| Approximate flying times: From New York: 17 hrs. | | | | resides at Chitralada Palace while The Grand Palace is |
| From Chicago: 22 hrs 30 mins. From LA: 19 hrs 25 | | | | used for ceremonial purposes. |
| mins. | | | | Wat Pho: possibly the most interesting temple in |
| If New York is the city that never sleeps, forget the | | | | Thailand. It combines history, medical science and is a |
| alarm clock. Bangkok, Thailand's capital city, comes a | | | | center for meditation and traditional massage training. |
| very close second. The city was founded in 1782 by | | | | Have a massage while you're here, at a very fair |
| the first monarch of the present Chakri Dynasty. | | | | price. |
| Today it's the country's spiritual, commercial and | | | | Chatuchak Weekend Market: with over 9,000 shops |
| educational hub, home to approximately ten million | | | | and stalls you'll be tempted over and over. Close to |
| people or more than 10% of the Thai population. | | | | everything that is for sale in Bangkok is here, including |
| City of contrasts and confusion. | | | | antiques, Buddha amulets, handicrafts, clothes, flowers |
| Bangkok (or Krung Thep in Thai which means "city of | | | | and furniture. (You'll notice that some maps spell it |
| angels") is an exciting, high energy melting pot of east | | | | "Jatuchak". Many English words have multiple spellings, |
| meets west. A dynamic city that has embraced | | | | so if you're in doubt, ask the hotel concierge to write it |
| technology and modern living with its busy | | | | in Thai for the taxi driver.) |
| expressways, bold skyscrapers and designer-filled | | | | Vimanmek Mansion Museum: the world's largest |
| shopping malls. Yet underneath it all, it remains a | | | | golden teak building located in the compound of the |
| traditional haven of culture, history and time-honored | | | | Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road. The three-storey |
| customs, where elders are respected and family | | | | royal mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers |
| always comes first. | | | | containing unique memorabilia. |
| As you travel from the airport you'll see plenty of | | | | Jim Thompson's House: this exquisite Thai house and |
| examples of modern architecture dotting the city | | | | buildings stand as a museum to the man who revived |
| scape and amongst them all, standing proud, are | | | | the Thai silk industry after the Second World War. The |
| glittering Buddhist Wats (temples) such as Wat Phra | | | | company he founded, Jim Thompson Thai Silk, is |
| Kaew and The Grand Palace. Snaking through the | | | | recognized worldwide for its brilliant fabrics, home |
| concrete jungle, you'll spy echoes of the "old Bangkok" | | | | accessories and fashion items. The gardens are |
| below you - ancient canals and waterways that are | | | | equally impressive with a lush tropical jungle imitating |
| well worth exploring on a boat trip. | | | | nature's haphazard beauty right in the center of the |
| Every Thai household and building, even the most | | | | city. |
| modern, has a traditional spirit house built outside for | | | | Shopping till you drop! |
| good fortune and to honor the spirit of the land. Each | | | | Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two |
| day, small offerings of fruit and water are laid out, | | | | streets. You'll find dozens of malls, markets and luxury |
| often with garlands of orchids. If you're an early riser, | | | | retail outlets throughout the city. The most popular are |
| keen to make the most of your vacation time in | | | | located around the Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong area, |
| Bangkok, don't be surprised when you see Buddhist | | | | Sukhumvit Rd and Silom-Surawong-Patpong, including |
| monks in saffron robes making their morning "alms" | | | | the fantastic Patpong night market where you can |
| rounds accepting food and donations from local | | | | pick up your souvenirs, fashion and Thai handicrafts. |
| people, young and old. | | | | Don't be shy to bargain in the market (nicely) as your |
| Some like it hot, but not all the time. | | | | dollar can go a long way. |
| Thailand has a tropical climate with an annual average | | | | Bangkok rocks. |
| temperature of around 75 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, | | | | Bangkok has no single area for nightlife - it has several. |
| so pack light clothing for your trip. Natural fibers are | | | | Bars are spread out all over town in places such as |
| often more comfortable when you're walking and | | | | Patpong, Silom Soi 2 and 4, Soi Sarasin and Lang |
| touring in hot weather. Practically everywhere you go | | | | Suan, Royal City Avenue, Banglumpoo, Soi Cowboy |
| in Bangkok you'll find you some relief from the heat, | | | | and Sukhumvit Soi 33, among others. |
| with blasts of icy cold air conditioning in shops and | | | | One of the hottest new spots is called "Bed" is an |
| hotels. | | | | extraordinary space-age designer lounge in fashionable |
| From March to May it's the hottest time, with the | | | | Sukhumvit Soi 11. The Bed Supper Club is a "dining in |
| highest temperatures and humidity. From June to | | | | bed" experience. Best described as a unique |
| October is monsoon season, so remember to take an | | | | combination of upscale restaurant, club, art gallery, |
| umbrella. November to February is cooler and less | | | | theater and stage merged into one. |
| humid. Bear in mind that the monsoon season varies | | | | Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty King |
| throughout the country and can affect the weather | | | | Bhumibol Adulyadej. |
| you experience. | | | | If you need another good reason to visit "The Land of |
| Bangkok Hotels to match every budget. | | | | Smiles", here it is. This year marks the Diamond Jubilee |
| You'll find every type of accommodation - from lavish | | | | of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king |
| 5 star international names to smaller hostels, favored | | | | of the Chakri Dynasty. The King has reigned for |
| by back packers. Book online and see what special | | | | almost 60 yeas, making him not only the longest |
| rates you can find. Web sites such as have over 100 | | | | reigning Thai monarch, but the longest reigning King in |
| hotels in Thailand, ranging from the natural peace and | | | | the world today. |
| luxury of The Sukhothai on South Sathorn Road, to | | | | A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. |
| business hotels in busy downtown Bangkok to the | | | | In true Thai style, the Bangkok celebrations promise to |
| Hard Rock Hotel on Pattaya Beach, Bangkok's | | | | be a spectacular tribute to the Royal Family, full of |
| favorite seaside resort. | | | | color, pomp and ceremony. One of the main highlights |
| Getting around is easier. | | | | is The Royal Barge Procession on June 12-13 2006. It |
| One of the first words you'll learn in Bangkok is "Rot | | | | will be an international event with twenty-eight |
| tip" or "rot tit" which literally means "cars that stick", in | | | | monarchs from around the world in attendance. This is |
| other words traffic jam. But the everyday snarls and | | | | a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for visitors, as the |
| gridlock have been vastly improved by Bangkok's | | | | Procession is only held to mark significant historical |
| cosmopolitan transport system. | | | | events such as His Majesty's ascension to the throne. |
| You can now ride the subway, the Hua Lamphong - | | | | A river of splendor. |
| Bang Sue line has 18 stations along the 12 mile route. | | | | Bangkok's main river, the Chao Phraya will become the |
| It's fast, quiet and modern. | | | | place to be. Imagine a royal armada stretching as far |
| Jump on a BTS Sky Train. BTS sky trains ply along | | | | as your eyes can see. A flotilla of superbly carved |
| Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes | | | | royal barges slowly sail into view, manned by the |
| connect Bangkok's leading hotels and major shopping | | | | Royal Thai Navy dressed in ancient ceremonial |
| areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong | | | | uniforms. Each sailor rowing in perfect unison, honed |
| and Chatuchak Weekend Market. | | | | through months of intense practice. If you plan to be in |
| Of course, you can't go to Bangkok without a ride in a | | | | Bangkok in June, do leave the bargains for a few |
| tuk-tuk. These zippy three-wheeled open-air motorized | | | | hours and be part of the adoring crowd - and bring |
| taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be | | | | your camera. |
| bargained in advance, it's part of the fun. | | | | Incidentally, two major dress rehearsals are planned |
| Top 5 must-see highlights. | | | | for the June 6 and 9, so if you can't attend the real |
| The Grand Palace: the number one attraction. Every | | | | event, this is as close as you may get. |
| visitor to Bangkok should see the magnificent buildings | | | | Thailand has a well deserved reputation as the "The |
| within the Grand Palace compound to get a feeling of | | | | Land of Smiles". You'll receive a warm welcome and |
| this grand architecture. Since the founding of Bangkok | | | | feel the genuine friendliness of the locals. One thing's |
| as the Nations capital by King Rama I, The Grand | | | | for sure, the memories of a vacation here will stay |
| Palace has been the major architectural symbol of | | | | with you for a lifetime. |
| The Thai Royal Family. The Royal Family actually | | | | |