BANGKOK How To Sell
BY BEN LERWILL Thailand’s mesmerising capital city is in
equal parts calm and chaos, an endlessly evolving metropolis shaped as much by hedonism and modernity as it is by spirituality and tradition. The temples soar, the street food
sizzles and the pavements heave with life. Even for those tourists who are just in the city fleetingly, its round-the-clock energy isn’t easily forgotten. Bangkok's role as a regional air hub means that it gives many clients their first taste of Southeast Asia, so it’s fitting that it has a huge amount to offer visitors. If you want cutting-edge luxury, you’ll find it. If you’re looking for nightlife, it’s world-renowned. There’s culture in spades, shopping opportunities galore and a culinary offering that ranges from pavement grills to gastro restaurants. So where to start? In terms of historical sights, Bangkok has a number of long-established highlights. These include Wat Pho, a gorgeous temple with a 45m-long reclining Buddha statue; the Grand Palace, a royal vision of sweeping roofs and golden spires; Jim Thompson’s House, the former residence of an American silk merchant, now a museum of southeast Asian art; and Wat Arun, a mosaic-clad riverside temple complex dating back to the 19th century. Given the city’s all-action street-life, getting around is often an experience in itself. Tell clients to try one of Thailand’s famous tuk-tuks, for novelty value, although the elevated BTS Skytrain system provides a more practical way of beating the heat and noise of the roads. It has 32 stations along two lines, with
General Information
TIME ZONE: GMT +7 VISAS: Brits arriving by air can stay for 30 days without the need to obtain a visa before arrival. CLIMATE: The city has a tropical climate. Average temperatures are above 30°C year-round. May to October can be rainy. GETTING THERE: Thai Airways, British Airways and EVA Air all fly direct from the UK. CONTACT: Tourism Authority of Thailand: 020 7925 2511
www.tourismthailand.org
18 July/August 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
much of the city well served. Also, a high-speed Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok opened in August 2010. There’s a subway network too, while
for those visitors sightseeing along the Chao Phraya River, ferries are an option. For shoppers there’s huge variety.
Popular backpacker hangouts like Khaosan Road sell everything from clothing and handicrafts to electric goods and books, all at knock-down prices. On a different level, the modern MBK Center – self-styled as ‘the most visited mall in Bangkok’ – is an eight-storey high retail palace with some 2,000 stores and services. Elsewhere, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest of its kind in the world, while the city’s much photographed floating markets are still a tourist must-see. Thai massage remains hugely popular
with visitors – you’ll find quality treatments at a fraction of the UK cost. You can eat extremely well for an attractive price. The sheer range and quality of different food outlets has helped the Thai capital to forge an overall reputation far beyond the slightly cheap, fruity image of decades gone by.
There’s fun to be had in the roadside
markets and clamorous backstreets, but these days the city has a seriously stylish side too. The accommodation offering is superb,
with a clutch of excellent boutique properties complementing an increasing number of cool big-name chains. There are chic nightclubs, panoramic cocktail terraces and thriving local art scenes, as evidenced by the growing number of working studios and avant-garde galleries.
BANGKOK Top Selling Tip
• Drive a bargain… “Haggling for goods is expected wherever the prices aren’t pre-set, and you’ll generally achieve far better results if you approach the process with a smile and a friendly demeanour. In most instances, you can expect to knock the price down by between 10 and 40%.” BEN LERWILL Travel Writer
What’s New The 403-room W Bangkok opens in December 2012, while the Sofitel So Bangkok opened its doors earlier this year. The new Okura Prestige Bangkok opened in May with 240 rooms, close to the Ploenchit BTS Skytrain Station. The Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit also opened in May. Attraction World has added four new ‘Urban Adventure’ Bangkok tours.
Where To Book It TRAVEL 2 0800 0224 182;
www.travel2.com Five nights at the five-star Anantara Bangkok Riverside, B&B, are priced from £759pp, based on travel in September 2012 and including flights with Etihad.
FUNWAY HOLIDAYS 0844 557 3131;
www.funway4agents.co.uk Five nights at the three-and-a-half star Chaophya Park Hotel is from £745pp, for departures in September 2012, including flights with EVA Air and airport transfers.
From Left: The golden temples of the impressive Grand Palace; Thai smiles; Bangkok’s floating flower markets are a ‘must visit’ attraction
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