Step into its grandeur : Grand Palace, Bangkok and other Bangkok, Thailand Things to Do Tips

Be mesmerized by everything gold that reflects the sun, from structures to statues. This is where you can see the famed and revered Emerald Buddha. Go early to avoid crowds.

OPENING HOURS :
Daily 8am-4pm

ADMISSION FEE :
Thai -- Free
Foreigner -- 200 Bht
(Including the entry to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion in the same compound and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road)

DOs & DON'Ts :
- Proper dress code required.
- Guys : no shorts and slippers.
- Gals : no singlets, shorts and sandals.
- Taking photo inside the building is not allowed.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Directions: GETTING THERE :
BUS
- 1 3 6 9 15 19 25 30 32 33 39 43 44 47 53 59 60 64 65 70 80 82 91 123 201 203 AC1 AC6 AC7 AC8 AC12 AC25 AC38 AC39 AC44 mAC8
BOAT
- Chao Phraya Express: Tha Chang Pier
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

Oh don't get me started on the spas! Whenever I'm in Bangkok, I'm sure to visit the spa and I've made it my mission to try out as many new spas as possible.

This is where I will go if I stay at Plaza Athenee Hotel, Bangkok. I was given the best treatment room that faces the pool (with 1-way mirror that you can look out but no one can look in) and had a massage there which was divine :-) Picture was taken from website.

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Phone: 662 650 8800
Directions: Plaza Athenee Hotel
Wireless Road, Bangkok.

I've always loved Thai food and on my recent holiday to Bangkok, this was an opportunity for me to take Thai cooking classes so that I can have Thai food anywhere.

My friend Owen took me to dinner at Blue Elephant Royal Thai Cuisine and I was delighted to discover that they run cooking classes.

These classes are really popular as I found out, especially the morning classes which include a guided visit to the market. Highly recommend that you book in advance. Though I had the afternoon class which included a extra dessert to learn, they allowed me to tag along for the market visit as well. Bottled water is provided and we took the BTS station to the market which is next to Shangri-La Hotel by the river.

Though the morning class includes a market visit and the afternoon class doesn't, I preferred the afternoon class as there are less people and I get personalised service.

For a glimpse on my day out with Blue Elephant Culinary School and the dishes I learnt to cook, go to the travelogue. Price per class is Baht 2800.

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Phone: +66 (2) 673 9353, +66 (2) 673935
Directions: 233 South Sathorn Road, Kwaeng Yannawa, Khet Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Website: www.blueelephant.com

This is one of my favourite spas in Bangkok where it has a tropical garden setting away from the hustle and bustle of this very hectic city.

The spa offeres facials, body treatments, massages (my fave is the Asian Blend Massage at Baht 1400 for 70 min), hair care and spa package for you to indulge.

It also has yoga classes, skincare clinic, a tea room and shop if you can't get enough of their products.

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Phone: +662 391 9919
Directions: 117 Thonglor Soi 10, Sukhumvit 55, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Website: www.sareerarom.com

This is one of the very first day spa I've visited before I discovered Sareerarom. What I like of this spa is its extensive menu with the most imaginative treatments. Here's a sampler.

- Papaya and yogurt wrap
- Thai pepper body scrub
- Tummy firming hot mask
- Siam herbal heat body massage

Spa Hours: 10:00-22:00 Daily
Reservation: Highly Recommended

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Phone: 66(0) 2662 6171
Directions: 8 Sukhumvit 51 (49/2), Klongtoey, Bangkok, Thailand
Website: www.beingspa.com

Was exploring the new shopping mall Siam Paragon on a tiring day when I discovered this little gem of the spa. Decided to try out their Swedish Legacy massage which lasts for 100 minutes and cost Baht 2200 (after 20% discount).

Absolutely loved it as the pressure was medium strong and the therapist seems to know where the right spots are. It's lovely to relax especially when your legs are tired from all the walking and shopping.

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Website: www.pranaliwellness.com

If you want to really splurge in Bangkok, come experience this pure spa at i.sawan spa.

i.sawan Residential Spa & Club, is located on the hotel’s 5th floor, high above the sights and sounds of the city. Embracing its mythical definition as the "fifth level of heaven," i.sawan offers a rejuvenating retreat from the rigours of daily urban living. Nestled in the garden of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the Residential Spa & Club offers an extraordinary and refreshing array of features which include pampering, fitness, cuisine, accommodation and relaxation. i.sawan is a virtual "garden in the sky" draped in the beauty and quiet of its exquisite and thoughtful design.

i.sawan consists of six Residential Spa Cottages, nine Treatment Bungalows, Hair Salon, Nail Bar, a beautifully appointed spa with health and fitness studios, and a free-form salt water swimming pool.

I was shown to a beautiful, stand-alone Treatment Bungalow to begin my massage. There is a lovely rain shower bathroom covered in stone and cool tiles and glass. After my shower, I was asked by my therapist what music I wanted. I even have my very own ipod docked onto a Bose docking station for my enjoyment, nice!

The massage was absolutely wonderful and relaxing, and I find my therapist very skillful (this spa queen is not easily pleased, you know!). Massage is called Purity and it cost Baht 2,700 for 60 minutes.

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Phone: +66 2 254 1234
Address: Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok

Spa is always on my agenda when I visit Bangkok and I'm always on the look out to try new spas.

As I was staying at Citadines Bangkok, the nearest spa I was told was Divana Spa. Housed in an old Thai house steps away from the bustling main road, this peaceful sanctuary is calm, quiet and welcoming with its lush tropical garden complete with a pond and water features.

I was greeted by a staff as soon as I arrive with a cold towel and warm herbal tea. After deciding on an anti-stress massage (from its extensive menu of spa treatments), I was escorted upstairs to a single spa treatment room. Room is sparse with dark wood panelling and floor. What I like was the wooden bathtub in the room which I wished I had time to use.

Open 11am - 11pm daily

The therapist's skills was average to me. Somehow, the best massage I have ever had is from Pranali and i.sawan of Grand Hyatt Erawan.

Nonetheless, it was close of my hotel so I was stressed out by Bangkok traffic after my massage.

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Phone: 0 2661 6784
Address: 7 Sukhumvit 25
Directions: 5 mins walk from Asoke BTS. It's behind Glass Haus Building.
Website: www.divanaspa.com

I wanted to treat my hair to some moisturizing therapy and I wanted to see uf any spas in Bangkok would offer this. Most of my hair treatments were done in Bali, Jakarta and back home in Kuala Lumpur so I was curious about the ones in Bangkok.

Found out that Bua Spa does them so I promptly made an appointment. I took the BTS Sky Train to Thong Lor station and a tuk tuk from Bua Spa came and picked me up. Very quickly using side streets to avoid all the heavy traffic, I was whisked away to a peaceful sanctuary in the shape of an old bungalow which had benn renovated for Bua Spa.

Inside, I was greeted by friendly staff and taken to the back of the house to start my Javanese Creme Bath treatment for my hair.

Unfortunately, the therapist lacked the skills of those in Bali and Jakarta so I didn't quite enjoy my experience. I think I'll better wait for my next visit to Bali to pamper my hair.

For short to medium length hair, the treatment is Baht 1200 per person.

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Address: 81 Sukhumvit 53
Directions: BTS station : Thong Lor (exit 1)
Website: www.buaspa.com