Travel Bangkok: Blissful Day in Bangkok (2)

Sawasdee Kha! Welcome to Thailand.

Today I would like to show you for places where you must be when you are here, Bangkok. Start your blissful day at beautiful Temples (Thai call “Wat”) which located in the historic center of Bangkok, shop till you drop at the largest weekend market, dining at nice Thai restaurants and where you can hang out in the night time. OK, let’s go!

Cultural Travel


Wat Phra Kaew
The Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha, full official name Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. It is located in the historic center of Bangkok, within the grounds of the Grand Palace. Unlike other temples it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only the highly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas. The main purpose of Wat Phra Kaew is house of the Emerald Buddha.


Central to the temple is the Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue standing about 2 feet tall (no one is allowed near the statue except the Thai king). The Emerald Buddha is covered in a seasonal costume, which is changed three times a year to correspond to the summer (crown and jewelry), winter (golden shawl), and rainy months (gilt robe and headdress).


The costume change is an important ritual and is performed by the Thai king, who also sprinkles water over the monks and the faithful to bring good fortune during the upcoming season. The two sets of clothing not in use at any given time are kept on display in the nearby Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Thai Coins on the grounds of the Grand Palace.






The wall surrounding the temple area – from the outside only a plain white wall – is painted with scenes from the Thai version of the Ramayana mythology, the Ramakian. Several statues in the temple area resemble figures from this story, most notably the giants (yak), five-meter high statues. Also originating from the Ramayana are the monkey kings and giants which surround the golden chedis.




The Temple also contains a model of Angkor Wat, as the Khmer empire of Cambodia and the Thais share cultural and religious roots.

You must know:
1.Despite the hot weather most of the year in Bangkok, no allows visitor dressed shorts, sleeveless tops or any revealing dress. No open heeled sandals. If necessary you may rent appropriate footwear and clothing from the Grand Palace authority booth.
2.Free English Tour are available daily. But you can do it yourself, visitor can rent audio headsets with a map near the ticket office booth.

How to be there:By Bus: No.8, No.12
By Boat: Chao Phraya River Expresss (disembark at Tha Chang Pier)
By Subway: Hua Lampong and catch taxi or Tuk Tuks
(Getting there by your car is not recommended due to traffic jam)
Tel.: 02-224-3328, 02-226-0255
Hours: Daily 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Admission: 200 Baht (about $5) Ticket price includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion (largest Teak wood palace) and the RoyalThai Decorations and coin Pavilion.



Wat Pho
This is possibly the most interesting temple in Thailand as it combines history, medical science and is a center for meditaion and traditional massage training. Its official name is Wat Phrachetuphon Vimon Mangkararam Ratchaworamahawihan, although it is commonly called Wat Pho.


Wat Pho is the one of the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok, and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas). The Reclining Buddha is forty-six metres long and fifteen metres high, decorated with gold plating on his body and mother of pearl on his eyes and the soles of his feet. The latter display 108 auspicious scenes in Chinese and Indian styles.




Wat Pho is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Even prior to the temple's founding, the site was a center of education for traditional Thai medicine, and statues were created showing yoga positions. In more modern times, Wat Pho has gained international recognition as a meditation centre and for the traditional Thai massage that is both practiced and taught here.

For those interested in traditional Thai medicine, there is a pavilion that serves to both impart knowledge and provide treatment. The walls have marble tablets describing basic anatomy and treatments. In the late afternoon, traditional medicine practitioners are there to dispense herbal mixtures. Nearby, there is a cloister where you can have a traditional Thai massage for a very small payment.


You must know:
1.In 2008, the historic marble inscriptions in Wat Pho have been registered with UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MOW) as MOW documentary heritage for Asia and Pacific Region.
2.Dress code: same as visit Wat Phar Kaew.

How to be there:
By Bus: No. 1, 3, 12, 25, 44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 501, 508
By Boat: Chao Phraya River Expresss (disembark at Tha Chang , Tha Tien Pier)
By Subway: Hua Lampong and catch taxi or Tuk Tuks
(Getting there by your car is not recommended due to traffic jam)
Tel.: 02-222-1969 Thai Massage School : 02-221-3686
Hours: Daily 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Admission: 50 Baht



Wat Arun
Wat Arun ("Temple of the Dawn") in Bangkok is a Khmer-style Buddhist temple and major landmark on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The full name of the temple is “Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan”. Despite its name (from Aruna, the Hindu god of the dawn), the best views of Wat Arun come at sunset.


The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower). It may be named "Temple of the Dawn" because the first light of morning reflects off the surface of the temple with a pearly iridescence. Steep steps lead to the two terraces. The height is reported by different sources as between 66,80 m and 86 m. The corners are surrounded by 4 smaller satellite prangs. The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.




Around the base of the prang are various sculptures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.

The best views and photos of Wat Arun are in the evening with the sun setting behind it. There are some restaurants on the opposite side of the river that are good for watching this, though you'd be lucky to see the image of Wat Arun that's on all the postcards - that of the red sky sunset with the sun setting directly behind the temple. Sunset is around 6pm - 7pm all year round in Bangkok.


You must know:
Dress code: same as visit Wat Phar Kaew.

How to be there:
By Bus: No. 1, 19, 25, 44, 47, 57, 62, 83 and 91
By Boat: Chao Phraya River Expresss (Tha Tien Pier to Wat Arun Pier)
By Subway: Hua Lampong and catch taxi or Tuk Tuks
(Getting there by your car is not recommended due to traffic jam)
Tel.: 02-465-5640
Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Admission: 50 Baht


Shop till you Drop!!!


Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ Market)
Chatuchak (or Jatujak) weekend market in Bangkok is the largest market in Thailand, and largest of the world. Frequently called J.J., it covers over 35 acres (1.13 km²) and contains upwards of 15,000 stalls. It is estimated that the market receives between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors each day. Most stalls only open on Saturdays and Sundays.


Items at market: Clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, ceramics, pets, vintage magazines / stamps / coins, collector's items, knick-knacks and just about anything and everything else one could want from a Thai market, or any market. And then some!




Chatuchak Weekend Market is the perfect place for bargain shopping and to put your bartering skills to the test. A friendly attitude and big smile are your biggest allies to secure the best possible deal. There are a few ATM's scattered about, but they are not always easy to find. So take along enough cash, as not many vendors or stall owners accept credit cards. A fascinating aspect of the market is that many emerging Thai artists, craftsmen and business people have started their successful careers with a stall at Chatuchak. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of raw talent, innovation and craftsmanship. And then there are some very interesting vendors who have been selling their merchandise at the market for decades, and it's clear that they love what they do.


You must know:
1.Make sure to drink lots of liquids to avoid dehydration - and wear light clothing! Chatuchak is also like any other big market in the world; crowdy and busy. So watch out for pickpockets and keep your personal belongings safe.
2.In June 2008 the Chatuchak Market authorities introduced a complete ban on smoking for the whole market. Chakuchak Smoking Ban However, like many smoking bans in Thailand, it is barely enforced.

How to be there:
Skytrain (BTS): Mo Chit station and exit down the right-hand stairs, follow the crowd for a five-minute walk, and you're there.
Subway (MRT): Chatuchak Park station, and follow thesignage directives. For the plant and flower section, get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station (exit 3).
Open: 08:00 - 18:00 on weekends and Fridays (wholesale day). Plant shops are open Wednesdays and Thursdays too from 07:00 am - 6:00 pm.


Dining at Thai Restaurant


Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant
Run by a famous former politician who is head of Thailand’s ‘Population and Community Development Association’ this is a curious combination of fine cuisine and advice on birth control! This is a spacious restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor dining, whether permitting. If you can accommodate the idea of a restaurant having birth control issues as its central theme (one of the restaurant’s bars is called the Vasectomy Bar), the Thai food here is excellent – the ‘usuals’ like Tom Yum Gung readily available on an extensive menu with excellently stocked bar. Very strangely, free condoms are available and condoms from every part of the world provide decoration! Weird, but wonderful! The nearest BTS station is Asok and Sukhumvit the nearest.

Address: 6 Sukhumvit Soi 12 Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02-229-4611
Open Everyday from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm


Blue Elephant Cooking School & restaurant
This restaurant is so good it offers lessons on how to prepare excellent Thai cuisine! The 100-year old building the restaurant is located in adds tremendously to the authenticity of this establishment – strange then that it is part of a world wide Belgium-based restaurant chain! The menu offers ‘Royal Thai’ cuisine and many of your old favorites are there to enjoy (next to some you are likely to have never heard of but might be worth trying).This is an excellent choice for those looking for the real deal!

Address: South sathorn Road Bangkok
Tel: 02-673-9353
Open Everyday: Lunch 11:30 am -2:30 pm, Dinner 6:30 pm- 10:30 pm




Hang Out in Night Time !!!


Gazebo
Gazebo Sukhumvit Roof top Moroccan style. Find yourself in the center of the city atop a Moroccan style rooftop garden restaurant & Hareem Night Club. Taking in the amazing views of Sukhumvit by night. If it is a romantic occasion or a dinner party this is the dream place for you. Come feel the love.

Address: Corner of Sukhumvit Soi 1
tel.: 02-655-2475-6
Open: till 2:00 am







For your information, you could find more detail of hotels in Bangkok at the bottom line of my blog.



From these, I wish you have a blissful day in Bangkok, lol.
Any queries that I could help you, please feel free to contact me at stargirlyune@gmail.com. I'm willing to serve you. See you!

Sources: sacred-destinations.com, wikipedia.org, bangkokguidebook.com, gazebosukhumvit.com and discoverythailand.com
Picture: google.com