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Bangkok, Thailand's vibrant and fascinating capital city, is just
a one hour flight from Phuket. Daily flights allow you to
fly from Phuket after breakfast and arrive in Bangkok before lunch!
Despite the gleaming hi-rise, sophisticated restaurants and modern
transport systems, Bangkok remains essentially an Asian city. Noisy,
frantic, always in motion, both day and night - every minute is
an experience.
How to Get Around
Recent construction of the BTS Skytrain (elevated monorail) and
the underground system have opened up new areas of the city and
connected others, alleviating much of the legendary traffic congestion.
It's both easy and cheap to get around, with passes on buses,
BTS and Underground, making hotel location unimportant.
A few days will provide a glimpse into Bangkok's temples,
markets
and attractions.
For a room with a view stay around the river. Deluxe hotels like
the Oriental
Bangkok, Shangri
La Bangkok, The
Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa and The Peninsula
Bangkok guarantee both fascinating views and superlative
service. (All featured in Travel & Leisure Magazine's 2005
Top 100.) National treasures like the Grand Palace and
Wat Arun - (Temple of the Dawn) are also located riverside.
Use river taxis, an efficient and funky way to see a different
side of Bangkok.
Shoppers might prefer Sukhumvit - the main E-W highway, that
runs through the commercial heart of the city. Bangkok's original
tourist area offers hotels from five star luxury (Grand Hyatt,
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and Intercontinental) budget guest
houses and old established first
class hotels - all at excellent value.
Close to Sukhumvit Siam is shopping and entertainment central.
Stay here for cinemas, markets, department stores and
shopping malls (Emporium, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery
and MBK) selling everything from genuine Gucci to bamboo
flutes.
If you're visiting Bangkok on business, smart addresses close
to Sukhumvit, Silom Rd and the rapidly emerging South
Sathorn Rd will serve you well. Much of this area has been
rebuilt with high rise properties containing comfortable serviced
apartments, five
star luxury and business
oriented hotels forming a formidable city skyline.
What to Do in Bangkok
Bangkok Temples
Bangkok's temples are are a "Must do" for the
first-time visitor. Wander by yourself or take a half-day
tour around the Grand
Palace and major temples like Wat
Arun, Wat Sutat and Wat
Po - regarded as Thailand's first university and teaching
centre for traditional Thai massage. Private tours are of course
great time savers if you only have a few days. Totally hassle
free - with transport, a guide, admission fees all included -
surprisingly good value.
Cruise Bangkok's fascinating Chao Phraya river on an old converted
teakwood rice barge and enjoy an absolutely magical sunset
dinner cruise. Pass the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. Romantic
and inspiring, the river has an ambiance at twilight of a bygone
era. Cruises are also available to
Travelling by boat is the perfect way to visit Ayutthaya,
the old 17th century capital of Siam, located about three hours
upstream. The ruins of the former capital now form a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and reflect the splendour of one of Thailand's
most influential eras in south east Asia.
Although Bangkok is changing fast, you can still get a close
up of traditional Thai life along the "klongs" or canals.
The network of canals branching out from the main Chao Phraya
river still sustains an old lifestyle that leaves the modern face
of Bangkok behind. Full and half day klong
tours include the Yangburi Klongs, Wat Arun and the unique
Royal Barges Museum.
Along the canal paths and through "local Bangkok"
bicycle tours will give another perspective on this amazing city.
Tours operate daily in small groups around the canals and further
upriver.
Although more of tourist destination than working market, it's
still great fun, bargaining for fresh fruit, tourist curios and
bamboo sun hats. Still a working market, there are still some
great photo opportunities both at the market and along the surrounding
canals.
From handicrafts to Hollywood DVD's to paper lanterns - mind
boggling! Most markets operate daytime until 21:00 (Pratunam,
Pahurat, Chinatown) Others set up in the evening (Sukhumvit
Rd.) Bangkok's biggest market Chatuchak - covers a
couple of kilometres and sells everything from furniture to furry
animals. Open weekends only.
The go-go bars are still doing business, but Bangkok now offers
a more sophisticated nightlife with jazz pubs, music clubs, discos,
cinemas and concerts. The nightlife areas are dotted all around
the city with entertainment areas around Sukhumvit, Silom and
Rachachapisek. Despite the reputation, recent government social
order policies have certainly toned things down with most bars
and clubs now closing at 1am or 2am
Bangkok is also one of Asia's food capitals. From noodles to
nachos. Street stalls and food courts to sophisticated gourmet
dining in design oriented air-conditioned comfort.. To describe
eating in Bangkok would take a whole book. There's only one way
to appreciate Bangkok.. And that's to go and visit.
Getting There from Phuket
Thai Domestic Airways operate regular flights (see schedule
below) Price around 3,500 Baht. Cheaper flights are available
from Air Asia, Phuket Air (up 2 U airline) and
Bangkok Airways at discounted prices subject to availability
and local offers. Taxes usually apply on top of the published
price, so check first. |
