Bangkok is a wonderfully chaotic city full of fascinating contrasts – old temples of worship beside new (read shopping malls!); rickety food stalls serving fast, delicious grub next to top restaurants dishing up the very best fusion cuisine; tall, gleaming glass-fronted towers side by side with old, traditional wooden houses; cosmopolitan people and places rub shoulders with a fun and often rather brazen nightlife. That’s Bangkok, the familiar and the exotic, getting along just fine. Before becoming capital of Siam in 1782, Bangkok was a simple fishing village – today it enjoys monikers such as ‘City of Angels’ and ‘Venice of the East’, such is its energy, popularity and sophistication.
Bangkok is a big, frenzied and exciting city, with a lot of things to see and do. Here are the Asia Inspirations top five:
1. Grand Palace
Obvious but a must-visit, this huge, glittering palace, at the very heart (literally and metaphorically) of Bangkok is the official residence of the kings of Siam and then Thailand from 1782 onwards – however, the current king, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) does not live here. The palace is Bangkok’s most famous landmark, it’s architecture quintessentially Thai and thoroughly impressive, the intricate detail astonishing. It remains a working palace, with royal offices and government ministries located within, so the complex is only partially open to the public – it’s still plenty though! Visit Wat Phra Kaew, one of Thailand’s most sacred temples, that houses the revered Emerald Buddha.
2. Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson was an American entrepreneur and art collector who, in settling in Bangkok, made his fortune selling Thai silk around the world. His house today is a museum, set amongst lush gardens in the centre of the city. The compound is particularly fascinating due to the fact that the structure has been created out of six traditional old Thai houses made of teak, bought to the site by canal in the 1950s and 1960s and reassembled. It is a light, airy and pleasant house, left as it was after Thompson disappeared in Malaysia in March 1967. His art collection is small but wonderful, including sculptures, paintings and porcelain.
3. Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market
Better known to the locals than tourists, Bang Nam Phueng is perfectly located and just the right size for an easy morning excursion that will help you escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The market isn’t floating on the river but situated along its banks. Set in a loop of the Chao Phraya River that is still wonderfully green and undeveloped, you’ll be falling straight into village life, mingling with local people and sampling a load of interesting foods and sweets. Markets like this serve up the real, delicious Thai food, from noodle soups to fresh seafood, so make sure you leave enough room for a snack as you explore. If you are looking for a market consisting of a canal full of boats, this isn’t quite what you’re after, but the relaxed and friendly atmosphere makes for a jolly good time.
4. Ayutthaya
Capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767, it is said that you could see Ayutthaya’s glitter from miles away. The city was the one of the world’s wealthiest cities and a great hub of business, welcoming traders from China, India, Persia, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and France. Obviously the surface sparkles and grandeur are long gone, but the atmospheric ruins still give a good indication to what things were once like – some temples and palaces have even been partially restored to give you an even better idea, and some are still fully functioning temples. Ayutthaya is an easy day trip from Bangkok, located 80 kilometres north of the capital, and even easier to stop off at on your way northwards.
5. Rooftop bars
Over the last few years Bangkok’s party scene has rocketed sky high, with an influx of rooftop bars appearing in hotels, restaurants and any tall building with space. There is no better way to enjoy the views over the city, to soak up the city’s energy and, for those who are interested, to party the night away. Good rooftop bars include: Sky Bar, outdoor on the 63rd floor of the Lebua hotel this bar has a relaxed vibe; Blue Sky, outdoor on top of the Sofitel Centara Grand this bar starts calmly but ends up a party; Three Sixty, indoor at the Millennium Hotel right on the river, is good for more intimate drinks; Vertigo, outside on top of the Banyan Tree Bangkok, this bar has a chilled atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks. The price of drinks at each bar varies a lot, so if you are on a budget, maybe do a spot of research first.
If you would like to include Bangkok on a tailormade itinerary of Thailand or Southeast Asia as a whole, just give our tailormade specialists a call to start creating your dream trip.