South East Asian Trips

Bangkok is a city of contradictions: A buzzing metropolis with a laid back attitude, elegant temples and palaces stand side by side with Romanesque concrete skyscrapers and charming wooden houses. And while the main thoroughfares are choked with traffic and fumes, nearby side roads contain tranquil houses nestled among lush gardens. Love it and hate it, you can't ignore or forget it.

Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy, as well as its political, commercial and cultural life, since the late 18th century. Bangkok can be divided into two parts by the main north-south train line - Old Bangkok and New Bangkok. Old Bangkok glitters in the portion between the river and the railway and it is here that most of the older temples and the original palace are located. The new Bangkok is east of the railway, covering many times more area than the old city. It incorporates the main commercial and tourist districts, which give way to a vast residential sprawl.

Like most capitals around the world, Bangkok is incredibly loud, crowded, and dirty. It is thirty-five times larger than the next largest city in Thailand, and it's also where most of the action-political, commercial, and industrial-takes place. Bangkok is a little like New York-you either love it or you hate it. Whether you're a "city person," you'll probably spend some time visiting or passing through Bangkok even if you don't end up teaching there.

There are all sorts of things to do in Bangkok. Temples, great food, museums, historic attractions, and nightspots all will vie for your attention. If you're homesick for a hamburger and a Hollywood movie, you won't have any trouble finding either in Bangkok. Be sure to get a guidebook and map for more detailed information.

Population

Nearing 10,000,000

Location

Central Thailand

Weather

Bangkok is hot and humid year-round, with temperatures in the mid-80s (F)/high 20s (C) and humidity around 75 percent. The monsoon season lasts from June to October, and during that time temperatures are lower and humidity is higher. The cool season runs from November to February.

Transportation

The Bangkok airport is a hub for international travel; flights from all major airlines and many smaller ones make stops and connections there. Check the "Airlines" section for information how to contact a few of them. Bangkok is also the center for bus service in Thailand, with buses departing frequently from the three main terminals to various destinations around the country. Within the city limits, there is an almost limitless number of options: public and private buses, trains, taxis, tuk tuks (three-wheeled taxis), motorcycle taxis, boats, and ferries. All are fairly economical, but when using taxis be certain to establish a price before you embark.

Key Attractions of Thailand

Royal Grand Palace

The Palace is a glittering walled complex that houses several palaces, all highly decorated with tiles and ceramics. Building was begun in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand. The complex houses Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all Thai temples, where the sacred Emerald Buddha rests, not covered in emeralds but jade. There is even a scale model of Angkor Wat. There is a strict dress code and visitors wearing shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will be refused entry, although it is possible to hire trousers and plastic shoes.

National Museum

One of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the region, the National Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from the neolithic period through to more recent periods. The building, begun in 1782, is fascinating in its own right, having been built in traditional Thai style. The museum is so large that it needs more than one visit, but if time is short it must be spent in the lovely teak pavilion, which houses personal royal belongings. Free guided tours are given by volunteers at 0930 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and are highly recommended. Interested ? Contact us

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Wat Pho TempleWat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and houses an enormous gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46m (150ft) long and 15m (49ft) high. Today, it is also renowned for its teaching of herbal medicine and traditional massage.

The other attractions include include Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace and Wat Traimit. Wat Traimit is the Temple of the Golden Buddha, home to the impressive 3m tall, 5 1/2-tonne solid-gold Buddha image and how can you forget Jim Thompson's House . Other sights include the touristy Wat Sai floating market in Thonburi, a boat trip through the city's extensive and pongy network of canals (klongs), the Saovabha Institute Snake Farm and the renowned Oriental Hotel. Interested ? Contact us

Night Life Bangkok Bangkok has the reputation of a "city of sin," and it's certainly true that commercial sex is not difficult to find. Much of Bangkok's nightlife is concentrated in the two red light districts of Bangkok - Patpong (between Silom and Surawong Roads) and Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit). Bangkok's sex industry is as blatant and booming as ever. However, in addition to the numerous sex clubs and massage parlours, there are many excellent cocktail bars and restaurants and, at night, the area is always thronging with people.

Bangkok is famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) for its night life. On the tame side, there are a number of bars and restaurants with music on Sarasin Road between Ratchadamri and Sang Suan. Great live rock and reggae can be heard at the Saxophone Pub Restaurant just south of the Victory Monument. There are several beer gardens at the Bangkok Night Bazaar opposite Soi 1 on Sukhumvit Road. Soi Cowboy off of Sukhumvit is also a great night spot. Patpong Road is the center of Bangkok's famous red light district, and caters largely to Westerners. Anyone frequenting the brothels should bear in mind that Bangkok is in the midst of a major AIDS epidemic.

Shopping

Bangkok is arguably the best place in Asia for shopping and visitors will be spoilt for choice with the extensive shopping malls, department stores, small shops and markets. The city is also a bargain hunter's paradise and haggling with street vendors is to be expected and all part of the fun enjoyed by both buyer and seller. The Silom Road area is one of the main shopping centres, which boasts numerous specialist shops and department stores, including Robinsons, several shopping plazas and a wide range of silk and antique shops, as well as many tailors. The ultimate shopping experience is to be had at The Emporium on Sukhumvit with brand-name clothing and accessories, as well as cinemas, supermarkets and restaurants.

Khao San Road, in the Banglamphu sector of Bangkok, has foreign movies and food, and is a general clearing house for anything travelers may want. It is surrounded by one of Thailand's most inexpensive shopping scenes: the Banglamphu market. If you are new to Thailand or Bangkok, definitely visit Banglamphu to chat with experienced world travelers who will tell you the most current information on places to go, travel, or teach English.

The corner of Ratchadamri and Phetburi roads is known for cheap clothing; gold shops, Indian fabric shops, and the Thieves' Market can be found in Chinatown (Sampeng); and everything under the sun, including live animals, can be found at the weekend market, Talad Chatuchak, near the Northern Bus Terminal. Also, check out the fresh flower and fruit market at Pat Khlong.

If you need a break from the outdoors, there are many air conditioned malls, the largest of which is Mah Boon Krong on Phayathai Road. For nice handicrafts, visit Narayana Phand on Ratchadamri Road across from the World Trade Center.

Ex-pat Hangouts

Pan Pan is an Italian-owned restaurant that is widely known among ex-pats for its wood-fired pizzas and other Italian dishes. You could also check out Champs, which is a large American-style sports bar. Another great place to meet ex-pats is in one of the Thai cooking schools, such as Bussaracum restaurant or the Modern Housewife Center. Just north of Bangkok is a place called the English Snack Bar in the town of Lopburi. It is run by and English ex-pat and his Thai wife, and is a favorite hangout for English teachers, Peace Corps Volunteers, and exchange students.

Safety

Bangkok's tourist areas do attract a number of con artists, despite the efforts of the Tourist Police to stop them. One common scheme for con artists is to offer a boat or car ride somewhere, and then charge an exorbitant fee. To avoid this, always agree on a price for a taxi or boat ride ahead of time. Another con is for a friendly local to take you to a jewelry "factory" and then pressure you to purchase "fine gems," which really aren't so fine or are grossly overpriced. If you are lured into one of these jewelry factories, do not accept beverages, as some travelers have reportedly been drugged, then influenced to max out their credit cards on jewelry purchases. Other than these cons and occasional pickpockets, Bangkok is quite safe. It is possible to walk at night with a friend or two in relative safety.