Bangkok Things to Do Tips by trisanna

This is one of the largest weekend markets in the world. There are over 7,000 stalls full of so many goods for sale. There is really something for everyone here. Many young designers start their businesses here -since rent is lower than a traditional store. There are many stalls selling housewares, textiles, antiques, pet accessories (Thai people love their pets-especially dogs) and other things. You have to take a look at the pet squirrels. The sellers' don't like you taking photos-so don't do it or be discreet. Many of the baby squirrels or bunnies have bows in their hair or little outfits. Quite silly.

There are a few restaurants and cafes there. Some expresso bars as well.

It's best to get there early-around 9.30 or 10 am. This place is outdoors, though covered by tarp. It is usually very crowded and can be really frustrating if you are tired and exhausted. Lots of great buys here. You can easily get your Christmas shopping done for the year. Make sure you bring an extra bag to cart your goodies home.

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Address: Mo Chit Station, Bangkok
Directions: BTS Mo Chit or take new subway Chatuchak station.
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com

Bangkok's chinatown is a little like other chinatown's in other cities. The difference is that it is quite busy and many Chinese Thai residents live here. It's interesting if you have some time to kill. Located in Chinatown is Wat Traimit. A beautiful wat, which is famous for the world's largest golden Buddha image.

In this area there are lots of gold shops and stores selling tacky souvenirs. Along the street, you will see many women threading eyebrows. They use thread to remove unwanted hair. I have a friend, who does it and she says it's not painful. Lots of chinese restaurants nearby and a great wet market full of wonderful fruit.

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Address: Ratchawongsi Pier, Chao Phraya River Tour, Bangkok
Directions: To view typical China Town scences straight ahead to Ratchawongsi Road until the intersection of Yaowarat Road.

This is a stunning wat. This wat holds the largest golden Buddha image. It weighs 5.5 tons and is around 3 meters high. For the longest time, no one knew about the golden Buddha. Instead the golden Buddha was encased in plaster. When workers were moving the image in 1955-they accidently dropped the image breaking the plaster. Supposedly, it was quite common to cover important or richly decorated Buddhas due to the threat of a Burmese invasion.

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Phone: 623 1226
Address: Thanon Yaowarat
Directions: Near Hualamphong Station

Golden mount is a great site. When you climb up the top(takes 10 minutes or so) you will have wonderful views of the city. There is a beatiful golden chedi on top.

At the bottom is wat saket, which has some lovely temple murals.

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Phone: 66-2-233 4561
Address: Th Chakkaphatdi

I guarantee this place will take your breath away. The place is so beautiful, so over the top and stunning. The place is so picturesque. There are buildings in different architectural styles-khmer, thai and burmese. The highlight of the surroundings, is Wat Phra Kaew (temple of the Emerald Buddha). This Buddha is made up of a large piece of Jade. It is adorned with golden clothes and precious gems. The image has three different golden outfits-one for the monsoon, hot weather and colder season-i think. It's very impressive. You are not allowed to take photos inside that wat,but you can take photos looking inside the temple. The Emerald Buddha is the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.

It's very important to dress correctly-since you are entering a very holy site. They do enforce this. You must not wear shorts, skirts-legs must be covered. No tank tops-arms should be covered. Nice tshirts are allowed. No open toed shoes ( this isn't enforced as much). Heels must be covered.

If you don't have the right clothes, they will either send you away or you can rent older clothes or sarongs at the entrance.

Don't believe the tuk tuk drivers, who harass tourists walking around the complex and say that it is closed due to a special function. This is a scam. He just wants you to go with him for a few hours and see the other sites. If you have any doubts, walk to the front of the complex or ask your hotel staff.

The Grand Palace doesn't allow visitors to enter. You can see it from the gates. You can visit Chakri Mahaprasat (Grand Palace Hall). In one of the large buildings-you can visit an armory museum.

With your ticket to the wat, it includes admission to the royal museum at this complex and Vinanmek Teak Mansion (palace of Rama V). The royal museum has royal jewels, swords and beetle nut sets that are very impressive. You will learn a lot about the royal family.

There is one restaurant located near the pier. Also, one cafe across the street from the royal wats. At night, the wat is lit up.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Th Na Phra Lan, Ratanakosin
Directions: Tha Chang pier
Website: www.palaces.thai.net

When you go to Bankgok, you will hear the name Jim Thompson all over the city. Jim Thompson was one of Bangkok's favorite expats. An American, who came to Thailand in the 1950's. Supposedly CIA. Anyway, he loved Thailand and their culture. He helped revitalize the Thai silk industry. He was killed mysteriously in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in 1967.

His house is one of the best sites in Bangkok. Made up of several antique homes-they are filled with stunning antiques. There is a nice cafe there-where you can take a drink or light meal by the pond overlooking the house. You must go on a short guided tour through the house. Afterwards, you can walk around the small gardens and take photos looking inside the house. The house is open to the outside. Great gift shop.

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Address: Soi Kasem San 2, Th Phra Ram 1, Siam Sq
Directions: BTS National Stadium
Website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com

This is a fun place to be the evening. Located nearby to Wat Phra Kaew -in the north of the city. Khao San is full of backpacker guest houses and hostels. The place is more for farangs than local Thais. Mostly full of tourists. Full of bars, coffee shops and henna tattoo parlors. There are some nice stalls, where people sell jewerly and tshirts. On the street you will see musicians trying to make a few bucks. At the end of the street-there are a bunch of food hawkers, which will sell some yummy Thai goods.

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Address: T. Khoa San Road (KSR) BKK

Bangkok has a very impressive film festival. It usually runs in early January.

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Address: Several locations in Central Bangkok
Website: www.bangkokfilm.org

Muay Thai or kick boxing is very popular in Thailand. When the boxers enter the ring they do various prayers and circle the ring many times. It;s very interesting, but can be a little bloody. Many of the boxers we saw entering the ring had to be taken out by stretchers. Still it's an insight into Thai culture and should be seen.

There are two boxing stadiums in Bangkok. We went to the one by Lumphini Park.

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Address: Th Phra Ram IV
Directions: BTS Lumphini. A 10 minute walk from Lumphini park.
Website: www.muaythai.com

When we went here, i didn't see many tourists. This is a shame since this is a wonderful insight into Thai culture. It's not a huge museum or a modern one, but it has lots of beautiful things hidden behind it's gates.

Some of my favorites: musical instrument gallery, puppet gallery, and the funeral chariots. You have to see them. They are amazing! I wish i could take a picture of them. Pictures are not allowed in the museum.

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Address: Th Na Phra That 1, Ratanakosin
Directions: Tha Phra Chan
Very close to Wat Phra Kaew. Across from Sanam Luang park.
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com