World Destination of the Week - Bangkok
Thailand’s capital is an amazing place to visit. It’s your typical bustling East Asian city – hectic streets, spicy aromas in the air, and some fantastic (and colourful!) nightlife.
If you’re looking for a quiet, tranquil holiday destination, Bangkok probably isn’t your best bet. However, if it’s a fast, fun experience you’re after, put it on the top of your list.
Getting around on street level is often tricky. The traffic is heavy, and the streets are filled with bikes, taxis and tuk-tuks. Walking for any length of time isn’t really an option, but the Skytrain system is cheap, clean and provides great views of the city. The Bangkok Metro is also a good option.
So when is the best time to visit Bangkok? There isn’t really a tourist season, but the oppressive summer heat and humidity is best avoided. The cooler months between December and March are a good bet.
As for things to see, you won’t get bored in a hurry. There is plenty to see and do. Check out the floating markets which were immortalised in the Bond films. They are chaotic and very touristy, but worth seeing.
Bangkok’s Chinatown is a great neighbourhood to explore. There’s jewellery, hardware, food, clothing and even automotive parts available. Look out for antiques – some vendors sell high value items.
Bangkok has some beautiful Buddhist temples, particularly The Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo), Wat Po and Wat Arun. Wat Po (or Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is located in the Phra Nakhon district. It is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and houses over a thousand Buddhist images and the massive Reclining Buddha statue for which it is most famous. The enormous Buddha is forty-six metres long and fifteen metres high and is decorated with gold plating.
For a taste of Bangkok’s history and culture, pay a visit to the National Museum - the largest in Southeast Asia. It has a huge collection of Thai art and artefacts.
Famous for its ladyboys and go-go bars, Bangkok nightlife certainly has its seedier side, but there’s no shortage of quality bars and restaurants as well. One of the most famous hotspots is Patpong. Despite its sleazy reputation, the area is undergoing something of an image change with private investments and a general clean-up. There are some great bars and restaurants here, so don’t be put off.
For the cheapest flights to Bangkok, visit FlightComparison.co.uk.