Once in a while, we would have our leisure trip either locally or in other
countries. Our first (read here) and second (read here) trips abroad has been
fun and exciting and every trip is special and unique as the people, culture
and beliefs are different from country to country.
Our trip to Bangkok, Thailand (formerly known as Siam) is my third
leisure trip. We went there last November 2015. Bangkok is the capital city of
Thailand and is a Buddhist country so you will see images of Buddha almost
everywhere.
Exploring Bangkok is very exciting and there are some places that you
need to check out when you plan to visit this city. Here are the lists of
things we did in Bangkok, Thailand which can help you in preparing for your itinerary.
1. Visit
the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). This is one of the must see tourist spot in
Bangkok. The Grand Palace is a
complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the
official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782 until
1925. You could also find the Wat Phra
Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald
Buddha within the outer courts of the Grand Palace, which is Thailand's
most sacred site so everyone should observe strict dress code. If you show up
in short pants or sleeveless shirts, clothing can be rented at the entrance at
200 THB per person. I was amazed at how huge and intricate the architectural
designs of the Palace and temples/buildings.
Opening Hours: 08:30am to 03:30pm daily
Entrance Fee: THB 500/-
Location: Na
Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
2. Check
out the Popular Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is
a Buddhist temple complex in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple complex houses the largest
collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46m (150 feet) long Reclining
Buddha. It is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage
which is still taught and practiced at the temple. We spent more than 1 hour in this temple because it
is very huge.
Opening Hours: 08:30am to
05:00pm daily
Entrance Fee: THB 100/-
Location: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict,
Pranakorn District, Bangkok (south
of Grand Palace)
3.
Experience the morning market in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This is also one of the things that Thailand is
known for. We don’t want to miss this experience that’s why we made it as part
of our itinerary. We were able to find a travel agency that offers this tour
package among other tours. We rode a minivan going to the place, after one and
a half hour of travel; we reached the entrance of the place going to the market
where we need to ride a motor boat. Then in order to bargain for items in the
floating market, we have to rent a paddle boat costing THB100 for half an hour.
Although the place is jam-packed, we enjoyed looking around for bargain in the
floating market.
Opening Hours: 07:00am to 12:00 noon
Tour Fee: THB
700/- + THB 100/- (Small paddle boat)
Location: Ratchaburi District,
Damnoen Saduak
4. Ride
an elephant in Chang Puak Camp.
Chang Puak Camp (Elephant Village) – Damnoen
Saduak, is a small park-like venue filled with a variety of activities to look
forward to for everyone. I never intended to ride an elephant because it was
quite expensive, costing THB 600 for a 30 minute ride, but after contemplating,
we grabbed the chance. It was a nice experience riding this tall mammal. It was
scary at first but it was getting exciting in the middle of the ride as the
elephant will submerge in water. They were also selling bananas to feed the
elephant so if you want to feed them, you can buy it in their store.
Opening Hours: 08:00am to 05:00pm daily
Entrance Fee: Free
Elephant Ride: THB 600/-
Location: Ratchaburi
District, Damnoen Saduak
5. Learn
the history of silk industry in Jim Thompson House Museum. Thailand
is also famous for its silk industry and Jim Thompson was an American
businessman who helped revitalize the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and
1960s. But he mysteriously disappeared on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1967, while
on vacation in the Cameron Highlands of north central Malaysia. There is no
known clue as to what might happen to him up to this time. His famous Thai
house (now a museum), however, remains as a lasting reminder of his creative
ability and his deep love of Thailand.
Opening Hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm daily (guided tour
ends at 5:00pm)
Entrance Fee: THB 150/-
Location: 6 SoiKasemsan (2) Song
on Rama I Road
6. Indulge
yourself with the soothing effect of Thai massage. After our entire day of walk, we decided to try
Thai massage to complete our Thai experience. So we went to a Thai massage
parlor near our hotel (massage parlor are almost everywhere) and have a foot
massage. We initially want to have a full body massage but I was a bit shy to show
my body, so I just went for a foot massage since I really need it badly. It was
relaxing! I felt my soring feet feels invigorated. You should also try it for
an affordable amount of THB 200 for an hour of massage.
7. “Eat
all you can” on their tasty and affordable foods. When
we came in Bangkok and checked-in in Bangkok City Hotel, it was already past
lunch time. So we decided to walk around to find a restaurant to eat and travel
agency for us to book for the floating market. On our way, we met a vendor that
sells steamed sweet corn, it was still hot and he peeled the corn from the cob,
and he put coconut and sugar altogether which cost 20Thb. It tastes good. We
also tried their pad thai (popular dish), sticky rice with mango, squid /fish
balls, coconut ice cream, fresh fruits, coconut juice etc. All the foods that
we tried were delicious and refreshing. You should not miss trying their delicious
foods.
8. Buy
souvenir items in Platinum Mall and MBK Mall. If
you are a certified shopaholic, Bangkok is a place where you can shop ‘till you
drop’.
The Platinum Mall is Thailand’s largest
Fashion Mall and One Stop Wholesale shopping destination. It is designed in the
national wholesale shopping concept. You can bargain on anything you want from
souvenirs, fashion clothes, bags, accessories etc.
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm (Saturday, Sunday
& Wednesday);
9:00am – 8:00pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday &
Friday)
Location: Petchburi
Road, ThanonPetchburi, Ratchthevi
The MBK Mall is probably Bangkok's most
legendary shopping mall, popular with both tourists and locals, and busy with
shoppers every day. There are eight floors packed with 2,000 shops that sell
everything from clothing, fashion accessories, handbags, leather products and
luggage to furniture, mobile phones, electric appliances, cameras, stationery
etc.
Opening Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm daily
Location: Phayathai
Rd, Bangkok, Pathumwan
Note that the
price is cheaper when you buy in bulk so it is better to plan what you would
buy and then negotiate the price. I suggest looking at shops that are far from the
entrance or less visible to customers because they will offer lower price than
other “visible” shops where most people initially go.
There you go. I hope that I have given you an idea on how to plan your anticipated
visit in Bangkok, Thailand.
God bless us more J
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in
all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 2
Thessalonians 5:16-18
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