Bangkok, the capital of Thailand has the longest name in the world for a city, sort of real tongue twister: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. Roughly translation is Great city of angels, the repository of divine gems, the great land unconquerable, noble gems, the highest royal dwelling and Grand Palace, the divine shelter and living place of reincarnated spirits. Nowadays is known as The City of Angels. When Thais refer to greater Bangkok they use to call it, translated, Metropolis of The City of Angels. Expats living here have a lot of nicknames for Bangkok, the most common is Big Mango.
Bangkok, a place of controlled chaos, where the modern life combines with the history is a place that fascinates every single tourist. Take a look to:
- The Grand Palace has been the royal residence of the kings of Siam since 1700s
- Wat Arun (The temple of Dawn) is one of the most famous Bangkok temples which gives you spectacular sights of the city especially at the sunset
- Wat Benchama Bophit (Marble Temple) is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok built of Italian marble
- Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) regarded as the most sacred temple in Thailand, the statue of the Emerald Buddha is housed here
- Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) is the home of the famous Reclining Buddha (46m long and gilded with gold leaf) and also the place where traditional Thai massage has been taught and practiced until today
- Erawan Shrine (Phra Phrom) houses the four faced Brahma God or Tao Mahaprom, who is full kindness, mercy, sympathy and impartiality. The place where day and night worshippers pray for good fortune
- Street food in the open air markets and food stalls
- Jim Thompson house where you can admire art collection of the man who reinvented Thai silk industry and who mysteriously disappeared in an expedition to Malaysia in 1967
- Banglamphu, the city’s former aristocratic center
- Chatuchak market is the biggest and baddest market of the Bangkok, you will find here silks, sneakers, fighting cocks, fluffy puppies and all kind of souvenirs, food and drink. Practically more than a market: an entertainment place
- Chinatown with the crowded streets and also the golden Buddha statue from Wat Traimit
- Mae Nam Chao Phraya (Chao Phraya River) with its muddy waters will tempt you with a boat trip. Explore the canals (khlong) with long tail boats, see the floating market
- Thai cookery schools
- Songkran if you are in Bangkok in April: the city water fight has its origins in the religious Buddha practice of bathing, now the celebration of the Thai lunar New Year
- Ga-teu-I Cabaret famous in the recent years is actually men dressed like women performing shows
- Thai boxing, the martial art that will start a game with musical accompaniment
- Go-go Bars found in the red-light district of Bangkok
- The phra phum are the little temples that you can see near the buildings, with the little statues-the spirits that guard the properties
- Lumphini Park as the perfect escape from the noisy streets
- The old district Farang with Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Harun Mosque, antique shops
- A ride with tuk-tuk is your lucky coin in the hectic traffic
- The tailor made clothes
- The international center for gems distribution
- Sky bar experience: just try rooftop dinning or drinks (the movie Hangover 2 has a scene filmed in a rooftop bar in Bangkok). Hangovertini cocktail is on the menu 🙂
- Thai massage and spa centers
Enough reasons to visit Bangkok? Maybe some pictures will help you more. Enjoy!
