Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the most visited capital of Asia, and was awarded best city in the world by « Travel and Leisure Magazine » in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and the « Time Travel magazine » did also vote Bangkok best city in the world in 2011.

It is true that Bangkok has everything to charm the visitor, splendid temples, worldwide renowned, huge shopping mall where trademarks of the whole world are presented, a subtile mix of ancient and ultra modern life, with its channels and markets, but also with its city trains ( sky train like the "BTS" or underground like the "MRT"), its express ways crossing each other and crossing the city, its tens of stairs buildings, not mentioning its delicious cuisine, renowned worldwide as well, with the "Massaman Curry" being even voted number 1 on the "World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods" on CNNgo.com in 2011...
Bangkok has 12 millions inhabitants and 1568,7 sqkm, making it one of the largest city in the world.

The city is crossed by the Chao Phraya river, which designs 2 separated areas, the right bank (ex Thonburi) more traditional and rustic, with ist many water channels (klongs) which made Bangkok desserve the name of "Venice of Asia", and the left bank, more developped, where all the touristic places are, as well as the business center, the sky train and underground network and all modern towers.

Airport. There are actually 2 airports around Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi (spell Soo-war-napom), the ultra modern international airport, built with the same technics as terminal 2 in Roissy Charles de Gaulle, Paris. Made from glass and metal, it's the longest airport in the world. Bangkok airways domestic flights also arrive here and leave from here. The other airport is Don Muang, north of Bangkok, former international airport, it is nowadays only used for cargo and low-cost domestic flights (1,2 go, Nok Air, etc...).

Sukhumvit. This is the first tourist area for accommodation, it is the longest avenue in bangkok (more than 40km) and deluxe hotels are all along it. the first Soi are the more crowded.

Chilom is a central area, closer to the river, also hosts numerous hotels of different categories, very useful to shop around with several malls not that far.

Khao San, is the area around Khao San Road, in the Banglamphu district, just above the Grand Palace, near the river. It is the young tourists and travellers guetto, as the cheapest accommodations in bangkok are here. Warning, as many theft have been reported in the cheapest hotels.

The Temples

Temples were the main reason (in addition to its exceptional climate) which made Bangkok a favorite destination among travellers of the whole world. It is to admit that the city of angels hosts temples and Palaces among the most beautiful Asian architecture.

The Grand Palace is certainly the most visited and known monument of bangkok. With a wonderful architecture, surrounded by superb parks, with great quality mythologic statues, the palace, where the royal family still lives nowadays, also hosts the famous Wat Pra Khao, temple of the Emerald Buddha. the unavoidable excursion, if you are in Bangkok.

Wat Traimit, is the temple of the famous golden Buddha. Built during the Sukhotai period. It is made of pure gold, 3 meters high, it weights 5.5 tons. You will find this temple in the chinese district, near Hualamphong train station.

Wat Pho is close to the Grand Palace. This temple is considered to be the largest in Bangkok and hosts the famous reclining Buddha of 46 meters long and 15 meters high, with pearly incrustation on the eyes and feets. The Wat Pho is also an important center to learn traditional thai massage.

Wat Benchamabophit or Marble Temple was built with italian marble by the King Rama V. Due to its architectural splendor, the temple is often considered as the most beautiful in the world. You will find it in Dusit District.

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, along the Chao Phraya river on Thonburi bank, facing the Grand Palace, the temple is easily reachable by boat from Bangkok Bank.

Wat Suthat is dedicated to the Hinduist god Indra, a statue shows him riding a three-headed elephant at the entry, Erawan, white elephant holding the God Indra in hinduism.

Wat Saket, Temple of the golden mont, is located near Ratchadamnoen avenue. This temple with 58 meters high golden topped stupa, hosts Buddha relics. Visitors can access it climbing 318 march. From the site you will get a stunning panoramic view of Bangkok.

So many attractions, it'll be sad to miss.

Water channels (klong) of Bangkok, are a pleasant way to discover the inner city of bangkok whilst crossing it. Once you left the bank on a small boat, you will hardly believe that you are still in Bangkok, exploring its Klongs, as the settings around are so much countryside style...

Damnernsaduak floating market is certainly one of the most famous attractions of Bangkok, but it is actually some hundred kilometers South-West of Bangkok, close to Ratchaburi. You need to go there early in the morning to enjoy the turnoil of all the small boats, surrounded by colors and smells.

Jim Thomson's house is now part of the national museum. located along San Sap Khlong, it is the personal museum of an American, who did launched Thai silk trade after WW II, the place hosts numerous pieces of Asian arts.

Mueang Boran, the Ancient city is one of the bigest open air museum of the world, with a 200 acres Park. Many of the momunents are perfectly represented at reduce scale.

Dusit Zoo, located near the Royale place, is the oldest zoo of Bangkok. You will discover a wide collection of mamels, including tigers, and birds from Africa and Asia.

The Crocodile Farm of Samut Prakan is known to be the largest in the world. There are crocodiles of all species as well as elephants, tigers and chimpanzees.

Dream World is the attraction park of Bangkok, it hosts european style plaza with miniature replica of legend characters and all kinds of attractions you will find in a theme park.

Safari World is a zoo opened in 1988. It actually has 2 parts : The Safari park, with different species of African animals, and the Marine park, where one can see marine species and some rare animals.

Royal Barges museum is in warehouses on Bangkok Noi Khlong, close to the Chao Phraya river, on Thonburi bank, near the Phra Pin Klao bridge.

National museum exhibits a splendid collection of art from the bronze era up to modern Bangkok.

Royal Elephant national museum is located in the Vimanmek Royal Mansion and hosts a carved replica of a white elephant, holly animal, as it symbolizes the prosperity of the city.

The heaven of shopping addicts

Bangkok is worldwide known for its huge Shopping malls, markets and good deals, and you will have much more than you need.

Siam Paragon has more than 300 shops, mostly of top of the range luxe brand, you will also find restaurants and some nice food courts there.

The Emporium Shopping center is also a shopping complex of top of the range boutiques (Cartier, Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, etc...)

MBK Center, is an enormous shopping center of 8 levels and 330 meters long with more than 2 500 shops, one of the largest shopping mall in Asia. Mostly known for its numerous mobile phone and mobile accessories resellers.

Panthip Plaza is the heaven of computer freaks, with 5 levels of shops all dedicated only to computer material, hardwares and softwares (at unbeatable low prices).
Carrefour, a French supermarket Brand, which have several malls in the city. You will find... Delicious french products, but at french prices...

Bangkapi The Mall is a bit out of the city center of Bangkok, but easilly reachable by ferry. It hosts a Shopping Mall, an Aquatic park, cinemas, and entertainement parks.

Central World Plazza (ex World Trade Center), with its 550 000 sqm is the largest shopping mall in South-East Asia.

The Week-End Market (Chatuchak) is surely the most known of all markets in Bangkok. On 18 hectares, facing the Northern Bus Terminal, you will find over 1000 different local products for sale here, all Thailand in one place ! Open Saturday and Sunday only.

Suan Lum Night Bazaar‎, has opened in the early 2000 and since then, it has become a major attraction for tourists, as the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is.

Woeng Nakhon Kasem, or "Thieves Market", between Yaowarat and New Road, near Phahurat, you will find antics, including Chinese and Thai arts, china, pearly incrusted furnitures...

Pratunam Market, has a wide choice of clothes at low prices for men and women. Located in the heart of the city, Pratunam market is virtually facing Pranthip Plazza.

BoBe Market is on Krung Kasem Road at Lan Luang Road junction. This famous clothes market opens at 10h00. You will find any kind of clothes, but on wholesale only (minimum 12 pieces).

Thewet Flower Market‎, a pleasant walk among the colours and fragances, the flower shopkeepers there can compose splendid bunches of flowers for any occasion.

Phahurat Market, West of Chinatown, many clothes for women and any kind of fabric, cotton and spices, as well as many India related items. This market is really worth the visit.