Forget Me Not: 5 Reasons To Remember Bangkok

Posted by Jude Buttle on Monday, September 29, 2008

Don't let Bangkok's slightly seedy reputation put you off - the city has far more to offer than go-go bars and ladyboys.

 One of the guardians of the Wat Phra Kaew

1. Chatuchak Weekend Market

The weekend market is one of the biggest and most famous in the world. Starting at 8am, it has around 15,000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors pass through every Saturday and Sunday. 

The market sells practically everything, including grand antiques, fashionable clothes, religious artefacts, foods and a wide selection of live animals.

The market is a great place to bag a bargain, and although it is custom to haggle, the stall holders have a reputation of being savvy and difficult to persuade. Since the beginning of June, the market authorities have introduced a ban on smoking for the entire market and anyone that violates the ban will be fined.

2. Wat Phra Kaew

The Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.

The temple is located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, in the historic centre of Bangkok.

Dating back to the late 18^th Century when Bangkok was founded, the temple contains more than 100 brightly coloured buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics.

Despite its national significance and, in contrast to other Thai temples, it does not contain living quarters for monks; just the ornately decorated holy buildings, statues and pagodas.

The main building houses the Emerald Buddha and there are three main doors used to enter the temple, although only the King and Queen are allowed to enter through the centre door.

3. BTS Skytrain

The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) is an elevated metro system commonly known as the Skytrain, which is one of the quickest and easiest ways of travelling around the city while seeing the sights at the same time. 

Opened in December 1999, the BTS has two lines and 23 stations, which interchange at the busy Siam station (the shopping centre of Bangkok) and have a combined route distance of 23 km.

The system was given the ‘Skytrain' tag by the press, and was initially attracting less commuters than had been expected. But since half a million people used it in 2005 in a single day, the Skytrain has been consistently popular.

4. Baiyoke Tower II

The Baiyoke Tower II is one of the main sights in the Bangkok skyline, which is unsurprising as it stands proud at 304 metres (99 foot), the tallest in Thailand (until it is surpassed by the Ocean One tower in Pattaya, which is expected to be completed in 2009).

The building houses the 4-star Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia, which has 673 rooms.

Located in downtown Bangkok, the tower has 85 floors, with a public observatory on the 77^th floor and on the 84^th floor a revolving Roof Deck.

5. Food

A popular greeting in Bangkok is "Kin khao rue yang?" (Have you eaten?), the equivalent of "How are you?" Food is an integral part of Thai culture and the streets are brimming with food carts, stalls and restaurants.

There are noodle stands, curry shops, Pad Thai stalls, road-side barbecues and even carts selling fried insects.

Popular local dishes include Tom Yam Kung (hot and sour shrimp soup), Phat Thai (Thai fried noodles) and Panang curry with beef.

There is also a diverse selection of foreign cuisine available in Bangkok, and foreign restaurants are rife in the city, especially around Khaosan Road and in downtown Bangkok.

Conclusion

A city alive with atmosphere and activity, Bangkok is the most popular destination in Southeast Asia - full of flavour and spice.

 

Search for Beach property in Thailand

If you are looking for property for sale in Thailand, such as villas, apartments or other types of real estate, why not check out TheMoveChannel.comThailand, which has a large number of listings from Thai estate agents and developers selling properties in the area: http://thailand.themovechannel.com/

Photo by René Ehrhardt

No Derivative Works. You may not alter, transform, or build upon the photo image.

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