Bangkok, Gay Friendly Hotels - Where to Find and Stay

The popularity of tourism has been growing steadily in Bangkok Thailand. This is true especially for gay and lesbian travelers looking for a holiday in an exotic destination. Bangkok offers some of the best nightlife for alternative lifestyles and finding the right hotel and area to stay in will make your trip more memorable.

When it comes to gay and lesbian nightlife the red light district of Patpong is the place to be. Though Patpong is more well known for go go bars and sex shows the area has always had a strong presence of popular gay bars and clubs.

These widely popular bars and clubs are spread out in several locations in Patpong's red light district:

Silom Soi 4 and Soi 2
Patpong Soi 2
Soi Pratoochai on Suriwongse Road, also known as Duangthawee Plaza

Though spread out they are all still within a 5 minute walking distance to each other. All of those places can be easily reached by using the BTS and MRT trains if you're not staying in Patpong. But ideally it's best to stay in a gay friendly hotel nearby so you won't have to worry about travel time.

One new hotel that just opened up recently in Patpong is called Glitz Hotel. It's a small 4 story boutique hotel with a totally gay friendly attitude. Just one word of caution though, they don't have elevators but they do have plenty of people to help you with your bags.

Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel is another place to consider for your stay in Patpong. Though it has been around for awhile the hotel property especially the rooms have been very well maintained and decorated in true Thai style, a rarity these days in newer hotels.

Finally there's the budget friendly Wall Street Inn which is directly opposite Duangthawee Plaza and it's gay go go bars. Overall the hotel is not in the best condition but the location and rates which usually includes a free breakfast is definitely a good deal.

Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is also the largest city in the country. Bangkok is one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities in Asia and has a population of around 11 million. It is widely known as Bangkok's political, spiritual and cultural hub. The city is huge in terms of space and population. It is also known as a traveler friendly city with bustling commercial and political centers located around the various districts dividing the city.

Climate

Bangkok has a tropical climate and rain lashes the city quite frequently. Due to the humidity, the city remains hot and humid most of the time. Foreign visitors would be well advised to book a hotel with around the clock air conditioning as the summers can be extremely hot. The city is often covered with haze contributed by the weather and the air pollution generated by the hundreds of vehicles. The people of Bangkok are known for their hospitality and that is why, despite the climate issue, thousands of visitors throng to the various attractions of the city.

Getting Here
Most of the visitors arrive in the city through the Suvarnabhumi Airport, as it has now become the busiest airport of the country. The airport offers all the international airport facilities like travelers lounge, internet and telephone services etc. From the airport, most of the people use taxis to move to their destinations around the city. Metered taxis are also available for cheap traveling around the city.

Moving Around
Inside the city, the travel options are huge for a first time traveler. Public bus transport system is available in the city and is a cheap option for moving around. You can also move around in private cars but be aware that the traffic in Bangkok is quite hectic and messy. In order to ease the traffic congestion, Bangkok has recently introduced the sky train. The sky train covers most of the downtown Bangkok areas and towns, and gives you some relief from the traffic congestion. Bangkok also has the metro which can be used in place of the sky train. Boat rides around the city are also very common and will take you to various points around the city in least possible time. Tuk Tuk is also a very common transport means around the city.

Major Attractions
Some of the major attractions of the city include a visit to the old city areas. You can visit various temples of Bangkok; the most famous being Grand Palace, which is one of the biggest in the city according to its size. Wat pho is also a must visit temple, which houses largest reclining image of Buddha. Other temples include the Golden Mount and Wat Rajnadda. You can also visit the various museums in the city which gives an insight into the cities past and history. You can visit the National Museum and the Museum of Siam in order to relive some history of the city. Lumpini Park is one of the largest parks in the city and can be visited in order to get away from the congestion of the city.

Food
Bangkok is famous for its Thai cuisine. Food is relatively expensive in the city and it is of high international standard. You will also find top class international cuisine in the city which will surely add to the flavor of the foods. Phad Thai, Northeastern Thai, Ya Dong and bugs are some of Bangkok traditional food items. Dinner cruises are also quite famous among visitors, and eating while on boat ride in Chao Phraya is one of the experiences that should not be missed.

A Simple and Easy Guide to Renting a Service Apartment in Bangkok, Thailand

What are the best areas of Bangkok to rent? What facilities and services can I expect from a Bangkok serviced apartment? What are the best and worst serviced apartments in Bangkok? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and much more in my simple and easy guide to renting a serviced apartment in Bangkok for both expats and travelers.

Bangkok is the Center of Southeast Asia

As the commercial center of Thailand and the hub of business and leisure travel within Southeast Asia, Bangkok has exceptional hotels of all kinds catering to the business elite and casual traveler.

Recently, a new kind of accommodation has gained favor with business executives on short stays in Bangkok--the luxury serviced apartment. With increased commercial expansion over the past several years, serviced apartments are quickly becoming the favorite choice of living style for their affordable luxury.

What is a Serviced Apartment?

The serviced part of the equation usually refers to the daily or twice weekly cleaning of your room, the furniture, kitchen amenities and so on that normal apartments do not include. Some service apartments also function as hotels, and these are called Aparthotels.

What's So Special About Bangkok Serviced Apartments?

Real estate and relocation agents believe Bangkok has the most number of sophisticated apartments the world has to offer. There are not just one or two luxurious apartments, but close to 50. This is because skilled labor is cheap in thailand, and the city itself is a major business hub for the southeast asia region.

Renting a serviced apartment in bangkok can be a daunting task for several reasons--the primary one being there are so many 'fine print' and extra costs involved when signing a weekly, monthly or yearly contract.

I have been living in Bangkok for a few years now, and have gone through several serviced apartments, learning on the way which 'services' are included and what to expect from your stay in Bangkok.

Bangkok's City Plan

The Bangkok Jungle has several meanings, one of them being that the city was never built with a city plan or urban design in mind. The city is a sprawling landscape, a montage of residential and commercial buildings juxtaposing one another. It is home to 10 to 15 million people, depending on who is arriving from the rural country and abroad. The people as well, from poor to affluent, live side by side.

The city itself is lopsided; if you look down any major road in bangkok, you will see that both sides of the road arent balanced, building heights are different, and there is an overall lack of symmetry. This is what makes Bangkok unique and charming. And what makes it a jungle.

The Best Areas To Live In Bangkok

Bangkok contains inexpensive to exclusive apartments, but the best ones are found in the following regions of Bangkok:

Sukhumvit, the main road or artery of Bangkok



Asok, one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to live



Thong Lo, the chic and fashionable street,



Sathorn, the business district of Bangkok



Silom, another business and red light district



Ploenchit, business district



Chit Lom, business district The areas listed above are all within easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, trains, skytrains, and expressways. If you choose to live in one of these areas, you will experience life in the center of Bangkok's thriving business and shopping centres while indulging in an ultra private serviced apartment in Bangkok. I personally recommend Asok and Chit Lom, as they are the classiest areas of Bangkok, but if you are looking to be close to the night markets Silom is perfect, and Sukhumvit is always a colorful experience.

Facilities and Services of Typical Bangkok Serviced Apartments

These vary between the different types of apartments and condos, but a standard of excellence has been establlished from the increasing competition among serviced apartments. Facilities and services are upgraded regularly to keep up with rival residences. However, before investing in a serviced apartment, be sure to check if these services and facilities are available.

5 Services That Should Be Included Free of Charge:

Room Cleaning



Water/Utilities



Internet Usage



24 Hour Security



Room Service/Errand Boy
4 Facilities That Should Be Included

Restaurant



Gym



Pool



Convenience Store
The Loopholes: Length of Stay, Deposits and Electricity

If you are staying for a month or year, the serviced apartment may charge you for electricity. Make sure that you negotiate this price to 6.5 Baht/Unit. A lot of times the apartment owners will charge 8 Baht/Unit for more profit. They only pay 3 or 4 Baht/Unit.

Be careful when signing leases; most require a 2 month deposit, and if you move out before your contract is finished you forfeit this deposit.

Make sure the serviced apartment has a laundry service, either in house or out of house. Most serviced apartments have coin operated laundry rooms as well as pick up services. More deluxe suites will have washing machine in the room. Note that most places do not have dryers.

How much Should I Pay?

This is a difficult question to answer, but the more facilities a serviced apartment has, the more it will cost. If a serviced apartment has a pool, gym and also serves as a hotel for 24 hours, then the monthly price of 30,000 baht.

Situation is largely to do a service for an apartment in Bangkok are the costs. If you live in an area not close to skytrain or subway access, the price will be much lower. Instead, stay in the business district of Silom or trendy as Ekkamai Thonglor or monthly rent increase.

Residence which to choose?

Maintenanceapartment market in Bangkok is lead by three groups, The President Group, The Ascott Group, and Centre Point. Most of them offer first class accomodation and have a decent system of serving their customers. However, there are numerous independent serviced apartments to choose from.

The 2 Worst Serviced Apartments in Bangkok

Ascott Bangkok Sathorn There have been several articles written in trade journals about the decline in service at the once famous and most prestigious serviced apartment in Bangkok. Once known for attention to customer relations, their lack of it is now glaringly obvious to everyone who stays there. This place is an example of a chain serviced apartment becoming too much like a corporation with no human touch of service.
Lebua Rumor is their staff is very untrustworthy. Read the trade journals and 'google' the residence for reviews.

Top 2 Most Luxurious Bangkok Serviced Apartments

Siri Sathorn Apartments Siri Sathorn is a five-star luxury `boutique` property which epitomises private and elegant living in a residential setting. It is a concept of the perfect home which appeals to international traveller. This place caters to Japanese clientelle but of course is open to everyone.
Fraser Place Urbana Langusan They have an exclusive 45-metre driveway leading from the main road to the serviced residence for great privacy. They also have some of the best services and customer relations I have ever experienced, pampered is the only word that comes to mind

Best Value Bangkok Serviced Apartments

Silom Convent Garden Newly built in November 2006, this chic serviced apartment is located in the Silom-Sathorn area but has some of the cheapest rates for this business and night market district. For 36,000 Baht/$1000 a month you can have a 38 square meter, 1 bedroom, fully furnished luxury apartment with kitchen, washing machine, flat-screen TVs and rain shower. The only drawback is the place do not have a pool or gym, but that's why the price is so low and because it is one of the best values in Bangkok.

If you travel undecided over whether to stay in Bangkok was recently announced on your first place that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in Bangkok City plans a "paradise". ArticleThe Bangkok Post states the BMA set up a fund of problems, address the transport of waste, and pollution. Now is the time to take Bangkok next vacation or business trip to yours, how could not get a better life in the city of angels!

Bangkok Sightseeing Vacation - Frugal Tips

Have you been planning a Bangkok sightseeing vacation but always holds it back because of budget constraints? Don't worry because there are many ways to enjoy Bangkok even with limited vacation funds.

Bangkok is really one of the best places to visit if you want quality but inexpensive vacation. It has numerous tourist attractions that are usually accessible by public transportation. So before you cave in to the luring sales pitch of the tour guides that charge hefty fees, it is worth to read the following frugal tips for your future Bangkok sightseeing vacation plan.

Use the Map. You can ask a free copy of Bangkok map at the hotel concierge. If you cannot find any, though rarely, you can always refer to the maps located in the public transportation stations of the metro train or express boats.

Also, majority of the tourist attractions have tourist information booth nearby that you can approach.

Research Earlier. Guided tours are always expensive because you pay for their service and knowledge. Tour guides will provide you with the history, its significance and other related information of the sights you wish to go.

But why spend a dime for information that is widely available with no cost at all. Before you pack your things, do some little homework. Research and read about those famous tourist attractions that you plan to visit. This will save you a substantial amount of money while you will enjoy the thrill of exploring unguided Bangkok sightseeing tours.

Take Express Boat. This is the great way to get around in Bangkok because it is cheap and fast, away from the congested roads. Express boat is also known as the public boat. With regular trips and several routes, you can visit major tourist attractions using express boat.

Here are few local tourist attractions that you can reach through Express boat.

• Emerald Buddha & Grand Palace
• The Golden Buddha
• The Reclining Buddha
• The National Museum of Royal Barges
• Wat Arun

Tour guides will approach you in every sightseeing site. Don't succumb to their overcharged fees as most of the local attractions are just walking distance from the pier (where the express (public) boats dock).

For instance, Wat Arun is located just across the pier Tha Tien where you get off for the Reclining Buddha. There is available ferry that will take you for five minutes or less to the Wat Arun from the Tha Tien pier for only 3 bhat per way.

Bangkok Mass Transit System. It is also known as BTS Sky train, a quick and convenient way to reach shopping malls and other tourists destinations. Aside that it gives you a top view of the city, BTS Sky train is also clean. It will cost you between 30-40 baht per trip per way.
Here are few places you can go using the BTS Sky train.

• Siam Square (Bangkok's shopping heartland)
• Victory Monument
• MBK Shopping Mall
• Chatuchak or Weekend Market

Pack Extra Traveling Bags. Bangkok is always associated with shopping because there are so many things to buy at reasonable prices from clothes, shoes, silk, tailor-made suits, jewelries to souvenir items. You will definitely end up with an extra travelling bag on your return.

To pack all these new shopping goodies, you will need an additional suitcase on your return but why you have to buy an extra suitcase when you can pack some old folding traveling bags you keep in your closet back home.

Now that you know few Bangkok sightseeing vacation frugal tips, it's about time to let go your travel qualms and enjoy the thrill of exploring frugally the various local attractions in Bangkok.

What You Must See in Bangkok

Bangkok is an exhilarating destination, with her interesting mix of traditional sights and attractions, exotic aromas and western influence. To unravel the layers of this city, you'll need to understand its history and culture. A trip to this Kingdom of smiles will allow you to do this if you allow yourself enough time to see some of the treasures this place has to offer. At least three days, and this is not a problem with an abundance of cheap flights and good hotels Throughout the year in Bangkok. This article shows some of the highlights and all the traditional attractions.

Wat Pho

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is one of the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and is located near the Grand Palace. E 'famous for its large and magnificent reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf and measuring over 150 meters long. There are some things cool under the trees next tothe temple for rest and rejuvenation as well. Treat yourself to their famed massage services where they offer trained professionals in the school of traditional massage housed within the temple itself. You will also enjoy the action of dropping coins into a long line of small containers around the reclining buddha, as an act of accumulating blessings for yourself and others.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace, with its glittery, extravagant architecture, is simply grand. This famous palace was built in 1782, and it continues to capture visitors' imagination with its magnificent buildings and intricate details. It gives you an insight into Thai royalty, in local Siamese style with its wonderful mix of colours.

Entering the palace grounds, you will have to wear long trousers or skirts. The dress code states no jeans, but don't worry, you can always rent the appropriate clothing for free if you turn up in them. Audio guides are avaliable near the entrance and are helpful if you are not in a tour group.

There's always touts outside the palace scamming unaware tourists that the grand palace is closed, and suggesting to follow their tours. Just don't be fooled by them.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo)

Located inside the grounds of the Grand Palace, and regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand, Wat Pra Kaeo enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade.

This temple is a huge incredible riot of glittering gold and colours, everywhere you look. There are a million details not to be overlooked and part of visiting the Grand Palace is seeing this Emerald Buddha. If you happen to visit the palace on the same day as the King himself, grab the chance to see the Emerald Buddha clad in its gold outfits!

Floating Market

The floating market has been reduced to a touristy state nowadays, but even though transactions are more involved and to do with tourists rather than locals these days, the floating market boats are still piled high with tropical fruits and vegetables, fresh coconut juice and local food cooked right on the boat itself.

With each boat jostling for space within the narrow canals, it's absolutely frantic and disorderly. The paddling skills of each boat-woman are to be admired at and they will stop and bargain with you at any time. It's vibrant, noisy but great fun.

Chao Phraya River

The Chao Phraya River flows through the capital and is where Bangkok's historic roots lie. One of the most fascinating and scenic areas of Bangkok, the riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night. The river is also one of the major transportation systems of the city, with massive traffic jams along the roads all day. The water-taxis ferries commuters up and doen the river, and heavily laden rice barges can also be seen in the waters.

The river is set against a backdrop of glittering temples, palaces and historical landmarks. You can also find luxury, five-star hotels, as well as cheap hotel deals along the riverside.

Chinatown

Chinatown is a busy area, packed with market stalls and has probably the greatest concentration of gold shops in the city. Always crowded, especially during the Chinese New Year period, this area still retains its old look and relatively untouched by modern high-rise developments. The Chinese community here still continues their own traditions and religious practices. Restaurants can be found abundant along the streets, offering Chinese cuisines, delicacies and seafood. One of the best places to enjoy sumptuous seafood at relatively cheap prices, and this area has lots of budget hotels for any backpacker.

Jim Thompson House

Jim Thompson or James Harrison Wilson Thompson was born in Greenville, Delaware in 1906. He is an American who started the Thai silk industry in Thailand after World War II. With his natural flair for design and color, and his dedication to reviving the craft, Thompson gained worldwide recognition for his success in generating international demand for Thai silk. This former residence of his houses a magnificent collection of Asian art and many unique displays, in addition to it being best place to purchase silk in Bangkok.

This place has an intriguing history to boot as well. During the Easter weekend in 1967, Thompson disappeared while on holiday with friends in Cameron Highlands, a northern Malaysian resort. An extensive and extended search failed to reveal any clues about his disappearance. Theories abound about his disappearance, but there has been no answer as yet.

Vimanmek Mansion

Built by King Rama V upon his return from Europe in 1897, this palace is the world's largest golden teakwood mansion featuring an elaborate and unique blend of Victorian and Thai architecture. Altogether there are 31 exhibition rooms, with the bedrooms, the throne room and the bathrooms maintaining the atmosphere of the Thai past. Some display rooms house exhibitions of Thai art including silverware, ceramics, crystal ware, and ivory.

One Day in Bangkok

What can you do if you have only one full day in Bangkok? Ok, I will tell you what you can do to have fun in such a short time like this in the city of angel here. Since there is not much time here, wake up early to go to the old town of Bangkok or Thonburi part. That area is full with temples, museum and castle. First you should visit Wat Phrakeaw, this temple is awesome and full with beautiful Thai Architectures. The temple is quite big, it might take you for an hour to walk around the temple. Then continue to Wat Pho where there is a giant reclining Buddha inside the church. Near to the gate of Wat Pho, there is a famous massage place which you should try because it's the most famous Thai massage in the world. Another one hour goes by with relaxation.

Teakwood castle

After the relaxing massage, continue to the world's biggest teakwood castle which belonged to King Rama V of Thailand and now it's opened as the museum for the people to visit and see how the king lived before. The castle is called Pimanmek. There are many guides with many different languages like Chinese, English, Thai, Japanese, Spanish and more. The visitors can't walk inside the castle themselves but they have to have the guide to lead them the way. After visiting the castle, there is a zoo right next to the castle, you can visit and see tons of many different Thai animals. Half of your day already flies by, it's very fast. Be careful that you can't wear shorts and the top with no sleeves to those places.

After the half of your day visiting the ancient places of Thailand, continue your exciting day to the weekend market where you can find anything you need. It's called Jatujak market. Jatujak market sells everything from book, clothes, house decoration or even animals like cat , dog, turtle and more. It's the big adventure since the place is huge.

Lovely luxury department stores

After Jatujak, you can continue to have lunch or late lunch at the lovely luxury department stores at the center of Bangkok like Siam Paragon or Central World. Siam Paragon is the biggest department store in South East Asia. There are hundreds of brand names there, you can find anything you want there as well but it's just a lot more luxury than jatujak market because all international brands are there.

The most amazing view in Bangkok

After shopping and lunch, you can go direct to the bottom floor of Siam Paragon because there is an aquarium for you to see all underworld animals and also they even have the diving service where you can dive along the shark under water, it's pretty cool. But if you think it's too scary for you, go try adventure game like paintball or bb gun on Sukhumvit road. After the activities I suggest you, you might get exhausted and very tired. Go back to your hotel, taking shower and clothes nicely to have luxury night out in Bangkok. If you think about very lovely dinner in Bangkok, I suggest you to Sirocco restaurant in the rooftop of 84th floor of Lebua Hotel at State Tower, Silom Road. The view is spectacular and unforgettable.

Khaosan road

After the luxury dinner in Bangkok, continue to have a blast at night at the nightclub like RCA, Sukhumvit 11 or Khaosan road. I suggest you Khaosan road because it's the most relaxing nightlife areas in Bangkok, full with tourists, bars, clubs for you to buy cheap drinks and you can continue the night by going to the clubs at the end of the night.

Nightlife Tour in Bangkok

A thriving paradise for nightlife lovers, Bangkok is world-renowned for its myriad of dodgy venues where you can drink until dawn, be dazzled by go-go girls' skills and drool over starry-eyed Thai ladies. However, there are also many other places that offer ultimate fun that doesn't require any naughtiness.

Here's the lowdown on what's hot and hip in Bangkok's nightlife scenes. Some are sophisticated, refined and stylish and some can be super seedy. Make your choice well and your nightlife tour in Bangkok will be a blast.

Hitting the clubs right after the sunset might be too early (and too eager). Heading to one of many swanky rooftop restaurants is a good idea to start your night. Try the Sky Bar (Sirocco) on Silom road (tel: +66 2 624 9999) on the 64th floor of State Tower or Moon Bar (Vertigo) (tel: +66 2 679 1200) on the 61st floor of Banyan Tree Hotel, on Sathorn road.

Both offer breathtaking, panoramic views of the city. Another interesting option is Three Sixty at Millennium Hilton Hotel (tel: +66 2 442 2000) where you can listen to your favourite jazz, drink a glass of cocktail and gasp at the sweeping 360° views.

If there's any road in Bangkok that you shouldn't miss, it's Sukhumvit. The longest and the most popular among locals and tourists, Sukhumvit is home to a variety of venues including red-light areas, Nana Plaza on Sukhumvit soi 4 and Soi Cowboy, off Sukhumvit soi 23, where you can find girls in slinky outfits showing off their pole dancing skills. Bangkok go go bars are numerous in these two areas. Sois, by the way, are the local lingo for lanes.

Trendy and stylish clubs and bars are also located on this famous road. Bed Supperclub (tel: +66 2 651 3557) and Q Bar (+66 2 252-3274), two of the most must-visit ritzy, international venues located on Sukhumvit soi 11, usually attract a great number of tourists, expats and a lot of long-legged Thai and international models.

Sukhumvit is not only home to international venues, many funky local pubs and bars are also scattered along the road. If you want to observe how locals party, a visit Escudo on Sukhumvit soi 55 (tel: +66 2 381 0866) or Escobar on Sukhumvit soi 63 (tel: +66 2 711 6565) might be worthwhile. Gullivers, on soi 5 is a cavernous pic up place which is full of 'friendly' locals but escapes the tag of 'sleazy'.

The heart of Bangkok boasts two notable nightlife areas, Siam and Silom. Siam is where you can find the notorious CM2 (tel: +66 2 209 8888) located Novotel Siam square. Known to be the haunt of dodgy girls, CM2 has a live band playing in the main area, which is probably the only zone you can see anything.

Not far from Siam area is Silom, possibly more famous than Sukhumvit among tourists as it's here where you can find the legendary Patpong (Silom soi 2) and its go go bars. In Bangkok there are a plenty of naughty shows imaginable while drinks are unbelievably cheap. It's a good tourist attraction and place to pick up fake Rolexes at the night market. When you get bored of the pole dancing and 'ping-pong' exhibitions, there are some really decent trendy bars on Soi 4, and a couple of popular pubs on Silom road.

One of the areas worth exploring when you are in Bangkok, especially at night, is Khao San, a heaven on earth for backpackers. The atmosphere is vibrant while you can observe the crowds from one of many trendy bars. Some of the most popular are Buddy Beer (tel: +66 2 629 4477) equipped with pool tables; Brick Bar (tel: +66 2 629 4477), a stylish western-styled bar; and Silk Bar (tel: +66 2 281 9981) located in a hip wooden house.

Serious clubbers should hop in a taxi and ask for RCA (Royal City Avenue) which looks nothing like it's name suggests but is a magnet for clubbing Bangkokians with money to burn. There are plenty of clubs here to choose from, all right next to each other, the music is cutting edge, offering all sorts of tastes, age groups, crowds and drinks prices. You'll find them full any night of week.

Hedonistic choices aside, Bangkok also features many cultural shows which offer you an opportunity to learn more about Thailand's history and culture. Try Siam Niramit, one of the most impressive performances, which features fascinating stories about Siam (Thailand), Thai spiritual beliefs, lessons about karma and religious festivals. The show is always praised for its sophisticated production as well as remarkable sound and visual effects. Catch this spectacular performance everyday at 20:00 at the Ratchadda Grand Theatre (tel: +66 2 649 9222).

A nightlife tour in Bangkok is something you should plan ahead. There's so much fun to be had so explore your choices well and you will be just fine. Remember to bring your passport or ID card everywhere you go. Some clubs can be very strict. Try your luck. You might be able to charm the hostess away with your super-star smile and a knowing wink.

Cheap Rooms in Bangkok For Backpacker Budget Travelers

If you have backpacked through Europe, you may be looking for Khao San hostels. However, this is a form of accommodation not really common in Southeast Asian and that includes Bangkok. What you will be looking for is a cheap guesthouse or a cheap Khao San hotel, rather than a hostel. The word "hostel" is so ingrained in the backpacker vernacular, however that many will talk about one of the great "hostels" here in which they slept.

If you haven't heard of Khan San Road (or "Thanon Khao San" in Thai), it was cemented as the destination of choice for young backpackers in Bangkok in the book and movie of the same name, The Beach (movie starred Leonardo Di Caprio). Many use it as a base in their travels to other parts of Thailand whether it be for a jungle trek or time on the beach. It is a great place for a little traveler culture, to meet friends from around the world, and for those who live in Bangkok, a road and surrounding area that has some great restaurants.

Basically, you can get a cheap Khao San guesthouse with your own, personal room for as low as 100 baht. There may be a few dormitory style hostels but that's not necessary. For the price of a few dollars, why not get your own, private room? Usually you will have to share a shower and toilet with the rest of the hall but sleeping quarters with one bed and a lock on your door are the norm.

So, if you are a backpacker looking for cheap rooms in Bangkok, chances are you will be heading for one of the dirt cheap Khao San hotels. If you stay out of trouble (beware much trouble is to be had in the area) and when you get home you can tell others how you stayed at an amazingly thrifty Khao San guesthouse.

Bangkok Hotels Near Red Light Districts - A Travel Guide For First Timers

Finding a hotel in Bangkok for the first time can be quite confusing. After all there are so many hotels in Bangkok to choose. But if you know you want to stay in or near Bangkok's hottest red light districts then you're halfway there as I'll help you decide which hotels to stay in.

There are three red light districts located in central Bangkok. All are easily accessible by the many modes of transportation in Bangkok. And the hotels in Bangkok range from the no frills budget accommodations to luxury properties with classy service.

The first red light district is called Patpong. Like the rest of the nightlife action in Bangkok, Patpong starts and heats up after 7pm, especially when the night market opens up. Patpong is filled with go-go bars and clubs of various sorts. The volume of venues here is quite vast as businesses cater to mostly male customers either straight, gay or both. The most notable go-go bar names are King's Castle and Queen's Castle group located in Patpong one. And if you're looking for some bizarre amusement then check out the ping pong sex shows the area is so famous for. Just make sure you know what you'll be paying for.

Here are the names of a few hotels in Patpong worth staying in:

The Montien Hotel
Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel
Bally's Suite Silom Hotel

The next red light districts are located close to each other and they're called Soi Cowboy and Nana. Soi Cowboy is the smallest out of the three but it has the most well known go-go bars in Bangkok. I'm talking about Long Gun and Rawhide, two very big time go-go bars. Even though Soi Cowboy is small it still packs quite a huge entertainment value.

Nana is the final red light district and the biggest attraction because there are so many things to do around there. Most start off with Nana Entertainment Plaza. NEP is a small four story building stacked with go-go bars upon more go-go bars. You can't miss NEP especially at night when its filled with so many tourist from all over the world. The area surrounding Nana has a wide selection of places to eat and drink from many international choices. You'll find lots of open beer gardens too and bars to hang out and just people watch.

Here are the names of a few popular hotels to stay near Soi Cowboy and Nana:

Grand President Hotel
Ambassador Hotel
Nana Hotel

Most hotels located near the red light districts of Soi Cowboy and Nana are guest friendly. This means that the hotel does not charge an extra fee or a joiner fee for taking a companion back to the hotel rooms. Joiner fees can range from 500THB up to 1500THB. So as you can see guest friendly hotels in Bangkok are very popular and should be booked in advance.

In Transit at Bangkok Airport? Take One of the New Short Day Tours

Being stuck in an airport for several hours between flights can be not only very frustrating, but boring, uncomfortable and tiring as well. With Bangkok vying to become one of the majors hub in South East Asia, more and more people are flying to, from, and through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Whether you have a long wait between a domestic and international flight, or even if you are stuck with a long wait in transit, there are a number of activities to keep you busy and entertained, or refreshed and ready for your forward flight.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced short tours for transit passengers who are in transit for less than 12 hours. To encourage passengers to take one of the tours, participants will be exempted from the 700 Baht airport tax when re-checking in for their flights. Most of the tours are about four hours each. Information about the available tours will be provided to all transfer passengers on the ground in the transfer halls as well as in on-board literature aboard Thai Air flights. Information may also be provided on inbound flights of other airlines. The idea behind these mini-tours is to give transit passengers a taste of Thailand and make them want to come back.

Some of the tours available include:

*Klong Tour: Take a ride in a boat on one of the remaining canals, many of which used to criss-cross Bangkok, giving it the name of the "Venice of the East".

*Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha.

*Golf tour: There are a number of well regarded golf course near Suvarnabhumi airport including Summit Windmill Golf Club and Kiarti Thanee Country Club.

*Massage & Spa

*Siam Ocean World

*Siam Niramity: A large and extravagant theater production showcasing the cultural heritage of the Thai people.

T.A.T has tried to make it easy for passengers to participate in these tours with tour counters on both sides of the transit hall. Once you have ascertained that you have enough time for the tour you are interested in, approach one of the transit tour desks and ask them about the tour. They will give a form to fill out for an exemption of the airport tax. Once this is filled out, tour counter officials will assist you with immigration procedures and escort you to the selected tour. Upon retuning from your tour, guides will assist you through immigration and onto your onward flight.

As you can see there is no need to lay around the airport next time you are in transit in Bangkok. Take advantage of one of the whirlwind tours available and enjoy your transit time for once.

Bangkok BTS Sky Train - The Best Way To Get Around Bangkok

Sightseeing and shopping in Bangkok is easy. Especially if you use one of the best mass transit system in Bangkok called the BTS (Bangkok Transit System) Sky Train. It's cheap, efficient and can get you quickly to most parts of interest in central Bangkok. But most importantly the Sky Trains are air-conditioned, which will be much appreciated during an often hot and hazy day in Bangkok.

The Sky Trains run from 6am to 12am daily. Though the official closing time is 12am the stations usually will not allow passengers into the stations starting around 11:30pm. So make sure you plan accordingly. Riding the trains is very simple since signs, maps and station stops are announced in English besides Thai. And all the station booth attendants are able to communicate in English too.

The Sky Train has only 2 lines and run on elevated train tracks above Bangkok's often congested roads:

Sukhumvit - This line will take you to popular shopping malls in Bangkok.
Silom - This line will take you to Bangkok's commercial business district and to a station where you can catch the Express River Boats for the quickest trip to Grand Palace and Wat Pho Temple.
As of writing the BTS trains systems are not too extensive, though it can take you to some of Bangkok's most popular points of interest such as:
Central World
Gaysorn
Emporium
Siam Paragon
MBK
Jim Thompson House
Bangkok Art Culture Center

Both BTS train lines are also able to get visitors to the city's popular nightlife districts as well:

Patpong - Take the Silom line to BTS Sala Daeng station
Nana - Take the Sukhumvit line to BTS Nana station
Soi Cowboy - Take the Sukhumvit line to BTS Asok Station

There are different types of fares that can be purchased, such as single journey to multi-pass. If you know you will be using the BTS trains a lot to get around it is best to buy a mult-pass fare. Multi-pass fares are stored with the amount you've deposited and deducted like a debit card. This way you will avoid ticket lines during the often hectic rush hours in some of the most well used stations.

Finally if you really want to make the best of your vacation in Bangkok it is best to stay in a hotel near a BTS station. There are many hotels that are cheap and affordable to expensive luxury hotels near them.

Taking the Sky Train is simply the best way to get around Bangkok. The city has a reputation for one of the worst traffic jams in Southeast Asia. Once you're on a Sky Train moving past vehicle traffic below then you will know why this popular mode of transportation is so aptly names.

Bangkok Banks

Banking is a huge revenue sector in Bangkok, as the city is home to a large number of banks. Many foreign banks also operate in the city with subsidiaries all over the nation. Most of the banks are headquartered in Bangkok. They offer a wide range of services including home loans and many other business services like Internet banking, credit cards, and properties auctions.

Some of the biggest banks in Bangkok are Bangkok Bank, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, ING Bank, and Bank of China. Many banks offer online finance services, as well. They open up a cornucopia of online finance products and promotions, bank information, calculators, branch locators and real-time rates, plus the latest financial news in one complete package.

Every bank in Bangkok offers flexible lending and refinancing options, combined with attractively low interest rates that start at 3.75% for the first year, credit lines of up to 90% of the property appraisal value, and flexible loan terms. They also provide convenient repayment options like the direct debit service. Banks also offer the much needed expert advice and attentive personalized service from their home loan marketing officers.

Internet banking is the latest trend for all Bangkok banks. Direct banking services have been made available on the banks' Web sites. Internet banking is great for viewing account balances, payment of bills, transfer of funds, suspension of check payment, and many even house secure internal e-mail accounts to contact the bank officials in case of enquiries. Bangkok banks use highly advanced and sophisticated technology to ensure fool-proof banking services. Credit card or plastic money is more popular than ever Bangkok. Banks reward their customers with new offers and special discounts. Many banks offer MasterCard, which offer many special privileges to their users.

Other services offered are ATM cards, prompt branch services, currency exchange, maintenance of foreign customers, and phone banking. Banks recognize that good corporate governance is vital to continued growth and they are very much committed to providing quality news and information to keep their stakeholders and potential investors informed and abreast of developments at the bank.

Best Bangkok Hotels Near Red Light District

Bangkok's infamous nightlife scenes are famous all over the world and they attract millions of visitors each year from all over the world. There's just so much to see and do that it keeps visitors coming back for more. If you're a first timer to Bangkok, the task of finding ideal hotel accommodations near Bangkok's red light districts is a daunting task especially since you don't know where to start. Don't worry, you'll find your answer here in this article.

There are three distinct red light districts in Bangkok. The first one is called Patpong. Patpong is most well known for the ping pong sex shows that go on above the go-go bars that line the streets of Patpong 1 and 2. Patpong 1 is the most crowded because that is where you can find the Night Market filled to the brim with counterfeit Rolex and even brand name jeans. You can also find both kinds of massage parlors here. What I mean by both kinds is one offers traditional massages by trained staff and the other... well let's just say that they're trained to massage their customers all over for a little extra. Even though the sex and sleaze that surrounds Patpong is obvious you still see many families on vacation shopping at the night market while gawking at bikini clad dancers.

Here are the names of just a few hotels right in the heart of Patpong:

Bally's Suite Silom Hotel
Silom Serene Boutique Hotel
Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel
Montien Hotel

The last two red light districts are located in Soi Cowboy and Nana. Both are relatively close to each other. Soi (street) Cowboy is basically a street in Bangkok, and this street is full of many popular go go bars such as Long Gun and Rawhide. Soi Cowboy is the smallest out of the three and Nana is the biggest red light district in Bangkok. The focus of nightlife in Nana is centered around Nana Entertainment Plaza which is a 4 story building full of go go bars enclosing an open bar area filled with hundreds of freelance prostitutes. These two areas are visited mostly by men so you won't see much families wandering around.

Most men who stay around Nana and Soi Cowboy most often book hotels that do not require a joiner fee. Many hotels in Bangkok require a guest to pay an extra fee for bringing back a companion to their rooms. You may have heard of other terms such as guest or girl friendly hotels. No joiner fees could be as little as 500THB up to 1500THB. So as you can this is the main reason why men rather book hotels with no joiner fees.

Here are the names of a few hotels near Soi Cowboy and Nana:

Majestic Suites Hotel
Ambassador Hotel
Royal Asia Lodge Hotel
Oasis Inn Hotel

Living in the City - Bangkok A Case Study

The Big Mango, or the Big Jam. I have been living in Bangkok for near 7 years now, and I more often than not ask myself this question; why am I living here? Hopefully this article will help me release some built up tension.

Like a huge amount of others, I originally came to Bangkok on a backpacking excursion across Asia. I spend 4 ½ difficult, tiring and yet memorable months struggling in India (at that time I wanted to make sure that I covered everything so I do not return there ever again!). Attracted in Nepal (and if you want to go back there) and then came to Bangkok. A little more money, I decided to hang around.

I suspect the main reason most men, because they find so interesting is the infatuation with Thai women in Bangkok. After all, draw the contrasts and the rest. For me, this was certainly the case, even though I have never been interested in the night, working woman, and I neverbeen good at chatting up the rest.

Now in a long term relationship and married (happily most of the time), that element for me is lost. Also, after the first 5 years, the women (although still beautiful) become less different, less beautiful.

So what about the nightlife. We'll, rumours have it that Bangkok has a good nightlife. I'm sorry to say that this is not true. Pubs and clubs all close a 1pm. Whenever a good nightclub opens, it gets shut down within 6 months. Take the Ministry of Sound club on Sukhumvit Soi 12. This shut down within less than 1 year. I originally thought that they weren't making enough money. Then I met with the guy who organized the Ministry of Sound in Bangkok, and found out that they were doing incredibly well and making heaps of money. What happened?

The other club owners got jealous, paid off the police, and the police started raiding the Ministry of Sound every weekend, making the guests give urine samples, and forced the club to shut down (allegedly, just to cover my .....!!).

Another nightclub, Mystique, had the same problem. This time I heard that a powerful politician who lived nearby got annoyed by the noise emitted and shit the place down.

There are of course the other entertainment venues, Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, but for me nowadays I'd rather something less sleazy.

I own an estate agency in Bangkok, called Ideal Homes (www.property-bangkok.com). There is still a huge amount of development going on in Bangkok, and there is still far too little control by the government over this. Bangkok has one of the worst city planning I've ever seen. Most roads don't have pavements, they are narrow and yet surrounded by 30+ story buildings on either sides. It often takes me 2 hours to drive from Ekkamai to Ploenchit. I can perhaps arrange for viewing 3 or 4 properties with a customer in a whole afternoon. Thai people drive very selfishly and cut you up and undertake without giving a care, I think this shows their true nature . Driving is not much fun, and it's hard to be productive in Bangkok with the amount of time wasted.

Walking isn't much fun either, especially in the hot season (let's be honest it's always hot!). Cheap home made public buses farting out black clouds of lead laden emission. I have a nasty habit of wiping my brow with my shirt sleeve, and by the end of the day my shirt sleeve is black.

In my profession, I have seen thousands of condominium units in Bangkok. I continue to see new condominium units every week. Very rarely do I get exited. It's just another 2 bedroom box-of-a-home shoved into 70 sq.m. of space. I cannot understand how someone could spend 6,000,000 Baht on this type of unit and call it 'home'. There's nothing homely about it, a 70 sq.m. hamster cage. It's not the same as the 'home' most of us grew up in.

I myself am in the process of purchasing my 'home', and I have a limited budget to do so. I am looking at something around 5,000,000 Baht. Having looked at condos, houses, this and that, I have settled on a housing estate near to the outer-ring road. The estate, with wide roads, surrounded by greenery, has no street dogs or labour slum that has set up camp next door. That's the other thing with central Bangkok, you can have a huge grand house with everything, and as soon as you leave your front gate then bam... street urchins begging for money.

This particular estate is right next to the motorway. It's easy to get to the sea, the airport. With driving in Bangkok, the part that takes all the time is the 4 km area in the centre. The extra 10km that I will have to travel each day doesn't add much time to the journey at all as this extra 10km is free flowing traffic. The estate is also right next to the new direct elevated express train-link between the city and the new airport which hopefully, fingers crossed, will be completed in about 3 years' time.

I'm looking forward to removing the everlasting city hum, smog and trash from my life. Of course, it helps that I'm married to a Thai; otherwise the prospect of buying this house in this quiet commuter area as a foreigner would be out of the question. Bloody xenophobia !!!

International Bangkok Flights, What To Expect When You First Fly Into Thailand?

Many people find themselves flying into Bangkok for the very first time and they are wondering what it is like. Bangkok receives million's tourists every year and is one of the busiest flight destinations in Asia with only Beijing, Tokyo and Hong Kong having more international flights into it than Bangkok in 2009.

Bangkok received over 40 million visitors in 2009 in their new Suvarnabhumi Airport, which opened for business in 2006, 2007, taking over from the Don Muang international airport, which is still in operation as a regional internal Thailand airport, with all the international flights coming into the new airport Suvarnabhumi.

Customs at the Bangkok Airport is very busy. One of the things that you can do is to make sure that you have your immigration form filled out completely that they give you on the flight into Bangkok. When you are in the immigration line and you get up to the Thai immigration officer, make Make sure that behind the line until you move forward you are, and that your passport and the form of immigration and we have provided you're on the yellow footprints on the floor, looking into the camera when they call you forward. You must remove any hats or sunglasses for the picture.

After you punch in Thailand, it will go to baggage claim when you can recall the great ride, but many times the crew will not know which carousel. No problem, as the lawafter you get out of the immigration, before the luggage carousels, there are large screens that will have your flight number and which conveyor line your luggage will come out on. A good idea is if you have lots of gear to get a luggage cart right away which are provided free, normally you might have a 10 min wait at most till your bags come out.

Customs is usually pro forma, if you have nothing to declare they just wave you through. Sometimes they might have you put your luggage on an x-ray belt, but for most foreign tourists you will pass right through.

Now you will move into the part of the airport that is open to the public, this is where, if someone is waiting for you they will be. Some Bangkok luxury hotels & resorts will pick you up at the airport and this is where they will stand with the signs with your name on it.

Access to and from the airport for most tourist is by metered taxi, which can be found on the lowest level. The average cost with the Toll employing less than 300 baht for most locations in the city proper. Late at night you can save a bit 'of money from the highway, but not for most of the time of the day is actually cheaper to pay the toll, but that "getting caught in Bangkok's notorious traffic gets as much more often than not remain clock 10.00. If you're new to Bangkok, do not take a chance and pay the toll.

One of the things you absolutely need to remember isalways insist on the meter being turned on before the taxi starts moving; a very bad sign is a driver that will not turn the meter on when you are at the taxi stand on the lowest level of the airport.

Some people also take limousines which are promoted inside the terminal by touts, legal and illegal, that offer a much more expensive ride into the city. Buses are also available into the city they are cheaper but most people find the metered cabs to be a very good value as they take you Right at your hotel or apartment and the destination for most first time visitors to Bangkok, this would be recommended.

They have a great time in Bangkok!

Cheap Hotels in Bangkok

Bangkok is a beautiful city in Thailand where people of different religions live harmoniously. It is adorned with silky skyscrapers embellishing the skyline along the amazing and historical temples.

Bangkok is a city that does not fail to amuse its visitors. There are many things to enjoy here such as the floating markets, popular tuk-tuks and the nightlife of the city. Also get a chance to watch their famous Muay Thai boxing. People may also try the legendary Thai massage and rejuvenating spa.

Bangkok is known for excellent pampering services like massages, haircuts, manicures and cosmetic surgery.

There are many cheap accommodations you can find here. Here are some of them.

Buddy Lodge Hotel
The Buddy Lodge Hotel is classified as a two-star hotel. The swimming pool area is on the 6th floor. It is embellished in a contemporary style with stone layers. There are also chairs, snack pool bar and a sundeck.

This hotel also provides cheap and quality spa service on the 3rd floor. It has 7 treatment rooms for massaging, body and facial services. The sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi are offered free to use.

The newly opened unit bar pub is located next to the lobby. It is a 4-storey modern concrete and unit structure.

The hotel is also located on the heart of the popular Khao San Road with very convenient access to several restaurants and local street vendors.

Montien Hotel
The Montien Hotel is classified as a four-star hotel. The public areas of the hotel are tidy and clean. This hotel also provides lots of amenities and services such as medium outdoor swimming pool with fitness, sundecks and sauna rooms. There are also 2 modern high rise walls of glass and concrete, and finished in white.

The Montien hotel is situated on Surawongse Road. It is adjacent to the PatPong recreation area. It also has some connections to other commercial, shopping and amusement spots.

It has a convenient passage to subway, near Sam Yan station. And it is walking distance to the sky train Saladaeng Station.

Sofitel Silom Bangkok Hotel
The Sofitel Silom Bangkok Hotel is classified as a five-star hotel. It is situated on Silom Road in the center of the monetary, profitable, and political districts. This hotel is a 38-storey building, and the first five-star hotel to rise in Bangkok.

Guests here can enjoy a short walk to innumerable local views to the Chong Nongsi Station. This is the house of the Skytrain and Silom subversive Station of Bangkok.

China Town Hotel
The China Town Hotel is classified as three-star hotel in Bangkok. It has no swimming pool but is still advisable for the budgeted travelers. It is also good for those want to experience the Chinese culture and ways. The hotel is made with concrete and glass in unique Chinese design.

The China Town hotel is located in the classy part of Yaowaraj Road. This is about 40 minutes driving from Suvarnabhumi International Airport while 10 minutes through walking from subway Hualumpong Station and Rajawongse Harbor.

This hotel is very near to various tourist spots. It is at the heart of the shopping bazaar and popular food markets.

Discovering the Markets of Bangkok

Covering 35 acres of land with more than 15,000 stalls and 200,000 visitors every Saturday and Sunday, Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is without a doubt the largest market to be found in the city and one of the biggest and most famous markets in the world.

You can buy pretty much anything and everything there: household accessories, handicrafts, art, antiques, live animals, books, music, clothes, food, plants and flowers. The list could go on almost forever and if variety is what you are looking for, Chatuchak market is the place to go.

Thai handicrafts are a particularly good thing to pick up at Chatuchak market and the intense competition means prices are kept to a minimum. If you are searching for genuine antiques you need a trained eye as the large majority of antiques on offer at this market are fake so exercise caution if it is the real deal you are looking for.

Due to the size of Chatuchak market it is segregated into areas depending on the types of goods sold. This does make life a little easier and maps detailing the various sections can be picked up before you enter.

The official opening hours for the market tend to be from 9.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday and Sunday, though many of the stalls actually open between 9.00am and 10.00am and close around sunset.

There are many more markets to discover besides Chatuchak. Khao San road is a tourist hotspot and the market here sells clothes, books, CDs and similar items.

In close proximity to Khao San Road is the large Banglamphu market which extends over Phra Sumen Road and Chakrapong Road. This market tends to be more popular with the locals so take a trip here if you fancy a more authentic shopping experience.

Pratunam market is open around the clock and is one of the best places in Bangkok to pick up cheap clothes, fabrics and textiles. A little off the beaten track you can find this market at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi roads.

Further down Phetburi road is the Nai Loet (also called Nai Lert) market, which is a scaled down version of Chatuchak.

If you like to do your bargain hunting at night time then Patpong night market may be of interest. Very popular with tourists you will find standard market wares here though the prices are not as competitive as you may find elsewhere.
Night markets are preferred by many as the temperatures are slightly lower after the sun falls and this makes for a slightly more pleasant bargaining experience. Temperatures in Thailand are fairly high all year round though it is slightly cooler from November until mid-February so this is something to bear in mind when booking your flights to Bangkok.

Holidays to Bangkok Spell Endless Exhilaration

The 'City of Angels' may have had its share of bad luck, but things seem to be progressively moving towards normalcy. In fact, many countries are toning down their level of warning pertaining to travel to Bangkok. After all, the city is one of the hottest travel destinations in the world, not to mention cheap, given the wide plethora of experiences that visitors can indulge in. Here is a small sampling of what Bangkok has to offer.

National Museum

This is among the largest museums in Thailand and houses an exotic array of artifacts dating back until the Neolithic age. Done up in traditional Thai architectural style, this immense museum is a sight in itself. The grand Teak Pavilion is perhaps the hottest draw here.

Wat Pho

Wat Pho or Temple of the Reclining Buddha is Bangkok's largest and oldest temple. The temple's main claim to fame is its humongous statue of a reclining Buddha. This gold plated statue makes for an imposingly stunning sight. The temple is also famed for its emphasis on teaching herbal medication and traditional massage.

Vimanmek Palace

Opulence all but screams at the Vimanmek Palace. This is the largest building in the world to be entirely made up in golden teak. Standing in the midst of excellently maintained lawns, the palace has as many as 31 exhibition rooms.

Royal Grand Palace

This historic structure is a walled complex housing a number of magnificent palaces elaborately done up in ceramics and tiles. A major highlight here is the Wat Phra Khaeo, the holiest temple in Thailand. This temple is home to the statue of the well renowned holy statue of the Emerald Buddha.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun or The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun stands on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The elaborate usage of colourful tiles in its decoration gives the temple a brilliantly dazzling appearance from a distance. Wat Arun was the earlier site of the Emerald Buddha statue.

Royal Barge National Museum

Check out the barges once used by the royal family. These intricately gilded long narrow boats required 50 to 60 rowers each.

Jim Thompson Thai House

Jim Thompson was an American who revolutionised the silk industry of Thailand. Today, his house in Bangkok serves as a museum, showcasing Jim's Asian artifact collection. The house itself is an attraction of sorts. It was made up of six traditional teak structures brought from different parts of Thailand.

Sanam Luang

Nestling among old tamarind trees, Sanam Luang serves as the venue for different ceremonies like kite flying and the Ploughing Ceremony. To get a complete feel of the place, book a cheap Bangkok holiday during one of the major festivals.

Floating Market and Night Markets

Holidays to Bangkok remain incomplete without a feel of its shopping scene. Among the numerous shopping experiences in the city, the floating market makes for a unique and unforgettable experience. Similarly, bargain hunters may steal some fabulous deals at the night markets of Bangkok.

Siam Ocean World

This is the place to come up close to exotic deep sea denizens. The adventurous souls may go diving with sharks here. These are just a few of the numerous spoilers awaiting those who buy holiday packages to Bangkok.

Chinatown

Finally, the Chinatown does merit a mention. This bustling area fascinates with its numerous maze like lanes and charming little shops selling a wide plethora of items. Near to Chinatown is Phahurat, or the main Indian area packed full of bright little fabric shops and restaurants.

Bangkok New Airport ,Thailand's Suvarnabhumi

Suvarnabhumi Bangkok New Airport

For most people coming through the new Bangkok airport for the first time, will see nothing that would be notable from any other new international airport that has been built in the last few years. Most new airports tend to be big box or tent like affairs, with little or no aesthetic appeal, and this one falls neatly into the pile of boring designs. Most of those who have been through the old Bangkok airport would prefer it to the new as it had a character all of its own. Wanting to keep the old airport is understandable as you know where everything is, like where you need to go to catch your favorite airline, as well as where and what the procedure is for getting your luggage, and the fastest way to get through customs and catch a taxi home, or to your favorite Bangkok Hotel, if you are a returning businessman or Thailand tourist.

If people have a problem with the new Bangkok airport it would be with the way that they have the taxi stand set up. In the past, you went out through the doors on the end of the customs area, past the money changers, then the limos, and out the doors and into the cue for a taxi. You would tell the expediters where you want to go to, and away you went, it was a very smooth and efficient process. The taxi stand at the new airport is downstairs and it is not marked, so the first time that you come through, you have to figure out that the price to get to town has not risen overnight to 800 baht, but that you are at the charter taxi stands, which are mainly there to fleece unsuspecting tourist I suspect. So, if you are reading this and you are going to be coming into Bangkok for the first time to the new airport, make note that you need to go down one level to catch the meter taxis from the baggage claims. When in Thailand always insist on the meter.

The good news is like a few of the best international cities in the world like Singapore, Chicago and San Francisco You will be able to get a mass transit train directly to the airport, this is suppose to happen soon and you can see the progress on your way into Bangkok as they extend the BTS line out. When this project is finished you will have access to the whole city, and you can get there quick regardless of the hour. On the last two trips from the airport to town, the fare all together was around 350 baht with the tolls and the airport taxi tax, a increase of 100 baht approximately, the time to a hotel on Suhkumvitt was just about the same, even though the distance increased.. If you are coming from or to Pattaya your travel time should decrease especially during the busy travel periods.

Bangkok Budget Hotels - Best Places to Stay For Shopping in Bangkok

Bangkok is a city in Thailand most well known for it's peaceful towering temples and serene royal palaces. But what most people don't know is that Bangkok is also a shopper's dream come true. Especially when you're a budget traveler. There are plenty of outdoor markets that sell great quality clothes, affordable teak furniture to ship home and stuff that you never knew you would buy. Choosing a place to stay for exploring Bangkok's best shopping destinations doesn't require you to spend a lot and you'll find some names of excellent budget hotels here.

Budget hotels in Bangkok are many and the qualities do vary. Normally you'd have to stay at the outskirts of a city elsewhere to find cheap accommodations. Not in Bangkok. If you're planning to do a lot of shopping you should book a hotel inside the city's center, ideally near a BTS train station. Thai taxis are plenty and cheap but traffic during most hours is horrible, so use them sparingly. BTS trains can take you to the majority of the best shopping malls in Bangkok quickly and efficiently. And of course it's cheap too.

One of the best affordable hotels in Bangkok is Samran Place Hotel. It's located in the city's center and the reason why it's such a good hotel is because it's strategically placed near the best shopping malls in Bangkok. To the south, just a 15 minute walk is where you'll find MBK and Siam Square. You'll find mostly local Thai people, not only tourist shopping there too so you know that's where you'll find a lot of bargains on clothing, handbags and shoes. Right across from Siam Square is the super luxury Siam Paragon Mall, where well to do Thais do their shopping and eat. Merchandise inside those high end stores' price tags may not fit your budget but it's still a great place for window shopping and wishful thinking.

Another great affordable hotel in Bangkok is called Citin Pratunam. It's a nice place to stay because nearby are two huge wholesalers' markets called Pratunam Market and Pratunam Center. You don't have to buy in bulk to take advantage of the great prices on clothing and accessories such as sunglasses. You can still get a great deal if you for example buy one pair of jeans. However, you'll find you get an even better price if you purchase at least 3. And there's still room to haggle for a better price. If you find brand name labels here then there's a 95.5% chance you're looking at a fake, so buyer beware.

Budget hotels near major shopping destinations are also strategically placed to explore historic sights and cultural attractions to ensure you have a well rounded vacation. And saving money at these hotels will ensure you have enough left over for that famous Thai foot massage after a long day of exhaustive shopping.