Bangkok Things to Do Tips by Mikebb

On a previous holiday we tried to find Jim Thompson's but got lost, this time we walked an extra 50 metres and arrived, it was well worth the second effort. Jim Thompson was an American who arrived in Thailand as a milatary intelligence officer after WW2 and on leaving the service decided to live in Thailand.
Before the war he had been an architect and he now entered the the world of hand weaving of silk where he is credited with substantially contributing to the development of this industry and gaining world recognition for Thai Silk.
He also is remembered for the construction of his house which combined 6 teak buildings in traditional architecture, these buildings being centuries old. The house and associated buildings are magnificent, set in beautiful gardens it is a pleasure to take the guided tour with an English speaking guide and later walk through and relax in the garden prior to visiting the silk retail showroom.
The home is beautifully fiurnished with Thai furniture and antiques complimented with other antiques collected from neighbouring countries. Photos are not allowed whilst within the house, admission is 100 baht .

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Phone: 02 216 7368
Address: Rama I Road, Pathumwan District
Directions: National Stadium or Siam Skytrain station, situated alongside the canal

This is the largest market I have ever been to, over 9,000 stalls which sell everything you can think of. we had been there in 2002 during the hot weather and it was almost unbearable but a "must see" sight.
This year we went in February a much cooler month and arrived about 9:30am, there were still plenty of people but nothing like the crowds after midday. Early arrival meant only half the stalls were open , but by 11am the total 9,000 were open and the crowds had built up. We had a most interesting time and saw some unusual sights and many items we wanted to buy but had to limit ourselves due to luggage restrictions. Remember to bargain on all purchases, you will be amazed how much they will discount, particularly if you purchase a number of items.
Always have plenty to drink and beware of pickpockets, they abound in these markets and we have a friend who lost his wallet the last time he visited.
The market is easy to reach usingthe Skytrain go to the last station, Mo Chit and follow the crowd.

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Address: Mo Chit Station, Bangkok
Directions: Simply take the Skytrain to the end terminal called Morchit which is exactly where the market is located.
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com

We were going to the Hyatt Erawan Tea Rooms for afternoon High Tea and as we approached the hotel we saw a beautiful shrine adjoining the hotel. It was a special holy day and there were many people lighting incense sticks and in worship. There was a group of beautifully dressed dancers celebrating the day, the shrine had a slight smoke haze. It was worth spending some time to observe and enjoy this most important part of Thai culture.

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Address: Chitlom Station, Bangkok
Directions: Near the Sogo Dept. Store, next to the Hyatt Erawan Hotel
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com

We booked a day tour from the tour operator adjoining our hotel, choosing the full day tour which featured the Damneun Floating Market and several other attractions. We had 19 in our group and the tour bus arrived at 7:15am, very early for some but we were lucky as breakfast was available from 6am. The early start is to beat the traffic and get to the markets early as it is a morning market.Our trip took approximately 2 hours including a stop at a craft market.
The bus does not go direct to the floating market but stops several kilometres away, where you are transferred onto longboats (8 passengers) and you are then taken for a very fast ride along the canals getting a good view of canal life, typical Thai homes, an elephant relaxing in a field and after 10 minutes you suddendly come upon the colourful and congested floating market. Our longboat was not allowed into the market and we alighted at the wharf and walked around viewing the various boats displaying their goods. The floating market boats mostly sold food, usually fruit , vegetables etc, however on land there were many stalls selling everything from silk to keyrings.
You can take a boatride in small rowboats where you will be taken in amongs the market boats and can actually pull alongside and make a purchase. I had previously visited the market in 1977, it was much the same , but less commercial. I enjoyed this vist and would go again.
Our day tour included lunch, and a visit to the Crocodile Farm and Elephant Show, both of which are well worth seeing. The cost of our day tour to all these places was 900 baht, approx Au $31.

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Address: Damnernsaduak
Directions: About 2 hours by car outside Bangkok city center

We were guests at the Asia Hotel and the 12th Floor outdoor pool was a great place to relax after a hard day's sightseeing and shopping. After a swim it was great to relax and view the city from a height, you see things that you miss when you are at road level. Bangkok is a vibrant city and the view confirms the building activity within the city.

To see this great view just walk into hotel reception and catch the lift to the 12th floor, no one will challenge you.

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Address: 296 Phayathai Road
Directions: Catch the Skytrain to Ratchathewi station, there is a direct entrance from the station to the hotel's 2nd floor

After visiting the Floating Market we travelled by coach to the Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo for the live Crocodile Show. Two handlers were in the enclosure with 3 or four large crocs, there was little movement from each croc until the handler prodded and touched them. At first they did tricks like putting their arm into the open mouth and leaving it there for 5 seconds. Upon removal the croc would snapclose its mouth a millesecond after the handler removed his arm.
The show continued with similar tricks for 20 minutes before a large crowd in the tiered stand. Then, to end the show the Grandest of Tricks was performed. The handler eased up to a huge croc with open jaws and eased his head between the jaws for 10 to 15 seconds, his head was really between the jaws as my photo shows. The crowd loved this demonstration and erupted with applause. A very fine show. There was no entry fee as it was included in the day tour.

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We travelled along this river several times during our visit, the first time on a Rice Barge tour which was very pleasant as we had Thai food and drinks as we cruised along the river for an hour or so. The second time we took a longboat and this stopped several times to allow us to visit various sites. This boat had a powerful engine and was very fast, a bit of excitement. The river has constant traffic, be it barges hauling rice and other products to and from the ocean port, ferries, longboats etc etc. From the river you get a great impression of the city, the fabulous riverside hotels and apartments, and the developing high rise buildings, however you will see that there are several large apartment buildings completed around 2000 which have not yet been occupied.

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Address: Saphan Taksin Stn., Bangkok
Directions: Anywhere along the river, suggest you take the Skytrain to the river and then catch a river ferry.

Our day trip continued and we arrived at the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo where we spent several hours enjoying the attractions, particularly the Elephant Show. The show covered many aspects which demonstrated the brilliance of these inteligent animals and their affinity with humans.
First we were introduced to the animals and then there was the soccer game, all the big names in soccer were represented , however the game was friendly with several goals scored. Then followed the mock battle with the elephants decked out in bright colours going into battle, very different to modern day warfare where the armies attempt to camoflage. This scene was representing typical Thai warfare several centuries ago and it was done in a blaze of colour.
After the show the elephants came to the fence where you could pat them and have a photograph taken.
The entertainment was good and well worth the visit.

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Address: km.30,Petkasem rd., Samphran,Nakhon Pathom 73110
Directions: Very close to the Rose Gardens, only minutes away.
Website: http://www.elephantshow.com

At the Elephant Farm there is also a Snake Show which was very scary but most entertaining and educational. There must have been several hundred people watching the show, some were very edgy when they started passing snakes around, most probably they were harmless pythons. The real show was with the deadly Cobra's and it was a test of the skill of the young men as they took on the speed and aggression of the Cobra. I noticed that all the snake handlers were small and agile with the ability to anticipate the snake's strike. These men were extremely fast and put on an excellent demonstration. They then brought out a very large Python and explained the life of these reptiles in the wild.
They then demonstrated how they milk the Cobra's venom, and interestingly they explained how this milking process can take place every 5 minutes as the Cobra replenishes the venom in that time.
Finally they brought out a Mongoose in a Glass box and put a Cobra in with the snake. It was interesting to see each animal stalk each other, however as we all know the Mongoose is much faster and always wins.

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Address: Samphran
Directions: Approximately 40 km from Bangkok, only minutes from the Rose Gardens.

We travelled to the temple by longboat as part of a Klong Tour (canals) and as we came along the Chayo Praya River the Wat Arun , The Temple of Dawn, stood out against the city landscape. It is a very large temple stretching into the sky , and with it being covered with broken pieces of porcelain it glissens in the sun. We walked up the steep steps to the first level and admired the temple and view over Bangkok. It is well worth the effort to walk around the Temple on this level and admire the detailed workmanship.
There is a small entry fee approximately 20 baht, the temple being open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm.

Perhaps the most enjoyable and easiest way to reach the temple is by river taxii, it is interesting and cheap travel

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Phone: 02-466-3167
Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River
Directions: From this pier take a cross river ferry to Wat Arun.