Overview of Bangkok, Thailand unseen thailand
To
put it simply, Bangkok can seem like a labyrinth to new arrivals in the
city. The sprawling expressways and overpasses, huge new Skytrain and
crowded streets full of vendors give the place a distinct Blade
Runner-esque feel. Causing even further confusion is the lack of a true
"center" to the city, with various districts scattered throughout town.
On the positive side, the Skytrain has made it much easier to get
around, and taxis, tuk-tuks, buses and motorcycle taxis are
plentiful. Get your bearings by reading the following guide and it will
not take long for you to be seduced by the glorious chaos and charm of
the "City of Angels."
Phra Nakorn
The most
heavily visited area, at least during the day, is Ko Rattanakosin
(Rattanakosin Island), Bangkok's old city on the eastern bank of the
Chao Phraya River. Here you will find fantastic examples of historical
architecture such as the glittering Grand Palace , Wat Phra Keo , Wat
Pho , Wat Mahathat , the Golden Mount and Wat Suthat . The city's
founding pillar, Lak Mueang , is also located in this district, as are
the National Museum , National Theater and National Gallery . If you are
keen on seeing something completely out of the ordinary, pop across the
river to the Museum of the Department of Forensic Medicine. Sanam Luang
is about the only green spot on the "island," which is not really an
island but would have seemed like one in the old days before the many
canals linking the area to the river had not yet been filled in.
Thonburi
Bangkok was once referred to as "The Venice of the East," but today the
klongs, or canals, are concentrated in Thonburi, an area lying to the west of the Chao Phraya River. You can take a
klong
tour, typical stops include Wat Arun and the museum of the Royal Barges
. Buses heading south from Bangkok leave from Sai Tai bus terminal,
located here.
Banglampoo & Thewet
Backpackers
head for the Banglampoo and Thewet districts. Near the Democracy
Monument on Khao San Road you can find some good souvenir shopping. This
strip is lined with guest houses and cheap restaurants, none of which
stand out for their ambiance or cuisine. A mere stone's throw away along
Phra Arthit Road, some great restaurants and bars come to life at
night. Following the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya, you will come to
an area with a laid-back, cosmopolitan feel that is frequented by
students from the nearby universities of Thammasat and Silpakorn.
Dusit
The
Dusit district offers plenty of tourist attractions. Vimanmek Palace ,
Wat Benchamabophit , Suan Pakkard Palace and Dusit Zoo are all found
here. There is not much in the way of hotels or restaurants, but a small
artsy area popular with local students has sprung up on Rachawithee Soi
34.
Phayathai/Chatuchak
Northern
Bangkok's touristic highlight is Chatuchak Weekend Market , best reached
by catching the Skytrain. Mor Chit bus terminal is located near the
same stop, which is handy to know if you want to catch an
inter-provincial bus heading north or northeast. This is also a major
transport hub, with the Skytrain and plenty of buses passing through.
Mah Boon Krong is the largest shopping center in the district, and
serves as a local transit hub and good orientation point.
Pathumwan
Young
Thais and keen shoppers head for the area around Siam Square , a
shopping paradise - unless you are a tall Western woman looking for
off-the-rack clothes or shoes. The huge array of dining options along
this stretch include Auberge Daband and the Erawan Tea Room .
There
is plenty of selection in malls such as Siam Center and Siam Discovery
Center , Centerpoint (the most popular teenage hangout), and the World
Trade Center . A walk away from the latter stands Panthip Plaza, also
known as heaven for computer geeks, and possibly the best place to get
deals on computers in Southeast Asia. The non-shopper can retreat to the
sanctuary of Jim Thompson's House and Museum . There is a cluster of
hotels in this area, and popular restaurants such as the Hard Rock Cafe
are also found here. Heading east along Ploenchit Road and Sukhumvit
Road, you can orchestrate a shopping extravaganza at either the street
stalls that spring up at the beginning of Sukhumvit and stretch to Soi
Asoke or at department stores such as Central Chidlom .
Sathorn/Silom/Bangrak
The
Sathorn/Silom area forms the core of Bangkok's Central Business
District, although the Stock Exchange of Thailand is located some
distance away on Ratchadaphisek Road. The area encompasses a number of
embassies and hotels, such as the Banyan Tree, Sukhothai and Dusit Thani
. Silom Road offers more shopping opportunities, including the Patpong
Night Market . Sri Maha Uma Devi Temple is also located in this
district. Restaurants abound, particularly around Convent Road. Head for
nearby Lumpini Park for a break in a rare patch of green.
If you
head west along Sathorn or Silom Road, you will come to Charoen Krung
("New") Road and back to the Chao Phraya River. A tram used to run along
this road, but these days hardly anything does - the traffic is too
thick! This is another popular hotel area, with such luxurious hotels as
The Oriental , The Peninsula , the Shangri-La , the Royal Orchid
Sheraton and the Marriott Spa Resort all overlooking the river. Take a
sunset cruise or dine in one of the many restaurants along the majestic
river, such as Yok Yor Marina and Restaurant . The River City Shopping
Complex sells a huge array of antiques and is worth a browse.
Chinatown & Pahurat
North
along the river lies hectic Chinatown and Pahurat, an Indian district.
Here you will find Wat Traimit , but the area is best known for its
shopping. Yaowarat Road has loads of gold shops, while Sampeng Lane has
everything from hair accessories to shoes, all at bargain prices.
Farther north you will come to Pak Klong Talat with its colorful fresh
flowers.
Outside the City
There are also a
number of attractions to be found in the outlying areas of Bangkok and
adjacent provinces, including King Rama IX Royal Park , Nonthaburi, the
Ancient City , Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Ayutthaya , a trip to
which usually incorporates a visit to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace .
from travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501667-bangkok_vacations-i