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Bangkok Travel, Hotel, and Visitors Guide

Bangkok spans four centuries with remarkable ease. The crowds, high-rises and 21st century westernized culture blend seamlessly with the sanctity and serenity of the 17th century temples. Bangkok is not like the rest of Thailand and in many ways is streets ahead of the rest of its Asian region. A seductive city, skirting the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok beckons visitors not only in its capacity as a major economic center of Asia but as a tourist center par excellence. Visit extraordinary ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, such as Wat Pho with its reclining Buddha, in a remarkable state of preservation. Stay at luxurious hotels that rival the best in the world. Enjoy a drink in one of the many bars along the river and relish authentic Thai cuisine at its spiciest. Bangkok is so much more than The Oriental City of Sin!

Top rated hotels

Conrad Bangkok
87 Wireless Road, Phatumwan

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
48 Oriental Ave

JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok
4 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 2

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok
259 Sukhumvit Road

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers
2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30 (Captain Bush Lane)

Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
494 Rajdamri Road

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Top rated attractions

In Bangkok
1.	Pray at Wat Pho Wat Pho is Bangkok’s oldest temple and, set on 20 acres, it is also the largest Wat. It is famed for its reclining Buddha, the largest in Thailand. The grounds have over 1000 images of Buddha, mostly from the ruins of the former capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. This collection is the largest number in any one place in Thailand. Wat Pho is also Thailand’s first university. It is also a good place to get a traditional Thai massage and learn the technique. On Sundays you may chance upon a dance class in progress. « hide
2.	Watch a Boxing Match in Thailand Lovers of action will enjoy watching Muay Thai, the martial arts form originating in Thailand. It involves close hand to hand combat, with artful feints, crushing punches and lethal kicks. The excitement of watching a live match, with a cheering crowd and accompanied by wind and percussion instrumental music, is an adrenalin pumping experience. The fights which are in sets of five three-minute rounds are preceded by a traditional dance wai khru, paying homage to the teacher. The matches at the big stadium are hugely popular so book a ticket in advance. « hide
3.	Pay Homage to Bridge on the River Kwai and Tiger Temple Take a trip out of Bangkok city to Kanchanaburi for an amazing experience. Make a first stop at the memorable Bridge on the River Kwai, visiting the Second World War memorial museum and cemetery there. Then drive on to the Tiger temple where the monks have looked after wild tigers since 1999. The tigers were rescued from poachers and now about seventeen full grown tigers and cubs live within the monastery compound. You can watch them at close quarters as they swim in a pool by a quarry every afternoon. Amazing! « hide
4.	Take a Cooking Class in Bangkok Take a half day cooking class while you are in Bangkok. Opt for the morning session and you can even visit a local market and shop for the ingredients. You could learn the decorative art of fruit and vegetable carving- not as simple as it looks! Learn to cook authentic Thai food and take home the recipes. Besides you get to eat what the class has cooked! Relax in the evening by the river watching the memorable sunset behind Wat Arun. Though its name means Temple of Dawn, the porcelain dome of the temple glows beautifully in the rosy sunset. « hide
5.	Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo Monastery The Grand Palace is the most recognized icon of Bangkok. The Thai Royal family no longer lives here but the palace is used for ceremonies. The compound includes many structures, the most famous being the Chakri Maha Prasad Hall. Do not miss a visit to the Thai Decorations and Coins Museum. The complex also includes the Wat Phra Kaeo Monastery or the temple of the emerald Buddha. Visitors are expected to dress appropriately and not too casually. The ticket also includes entry to the Vimanmek Mansion Museum, the world’s largest mansion of golden teak. « hide
6.	Take a Walking Tour of Old Bangkok The best way to get a feel of any city is to walk around. You can download an audio guide or join a group. Rattankosin Island was developed by King Rama III and is full of monuments, temples and beautiful buildings. His statue can be seen from almost every direction. A climb up to Golden Mount gives a spectacular view of Old Bangkok. The city may have grown larger but its soul still lives here. Do not miss the home and lush garden of Jim Thompson, known for reviving Thai silk. Walk along the Saan Saab canal and get glimpse of the life of the average citizen. « hide
7.	Take a Cruise on Chao Phraya River See Bangkok from another perspective when you take a cruise on its river. You can start from Sathorn Pier and go northwards, past the legendary riverside hotels of Bangkok. Go past Chinatown and then Memorial Bridge; further upriver you will see the ruins of the Vichai Prasit and old Ayutthaya fort. View the glittering Wat Arun and then the majestic Grand Palace from the waters. The Royal Barge Museum and Fort Phra Sumen are other famous monuments. During the Loy Kathrong Festival the river is transformed into a magical sight with flowers and candles floating downstream. « hide
8.	Spend an evening at Siam Niramit Siam Niramit is a spectacular stage show on one of the largest stages in the world. Located in central Bangkok, the Ratchadda Theatre presents an 80 minute spectacle with 150 performers and 500 costumes that tell the story of Thailand in traditional dance. It brings together Thai history art, culture and tradition with outstanding special effects using the latest technology. Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine before the show at the restaurants in a rustic setting and shop at the souvenir shop for Thai handicrafts. « hide
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Top rated restaurants

1.	Celadon Celadon is a serene Thai pavilion floating in a lotus pool far removed from the noise outside. It serves delicious food most elegantly and don’t miss the flower shaped dumplings or seafood steamed in a banana leaf cup. « hide	6.	Vientiane Kitchen Vientiane Kitchen is another authentic Issan (northeastern) restaurant with a lively ambience thanks to the live traditional music played every evening. « hide
2.	Cabbages and Condoms Cabbages and Condoms supports the country’s family planning program – hence the odd name. Even without the good cause their food merits a visit; especially the chicken wrapped in pandanus leaves and the crisp fried fish with chili sauce. « hide
3.	Le Cafe Siam Le Cafe Siam offers Thai and French cuisine in a '20s Thai colonial house set in lush garden. A superlative dining experience, the desserts are to die for. « hide
4.	Street Stalls Street Stalls all over Bangkok offer a variety of food. A couple of tips for visitors who are squeamish about eating street food: wander around the stalls before choosing and satisfy yourself about the hygiene. Make sure that what you order is cooked fresh and that they do not serve ready dishes from the stall. You cannot go wrong with your choice if there is a huge crowd waiting to be served at a particular stall- especially if they are a group of office-goers! (Less than $3) Choose from the stalls at Tong Lo; they serve superb seafood salads and oyster pancakes. The stalls at Yaowarat Road in Chinatown offer excellent Chinese food though you may choose to eat at local restaurants too. A meal at Suan Lum Night Bazaar near Lampini Park can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Chilled beer and freshly cooked noodles with barbecued meats accompanied by live music food all add up to a fun time. « hide
5.	Sara Jane’s Sara Jane’s is an extremely popular restaurant serving traditional northeastern cuisine such as salads served with larb, a dish of marinated minced pork, chicken, or tuna. A spicy grilled fish salad is also a hot favorite here. « hide

Bangkok Insider tips

1.	Pay Heed to Warnings from Authorities Since the recent bombings and terrorist attacks it is better to be aware of any threat at any location in Bangkok. Do follow whatever instructions the authorities may issue from time to time and do not attempt anything foolhardy. Always co-operate with the police or others in authority during any untoward situation. « hide
2.	Beware of conmen in Bangkok It is common for con-men to try and befriend tourists and offer friendly unsolicited help and advice. Stay out of their clutches or you may pay a heavy price for your gullibility. Pleasant faced locals often tell visitors that a particular monument is closed and offer alternative suggestions of places to visit. Always ensure from the gate or authorities at the monument if it is indeed shut. Do not take up offers from strangers to escort you to another site or to help you buy gems cheaply. You may end up paying dearly. « hide
3.	Traffic In Bangkok is Murderous The introduction of the sky train and subway has eased the nightmarish traffic problem to a certain extent. Though the roads are still jammed, at least there are alternative means of getting from one place to another. Do not trust taxi or tuk tuk drivers completely – they are not always honest and never seem to have change to return. You may end up spending a fortune on cab fares. « hide

Bangkok nightlife

In Bangkok
1.	Narcissus Narcissus is located in a castle like all white building and is mega club with multiple levels, bars and dance floors. You will enjoy outstanding techno, house and dance music from international DJs who play here regularly. « hide
2.	Vertigo Vertigo on the 60th floor of Banyan Tree Hotel is not for those who are afraid of heights. Brilliant seafood and Asian cuisine compete with the awesome view at sunset. « hide
3.	Q Bar Its two bars serve the largest collection of spirits and cocktails in the city; several dance floors where the in-house and international guest DJ s have the crowds on their feet. You can buy a bottle and they will hold it for you for a month and you get ten free entries too. « hide
4.	Bamboo Bar The décor and ambience is somewhere between a film noir and tropical jungle set. Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel however is more known for hosting live jazz for the past fifty years. The cocktails at this sophisticated bar are legendary too – a perfect blend for a comfortable, classy evening. « hide
5.	Bed Supperclub Bed Supperclub is like a spaceship with an oval pod like interior, bathed in blue neon light. The divans suspended from the wall and low slung chairs add to the surreal appearance. Fusion food and theme nights ensure that there is something new all the time. « hide