"BANGKOK...CITY OF ANGELS....CITY OF DREAMS" MichaelDovey's Profile

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CHAO PHRAYA RIVER

"A river runs through it"..To me the heart of Bangkok is the Chao Phraya River, and this in my mind should be the major means of transport while in Bangkok. The River Taxi is cheap transport that gets you up close to the way the locals get around, and most major tourist attractions are accesable from the river.
From run down buildings, to state of the art architectural buildings, all can be seen along the river, together with the grace and beauty of the temples and palaces.
Start any Bangkok holiday, with a trip on the river...This is the heart of the City of Angels,and you can learn a lot about the history of Bangkok from the river,as it was a city designed to be seen from the river.

Wat Phra Kaeo..Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Phra Kaeo

This is the holiest of all Thai Wats, and it reveals some of the most stunning architecture in all of Thailand. It also conveys the traditions of the firm beliefs that the people of thailand have in the Buddhist religion and there Nation.
This Wat is also the home of the Emerald Buddha, which is the most sacred image in Thailand.
This Wat has a sence of serenity and peace ,which is difficult to explain.. One has to experiance it.

Pak Klong Talat...Flower and Vegtable Market

Colours of Bangkok

Amazing colour and beauty,and not full of tourist,is the Pak Klong flower market on the river.From the river the building looks run down,and I think this is the reason tourists stay away..Don't..Get of the river at Memorial Bridge and take a short walk to this market. The huge baskets filled with chillies,garlic,etc, and the tables filled with an amazing array of vegtables, and the people all doing a job that they proud of, showed me a side of Bangkok I have not experianced anywhere else.
The flowers awaiting collection by the major hotels, project a splash of colour right down the street.

Wat Arun...The Temple of Dawn

View from the Temple of dawn

The Temple of Dawn is most probably the picture most used on tourist brochures.King Taksin chose this spot for a Wat,as it was the first place in Thonburi to catch the morning light.It was originally the home of the Emerald Buddha.
The views of Bangkok and the river,from near the top of the prang (tower)are well worth the climb.

Lumphini Park

Lumpini Park

Amid the "chaos" of Bangkok is a park one would never expect to find in Bangkok.This is Lumphini Park,and it is the place that many locals go to in the mornings and evenings, in order to relax,or to jog around the 2,4km pathway through the park.
It is well kept and clean,and is really a place to go to to relax.
In the evening,the pavement next to the park becomes a great place to eat,with many foodstalls open after 6.00pm

Views of the City

Evening view from the Baiyoke Sky Hotel

Apart from the river, to me the three best places to view Bangkok are: Wat Arun, The Temple of the Golden Mount and from the top of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel.
The trip to the top of the highest hotel in Thailand,and reputed to be the highest hotel in the world, is one way to see Bangkok from a different point,and to orientate yourself before exploring the city. A trip up in the day,and another at night, gives you the true views of Bangkok

Vimanmek Palace

The Teak Palace

Within the ground of the Dusit park, you will find the Vimanmek Palace. This is the largest Teak building in the world, and the 30 minute guided tour through the palace gives you a good understanding of the Royal Family
A trip to this park, which also has the National Elephant museum,the Carriage Museum as well as numerous other attractions is well worth the visit

Chatuchak Weekend market

A stall at Chatuchak Market

If you are in Bangkok on a Suturday or Sunday,then get on the Skytrain,head for Mo Chit station and visit the Chatuchak Weekend market.
This market,with its 7000 stalls is one where you can buy almost anything,and is the place where the locals shop.
It is reputed to be the largest flee market in the world, and free maps are handed out at all the entrances,to help you find your way around.

Intro Written Aug 24, 2008
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Comments (29)

hopang Apr 14, 2012 at 4:19 AM Report Abuse

Hi Mike, We wish you a very happy birthday. Hope you have a great day. Greetings from Sweden. ~ho & pang
GracesTrips Apr 12, 2012 at 9:05 AM Report Abuse

Hope you enjoy a wonderful birthday celebration, Mike!
joiwatani Apr 17, 2010 at 9:54 AM Report Abuse

Belated happy birthday! Didn't realize you have the same birthday as my second daughter!
Donna_in_India Apr 13, 2010 at 8:17 PM Report Abuse

Happy, happy birthday Mike!
canuck68 May 12, 2009 at 3:34 PM Report Abuse

Thank you Mike for those positive comments about South Africa. My posts probably don't mean much because I don't live there. I love your country and wish it wasn't so far away, Diane
antonela Apr 26, 2009 at 5:26 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for stopping by. True we live in a beautiful country. Happy travels, if you are ever down here , pay us a visit.
a2lopes Apr 14, 2009 at 2:21 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday Mike and many happy returns of the day. Greetings from Lisbon which is waiting for your visit next May for the Euromeeting. It will be fun with vteers from all over
TheTravelSlut Apr 7, 2009 at 5:27 AM Report Abuse

Here's to Happy Birthday wishes for you and may you get all you want and want all you get! Cheers! :-) Ann, The TravelSlut
janiebaxter Mar 26, 2009 at 9:29 AM Report Abuse

Hi Mike, Thanks for your comment - just returned from Benin and Burkina Faso!
Quero Jan 6, 2009 at 4:51 AM Report Abuse

Will you be here soon, then? I'll look forward to sharing a cold one with you once you're on-island!