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Bangkok: A new Traveller's Guide

Bangkok is an exotic, friendly, and beautiful city in southern Thailand. It is the capital of Thailand, it's got over eight million people which is the cultural center of the country. It is a host to outrageous nightlife and beautiful temples, of delicious food and sweltering heat, of crowded streets and big markets. There is no not enough things to see and do within the city, but additionally, there are many travel suggestions to take into account while travelling through Bangkok also.

Some Basics

Thai could be the main language spoken in Bangkok, but due to the booming tourist industry, many individuals speak English (become familiar with a few Thai phrases, though- the time and effort will probably be appreciated).

The system of currency is the Baht (THB), often misspelled "Bath" in the pub. One US dollar is about 31 Baht. Price is highly affordable in Thailand making Thailand a serious hotspot for Western tourists. You don't have to tip for services or at restaurants similar to a number of other countries, however it is certainly appreciated.

There are a few cultural taboos and laws that you should take seriously while travelling anywhere in Thailand:

When visiting a Buddhist temple, dress conservatively and remove your shoes upon entering. Don't take on photographs if anyone is meditating or during ritual, without prior permission.

Touching another woman's head (a good child's head) can be a religious affront and should not be done. Touching another woman's feet are consider an impure act and cannot be prevented. Pointing to something with your foot is also dirty.

Females should never touch a Theravada monk, but monks often touch lay men, and even females in the event the lay female is quite ill.

Never embark on public displays of affection.

The King of Thailand is located in reverence with the Thais. The King is legally "inviolable" and it is the best offense to express or do anything whatsoever which could in any respect be interpreted as "disrespectful." It is a serious matter. An infringement may get you arrested and used in prison. This is serious. Water and food

Food and water aspects another significant problem here. Don't drink the regular faucet water with your hotel or in restaurants, and not use ice. Drink only bottled water. Don't eat street food that may spoil inside the heat. Although Thai cuisine is delicious high are street vendors nearly everywhere, you don't want to spend your time in Bangkok sick because of this food.

The Streets

The traffic in Bangkok is overwhelming- it's very congested, and in many cases crossing the trail is dangerous! Because of the popular, there are lots of selections for transportation: the Metro, the SkyTrain, the boat network, the buses, taxis, and tuk-tuks.

Although the three-wheeled, motorized tuk-tuks aren't essentially the most cost-effective way to get across the city (concur with an amount just before in-sometimes apply for very cheap!), they may be this type of huge section of Bangkok it's worth just traveling in one at least!

Sex on the market

Bangkok features a flourishing and over-active Thai escort, both straight and gay. Many male and female prostitutes are HIV positive. A certain percentage of visitors arrived at Thailand to fulfill their sexual desires and fantasies. So, know that especially male visitors to Thailand will probably be propositioned rather aggressively because you land with the airport, plus the red districts in Bangkok. You should be firm in saying "no", and guys, never look interested or the sales pitches will become more aggressive and demanding.

Temples and Palaces

Bangkok is known for its abundance of temples and palaces. For instance ,:

The Grand Palace could very well be the most spectacular. This massive residence of the King is made up of many buildings-each more beautiful as opposed to next. It will take hours to understand more about, and it is well worth the 400 Baht (about $13 US) admission fee.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, can be a national monument along with a must-see here-it was just about the most memorable sights from time in Bangkok. You need to dress very conservatively as a way to enter, so prepare yourself.

The Temple in the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, located towards the Grand Palace, is yet another temple that's extremely memorable. It's where you can beautiful gardens, sculptures, plus a golden statue of Buddha that's over 150 feet long. Entrance is inexpensive (20 Baht, about 60 US cents), and located here's a famous Thai massage school that may enable you to get an hour-long massage for only 200 Baht (about $6.50)!

The Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun, is the one other incredible temple to view. It really is located on the Chao Phraya River and it's also noted for its high colorful spires and Ordinance Hall. For 50 Baht ($1.60 US), this attraction provides beautiful views with the river and provide great insight into Buddhism.

Markets

Bangkok posseses an impressive quantity of markets, and they're an ideal places to purchase Thai clothing, food, and crafts. You will discover some pretty amazing prices, but be ready to haggle- you can typically bargain for any lower price! But don't forget just to walk away if you think maybe you're getting ripped off.

Be careful of personal belongings in the markets. There are lurking pickpockets.

If you're in the city with a weekend, see a Chatuchak Weekend Market, which includes 1000s of stalls that offer anything you may imagine. Although it's crowded (try going in the morning before it gets too hot), it's worth a vacation in just experience something so large in size and thus abundant in Thai culture.

Another really interesting information mill the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Vendors are common in small boats and so they primarily sell fruit and veggies. There is an choice of located on land or renting a little boat at the same time. Although this is rather touristy, there aren't many other locations on earth which may have floating markets!

Museums

If you prefer somewhere less crowded, Bangkok has lots of museums which can be intriguing, notable and attractive. There's 2 which i particularly recommend:

The nation's Museum is a stunning building having a huge variety of Thai art and architecture.

The Jim Thompson House is a fairly large compound that houses art, antiques, and an interesting blend of both Thai and European design.

Nightlife

If you're looking for some really unique nightlife, there are 2 spots in Bangkok that can leave a very lasting impression.

Soi Cowboy could be the city's very tourist-heavy sex district- it's a street full of fluorescent lights and go-go bars.

Khao San Road, meanwhile, was the best place I visited in Bangkok. While there are many clubs and economical bars (mobile bars can be extremely popular here too), in addition there are Thai restaurants, Western fast-food chains, cafes, street vendors and performers, and individuals throughout the entire world having a good time experiencing and enjoying the city. It's actually a place where Thailand meets the West, and this blend of countless cultures makes Khao San Road a fascinating place.