If you are planning a holiday in Thailand in the coming year, you will no doubt be spending some time in the capital city, Bangkok, or City of Angels, as it is known in Thai (kreung thep). Like every city, Bangkok has some amazing tourist attractions, and with that in mind, here is our list of top places to visit when in Bangkok.
- Grand Palace – Wat Phra Kaew, as it is called in Thai, is home to the amazing emerald Buddha and every tourist wants to take a tour of this centrally located palace that is often used in royal duties. There are English-speaking tours that run every 45 minutes, or you could hire one of the many guides that you will see outside the main entrance and it is better to have a guided tour, as you learn more about the long and colourful history of this beautiful palace.
- Rama IX Park – The park is the largest green area in the city and it was created in 1987 to celebrate King Bhumipol’s 60th birthday. Rama IX Park is around 15km from the centre of the city, and if you take the BTS Skytrain to Udom Suk, you can hail a taxi to take you the short distance to the park entrance. If you want a good deal with accommodation, search online for a new hotel in Bangkok and you will likely get a good discount, due to their new opening promotion.
- Siam Park City – The biggest water park in Bangkok, located in the north eastern part of the city, where you can buy a ticket that entitles you to ride on any of the thrilling water slides. As Thailand is so hot, there’s nothing better than a day at Siam Park City, where you can experience a beach-style ambience with all the amenities you would expect from a premier water fun park. Of course, staying in Bangkok is only part of your holiday, which might include chartering a luxury yacht for a tour of the Andaman Sea and the tropical islands that are close to Phuket.
- Jim Thompson’s House – Located in Pathumwan, the traditional teak house was once the home of Jim Thompson and it contains many art pieces and antiques, that Jim collected over the years. Jim started the Thai Silk Company in 1948 and in 1958, he began to construct the house, which was eventually turned in a museum of Thai and Southeast Asian art. Jim Thompson disappeared in 1967 in mysterious circumstances and the house was turned into a museum, where you can also buy the finest Thai silk and many other souvenirs.
- Soi Cowboy – One of the last remaining Go-Go bar streets left over from the GI Vietnam war era, Soi Cowboy is located near the start of Sukhumvit Soi 23, and from one end to the other it is packed with bars that are full of pretty young ladies. Most western tourists are curious about the night scene in Bangkok and spending an evening hopping from bar to bar is a great way to spend a few hours after the sun sets. Here is some more tourist information from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which is recommended reading for all who are planning to visit Thailand in the near future.
The Internet has a wealth of information about Bangkok and if you are planning a trip, you should do some online research to acquaint yourself with the city prior to arriving.
