To a traveller new to Thailand and just setting foot in Bangkok it can
all be a bit much. The blare and beep of tuk-tuks dipping in and out of
stationary car traffic, the street stalls selling their exotic wares
and the skyscrapers clustered in the financial district can all
contribute to a sense of being overwhelmed. Certainly, life here isn’t
for the faint of heart. But look past the lanes of traffic, the noise
and the pollution and you’ll find a city with a definite pulse and a
modern beat.
The thriving tourist industry has meant that Bangkok’s labyrinthine
sprawl is easily negotiated with the help of cheap taxis and tuk-tuks,
the BTS Skytrain (replete with amazing views over the city’s skyline)
and the underground MRT metro. Backpacker central is the Banglamphu
district, home to the famous Khao San Rd where you’ll find plenty of
Irish pubs, street-hawkers and lots of nightlife spots, some good, some
bad, all cheap. Many of the budget hostels are located on this street
and the surrounding areas. However, those with rather more
sophisticated tastes might like to try the rather less studenty areas
of Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn – here you’ll find A-list restaurants
and hotels, with prices to match.
Culturally, there are plenty of sights to see and things to do. Even
the most addicted shopaholic will be exhausted by Chatuchak Weekend
Market – hundreds of stalls selling all the clothing you could ever
wish for. Some are simply generic items such as jeans or t-shirts that
you’ll see sold at lots of stores, but there are quite a few that are
more specialised – for example, you can often find fashion students
selling their latest one-off designs, whether they be accessories,
bags, shoes or clothes. Just remember to haggle!
For those who prefer loftier pursuits there are plenty of historical
sites to see around Bangkok. Make a day of visiting the various
monuments and temples – you shouldn’t miss Democracy Monument, the
Grand Palace, Wat Saket and the Golden Mount. Seeing the latter
involves a little climbing but once you get to the top you’re rewarded
with 360 degree sweeping views of the entire city.
Dialaflight.com offer Bangkok flights starting at £354 from Heathrow.
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