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Khao San Road, every gap-year backpacker's favourite stomping ground, is crass in style, but cool in spirit! Now a little long-in-the-tooth, its been sprucing up in recent years - smarter guesthouses, artsy Thais, sleeker bars. But behind the gloss, the scruffy cosmopolitan throng and rebellious air still set the tone.
Flamboyant, colourful, provocative, irrepressible - Bangkok's Katoeys (ladyboys) ooze exotic cool and attitude. The pleasing consequence of a deeply religious country where tolerance is not only preached but actually practiced, these interesting characters are walking, talking and pouting proof of Thai permissiveness.
You gotta love Bangkok's picturesque, but pungent Khlongs (Canals). Without them we wouldn't have the 'Venice of the East', nor every tourists favourite, the floating market. Once inter-connecting transport tributaries, essential to the city's business and commerce, today they're mostly disappeared, disused or dirty. However, a few canals with longtail boats for hire still remain. A must is central Khlong Saen Saeb - its speedy long-tail taxis are superb for cheating traffic!
A small river island, Koh Kret is a world away from the roar of the big city. Go there for the signature pottery, crafted lovingly by the minority Mon community, to view Buddhist artifacts, or just enjoy the contrasting pace of life. It's car-free, and so best seen on the gentle Koh Kret Cycling Tour.
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According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Bangkok has the world's Longest Name for a capital city. 'Krungthep Mahanakhon, Amon Rattanakoisn...' it begins - and that's just the first line! The full version is Bangkok's archaic ceremonial name, and is, in fact, more like the unabridged story of the city than a name. Many locals take great pride in being able to recite the whole thing, all thanks to an irritatingly catchy 1980s rock song.
A big draw from dawn until dusk, Lumpini Park is Bangkok's very own Central Park. Bangkok's city-dwellers love it, for it cuts big, welcome swathes of green into a cityscape all too dominated by grey concrete monuments to modern living. Leaves, lakes and lots of lovers, make it the perfect retreat when the city's heaving streets and frenzied pace get too much. It's also home to free, government-sponsored aerobics classes and other healthy activities.
For living in the lap of luxury, the city's Luxury Hotels are not to be missed. Whether surrounded by the tranquility of the charming riverside, or a location close to central business districts, the five-star hotels in Bangkok rival those greatest cities in the world.
Bangkok's Ladyboy Shows are, just, wow! Glittering celebrations of the female form - but minus the females. Expect flamboyant choreography, heavily-sequinned costumes and lots of risque humour. With disco divas, mythical creatures and Oriental legends, catching one of these cabaret-like shows is a when-in-Bangkok must.
For performances with less pout, try the city's Live Music. The typical outfit may play an anemic diet of rock, pop and hip-hop covers, but do your homework and you'll root out all manner of musical treats - vocalists strumming languid Thai ballads, Elvis impersonators, arty electro-pop outfits and tight jazz bands.
Unlucky in love? Can't find a beau or prince charming? In most cities you'd probably head for the nearest speed dating event. Well, in Bangkok, you head for the Lover's Shrine (Trimurti Shrine) . Here single men and women, young couples and gaggles of girls flock to pray for true, lasting love. If the prayers fail, who knows you may meet someone there! If 'blinded' by love, never fear - Bangkok is a great place to have affordable Lasik Eye Surgery done to meticulous global standards.
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Bangkok's Malls are total monsters: giant, gleaming monuments to our brand-aspirational age packed full with all the stores you could wish for. And if you're not keen on blowing your baht, come enjoy the artic air-conditioning! One of the best-known is Mah Boon Khrong, or MBK for short. Getting hopelessly lost in this retail labyrinth (seven floors segregated into furniture, clothing, electronics etc) is worth it for the untold bargains.
Like your shopping to be more challenging, more sweaty, more sprawling? ie, haggling your way through warrens of stalls and shops at a Market. Well, look no further... Bangkok has wet markets, night markets, floating markets, weekend markets, fruit markets, flower markets and clothes markets. Expect everything from pythons to potted plants, furniture to the latest one-off fashions - with plenty of snacks and refreshments available for refueling.
The city's Museums are just as multifarious and colourful, many housed in buildings that are as compelling as the contents. From the austere National Museum (relics from Thai history), to the macabre Forensic Museum (formaldehyde-preserved bodies etc) and eclectic Erawan Museum (religious fervour crossed with rare antiques), Bangkok's promise to astonish, educate and horrify in equal measure.
Lightning-quick kicks, dextrous punches and fierce elbows. M is also for the country's favourite and most fatal spectator sport, Muay Thai. You've seen it on TV, now experience if for yourself. It's brutal, blistering but always riveting. Try witnessing a few rounds in one of Bangkok 's many stadiums alongside thousands of cheering locals!
Stretching 20 km from Hualamphong station up to the Bang Sue, is the underground cousin of the Skytrain, the MRT. Fast, efficient and reliable - it's one of the best ways to get around Bangkok! Only pity is that it doesn't cover a bigger part of the city.
Bangkok is not the most stress-free of city's, by anyone's measure. Thankfully, Meditation is on hand. Fancy cleaning the mind and regain that lost inner peace? At the Vipassana Meditation Centre at Wat Mahathat, you can - and for free! For those who like eating to keep their stress at manageable levels, get a taste of that ancient Chinese delicacy with a Bangkok twist, Mooncakes.
For more incite into what makes Bangkok really swing see N, O, P and Q in our A-Z. |
