What To See And Where To Go In Bangkok

Thais call their capital 'Krung Tep Macha Nagon' which means the City of Angels, the Great Capital, or, shortly, the Krungtep. Bangkok ("Palace of the Gods built by the Gods in Heaven") is a city with the longest name in the world. It was founded in the late 17th century by King Rama the First. The city combines respect for ancient traditions and the influence of industrial progress. Bangkok is located on the plains with rivers and canals, so it is called the Venice of the East. A part of the canals was leveled to build roads and skyscrapers, still you can take a boat ride along those which are left.

Bangkok is the only city in Thailand with taxis with meters. If the counter is not available, you should discuss the cost of the trip in advance. Tuk-tuk is the most common means of transport in Bangkok. This is a motorized vehicle with a sofa for the passengers. When driving it produces a hard-to-imitate sound for which it received its name. The fare is negotiated in advance and you should firmly keep to it at the end of the trip.

Attractions in Bangkok

Some people believe that the city is a boring and dusty. But if you decide not just to waste your time in the hotel room one and undertake a little journey (even by foot), all doubts will disappear. There are many places to visit, reachable from any of major Bangkok hotels: over 400 temples, and in the suburbs you can see historical monuments. When visiting the royal palaces and temples it is advised to take off shoes, your clothes should comply with certain rules with the skirt covering the knees, pants, covered shoulders. At the entrance to every temple you can rent out proper clothing.

Shoppers can expect to be busy in Bangkok. You can actually spend ages in shopping malls, markets and shops. In addition to the usual souvenirs you can buy Thai silk, jewelry, articles made of teak wood, ceramic and bronze.

The temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Royal Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), it represents the main religious building in Bangkok. A 60-centimeter Emerald Buddha is worshipped as the main shrine in Thailand. It is made from a single piece of jade, and clothes are of pure gold. In fact, there are three of the Buddhas and only one of them is exhibited depending on the season. In the Royal Palace only a few throne halls are open to the public (daily 8:30 to 15:30), some are still used to receive foreign delegations.

Reclining Buddha Temple (daily 8:00 to 17:00) is the famous and largest in Bangkok, was built in the late 17th - early 18th centuries. It is a 46-meter high gilded statue of the reclining Buddha with feet made of pearl in which all the Thai kingdom is depicted. Opposite to it, there stands the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), lined with glazed tiles with ceramic applications. The best time to visit is the evening when the 82-meter pagoda is illuminated by spotlights in the spring and in the summer light shows are arranged, telling you in Thai and English about the history of the temple.

Democracy Monument was erected in honor of the events of early 1990 when the country went through a military coup. At that time the civil society took over the army, for the first time in the history of Thailand.

Bangkok, recommended to visit:
National Museum, Palace Vimanmek, floating markets, the house of Jim Thompson, Chatuchak Market, Lumpini Park, the Zoo Dusit, Rose Garden, Forest Samphran, Wat Arun, Siam Park (aquatic park).

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