HOW TO SELL BANGKOK
BANGKOK Feel the buzz in…
BY PAUL OSWELL Bustling, humid Bangkok is a city that
has a larger than life feel. Its frenetic pace, the year-round heat, infamous traffic and constant buzz can overpower many first time visitors. Equally, though, its dynamism wins over many fans and many people come back time and again to soak up the atmosphere. It’s a cliché to cite places as being ‘contrasting’, but the modern and ancient in Bangkok do line up cheek by jowl. Crumbling shacks lean up against exotic temples, which in turn lie in the shadow of modern hotels and shopping malls. Orange-robed monks mingle with the morning rush hour crowds as they collect alms – in Bangkok, tradition is never far away. As busy as the roads, the Chao
Phraya River slices through the city, always alive with long-tailed boats and river taxis. By its banks, whole communities live in stilted houses, their lives unchanged for generations. The Thai capital has become a modern entertainment hub, with fashionable areas such as Sukhumvit awash with trendy bars and restaurants, the seedier side of the city slowly giving way to more respectable enterprise. The highlight in terms of sightseeing
is undoubtedly the Royal Grand Palace, a brightly-coloured, walled complex that houses several palaces covered in gemstones and mosaics. It dates back to 1782 and houses Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all Thai temples, home to the sacred Emerald Buddha. It's also worth taking a tuk-tuk (motorized, three wheeled taxis) to sites such as Vimanmek Palace, an 81-room mansion made entirely of golden teak. Wat Pho is the oldest and
largest temple in Bangkok and houses an enormous gold-plated Reclining Buddha. The 17th-century Wat Arun on the west bank of the Chao Phraya is a striking tower, decorated with multicoloured ceramic tiles. A favourite among western visitors is
the Jim Thompson House. Named after an American who came to Bangkok after World War II, the site was his home until he mysteriously disappeared in 1967. His house, which can only be visited on a guided tour, is now a museum full of Asian artefacts. If Asian artefacts are of interest, then
the National Museum also deserves at least one visit, particularly the Teak Pavillion, which houses some of the personal belongings of the beloved Thai Royal Family. For bargain hunters, Bangkok is a
goldmine. Sukhumvit Road has street markets that run almost 24 hours a day. Patpong, though lined with strip clubs, also has a bustling night market. The weekend market at Chatuchak Park, on Phaholyothin Road is also rightly popular. with locals and tourists alike. For a more modern shopping experience and designer labels that are
38 July/August 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
BANGKOK Top Selling Tips...
• There is a strict dress code at the Grand Palace and visitors wearing shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will be refused entry, although it is possible to hire trousers and plastic shoes
• Bangkok's public transport is an adventure in itself. If you're going long distance grab a comfortably cool taxi; for shorter jaunts get a tuk tuk or a motorcycle taxi; the futuristic sky train is good for getting between the malls and Chatuchak weekend market; and don't forget the waterways, a great way to get to Wat Arun
• For fantastic views of the city here's two options: the top of the peaceful Golden Mount temple, or a swanky rooftop venue like Banyan Tree's Moon Bar
slightly more authentic, Ploenchit and Rama I roads have state-of-the-art shopping malls. Very affordable bespoke clothes can be ordered at any of the many tailors on Sukhumvit Road. Much of the city’s nightlife is concentrated in the districts of Patpong and Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit Road). In addition to the numerous massage parlours, there are now many excellent cocktail bars and restaurants. Bangkok is a city on the up. The Sky
Train and metro system mean you can mostly avoid the crippling traffic, and the new Suvarnabhumi airport is world class. Whether you come looking for centuries-old tradition or a luxurious stay in a stylish boutique hotel – or both – The Big Chilli, as the city likes to market itself, won’t disappoint.
What’s New: • All international and domestic flights now arrive and depart from Suvarnabhumi airport.
Clockwise from left: Vertigo in Bangkok's Banyan Tree; Siam Paragon in Bangkok; Wat Arun seen from a Manohra cruise; the Khao San Road in Bangkok
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