Bangkok ~ Thailand Travel Pictures

Bangkok Thailand Statues  Incredible Workmanship, Colors

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 traditionally a good buy here.

Make a note of which temples you like, and plan to return by cab on your own. Ask your hotel to arrange this for you.

TIP: Allow 3-7 days if you plan to take bus and train tours to Kanchanaburi, the River Kwai, and Hellfire Pass.

Bangkok's Fabulous Ceramics Adorn Temples Throughout City

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, luggage is screened and travel documents before allowing anyone into the terminal., which dramatically reduces the number of people wandering around.

Like most airports, there are more than enough cab drivers clamouring for fares.

If you are on an organized tour, you will be met. If you are not, good luck!

Bangkok Palace Spires Pierce the Skies

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.

As long as you can cover your arms and legs, you will usually be admitted without issues.  Ladies can pack a sarong in a day pack to use as a long skirt or shawl.

Bangkok streets Renowned for Traffic, Closures for Royalty

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 an Experience

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.

I'd recommend not going alone, unless you speak fluent Thai and know the city.

See info sign picture below for tuk tuk warnings.

At the Temple ~ Bangkok Wat Pho Complex

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 Ensure Modesty Proper Dress for Visitors

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.

Consider wearing shoes and socks instead of sandals so you are not barefoot. Or perhaps pack a pair of socks in your day pack.

Silom Village ~ Shopping, show and dinner on Bangkok City tour

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 Traditional Tasty Thai Food

I love Thai food, and the best I've ever had was here in Bangkok.

Of course, Thai food in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand is simply food.

ON the plate look for 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 for Western tastes, and 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) is now part of a museum complex.

If you are looking for a holiday that offers exotic sights and sounds, yet with the comforts Western travellers enjoy, then do consider a trip to Bangkok, and other parts of Thailand.

Thailand offers lots of interesting things to see and do, and lots of pampering, too, with wonderful spas, Thai massage, and shopping!

Outside Bangkok, look for orchards with Thai fruits. See also my Thai vacations story about Hellfire Pass.