Blogs from Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 718

Chinatown is interesting in any place, but Bangkok's Chinatown is pretty great. It has what they say is the largest golden buddha in Thailand, at Wat Traimit, which you can read about shortly in another post about all the Wats. There is a thieves market here too. The night market is really something - it has all the treasures and all the trash like everywhere else, but it also has: * all the displays and presentations of fabulous fake stones, * a temple on either side, * clashes with police, * the fun of catching a tuk-tuk there and back, * and a stage with near naked dancing girls. The clashes with police are on quite a scale. What I saw were the drunk guys watching the dancing girls and giving the surrounding police a little ... read more

Out with the guys and some other random tuk-tuk photos From the last days of my holiday. A couple of random things from my time in Bangkok. Tuk-tuks I thought you'd be interested in actually seeing a few photos of these tuk-tuks i've been talking about. You may have seen them in movies and things, like that Bangkok Hilton-type remake, what's it called, "Brokedown Palace"? They are a fantastic experience. Great fun. And not as dangerous as the motorbike taxis. The only thing with them is that you have to bargain, so you don't have the safety of the meter in taxis. But if you know exactly where you are going and what its worth, then you can bargain for the realistic 40 baht or whatever it might be. Just remember taxis start at 35 ... read more

BANGKOK Well, any beliefs that I held of me as a seasoned traveller were thrown out the window the second we landed in Thailand. My travel expereience doesn't even taste of salt or pepper, let alone seasoning. Arriving at Bangkok airport at 2am Sydney time (11pm Thai time) we hit the place at its peak. AFter adjusting to the sticky heat and feeling relaxed after customs officials not finding a pillow case of pot in my boogie board bag, we headed for the hotel. I learnt within 5 minutes that Thai people offering a service - be it a taxi, clothes, food, massage, whatever - are not shy wallflowers. Their pro-active nature ( you want taxi? I give you taxi ride? Ma'am you look like you need taxi!!!Let me give you taxi!!!!!!) So Jon and I, ... read more

I spent a night and day with Dan, from England, who was staying at the Shambara as well. Dan, When you get a chance, send me an email saying if you want any of the other photos that aren't on here. There's still some other good ones. Tuk-tuks I caught my first Tuk-Tuk, and haven't stopped since. I've stopped walking and started to go the easy way. I've got the last of my money to spend, so why not right? Basic rule of thumb - * 1. walk if you have the energy, you see and learn more, that you would miss. * 2. im not the best person to talk about it, but probably a cheap bus is next best. * 3. in bangkok, take a tuk-tuk if you know where you are going and ... read more

What do I say about this place? It's amazing. It was built starting in 1782 by King Rama I. It is the centre of the royals' housing, throne halls, administration buildings of the government and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It has: * the gorgeously gold Phra Siratana Chedi * the beautiful Royal Pantheon * a model of Angor Wat * guardian demons * of course, the Emerald Buddha * a great deal of beautiful halls * the Borom Phiman Mansion * the Wat Phra Kaeo Museum * the Royal Thai Decorations and Coins Pavilion * and a lot more gorgeous stuff I can't describe this place to you. I'll just show you the photos. Hopefully the photos will give you some idea. If you want some more, I recommend http://www.palaces.thai.net But if you do ... read more