Thailand Beaches Prev

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BANGKOK

Bangkok

Unlike Thailand’s famously chilled islands and beaches, there’s something about Bangkok that never fails to get the blood pumping. This big, crowded, polluted and seemingly chaotic Asian mega-city is many things to many people, but you wouldn’t call it boring. For the visitor, the impact is immediate. Your first move is likely to be joining the cacophonous arteries of metal that pump – just barely – almost eight million people around the region’s biggest city. Everywhere you look the streets and waterways are alive with commuters. Schoolkids run without sweating, smiling vendors create mouth-watering food in push-away kitchens, monks rub bare shoulders with fashionistas in air-conditioned malls… Whether it’s in one of Bangkok’s famous golden temples, riding in the back of its roguish túk-túk or just walking down the street, something odd and inexplicable will happen at the most unexpected time. Hey, was that an elephant with a tail light? If all you want to do is kick back on a peaceful beach, at first glance Bangkok will seem like a transit burden full of concrete towers instead of palm trees. But once you tire of sea breezes, you’ll better appreciate Bangkok’s conveniences and breakneck pace. With its mix of the historic and contemporary, and some of the most delicious and best-value eating on earth, the City of Angels is surely one of the most invigorating in Asia.

HIGHLIGHTS

Getting lost in quirky Wat Pho (p83), with its serene reclining Buddha, then finding yourself a massage Touring Jim Thompson’s House (p87), one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Thai art and architecture Stocking up on exotic souvenirs at the vast Chatuchak Weekend Market (p108) Taking the lift to one of Bangkok’s unique rooftop bars for a sky-high sundowner (p102) and unbeatable sunset views. Eating delicious Thai cuisine (p98) in what is one of Asia’s best food cities.

Jim Thompson's House Wat Pho Chatuchak Weekend...