Getting Around The City Of Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand is a country steeped in culture and arts

. When a greater part of the world was still in the process of being colonized by Europeans, Siam (archaic Thailand) was already a thriving country in the 13th with its capital in Sukhothai. The annexation of Sukhothai to Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 14th century furthered the civilization until it was lost to the conquering Burmese in the mid 18th century. The invasion paved the relocation of Siams capital in Bangkok.

Today, Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and it has become synonymous to great shopping, fine dining, luxury hotels, tuk-tuks and visits to ancient temples and ruins. The city has come a long way from its beginnings as a trading post along the banks of Chao Phraya. Bangkok is ranked as the 17th tallest city worldwide.

As Bangkok is second only to Hong Kong in terms of shopping, a trip to the city is not complete without a round (or 2) of shopping. Bangkok is a shopping mall in itself. Think of anything that you want to buy and there is a high probability that you will find it in Bangkok original brands, replicas, high-end, low-ends. You have them all in Bangkok.

Shopping in Bangkok is not all about buying. It has more to do with the experience of shopping in terms of haggling until tour throat is sore; or hopping from one store to another in search of bigger bargains. It is about riding the public bus to get to Jatujak or JJ Market to try to take a peek at its more than 5,000 stalls.

If you are in the mood of trying to absorb part of Bangkoks heritage you can drop by the Grand Palace with its magnificent European Renaissance architecture. The Grand Palace has been the home of Thailands Kings for more than 150 years until the early 20th century. Currently King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his royal wife Queen Sirikit reside in Chitralada Palace.

The Grand Palace complex houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew. In the temple is the Phra Kaew Morakot or the most sacred Buddha in all of Thailand. The sculpture is said to be carved from a block of pure jade dating back to the 14th century.

For the more daring, a night visit to Khao San Road is a must. Back in the 1980s, the road was a quiet residential area. However, when Bangkok celebrated its bicentennial a throng of backpackers hit the area and literally knocked on private houses for accommodations. From then on, Khao San Road was converted into a busy, sleazy, sleek, tame, wild, hot, spicy and sweet street plying everything from food to entertainment, to electronics, shoes, bags, clothes and what have you.

Before the 1990s, traffic in Bangkok was always in gridlock. This has now improved a lot with other modes of transportation. You can take a bus, taxi, tuk-tuk or MRT. For the more adventurous, you can hire a motorbike to go zigzagging along the route. You have to ride them all for the sake of experience. Too scared to hang on for dear life? Well, you can always walk.

by: Hedin Johan

POST COMMENT

Bangkok Condos - Living in the heart of Thailand Toyota Prius to be rolled out from Thailand The Land of the Kingdom of Thailand Thailand the land of smile Eco-adventure Activities in Thailand's National Parks Landmarks of Thailand Some Companies With Paid Surveys for Thailand Residents Thailand Scuba - Similan Diving is Wicked Diving Thailand Nuptials Driving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. - Can I, must I? Mae Hong Son, Thailand A first dive in Thailand Thailand Retreat Phuket Resort