Rediscovering Bangkok

With friends of friends coming to Thailand for the first time, I was asked where they should go and what they should see. Their first stop is Bangkok. After living in Thailand for almost two decades, I quickly rattled off a list of sites, but in doing a little additional research I realized how much of the city I had not seen and how much would be worth visiting again.

One of the things that makes Bangkok so spectacular is its rich culture and history. The city is home to a number of stunning temples and palaces, such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace, that are a testament to the city’s spiritual and cultural heritage. In addition to its religious sites, Bangkok is also home to a number of museums that provide insight into the city’s history and traditions.

The first and foremost museum worth visiting is The Bangkok National Museum, it is the oldest and most prominent museum in Thailand. It is situated within the grounds of the Grand Palace and boasts the most extensive collection of Thai art and artifacts in the country.

Established in the late 1800s, the museum comprises several buildings, each displaying different types of art. The museum’s permanent exhibitions include the Thai History Gallery, Archaeological and Art History collection, and Decorative Arts and Ethnological Collection. Although the museum’s infrastructure is old, ongoing renovations aim to modernize the facility. The museum also features temporary exhibitions that rotate regularly.

It is a popular destination for large tour groups and visitors can expect to see crowds, particularly in areas such as the Buddhaisawan Chapel, Red House, and Issaret Rachanuson Residence.

Visitors may also observe people sitting on the floor in front of Buddhist statues, either praying or taking a rest. The museum is wheelchair-friendly and offers free English language tours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, providing visitors a deeper understanding of the artifacts on display.

A different, but very interesting museum is the National Museum of the Royal Barges. Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, near the Pinklao bridge, the museum houses 8 Royal Barges, each carved from huge pieces of teak. The boats are crewed by up to 61 oarsman and have up to 17 other crew members. They are used for important ceremonies of state.

Some of the barges have mythical creatures gilded in gold carved on their prows with a cannon below the creature. The Suphannahongse is the

King’s personal barge and is the most important. It is the largest dugout boat in the world and its name means Golden Swan, and a large swan head is carved on the prow.

While at the museum you’ll also find an exhibition on the history of the barges featuring items such as ceremonial uniforms, ancient prow figureheads, sculptures, thrones, oars, and the remains of ancient barges.

For a taste of current local culture, how long has it been since you’ve visited the Chatuchak Weekend Market? Here the question isn’t what’s for sale, it’s what isn’t for sale? With 8,000 stalls, categorized in 30 sections, it is one of the largest open-air markets in the world.

It is also tremendously easy to get to. Taking the BTS (Skytrain), disembark at the Mo Chit Station, take exit 1 and walk straight for around 4 minutes and you will see entrance 3 of the market on the right side. Taking the MRT (Subway), get off at Chatuchak Park Station, exit 1 and turn right and go straight for about four minutes to also reach entrance 3.

Asiatique, on the Chao Phraya is another venue where you can spend countless hours. It’s renowned for its many picturesque restaurants, most with live music, its open-air market, and its 60 metre high Sky Ferris wheel offering unforgettable views of the Bangkok skyline and riverfront. Additional fun activities include the Calypso Cabaret, Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives, and the Joe Louis Thai Puppet Theatre.

To fully appreciate the beauty of Bangkok, it’s often best viewed from above, and the most pleasurable way to take in the panoramic vistas of the metropolis is by visiting one of the city’s top-rated rooftop restaurants & bars.

Sky Bar, a Bangkok institution, is located on the 63rd floor of the iconic Lebua Hotel. Already famous, it became even more so after it was featured prominently in the Hollywood movie Hangover Part 2. With its 360-degree views of the city, the bar is a popular spot for sunset drinks and romantic dinners. The bar’s signature cocktail, the Hangovertini, is a must-try.

The rooftop at the Banyan Tree Hotel is fully taken over by Vertigo and its accompanying Moon Bar, offering a 360-degree view of Bangkok’s skyline, including the picturesque Lumpini Park. Located on the 61st floor, the view is undoubtedly the main attraction, however the delicious food is just as noteworthy. To fully appreciate the experience, it’s best to visit when the restaurant opens at 6pm to catch the beautiful Bangkok sunset.

Red Sky Bar is located on the 55th floor of the Centara Grand hotel. The Red Sky Bar offers stunning views of the city and the Chao Phraya River. The bar has an industrial chic decor and serves a wide range of drinks and premium Western food using the finest ingredients.

When you are ready to come off the high floors and get a little gritty, Khao San Road is a fun & lively destination. Known for its bars, live music, and shopping, Khao San Road originally served as a hub for rice trading and later earned the nickname “Religious Road” due to the presence of shops catering to monks. In the early 1980s, a small guesthouse opened, and from there the street exploded into one of the busiest travel epicenters in the world. But it’s not just travelers, Khao San is also popular with locals who enjoy the plentiful food options, great music and cheap drinks.

In short, Bangkok is a vibrant, exotic, chaotic and fascinating city. It is ancient and modern. The city is famous for its street food, night markets, and its numerous temples and palaces that reflect its rich culture and history. The streets are always crowded and bustling, the traffic messy, yet the city is full of energy and life. Whether you are looking for luxury shopping, or street food, or simply to experience the local culture, Bangkok is a city that never dissapoints.

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