Bangkok - City of Smiles
Bangkok was voted the world's best city in the 2008 online poll by American magazine Travel + Leisure, replacing the 2007 winner, Florence in Italy. Those of you who know Bangkok will easily understand why this great city has been successful in this poll. Bangkok may not be the prettiest city in the world, but it is undoubtedly one of the best tourist destinations for those who want an exciting holiday filled with wonders, curiosities and the down right amazing!
Bangkok is a city that never sleeps. No matter what time of the day you venture out of your hotel, you will find something happening - street vendors still selling food, taxis transporting people around town, night workers out and about in between sneaking some sleep.
There is so much to do in Bangkok and you will find it very hard to get bored with the place during your two week vacation. Markets, street vendors, hawkers, and scamsters sit comfortably alongside the grand shopping malls of Siam Paragon, Emporium, Gaysorn, Central World and Amarin. You quite literally can buy a genuine handbag from Chanel in the Paragon Shopping mall and then cross the road to buy a fake copy of the same bag from a street vendor in Siam Square.
Whatever your shopping needs, Bangkok is sure to have it. In my opinion the shopping available in Bangkok is superior to what you would find in many western cities - and the prices are less too. You can easily pick up a pair of Replay jeans in Bangkok for around half the price of what you would pay in the UK. But then, the UK is affectionately known as 'rip-off Britain".
But shopping is just one of the things you might want to do in Bangkok. There are some of the world's best bars and restaurants in town - check out Vertigo on South Sathorn Road, which is regularly listed as one of the world's top ten bars.
Eating out is something special in Bangkok. Many tourists stick with the 'safe option' such as KFC, Burger King, McDonald's and Subway when in Bangkok. But these are expensive in relative terms and you miss out on some of the delightful food that Bangkok has to offer. You simply must try Tom Yum, Laab, Som Tum and Green Curry when you come to Bangkok. To leave Thailand without having tasted these dishes is a crime. Thai food consists of a lot more than this but it is a start. One of my favourite restaurants is "Kitchen Me" on Thanon Luang Suan, near to Lumphini Park. This Thai restaurant is popular with the Thais and has an extensive menu that incorporates some Chinese dishes. Seafood is a speciality. The prices are very reasonable and the service is excellent. I recommend it as a good introduction to Thai food.
Once you are hooked on the flavours, you can be a bit more adventurous and buy some fried chicken and Som Tum from the vendors on Sarasin Road at Lumphini Park. You can then sit inside the park having a very pleasant lunch on the grass, watching the locals doing their aerobics or jogging round the park.
Things to do in Bangkok
LatASIA recommends that you consider including the following on your list of things to do in Bangkok:
- Visit Sripoom Espresso Bar, Jakrapong Road - this tiny colonial-style Chinese shophouse was turned into a coffeehouse in 2005. It is within walking distance of the infamous Khao San Road and offers good music and delicious drinks. A welcome change from the corporate offerings of Starbuck's.
- Visit Chinatown - what do they call Chinatown in Beijing? Anyway, Chinatown is a great place to go to. You really feel that you are in a different city. It is an enjoyable excursion, made all the better if you go in the evening and enjoy some delicious seafood from a street vendor on the Yaowarat Road.
- Visit the Grand Palace - it is a stunning complex with some amazing ornamentation and design on the buildings. You must wear long trousers and cover your shoulders. Beware of the touts outside trying to scam you. Ignore anyone who approaches you at the entrance to the Palace, even if they look official. Just smile at them and walk on into the Palace grounds where you will find the ticket office. They will provide you with a sarong or long trousers if you forget.
- Visit the Silom Night Market - this is where the infamous Patpong is and the ladies who entertain with an unusual adult show. You will find a busy market and lots of Thais trying to get you to buy a fake Mont Blanc pen set or go see the lady show. It is worth going to see what it is all about, but this is not the real Bangkok. It is mainly for tourists and the prices reflect this.
- Go Cycling at Bang Krachao. This is a popular haunt for middle class Thais who can be seen cycling around this quiet and peaceful oasis in the southern suburbs. You need to take the ferry across the Chao Phya river to Bang Krachao, where you will be able to hire a bicycle. Once you build up your appetite you can stop for some food at the Bang Nam Pheung weekend floating market.
- Visit the Snake Farm - near to Sala Daeng BTS stop, the snake farm (Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute) is one of the few worldwide. It was established in 1923 to breed snakes for antivenin. There are shows at 11am and 2:30pm daily where the expert snake handlers will freak you out by letting some of the biggest and baddest snakes out of their box to entertain you. Suitable for all the family, except the squeemish!
- Visit Soi Polo Fried Chicken - just follow your nose and it will lead you to Soi Polo near to Lumphini Park for what many claim is the best friend chicken in Bangkok. The chicken is simply devine and best taken like a local with sticky rice and dipping sauces. Soi Polo is called same as it is beside the Royal Bangkok Polo Club (and nothing to do with the Spanish word for chicken!)
- Visit Cheap Charlie's Bar in Sukhumvit Soi 11. Cheap Charlie's is a quirky establishment, being more of a shack than a bar. It is popular with Thais and Expats with most drinks costing 60 baht. Look out for the Sabai Sabai massage shop, which is next to Cheap Charlie's.