1.Get on a river taxi and see the beauty of the
Chao Praya River.
A very different view of Bangkok I've got to say.
If you're the adventurer, you can just jump on one
at any of its terminals. Just be fast enough as
the boats ( water taxis ) hardly stop. Otherwise,
book a tour from one of the hotels by the river
such as The Royal Orchid Sheraton, Shangri la or
The Peninsula.
2.Rub elbows with the locals and tourists at
the Weekend market, Chatuchak/Jatujak.
It can get very hot in here but it's an excellent
place to see the wares of Thailand. You might even
find a good buy along the way. Thai ( and not so
Thai ) goods available from antique furniture to
fake jeans.
3.See the wonders of the Grand Palace
All hail the Queen of England, but her Buckingham
Palace is nothing compared to this glorious work
of art in the middle of Bangkok.
4.Have a Thai massage in Wat Po and if you
have the time, take the 10-day Thai Massage course
If you don't get a Thai massage in Thailand then
you haven't been to Thailand at all. Experience
this somewhat bone breaking yet de-stressing
technique right from where it originated. Or if
that's a bit too much, go for the foot massage
instead.
5.Have A Relaxing Spa At The Banyan
A relaxing spa retreat right in the middle of the
city. You can choose from a 1 hour facial
treatment or if you have time to spare, have a 7
hour Banyan package and spoil yourself mad.
6.Visit the Floating Marekt
It may just be another commercial avenue for
tourists to spend their dollars, but if you go to
the floating market early in the morning when the
"river-folk" are actually buying and selling goods
mindless of the tourists, then it's a very good
cultural experience.
7.Haggle at the night markets
Sure many goods are over-priced but if you know
how to haggle and how much you're willing to pay
for what you're buying, this can be very fun. If
you go very early, just when the shops are
opening, you might even get the prices real low (
first buyers luck!)
8.Shop Till You Drop
Shopping is the Thai's national past time and
wherever you are in Bangkok, you will never run
out of shops to explore. You'll find practically
everything in this City Of Angels and at very
reasonable prices to boot. For reasonable priced
clothes, go to Pratunum Market; for little
trinkets, go to Yaowarat in Chinatown; for bargain
software, go to Panthip plaza, and for designer
clothes, try Central Plaza or The Emporium
Shopping Center.
9.Try Thai cuisine
You've had Thai food in your country and I'm sure
it's good; but Thai food cooked in Thailand, is in
my opinion, just heavenly! Just be sure to know
the words, Mai Pet ( My Pet ). This means not
spicy in Thai, but you'll probably be wondering
how hot the spicy dishes are after you've bit into
your first chilli!
10.See An Elephant Show
I know they should be in the wild and all
that...but if I were an elephant, this humiliation
of dancing in front of amused humans is much
better than the alternative which is walking on
the hot streets of Bangkok waiting for tourists to
buy me a piece of sugar cane for food. And I have
to say, this is one show I enjoy. Watch out for
the baby elephants! They're a real treat!
About the Author
Aimee C. Barnard has worked in
Bangkok for 3 years and lives for tropical
holidays under the sun. To read more about her
travel experiences and island getaway tips, go to
http://www.tropical-island-vacation.net/index.html
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