Things to Do in Bangkok:
Thailand is among the world’s most popular travel destinations for its pleasant climate, scenic beauty and unspoiled nature. The weird things to do in Bangkok as well as the fun things to do with young children in Bangkok make the tour really cherish able. Some important Bangkok activities, which are in the must-do list of almost every Thai visitor, are:
The Grand Palace:
The Grand Palace is one of the leading tourist attractions of Thailand. It is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. It was the former official residence of Thai Royal family which has several buildings inside it. Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the emerald Buddha is a must-see place of the palace. The palace is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and can be accessed easily by a riverboat or a taxi. The entry fee to the palace costs 300 Thai Baht per person. It is advised to dress up politely while visiting such places to respect the country’s religious practices.
Jim Thompson House:
Jim Thompson served with the OSS (later known as CIA) during the Second World War. At the end of the war, he tried out some other business ventures and finally turned to the Thai silk industry. He left behind several remarkable houses after mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. His collection of furniture and artworks and his home has now become an attention-grabbing museum for Thai visitors. There is a silk and souvenir shop and a restaurant for the tourists on the grounds of the museum.
Wat Pho:
Wat Pho is famed for the statue of the reclining Buddha measuring 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. It was constructed by King Rama III in 1832 in the memory of Buddha to symbolize his passing into Nirvana. Wat Pho has a popular school of traditional Thai massage and medicine. You can have an open-air massage here for a variety of treatments at a very low price. The appropriate time to get a comforting massage is in the morning.
Muay Thai (Thai kick-boxing):
Boxing plays a big part of Thai culture which is quite exciting to watch. The fighters can use their gloved hands, elbows and feet while other parts of the body are restricted to apply. The crowd and their reactions create an amazing impact on the person’s mind. You can buy tickets at the door to watch the fight. At Lumphini Stadium, fights are held every Tuesday and Friday at 6 pm and on Saturday at 5 pm and 8:30 pm.
Khaosan Road:
Khaosan is situated in between the Grand Palace and the Chayo Phraya River. The road is lined up with knight clubs, ornament shops, and an array of entertaining sites. For the tourists with a tight budget, there are many low cost accommodations also.
River Dining Cruises:
Most of the riverside hotels offer dinner cruises to the visitors. The traditional Thai music performed by a Thai Lady when you dine makes your night the memorable for lifetime. The Manohra Dining Cruises, at the Marriot Royal Garden Riverside, are renowned for delicious food and courteously service.
Suan Pakkard Palace:
Suan Pakkard Palace is a collection of antique teak houses created some hundreds of years back. The traditional paintings, porcelain, Buddha Statues, the grounds with their lotus pools, and the well-maintained lawns are worth seeing for every enthusiastic visitor of Thailand.
Royal Barge Museum:
Royal Barge Museum holds the royal barges which are lavishly decorated and used during the special occasions. It mainly displays eight royal barges namely Ananta Nakharaj, Asurawayuphak, Anekachat Bhujong, Krut Heurn Het, Narai Song Subhen, Suphannahong, and Ekachai Heurn Hao, Krabi Prab Ming Marn. The most glorious barge is “Suphannahongse” (known as Golden Swan), carved from a single 150-foot-long teak log weighing in 15 tons. The king rides in this barge during the traditional ceremonies which needs 50 oarsmen to move it.
Shopping in Bangkok:
Chatuchak Market is an open-air weekend market with more than 5000 vendors selling goods to Thai people as well as tourists. It is located on Phaholyothin Road and locally known as JJ Market. A variety of antiques, clothing, textiles, household stuff, pets and anything you want are available in this market. Siam Paragon is a high-end shopping mall in Bangkok with a world-class aquarium and movie theatre. The lavish mall has many international chain restaurants, luxury retailers, and a variety of entertainment sources.
MBK or Mahboonkrong is situated adjacent to Siam Paragon. This shopping mall specializes in electronic devices, mobile phones, nice gifts, and enough space to have yummy snacks. Don’t bother if you are lost in the endless shops of the mall. Suanlum Night Bazaar is a centrally located market to select a variety of crafts, and other gifts. The Thai restaurants and food courts are for you to enjoy the delicious foods. Although the market is open from 4:00 p.m. until midnight, the finest time to go there is just after sunset.
Thai Massage:
Visiting Thailand without experiencing the traditional Thai massage is an unfinished tour. The Wat Pho style of massage starts with the feet then works up the legs, then the arms. When you roll over, the massage works on your back and neck. It brings a comfortable feeling of recreation and rejuvenation. The two-hour massages cost vary from as little as 300 Baht to more than 2000 Baht in the luxurious hotels. Both men and women masseurs are available for the visitors. If you are really enthusiastic, you can learn Thai massage at Wat Pho or at other private schools.
