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Bangkok’s Chinatown, close to the Grand Palace complex, is worth a walk. It’s a large section, bustling with people shopping in the many food shops and the many gold shops. Be prepared to bargain. Bangkok is spread out, with a number of interesting neighbourhoods. Sukhumvit Road has its own pace and style, a long street of shops, restaurants, hotels and bustle. Silom Road has a different style. Each is interesting and a great place for restaurants and shopping.
The Chao Phraya River is an important part
of Thai history and of daily life. Each of the two capital cities
before Bangkok are located on the banks of this river, further north.
Sukhothai was the capital in the 1300s, Ayutthaya… Another way of getting around the city is by tuk tuk. These three-wheeled open vehicles seat two, and are a bit bumpy, but a fun and inexpensive way to go a short distance. Determine the price with the driver, before the journey starts.
Up Country
Chiang Mai is the gateway to the many hill tribe villages that surround it. A visit to two or three is a popular activity. Each tribe has its own history, language, style of living and type of handicraft. Aah the beaches….
Shopping Thailand truly is a shopper’s paradise. Anxiety may overtake you and you decide which of the many treats you wish to buy. There are markets stalls on most streets, with clothes, souvenirs, Thai handicrafts. Bargaining is a must. At first, offer 50% of the price quoted, then haggle from there. There are also boutiques and department stores, offering Thai silk, cotton, woodcarvings, ceramics, giftware and costume and fine jewellery and clothing. And wonderful expandable suitcases to take everything home.
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For
your first trip to Thailand, the best way to see a lot of the country
is through a guided tour. A typical tour starts with a few days
in Bangkok. After a good night’s rest, you’re ready
for the sites and sounds. A visit to the Grand Palace is a must.
The Grand Palace is a complex of palaces, located near the Chao
Phraya River, in town. Many kings added their own palace to the
complex, a fact reflected in the different types of architecture
and influences. The Palace of the Emerald Buddha is the most spectacular,
covered on the outside with gilt and glitter, and containing a most
sacred object, a solid jade Buddha image.
There
is a quiet side to this city of some seven million. Hire a long-tailed
boat to take you through the klongs (canals) on the western side
of the Chao Phraya River. You’ll pass through quiet streets
of water, with houses on the banks and a lifestyle that, in some
ways, has not changed over the decades. Bangkok was once called
the Venice of the East for its many canals, most of which have been
paved over to accommodate the automobile.
After
a few days, you might want to see another part of Thailand. A visit
to the northern city of Chiang Mai is very popular, and offered
on my tours. Thais calling it gong ‘up country’. Chiang
Mai is in the part of Thailand that did not join the country until
the 1800s, so it has its own history. It’s often called ‘the
rose of the north.’ It’s a city of about 200,00, situated
on the Ping River, with a style of its own. It’s famous for
its great night market. Every night the main street is filled with
tables selling almost everything you can find in the country.
Thailand
has many kilometres of white sandy beaches, found in beach resorts
along the Gulf of Thailand and on the many resort islands. The most
famous are Pattaya, Phuket, Samui and Hua Hin. Each is different
in size, style and amenities. Each is a known resort area, with
lots of hotels of different size and price, nightlife and shopping.
Each has its own history and places of interest to visit.
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