Bangkok

By thewanderingfool

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One of the many temples along the Chao Phrya

The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

The moment I stepped in to the newly built, ultra-modern Suvarnabhumi (pronounced soo-wana-pom) airport, it felt like Thailand has fast-forwarded into the future. It’s a vibrant and dynamic city with no qualms embracing the trappings of the modern world. It’s true that Thais had their fair share of political turmoil. Still, this doesn’t deter people from visiting and enjoying the city’s many exciting tourist attractions.

Bangkok is a city of contrasts. It is modern, yet is able to preserve its ancient charm. It’s exotic, warm and friendly. No wonder it is one of the world’s favorite tourist destinations. The Thai government built modern, world-class infrastructures that rival the best in the world, to further boost tourism in the country.

Bangkok is a shopping haven. There is a proliferation of shopping malls and night bazaars that cater to different classes. There are trendy malls that cater to the high-end such as the Siam Paragon Mall in Pratunam which houses, among others, an Hermes shop. For the budget conscious however, there are those night markets such as Suan Loum where you can buy souvenirs, goodies and almost any type of item you want, for less. Bargaining is an experience here.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete experience without tasting the local fare. A word of caution though, Thai food is generally spicy. In fact, if you don’t request for a milder or subtler version of the dish, they would normally assume you prefer your food extra hot - just the way they like it, I suppose. We find this obsession of incorporating spiciness to food no less than amazing, for clearly, Thai food is one of the best in the world. The flavors mix-in perfectly together. Of course, you can always choose to be adventurous and test your tolerance for spicy food. In fact, there is a smorgasbord of cuisine you can choose from. If you are a Filipino like me however, and would like to go on a gastronomic trip, I suggest you go for the milder version which is more attuned to the Filipino palate.

Another must-do for me is to go to Pat Pong, the city’s red-light district. This place has been the stuff of my fancy ever since I heard things about it from my colleagues from way back, when I was still working at the airport. I had to satisfy my curiosity. Though I wouldn’t be delving into the details, I would like to suggest for those who are interested to go there, to practice caution. To unsuspecting tourists, it’s going to be highway robbery. Better prepare a good alibi so as not to pay much (unless you have cash to burn, of course).

Another interesting part of the trip was the Chao Phrya River tour. It’s definitely an experience. Along the Chao Phrya’s banks are the dozens of temples that represent thousands of years of Thai history. The temples are a display of grandeur and superb architecture. You’ll be amazed at its excellent craftsmanship. It’s like traveling back in time and experiencing Siam’s Golden Age.

It’s been a tiring trip, juggling trainings, tours and shopping altogether, but it was all worth it. Not only have I experienced Bangkok, known for the positive and sunny demeanor of its people, earning it the title “The Land of Smiles”, but also made new friends along the way. More importantly, being able to spend it with people who are remarkably fun and outgoing, my friends Trixie and Ruby, who unwittingly became my self-appointed ‘tour guides’, and Haeng, who treated us to a very wonderful dinner while sharing his interesting life stories and travels abroad, only made this whole experience more worthwhile.

Source


There are at least 3 major carriers who offer direct flights from Manila to Bangkok on a daily basis.

Earliest departure is at 10:30 AM, Manila
Latest departure is at 11:15 PM, Manila




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