Bangkok – Thailand’s capital – is one of the most exciting cities in the world. It’s a strange mix of cultures that seem both alien and somehow familiar as well. On the one hand, you have a western way of life. People here work in big companies which advertise all over the city streets on billboards. And on the other, you have a different attitude. It’s busy, but it doesn’t feel manic as in some western cities.
Bangkok is famous for its nightlife scene and relatively carefree atmosphere. There is a vast amount of cheap accommodation here which makes it affordable to stay, even long-term. You can pick up a condo in Chaengwattana for just a few hundred dollars a month, and experience a high quality of life.
At night, the streets transform. Performers start venturing out to entertain the locals and tourists. And cocktail bars open their doors, encouraging you to come in for interesting beverage experiences.
So why does Bangkok never disappoint? Let’s find out.
Thailand has a reputation for providing people with some of the most spectacular massages anywhere in the world. Practitioners here developed their own style, based on the evidence for what works. If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep because of a sore back or stiff legs, this is the place to go. You can get a massage for just a few Baht and enjoy the limbering experience for however long you like.
Oil massages are also available for those who want to target the muscles more than the joints. But the options are seemingly endless. Tired travellers can enjoy the experience after a long day of walking around, visiting the sites.
The idea of traveling to a foreign country to experience tailoring sounds a little strange. But it actually makes a lot of sense.
Quality, affordable tailoring is hard to find in western countries. But in Thailand, it is everywhere. Because of how wages operate in the country, there is an army of people at your disposal, ready to adjust your clothing however you like. It means that you can take a sack of clothes to a tailor and they’ll adjust them all for you for a low fee. What’s more, you usually don’t have to wait that long for them to complete their work. Even if you’re only there for a week, you can usually get a quick turnaround, providing you with beautiful clothes to take home with you once your vacation comes to an end.
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Most major cities around the world have sky bars, but there is something special about those you find in Bangkok. Perhaps the most impressive is the enormous Sky Bar itself which sits atop an 88-story building that dominates the city’s skyline. You get uninterrupted panoramic views of the metropolis, letting you see things like the road layout, downtown districts, parks, and residential tower blocks.
Bangkok is very much a garden city – somewhere you can go to enjoy nature and experience life at its best. Even though the city is highly developed, there remain areas given over to the natural world.
Take the Bang Krachao Gardens, for instance. Here you’ll find walking trails, carefully manicured beds and unique houses, built on top of stilts.
Thailand is an overwhelmingly Buddhist country. And the tradition has produced many wonders, including the Grand Palace which is probably the most well-known and renowned landmark in the country. Here you’ll find an array of Buddhist sculptures along with beautiful architecture that instantly strikes you with its beauty.
The most famous part of the compound is probably the Wat Phra Kaew which means the Emerald Temple of the Buddha. Go here to find some of the most stunning works of art in Southeast Asia.
Have you ever wished you could buy your food from people who’ve brought it to the city directly from the source via boat? Well, that’s precisely what you get if you frequent one of Bangkok’s many floating markets.
The scene is like something out of a fairytale. Locals stroll up and down banks and do business directly with local food suppliers. Vendors not only provide fresh fruit, vegetables and drinks, but they also tend to open grills and provide freshly-cooked food too.
Bangkok is home to a large number of popular floating markets, but some are better than others. Perhaps the best of the bunch of the Khlong Lat Mayom, Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak – with the latter being the most popular.
*Collaborative post