|
Bangkok Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Bangkok
- Bangkok Holiday Package Deals
|
!
Search & Compare Discount on Bangkok Hotels or Holidays
|
Bangkok Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Bangkok - Chaotic, carnal and congested, Thailand's
capital is divided by the Chao Phraya River and is nestled in one
of the world's most fertile rice-producing deltas. Bangkok's 579
square miles (1,500 sq km) are criss-crossed by a series of canals
carrying passengers and cargo, its roads clotted with endless
traffic jams, while the city sprawls in all directions with a
hodgepodge of urban, commercial and industrial buildings. A new
overland metropolitan railway speeds above the city, providing
visitors with a relaxed and efficient way to observe the hustle and
bustle below.
Despite its pollution and
overcrowding, Bangkok is undoubtedly one of Asia's most exciting
cities, and one of the world's largest, promising to reveal to each
traveller the wild and untamed mysteries of the east. Khao San Road
is one of the city's most vibrant streets, and is probably one of
the best examples in the world of a backpacker's 'ghetto'. Day and
night the short stretch of road is abuzz with activity. On the
banks of the Chao Phraya visitors will find the Grand Palace as
well as Wat Phra Kaew, the palace temple housing the Emerald
Buddha, constructed entirely from translucent green jade. Slightly
upriver are the exquisitely ornamented Royal Barges, still used
today for special floating processions. Of the
30 or so temples in Bangkok, the largest is the Temple of the
Reclining Buddha, which houses an impressive statue of the deity.
The famous Floating Market is a delight to visitors and well worth
a visit. As the sun lurches towards the horizon in the west and the
sweat cools, this city of royalty and religion comes alive with a
palpable decadence. Music and dazzling neon advertise a miasma of
trendy bars and nightclubs, as well as the notorious 'girlie
joints' that have ensured the Patpong district its reputation for
hedonism.
Advertisment: Search for a Holiday deal.
There are options for all Bangkok holidays, hotels,
Bangkok Flights and other deals with the
multi-search
booking engine.
Bangkok
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
|
What is it? The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is an
escape from the Western-style shopping malls of Bangkok and a
glimpse into the past, revealing the centuries' old way of life of
the residents whose stilt-houses perch on the canals. Visitors can
explore the market with boat trips and sample the wares of local
farmers as they do so. They can also enjoy the experience of
floating through one of Thailand's many river
villages.
Hours of Operation: Daily 6am to 11am
Phone: |
2. Royal Grand Palace
Na Phralan Road, Phra Nakhon
www.palaces.thai.net |
What is it? Construction of the palace began in 1782 and
was completed in time for the coronation of King Rama I, and opened
in 1785 to signify the end of the Burmese invasion of Thailand. The
palace itself is made up of a complex array of smaller buildings,
most notably the Wat Mahatat (the Palace Temple) and the Wat Phra
Keow (the Royal Chapel), which houses the famous Emerald Buddha
sculpted from a single piece of jade, and one of the most revered
objects in the Kingdom.
Hours of Operation: Daily 8.30am to 4.30pm
Phone:(0)2 623 5500 |
3. Royal Barges National Museum
Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi
www.thailandmuseum.com |
What is it? The Royal Barges National Museum houses
several decorative royal barges, the earliest of which dates back
to 1357. Most of the barges served as War Vessels at one point, and
were subsequently used on royal or state occasions on the Chao
Phraya River. Due to their age the barges are now rarely used, but
their intricate designs reflecting Thai religious beliefs and local
history are of great importance to the country's heritage. The
barges were last used at the end of 1999 to celebrate the king's
72nd birthday.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm
Phone:(0)2 424 0004 |
Bangkok
holidays - Top Events
1. Songkran Festival
From 2007-04-13
To 2007-04-15
|
What is it? The traditional rites of Songkran involve
dousing everyone around you in water as a symbol of cleansing and
purification at the start of the Thai New Year. Songkran is
celebrated nation-wide around Thailand with great gusto, and
equally enthusiastically in the capital city, Bangkok. The
fun-filled festival is held for about three days, centred on wats
and temples where images of Buddha are bathed and the elderly in
the community symbolically washed by the youngsters. After the
ceremonials, most people take to the baking hot streets for a
merry, wet free-for-all. In Bangkok the best places to experience
the festivities are on the square in front of the Grand Palace
where the Phra Buddha Sihing is bathed; the Wisutkasat, where a
Miss Songkran Beauty pageant is held; and Khao San Road in
Banglampoo where jovial water-throwing reaches new heights in
battles between locals and tourists.
Where is it? Citywide in the streets, temples and wats |
2. Ploughing Ceremony
From
To
|
What is it? A Thai traditional ceremony that is popular
with tourists and attended by the King is the annual Ploughing
Ceremony, which draws many of the country's farmers to Bangkok to
usher in the start of the new rice-growing season. The ceremony is
held in the heart of the city and dates back more than 2,500 years.
The chief event is a procession in which a red and gold sacred
plough is drawn by flower-bedecked bulls, followed by drummers in
green costumes, and others blowing conch shells or carrying baskets
filled with rice-seed. After the ploughing and ritual feeding of
the bulls, rice seed is scattered and the watching crowds rush onto
the field to gather some grains for good luck, and a good
harvest.
Where is it? Phramane Ground, near the Grand Palace |
3. Thailand International Swan Boat Races
From 2007-09-08
To 2007-09-09
|
What is it? Racing the graceful oriental Swan Boats has
become an international sport with more than 20 teams, including
England, Australia and the United States, participating in the
annual world championships held in November in Bangkok, on the
river near the ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya. The elegant swan
boats are long, narrow round-bottomed boats with upturned bows
intricately carved that resemble swan heads, while the stern
represents a flowing tail.
Where is it? The Bangsai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre on the Chao
Phraya River |
|
