Bangkok is the Orient's most cosmopolitan city and has attractions to stimulate even the most jaded travellers. Created as the Thai capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and Thailand's spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre.
Bangkok, Thailand's major gateway, casts an irresistible spell of enchantment. To the Thais it is Krung Thep, "City of Angels", and you'll find it truly a magic place, one that captivates the imagination.
More than anywhere else in the country, Bangkok expresses Thailand's uncanny ability to blend the old with the new. This lends a thrilling sense of discovery to one's sightseeing and adds an element of surprise when exploring what is the Orient's most fabled city.
Bangkok embraces modern development and presents an initial picture of thrusting office towers; of world-class hotels offering deluxe comforts; of glittering shopping plazas packed with treasures of the East such as silks and gemstones; of restaurants serving Thailand's acclaimed spicy specialities and virtually every other national cuisine worthy of the name; of neon-lit entertainment spots where the fare ranges from classical dance to laser disco.
Thailand's "City of Angels" is, indeed, a magic place where possibilities are limited only by the imagination. You'll marvel at past glories, delight in present opportunities and love every minute of it.
No other city in Asia rivals Bangkok for thrilling night life, and evening entertainment is both plentiful and inexpensive.
Most famous are the neon-lit bar districts which are both more fun and much safer than their counterparts in other cities around the world. However, there is much more to Bangkok by night than just the glitter of pubs and bars.
Especially popular are the cultural shows staged by various Thai restaurants. Here you'll find the perfect introduction to Thailand's highly stylized classical dance, accompanied by music played on traditional instruments.
Also not to be missed is Muai Thai, a style of boxing unique to Thailand in which combatants use elbows, knees and bare feet as well as gloved fists. A martial art before it was a sport, Muai Thai has a long tradition and is still surrounded by much ritual.The fights are commonly fierce and furious, though the best boxers display remarkable skills, as well as great fitness, and a good contest is decided by application of technique rather than brute force. Often as entertaining as the action in the ring is the reaction of the spectators who yell and shout encouragement to the boxers as the excitement mounts.
For either pre dinner aperitifs or late evening drinks, Bangkok boasts many sophisticated bars and cocktail lounges, some of the best being located in the top hotels. Here you can relax in pleasant surroundings and enjoy live musical entertainment by the best local and regional entertainers.
If it's action that you are looking for, Bangkok abounds with discos. Some are small an intimate others are enormous and crowded, but all spin the latest dance music using the most modern sound systems, laser lights, videos and all the other hi-tech equipment that makes today's disco less of a place an more of an event.
The inveterate shopper may spend a happy evening strolling the streets in main entertainment areas browsing around the ranks of kerbside stalls which offer host of good buys. Alternatively, if you are tired after a busy day sightseeing, you can go to the cinema or relax in your hotel room and watch video.
Whatever your preferences, you'll discover Bangkok makes sure there's never a dull moment.
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Sunday, July 22, 2007
Bangkok Travel Guides
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Bangkok Shopping Guide
Shopping is one of Bangkok's major attractions. Favourite purchases include Thai silks and cottons, modern and traditional jewellery silverware, nielloware, pewterware, bronzeware, ceramics and any of the one thousand and one items produced by skilled Thai artisans.
Bangkok is one of the most competitively priced cities in Asia. Friendly bargaining in most stores and markets ensure favourable prices and service.
Suriwong, Silom Area
Numerous shops, and department stores sell jewellery, gemstones, antiques, ceramics, leather goods, men's and women's clothing, handicrafts, Thai silk and cottons, electrical and photographic goods.
Sukhumvit Road Area
Numerous shops, and department stores sell jewellery, gemstones, antiques, ceramics, leather goods, men's and women's clothing, handicrafts,Thai silk and cottons, electrical and photographic goods.
China Town
Bangkok’s China Town is an old business centre covering a large Charoen area around Yaowarat Road and Krung Road. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods. The area is always lively and market stalls abound. It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese since they were moved from their old site some 200 years ago.
Banglamphu
This riverine section of Bangkok is favoured by back-packers for its budget accommodation. The area offers various inexpensive items, especially ready-made clothing, handbags, men's and ladies' shoes, cosmetics and curios. Bargaining is recommended. The area called Kao Sarn Road is most well-known among foreigners as the hub of cheapest-rates guesthouses in town.
Chatuchak Weekend Markets
Chatuchak Weekend Market,located adjacent to Chatuchak Park, is where people buy and sell thousands of local products.The trade items may range from rare exotic things to essential popular ones like books, fresh fruits, flowers, pets, handicrafts, furniture, dress materials and many more.
Credit : atsiam.com
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Right on the river at The Shangri-La Bangkok
The Shangri-La offers world-class services and well-appointed rooms in the heart of Bangkok, says Vipasai Niyamabha
The Shangri-La is definitely one of the top five-star hotels in Bangkok. However, most people think of the hotel only when they have activities involving MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions). The hotel has had a strong presence in the MICE market over the last decade.
Recently, the hotel's management team decided that it wanted to make the 15-year-old Bangkok Wing a more attractive destination for guests other than MICE groups. This is a new market for luxury, for these guests prefer to be away from the Main Wing. Only 100 metres away, from the Main Wing, the Bangkok Wing is along the bank of the Chao Phya River.
There is a nicer and bigger swimming pool in the Bangkok Wing, which is exclusively reserved for guests of this wing. It also has a separate lobby lounge, Riverside Lounge, on the ground floor, and Chi Spa on its second floor.
The Bangkok Wing has 119 guestrooms and 10 suites, and each of them is equipped with a private balcony overlooking the river and Taksin Bridge. 
It is nice to have a balcony, and also the hotel was thoughtful enough to install soundproof windows to keep the peace in the room. This is a very important element to have, as when you open the door to the balcony, the noise from all those cars driving on the bridge is so loud. It is nicer to appreciate the view from inside the bedroom.
The good thing about five-star luxury hotels is that they are considerate when it comes to the details. It seems every amenity is in the right place. A bottle of drinking water and a glass are placed on the bedside table, a hairdryer is easily found in a drawer and a modem for a hi-speed Internet connection is on the desk.
The Shangri-La also offers a long pillow menu. And guests can get anything they want from a personal butler, from bath gel to a CD. Personalised service is indeed a hallmark for this well-established hotel, which boasts a well-trained staff and high-standard facilities. Even Bangkok's new generation of boutique hotels will find it difficult to compete with this grand old hotel.
At a glance
High point: This is a luxurious five-star hotel by the river and BTS Skytrain. It is hard to find a better location than the Shangri-La's Bangkok Wing.
Low pzoint: Due to its close proximity to the road and river, this is a noisy location. But at least the windows are soundproof.
Pay for it: Deluxe room in Bangkok Wing starts at $250 per night
Find it: Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok Wing, Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bang Rak 10500
Phone it: (02) 2367777
Website: www.shangri-la.com/bangkok
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