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.