Bangkok, tourism Thailand

As the political, economic, cultural, gastronomic and spiritual capital of Thailand, Bangkok has both the classical and cultural charm that emerges throughout the country as well as modern comforts, sometimes shown to the traveler in an apparently chaotic way, but always with That kind smile, hallmark of Thai hospitality.

Undoubtedly, holidays in Thailand have to include a visit to the capital of the kingdom, Bangkok or Krung Thep, «the city of angels», as it is known among its inhabitants. Many of the tourists who travel to Bangkok are immediately overwhelmed by the large size of the city and its wide variety of options and tourist attractions, after two centuries of rapid growth since King Rama I, the first king of the current Chakri dynasty, founded the city in 1782.

Since that day, Bangkok has grown and developed as a cosmopolitan city of the 21st century, with more than 10 million inhabitants. While, at first, the immensity of the city and its vibrant and lively streets can intimidate the traveler, those who enjoy their vacations in Bangkok will quickly fall in love with each of its corners for everything they offer: from exotic temples that speak for themselves of Thailand’s deeply rooted Buddhist history to modern shopping centers, which have made shopping a fundamental part of a holiday in Thailand and its capital.

Bangkok has a number of tourist attractions that will delight its visitors, both for those who are passing through the Thai capital and for which Bangkok is the only and final destination of their days of rest.

The stay in Bangkok includes a visit to the Great Royal Palace, possibly the first tourist attraction in the city. Located in the heart of Rattanakosin Island, the gleaming towers of the Grand Palace are conveniently located near the most spectacular temples in Bangkok, including the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaeo), the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and Wat Pho, especially known for hosting the enormous reclining Buddha, a figure 46 meters long and 15 meters high, which was home to the first Thai massage school in the country. These iconic destinations are some of the main attractions for all those traveling to Bangkok looking for the essence of Thailand’s unique cultural traditions.

In fact, there are more than 400 Buddhist temples in operation throughout the city and it is not surprising to find monks dressed in their saffron robes collecting alms or moving throughout the city. The winding Chao Phraya «River of Kings» is connected by numerous channels, so Bangkok has earned the nickname of «Venice of the East». The visitor can enjoy a cruise by its waters, in addition to visiting a floating market or exploring the khlongs or canals that run through Bangkok, all of them attractions by themselves.

Other places of historical and cultural interest that nobody should miss are the National Museum, the Vimanmek Mansion and the Suan Pakkad Palace, authentic treasures national Beyond the historic center of Bangkok, there is a wide variety of corners that will surprise more than one. The districts of the Silom and Sukhumvit centers have an electric train system, the famous Sky Train (Bangkok’s air metro), as well as an underground network that allows the traveler to move around the city quickly and easily. By directly connecting hotels with shopping centers and traditional markets, such as Mah Boon Krong Center (MBK) and Chatuchak weekend market (JJ), the MRT and BTS systems have literally «elevated» the shopping in Bangkok to a status of first category. But there is no full vacation in Thailand without experiencing its lively nightlife. If the purpose of the stay in the Country of Smile is to immerse yourself in its unique culture or simply «burn the card» in the shopping centers, traveling to the «City of Angels» guarantees the fascinating experience of living the Thai way of life in one stop.

TIPS

• It is better to stop the taxis that are already circulating since they usually use the meter, while the parked taxis usually have higher fixed fares or will give the traveler the typical «ride».

• During the months of the monsoon season, from June to September, rains come quickly, especially in the afternoon. Appropriate shoes and an umbrella are advisable.

DO NOT MISS

1. Royal Palace

2. SanamLuang
3. The City Pillar Shrine
4. AnantaSamakhomThrone Hall
5. Dolls Museum
6. House of Museums
7. King Prajadhipok Museum
8. National Gallery Museum
9. National Museum
10. Siam Niramit
11. Chinatown
12. Vimanmek Mansion Museum