Bangkok General

Anybody’s first trip to Bangkok will undoubtedly come as a shock to the system - or if it is somebody’s first taste of the far east it will simply blow them away. The city’s cultural landmarks coupled with debauched nightlife, tropical heat and dense, varied population has made Bangkok synonymous with exoticism. The city has become the archetypal example of the enrapturing eastern metropolis – the concept of which the west has held for hundreds of years.

Bangkok is Thailand’s capital and largest city, though in Thai the name is as dissimilar from ‘Bangkok’ as possible. Part of the city’s title in the native language is ‘Krug Thep Maha Nakhon’ which literally translates as “City of Angels”; it seems that Bangkok and Los Angeles have more in common that just being two neon jungles filled with the world’s weird and wonderful people.

The initial shock for the traveller upon entering Bangkok gradually abates and exhilaration takes its place. The city is a fascinating blend of the business district’s postmodern skyscrapers and the ancient, traditional Buddhist temples that dot the city like outsized ornaments. On the ground there are street vendors hocking their wares – from delicious food to Tuk Tuk rides to their own company; anything and everything seems to be there for the taking in this tumultuous sea of humanity.

The city is infamous for its nightlife and it is definitely one of the cornerstones of the Bangkok experience… it is undoubtedly a city of unbridled indulgence. There has recently been large scale social reforms in the city leading to closing hours of many places being brought back to one or two o’clock in the morning; but for those of us who aren’t averse to staying up a little later, there is always some kind of late night craic to be had at the informal street bars that emerge out of the shadows on the Khao San Road. For those with more exotic tastes there is always the district of Silan, home of the world famous go go club ‘Patpong’ which simply as a spectacle attracts all types of people in their hoards.

Essentially the city is so large and diverse that attempting to explain it in a handful of words is an impossibility. From Monks clad in brilliant orange to spectacular historic ruins to shameless debauchery - this city will be an attack on the senses that will leave you reeling, riveted and hungry for more. So go and check it out, don’t be afraid to immerse yourself in it as there is nowhere else like it on earth.

Things to do

Visit Wat Pho and Wat Arun

There are hundreds of temples in Bangkok but these three are in a league of their own. They are designed in that spectacularly detailed Thai architecture reminiscent of Gaudi’s Sagrada Famillia in Barcelona - and are of a massive scale. In Wat Pho lies the hugely famous and most sacred Buddha there is… the ‘Reclining Buddha’ measures 45 metres in length by 15 metres in height and is the most sacred Buddha in the world. Wat Arun is arguably more astonishing architecturally with its beautiful towers stretching 88 metres into the Bangkok skyline; these two edifices are not to be missed on any trip to the city.

Cycling Tour

Widely held to be the best way to get under the skin of the city, a cycle tour through busy Bangkok may appear unorthodox but away from the main roads there is a complex network of alleyways running throughout the city that is very easily navigable by bicycle. Even escaping the metropolis and out to the countryside is very achievable by bike and passing through villages full of lotus and paddy fields is a very memorable experience.

Muay Thai

If you happen to be a boxing fan or even just a bloodthirsty type this brand of Thai Boxing could be your cup of tea. Down in the Lumpinee boxing stadium or Ratchadamoen is the place to go for this spectacle of highly skilled martial arts.

People Watch

Now this may not sound like much of an activity but by God is it a good way to pass an afternoon. Take it easy in a roadside bar nursing a beer and see all the angels and oddballs of this bustling behemoth of a city saunter by. From the famous Ladyboys to western vagabonds, to fifty something sexpats to achingly cool local yuppies, to beautiful Thai girls with lotuses in their hair… it could be said that this is the world’s premier people watching destination so why not indulge.