steps but you will be rewarded with great views over the winding Chao Phraya river. Definitely One of my favorite temples, really worth seeing. Makes for great sunset shots once back on the other side of the river looking at towards Wat Arun Operating Hours 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m Admission fee 50Baht Crossing the river costs 3Baht.
Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
This fantastic temple dates back to the Ayutthaya era. Its built upon a small man made hill, crowned with a gleaming Golden pagoda. Inside the Pagoda is an old Buddha relic brought from Sir Lanka. To get to the top you must walk up some 300 steps, a relatively easy climb but the heat can get you at midday.
If you happen to be here in November during the Loy Krathong Festival. The temple is a hive of celebration. The top gives great panoramic views over the whole area. |
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Great views over temples and the sprawling city of Bangkok, from the top of Wat Saket
Shopping
If there's two things thing Bangkok does well, its temples and shopping. There are several large scale shopping malls to splurge your hard earned money.
MBK- If you are after the latest in phones, tablets and all there accessories its hard to beat MBK center. Spread over seven floors, each floor being for different things, one for clothes, one for furniture, one for phones etc and the top being a cinema and arcade machines. Mbk is something like and indoor Chatuchak market, a place for haggling and bargains.
Siam Center - full of trendy clothes and boutique shops, good food to be found on the 4th floor, nice mix of Western and Asian food court thing.
Siam Paragon Mall- highend fashion, good place to get a new Versace sock or obscenely priced shoe
Central World- Another Megamall will a huge amount of shops. The Cinema on the top floor is great, theres bean bags, reclining seats and huge screens. There is a large amount of cheap restaurants here too with food from, all over the world. Another cool thing is exploring the large supermarket beside the cinema. Often you will pass strange and weird fruit and vegetables on the street and have no idea what they are. Having a wander around the supermarket you get to see these new and interesting things with English names so you can finally know what the hell things are!
All located in and around Siam BTS stop with most closing at 10pm
MBK- If you are after the latest in phones, tablets and all there accessories its hard to beat MBK center. Spread over seven floors, each floor being for different things, one for clothes, one for furniture, one for phones etc and the top being a cinema and arcade machines. Mbk is something like and indoor Chatuchak market, a place for haggling and bargains.
Siam Center - full of trendy clothes and boutique shops, good food to be found on the 4th floor, nice mix of Western and Asian food court thing.
Siam Paragon Mall- highend fashion, good place to get a new Versace sock or obscenely priced shoe
Central World- Another Megamall will a huge amount of shops. The Cinema on the top floor is great, theres bean bags, reclining seats and huge screens. There is a large amount of cheap restaurants here too with food from, all over the world. Another cool thing is exploring the large supermarket beside the cinema. Often you will pass strange and weird fruit and vegetables on the street and have no idea what they are. Having a wander around the supermarket you get to see these new and interesting things with English names so you can finally know what the hell things are!
All located in and around Siam BTS stop with most closing at 10pm
Chatuchak Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the world's largest weekend markets with something like 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand. There definitely are bargains to be had here if you are after some clothes, books or souvenirs. Plenty of cheap Chang T-shirts to expand your backpacker wardrobe. The market is popular with Thais and tourists alike. I'm into eating stuff and finding new and interesting eats, and there is always something something new and tasty here. There's lots of street food vendors both inside and out cooking up tasty treats. Open weekends 6am-6pm
Om om om om mom..*licking fingers
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Tea being poured and danced with
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Lots of Stuff!!
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Chinatown
A popular tourist attraction in Bangkok, especially for foodies. The main Yaowarat Road is lined with all sorts of street vendors, with all the side streets buzzing and sizzling with delicious food action. Best come here with a good appetite and an open mouth. Popular throughout the day, but Chinatown really shines at night, plus darkness hides the satay stains and noodle soup slurps that you fed your clothes. A once notorious area home to Opium dens, brothels and gambling houses, today it is the great food, souvenirs, gold and a sense of adventure that lure the tourists to this area. If you are in Bangkok during Chinese New Year, make sure you pop down here. The whole street is closed to traffic with huge celebrations, performances and general awesomeness.
Day trips
Bangkok being intoxicatingly addictive as it is, there are some pretty spectacular sights that lie just outside the city, just a short bus hop away!
Ayutthaya
The ancient capitol of Thailand, steeped in history and surrounded by vast and beautiful temple ruins. An easy day trip from Bangkok, the bus costs around 60BT from the northern bus terminal, when you arrive i recommend to take a tuk tuk around all the temples, should cost around 200bt an Hr for the Tuk Tuk for two people. Its alot more comfortable than cycling in the 38 degree humidity, lost. You will be sweating enough walking around the Temples. Whenever you are finished, you will be dropped back to the bus stop. Expect to spend at around three hours seeing the most famous and must see sights, but you are free to decide on when and where you wanna go. There are loads of buses and minivans constantly going to and from Bangkok, so no need to rush around.
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Ayutthaya was founded in the mid 1300's, due to its ideal trading position between its neighbouring countries, China, India and Malaysia. It quickly grew in importance and became one of the worlds biggest trading capitols. Traders from all over the world would set sail to here, reporting back abd speaking of the dazzling golden pranged grandeur of this one hugely important city. However in 1767 the Burmese laid siege to Ayutthaya burning most of it to the ground
Floating Markets
Traditional Thai floating markets of the past still in full swing today, surrounded by amazing river villages and a glimpse into the real Venice of the east. Damnoen saduak floating markets are a great day trip from Bangkok's hustle and bustle. There are lots of things for sale, even little boats floating along frying up tasty pancakes and other hot treats. The land around the canals is extremely fertile allowing for an abundance of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables to be sold every day at the bust markets. The markets can get quiet touristy, with bus loads of different people descending on the markets everyday, but they do this for a reason, because it is a really nice place to see.
Located about two hours from the City Easiest and maybe most convenient way to get here is by minivan / Day tour which can also combine seeing the infamous Bridge on the river Kwai, you will also get a boat tour around through the local villages seeing where and how people live, very interesting Cheaper option is to catch a bus Buses leave the Southern Bus terminal every 40mins from 6am costing 50THB for an AC bus. |
Bridge over Kwai
The Death Railway
During World War Two the Japanese built this large bridge and railway under forced labour at the expenses of many lives. The railway was built to link Thailand to Myanmar in order to get supplies for their intended attack on India. Allied Forces bombed the iron bridge in 1944.Destroying three sections of the bridge. The present bridge has two of its central spans rebuilt. The original parts of the bridge are now displayed in the War Museum along with many other interesting artifacts, including weapons and vehicles etc. There is also a large War Cemetery nearby containing the around 7,000 POWs who were sacrificed during the railways build. Kanchanaburi Town is located 128kms to the west of Bangkok. Regular buses ply the route from Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok taking about three hours. During the weekends there are special tourist trains leaving Bangkok at 6.30am (Hualampong Station) The train stops at Bridge River Kwai for about 10 minutes. for photos The continues through the old POW camps. You will also get to see a lot of nice scenery too! |