Bangkok ~ Thailand Travel pictures & information
Thai Temples, Buddhas, tuk tuks, traffic, city tours
Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the busiest cities in the world, its traffic a legendary clogged mess. But it is precisely this jammed bustle of cars and tuk tuks that adds to the excitement! I took several city tours, including the Bangkok Thai temples tours to see the buddhas, and a day trip out to the Floating Market and the talented carvers, who work with fruits vegetables and wood. Allow 3-7 days for the bus and train tours to Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai and Hellfire Pass. Outside Bangkok, look for orchards with Thai fruits. See also my Thai vacations story about Hellfire Pass. For country travel information, see the Thailand main page.
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 Bangkok Thailand Statues
Fearsome faces clad in cheerful colours make imposing figures. A whirlwind half-day Bangkok city tour gives a good overview of the many attractive temples (wats). This is taken at the Wat Pho complex.
Stops include Wat Pho, with the Reclining Buddha, and Wat Phra Kaeo, with the Emerald Buddha, the country's most revered image, and Wat Traimit, with the Golden Buddha. The tour will most likely include a stop at a jewelry store (wonderful gems!) and a silk clothing store. I found the jewellery designs to be imaginatively different from most Western styles and wished that I had more time to shop. Sapphires are traditonally a good buy here. If you'd like more time to stop and absorb the sights, make a note of which ones, and plan to return by cab on your own. Ask your hotel to arrange this for you, and for your return. |
 Bangkok's Fabulous Ceramics
These ceramic works and inlays are so intricate and elaborate they invite overusing superlatives. Round a corner, and each new vista unfolds with yet more of these colourful sights. More than 6 million residents call this city 'home'. There are a number of large shopping malls, nearby theme parks and zoos. TIP The Bangkok airport was delight for security -- it makes you actually feel secure! Like many Asian airports, they screen luggage and travel documents before allowing anyone into the terminal., which dramatically reduces the number of people wandering around. And like most airports, they have more than enough cab drivers clamouring for your fare. If you are on an organized tour, you will be met. If you are not, good luck! |
 Bangkok Palace Spires
Bangkok's many lovely temples and palaces are, of course, a huge tourist magnet. Some sites are so crowded that it's hard to get a photo without many bodies passing between camera and target. Sometimes it's difficult to walk from one point in the temple to another. Often it depends on whether or not other tours are arriving at the same time. For entering the temples, be prepared to remove your footwear and to cover up bare body parts. One temple loans free clothing to inappropriately dressed visitors. |
 Bangkok streets
Look for noodle sellers who set up shop on the street corners early in the morning for a quick, hot and inexpensive breakfast. At night, the street markets spring up at various locations. The streets are also home to a large number of beggars, some of whom are obviously suffering. |
 Bangkok tuk tuk
Instead of a cab, you can hop aboard a tuk tuk.
They may be cheaper and get through traffic much faster than a larger vehicle, but they are definitely an adventure.
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At the Temple ~ Bangkok  One of the smaller buildings in the Wat Pho complex. |
Information sign Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple The sign warns visitors to NOT accept rides from tuk tuk drivers who hang around the temples.
You may also be approached by others who appear to be friendly Thais.
ONLY accept tours with reputable guides.
If you don't have a pre-arranged Bangkok city tour, ask your hotel for recommendations. |
Free Clothes at Thai Temples  Visitors to temples MUST wear proper (non-revealing) clothing. If you show up wearing shorts, tank tops, etc, you can change here.
You are usually asked to remove footwear, too.
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Silom Village ~ Shopping, show and dinner  At the Silom Village (part of the Bangkok City tour), musicians entertain guests. The complex has an upscale shopping boutique area and various restaurants. |
Silom Village dinner  I love Thai food, and the best I've ever had was here in Bangkok. Of course, Thai food in Bangkok is simply 'food'. Sweet and sour chicken, steamed rice, spring rolls, soup and dumplings. The menu for the city tours guests is fixed (i.e. no choice). Not too spicy, very tasty - a good dinner! |
Golden Buddha ~ Bangkok Thailand temple  This is the Golden Buddha (Phra Buddha Maha Suwan Patimakorn). The Golden Buddha (valued at about $14 million, and dating back to the 12 century) will be moving from the temple that had been its home for 50 years. It will be part of a museum complex scheduled to open on the King's birthday December 5, 2008. TIP Be kind to your guide and driver if they suggest changing city tours times to avoid the heaviest traffic: They are doing you a favor as well! And be aware that although day trips may return to Bangkok outskirts by 5 p.m., with the traffic, it can take up to another two hours to get to your hotel. Check to see what hotels in Bangkok cost.
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