Bangkok – Temples, Shopping and Tuk tuks

Two words – brilliant shopping. Looking for a sensational shopping space? Come to Bangkok, home to huge mazes of interconnected malls housing everything from couture of brands to street shopping, all under the same roof. You will get some great deals in Bangkok, especially on leather and gold. Pick up your lifetime’s supplies of bags and shoes from here. You’ll get them at half the price of back home, and in a greater variety!

Next comes the sightseeing. Bangkok is home to some beautiful temples and museums which can be reached easily with a tuk tuk ride. Tuk tuks are akin to Indian auto rickshaws and a fun way to travel, if only unprotected from the heat and pollution of the streets.

There are many things to do here – go watch a traditional dance performance or catch a Thai boxing match. Bangkok is home to trendy bars and clubs playing the latest chartbusters too, where you can let your hair down. Come for a vacation to this tropical paradise of spicy food and wild parties.

PLACES to VISIT in Bangkok

  • Temples: Bangkok's temples are an integral part of the capital's character. The architecture is lovely and the best time to see them is early in the morning. Some important temples are Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Mahathat.
  • Museums: Bangkok has many museums, filled with delightful arts and artifacts. Don’t miss the Bank of Thailand Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum, Erawan Museum, Bangkok National Museum.
  • Suan Pakkad Palace: Suan Pakkad Palace used to be the residence of Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga, one of Thailand's leading gardeners and art collectors.
  • There are five traditional Thai houses in the compound, holding treasures such as antiques, seashells, mineral crystals, and pottery and bronz objects from the pre-historic birial ground at Ban Chiang, in the northeast of Thailand.
  • Thonburi Snake Farm: As its name suggests, the Thonburi Snake Farm holds snakes and also crocodiles and birds. If reptiles make you feel icky, avoid.
  • Vimanmek Mansion: This is the world’s largest building made entirely of golden teak. The building was originally constructed on Srichang Island in the Gulf of Siam and moved, in 1901 to its present site.

Bangkok- TRAVEL TIPS

  • Climate: Thailand is a very hot country and dehydration is a problem often faced by tourists. So drink lots of water and avoid alcohol during the daytime
  • Dress conservatively while visiting religious shrines.
  • You're at a Thai restaurant and ready to order. Here are some useful tips to help you order easily in restaurants.
    • Mai sai prik. = No chili.
    • Mai aow ped. = I don’t want it spicy.
    • Nee mai chai kong pom - This isn’t mine.
    • Kep tang/Check bin, khrap/kha - The bill, please.
  • Also take a look at these common Thai expressions to avoid being baffled by the menu.
    • ad (eg. Pad Thai) - stir fried
    • Ping, Yang - grilled
    • Tom Yam - spicy sour soup
    • Kaeng (eg. Kaeng Khiew Waan) - spicy soup with coconut milk
    • Kao - rice
    • Kuay-Teow - noodles
    • Moo - pork
    • Gai - chicken
    • Nuea - beef
    • Pla - fish
    • Kung - shrimp
    • Luk-chin - meatballs

BEST TIME to visit Bangkok

Beat the heat and visit Bangkok in the months of December and January. And don't be mistaken, even though these months officially constitute the Thai winter, temperatures still run pretty high.

BEST WAY to reach Bangkok

Air: Bangkok is well connected with the rest of the world by air.

ACCOMMODATION

From cheap guest houses, hostels, budget hotels and mid range hotels to charming boutique properties and high end luxury resorts, Bangkok has them all