Thailand is known as “land of a thousand temples”, each stunningly unique and overwhelmingly beautifully Buddhist. It’s also known as the “land of a thousand smiles”. I think there’s a connection…
First, it’s hot. Plan your adventures for mornings, late afternoons and evenings. Not during the heat of midday. The city comes alive at night.
It’s an easy city to get around. Tuk-tuks are everywhere, as are taxis. Buses circumnavigate the city, restaurants abound, markets are open from early morning until late at night and water taxis travel often up and down the river for less than a dollar, or free in late evening.
And, it’s safe.
First, go to any street market (night markets are a real treat!) and buy a couple of pairs of loose, linen drawstring pants ( known locally as elephant pants) and gauzy tops. Bangkok currency is the Thai Baht but most vendors accept crisp, new American dollars (make sure no stains or tears) and even Cambodian and Lao kip. March-May are brutally hot and you’ll need shoulders and legs covered for most temple visits.
Now you’re ready. The Grand Palace is a great place to begin. A complex of buildings that has been the official residence of Thai Kings since 1782 and includes the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which is Thailand’s most important Buddhist temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with its famous and enormous reclining Buddha housed in a pavilion on the western edge of the temple complex.
The next must see, an easy taxi ride from anywhere into to heart of Bangkok City is The Golden Buddha. For over 200 years, what appeared an ordinary plaster statue sat un protected at the center of Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan.
Then in 1955, when a crew of workers attempted to move it, they accidentally dropped it—only to reveal the far more valuable treasure contained within:a solid gold Buddha statue weighing 5.5 tons and worth more than $250 million.
Night Markets are located all over the city but the most famous is Chatuchak, with its many vibrant stalls filled with all types of textiles ( especially silks), jewelry ( jade is a top choice), clothing, exotic spices, trinkets, indigo-dyed fabrics, statues of Buddhist and Hindu figures…and unimaginable options for street food.
Most of which westerners should avoid…unless you have a cast-iron stomach and heroic immune system. To get to the Chatuchak Market, hop on the Skytrain to Mo Chit station, take exit number one and follow the crowd until you see rows of canvas stalls.
One “must see” is the Ladyboy show at the Calypso. The cast is entirely male but many performers identify as women and have transitioned to their gender identification.
The term “ladyboy” is often used in English to describe a Thai man who dresses as a woman. They are celebrated for their beauty and charm in fashion shows and beauty pageants, and are widely accepted in society, often holding prominent roles in entertainment. This is one fantastic example of an entertainment extravaganza! And all PG-rated.
For the equivalent of about $25, you’ll enjoy two hours of sheer pageantry, with elaborate costumes sophisticated staging and choreography and wonderful music.
Book a massage, or several! Your hotel can recommend specific spa services with a variety of scrubs or additional treatments. I enjoyed different types but it’s important to note that traditional Thai massage is often performed on a floor mat . The therapist uses (thumbs, elbows, forearms and sometimes, even their feet to reduce tension in the muscles moving the person’s body into yoga-like positions in addition to pulling and rocking the body in various other ways.. The massage does not use oils or lotions and the client wears loose fitting clothing which is supplied. I recommend you try it, specifying your level of deep tissue. My favorite indulgence after a long day of sightseeing and shopping was an hour-long foot massage for about $15 that was absolute heaven.
And what to eat? Noodles, coconut milk, green, yellow and red curries, chicken in coconut soup, lots of pork and fresh fish, beautiful salads abundant with native fruits and the ubiquitous sticky rice that is often used in place of utensils to scoop up food.
Try the Thai-style breakfasts of a clear broth simmered with your choice of a dozen types of noodles, bok choy and sprouts and seasoned with green onions and spices. Much easier to head out into the blistering heat with a refreshingly light breakfast in lieu of greasy bacon and eggs!