Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. The city houses more than 10 million people making it a highly traffic-congested city. As one of the fastest-growing, most economically dynamic cities in South East Asia, Bangkok is emerging as a rival to Singapore and Hong Kong. April and May are the hot months, while all other months are mild. Its rainy season from July to October rainy is normally very pleasant. There is plenty of greenery in the city with several gardens and parks. There are many lakes with opportunities for enjoying paddle boat rides. Thai people are great outdoor people and the visitor can spend a lot of time watching them fly kites or do other outdoor activities. The city has several places of interest, including Wat Arun, an ancient temple, Children's Discovery Museum, The Snake Farm, Dream World, Bangkok Doll Factory, and Ancient City. The Joe Louis Puppet Theater, named after its founder, is a delightful place to visit. Though its founder passed away, his legacy lives on; his family has preserved this wonderful art form. In this show, the colorfully decorated puppets act out culturally rich traditional stories, usually from the Ramayana, an epic text with origin in India. The puppet show gives a glimpse of the Hindu influence in the old Siam. The city is full of shopping malls and flea markets of all types, especially in the Sukhumvit area. If a shopper can bargain, it's a shopper's paradise, as the prices are ludicrously cheap by Western standards. There are several mega stores in the city. Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is easily accessible by Skytrain and Metro, is one of the most popular weekend destinations. Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a shopping mall that is open all nights. Though Bangkok's nightlife is notorious, as a result of community and government interventions, nearly all restaurants, bars and clubs are now forced to close before 1 AM. Rules and regulations are strict. The best way to enjoy sightseeing in Bangkok is to take an organized sightseeing tour. The cost price includes transfers, food and entrance fees. Well educated English speaking local guides make the tour highly informative. The tour operators see that everything is hassle free and the visitor enjoys the sightseeing. |
