The Moment you touch Down at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok. The fast paced, never say sleep metropolis sweeps you along at a swirling pace.

Bangkok is home to 400 plus Temples (Wats) and well over 10,000 restaurants. Night markets, street stalls, shopping malls and entertainment venues, add to the city's attractions. Bangkok's vibrant nightlife features everything from excellent live music and good jazz clubs. To ultra cool pubs, bars, nightclubs and trendy discos is a long way from its once sleazy image.

Exploring Bangkok, with so much to see, where to start? The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo is unique among Thai temples and home of the Emerald Buddha should not be missed. The Chao Phraya River and cannel boat tours provide a great way to explore Bangkok. Tours vary from a one hour sightseeing tour on a longtail boat to a classic one or two day river cruise to Ayutthaya.

The National Museum Bangkok is one of the largest Museums in Southeast Asia, an excellent insight to Thai arts and culture, is well worth visiting. There are many Thai restaurants along the Chao Phraya River that provide Thai classical dance and culture shows free while you have diner. One of Thailand's must see shows is the Siam Niramit.

Thonburi Thailand’s former capital between the fall of Ayutthaya, occupies the west bank of The Chao Phraya River Bangkok, a ferry ride away from The Grand Palace, tourist attractions in the area Wat Arun and the famous Floating Market. The left bank of Thonburi assumes the character of Modern Day Bangkok.

Bangkok is a shopper’s paradise the shopping ranges from ultra modern mega shopping complexes, shopping malls and department stores, to the close quarter body press of the local street markets. Siam Square a good place to start, MBK is on one corner, Siam Discovery Center opposite. Ratchadamri is one of the biggest and busiest shopping districts in Bangkok.

Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market is the worlds biggest market with over 12,000 stalls selling practically everything; it's easily reached by the BTS Sky Train. Patpong Night Market Silom Road is famous for its Go-Go Bars that run down the sides of the market. Suanlum Night Bazaar is the largest night market in Bangkok located on the corner of Wireless Road and Rama 4 Road, easily reached by the MRT Subway.

Chinatown Bangkok on the western side of the city is Bangkok's most colorful and crowded district. The best way to explore and experience the area’s street stalls and shops is on foot. Pak Klong Market is to the west of Chinatown is a gigantic wholesale market selling every shade of orchid fish and fruit. You need to get there early to see it at its best. After visit the Thieves Market in Nakhon Kasem many Chinese objects, musical instruments and fake antiques.

Sukhumvit Road is in many ways, the center of modern Bangkok. Not only one of the longest roads in Thailand, but one of the longest roads in the world. Towards the west end you have Ploenchit Road and Rama I Road. The lowered numbered soi's are densely packed with shopping centers and hotels, including Siam Paragon and Siam Square opposite it. The upper soi's are popular residential areas for resident expats.

Nana (Soi 4 Nana Tai) and Soi Cowboy (between Soi 21 & 23) are also just off Sukhumvit, as are plenty of more salubrious bars, pubs and discos. Also, the pavements of Sukhumvit itself are a huge market carrying everything from luggage to fake Rolex watches, after midnight they turn into pavement cafes and bars.

Sukhumvit offers some of the best dining in Bangkok, from 5 Star dining to street stalls, the variety of choices and tastes are overwhelming. It also offers the best in bespoke tailoring. There are many custom tailor shops that can get your suits and shirts ready in less than 24 hours, although fittings are advisable if you have time.

The Grand Palace is the most famous landmark in Bangkok. It is located near the Chao Phraya River a short distance from the Tha Chang Pier. The complex covers a total area of 132 Rai and comprises of three major quarters. The centerpiece Chakri Maha Prasad was the last of the buildings to be completed in 1882 by King Rama V.

Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) occupies its own compound within the grounds of the Grand Palace it contains Thai Buddhism's most sacred image, The Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dress appropriately as visitors wearing vests and shorts may be politely turned away

Wat Pho is to the west of the Grand Place is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok. It contains a vast collection of Buddha images and pagodas. Wat Pho has facilities for teaching medicine and archaeology plus tablets of stone detailing the art of Thai massage.

Wat Arun is almost directly opposite Wat Po on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Known as the Temple of Dawn and at 79 meters high it was for many years the tallest pagoda in the city.

The Ancient City is located in Bang Pu Mai sub district and is the center of replicas of important historical sites in Thailand. It was first constructed in 1963 and covers an area of approximately of 800 Rai. It is also the source of local Thai arts and culture which is disappearing from the modern Thai society.

Thai Life Exhibition Hall is located in the Thailand Culture Centre on Ratchadaphisek Road the venue displays the history of the Thai people and different aspects of Tha culture from prehistoric times to the present day.

The Anantasamakhom Throne Hall the renaissance building was constructed with marble from Italy under the instruction of King Rama V with the attention of being used as a royal reception. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except public holidays) Admission 50 baht. (Proper attire is required) Tel: 02 628 6300 ext 5119-5121.

The Vimanmek Mansion Museum is the world's largest teak building located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission 100 Baht. (Proper attire is required) Tel: 02 628 6300 ext. 5119-5121.

Kamthieeng House is a Lanna Ethnological Museum in the compound of the  Siam Society Sukhumvit Soi 21. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except public holidays) Admission Adult 100 baht Child 50 Baht Tel: 02 661 6470-7.

The Royal Barge National Museum is located on the Khlong Canal Bangkok Noi, just off the Chao Phraya River near Phraya Pin Klao Bridge on the Thoburi Side. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission 30 Baht. Tel: 02 424 0004.

The Children's Discovery Museum is located inside the Queen Sirikit Park. It was established under the royal initiative of Her Majesty the Queen realizing the significance of creating a pleasurable learning process for Thai children. Open Daily Tues - Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sat - Sun from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission Adult 70 Baht. Child 50 Baht. Tel: 02 615 733 ext. 102, 134, 148.

The compact Benchasire Park on Sukhumvit Road near Soi 24 was built to commemorate the 60th birthday of HM Queen Sirikit in 1992. Open Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission free.

Chatuchak Park is located at the junction of Phahonyothin and Vibhavadi Rangsit Roads. Open Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission free.

Queen Sirikit Park is located east of Chatuchak Park on Phahonyothin Road. It was built to commemorate the 60th birthday anniversary of HM Queen Sirikit. Open Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission free.

The beautiful Princess Mother Memorial Park was built near the Wat Anongkharam community Khlong San District. The park is located on Soi 3 Chao Phraya Road. The gardens are open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (except public holidays) the museum daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission free.

Lumpini Park was a large open space belonging to King Rama VI who issued a royal command to turn the area into a public park as a gift to the residents of Bangkok. It is located on Rama IV Road and Wireless road with entrances on both sides. Open Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission free.

The Suan Luang Rama IX Royal Park is Bangkok’s largest park located deep inside Sukhumvit Soi 103 (Udomsuk). The park is divided into six areas and was built to Honor HM the King 60th Birthday on the 5th December 1987. Open Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission 10 Baht.

Saranrom Park is located near the Grand Palace. The park was originally a royal garden in the Saranrom Palace. Open Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission free.

National Parks Thailand

The national of Thailand is Muay Thai champion tournaments are held mostly on the weekends at Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen boxing stadiums. The majority of hotels in Bangkok provide good fitness, leisure and sport facilities.

Bangkok Golf Club is a short distance from downtown Bangkok there are also has many sport centers offering various sporting activities. Try a Thai traditional Massage or relax in luxury at one of Bangkok’s many of Spas that can be found throughout Bangkok.

Bangkok is home to some of the worlds most Luxurious Hotels and Spa resorts, whatever your requirements are for sure you can find them in Bangkok. Khao San Road made famous by the Movie (The Beach) is popular with backpackers and budget travelers the area has many good budget hotels, Pubs and restaurants.

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