Thailand, the country of smiles – Part 1

But also Krung Thep (the city of angels) is not the full name of the national capital. Still as the full name is really long, I guess only a few people use it for every day’s purposes. Bangkok is namely the capital with the longest name in the world, which is »Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit«

 

But let’s not talk about the name, and focus on what the city has to offer.

 

The capital of Thailand has about 8 million people, which is mostly seen in the crowded streets, to which I must add – they drive on the left side. Despite the crowd, you can hardly hear a horn or see and wild driving on the roads. The most unusual sight for us, however, are the many scooters and motorbikes, who swarm the traffic like bugs, when the light turns green. As motorbikes and scooters are the most mobile mode of transport it is most efficient to use a moto-taxi. Driving in car in the city is usually slower than walking. But the speed of motorbikes can also be dangerous, as the most accidents in traffic happen to bikers. Outside the city center you can also use the underground, or the “sky-train” on special tracks, suspended some 10 meters above the traffic jam.

 

The royal palace with the temple of Wat Prakeaw is one of the famous sights, you must not miss once in Bangkok. Despite the entrance fee, which is unlike other attractions, you should visit the place and spend a few hours between the white walls, which revile the splendour of the Thai kingdom at its peak.

 

Next thing, you just have to visit, are the floating markets of Bangkok. They are, unfortunately, not in the city center and are mostly open only on weekends. Damneon Saudak is the queen of floating markets and became a tourist attraction. This is why you will find, among the fresh fruit and vegetable, tons of souvenirs, which are surely not meant for the local customers. It’s not easy to reach the market without your own transport or a tourist agency, for it is some 80km away from the city, but the effort will be well rewarded. For a few hundreds Baht you can also take the boat to the side canals and see the famous floating markets. For this, and also other floating markets, the simple rule applies – the earlier the better, which means getting up early in the morning. If you’re staying in Bangkok over the weekend, I recommend you visit the floating market »Bang Nam Phueng«, which is quite easy to reach by public transport (just 2km away on the other side of the river, you take the sky-line to the “Bang Na” station. Tit is less traditional as the Damneon Saudak, but also less touristy, which means it is a bit more authentic. 

 

There are also other floating markets, beside the two mentioned, which are more or less difficult to reach for a tourist.  

 

The third thing you should go to Bangkok is the famous traditional Thai massage and foot massage. There really are thousands of massage parlours and the foot massage reached epic proportions in the Khao San street, not far from the king’s palace and the monument to democracy. As Khao San is the most dynamic part of Bangkok, I suggest you book a stay here, especially since Hosteling International Thailand offers two great hostels in this part of the city – they are HI Baan Dinso 1 and Baan Dinso 2, both with high marks by visitors. The Khao San street is famous, not only for massages, for its shops with souvenirs and street food, amon which we find the strangest things, such as fried scorpions. But back to massages – the parlour in Bangkok are more frequent than ice cream vendors in a European beach resort, which makes the price (at least for European travellers) very tempting. A classical hour long massage costs less than 10 EUR and a half hour foot massage just about 3 EUR. And half an hour is just enough to relax and treat your feet in the best way, to thank them for taking you around the city the whole day through. You can also get a nice drink while getting a massage, so your whole body will get a treat. 

 

The next thing you need to try in Bangkok is a ride on the river canals. As this is part of public transport, you can get a great ride for a few dozen cents. The first station is just a few minutes away from the mentioned hostels. But not to wonder aimlessly around, you should probably go to the Saphan Witthayu Pier, where the garden of Swissôtel Nai Lert Park hotel offers a view of the most controversial temple in Bangkok – the Chao Mae Tubtim, or as many call it – the penis temple, as it is dedicated to this part of the male anatomy. You will see penises in all shapes, sizes and positions. And even more interesting are the offerings people leave there in hope of getting a fertility blessing. 

 

But apart from many things you need to see and visit in Bangkok you must not forget the Thai cuisine. Especially street food is something really special! 

 

So I can say, you should not leave Bangkok without seen the Wat Arun (the dawn temple), also you must walk down the famous Soi Cowboy street, visit the famous China Town and take a river ride along the Chao Phraya River… in short, to experience the full splendour of Bangkok. 

 

It is only then you fully experience the city of angels and decide to return, that you’re ready to continue the travel to go towards Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam. 

 

Still, despite thousands of smiles, Bangkok also has a darker side, like any huge metropolis. The least of all dangers is the one connected to money alone. I suggest you take care while getting a cab or moto-taxi, as most drivers don’t turn on the meter, or the tuk-tuk, which doesn’t even have one and you need to settle the price in advance. A tuk-tuk is a motorised bicycle converted into a taxi for 2-3 people, typical for this part of Asia. They will usually want to take you to a place, where they can get a percentage for bringing you (like a restaurant, massage parlour or a shop). 

 

An honest driver explained how the system works. Every taxi driver, who takes a tourist to a clothes shop, where they also make clothes, gets a coupon for 5l of fuel. In return for his honesty I was looking around the shop for several minutes, which brought him 5l of fuel and cost me only a few minutes of my time.

 

With a moto-taxi, which is the fastest mode of transportation (especially if there’s not sub-way of sky-line around) you need to consider, it’s the most dangerous transport. 

 

The other danger of the city are the pickpockets, who are always on the streets of Bangkok, especially the ones of motorbikes. Pickpockets are nothing unusual in most large cities, but the ones on bikes are especially dangerous, as it often happens they tip a person over, while attempting to snatch a purse on a busy street. I was lucky enough, not to be a part of any of this, but there are so many warnings around the city, that I guess the situation is still unresolved.

 

The biggest danger, however, in Thailand (and neighbouring countries) are drugs. If some countries in Europe are slowly opening up, allowing marihuana, Thailand is completely different! Already a small amount of drugs (even marihuana) will get you a huge punishment, with long prison sentences. For amounts that are considered as smuggling – beyond the possible personal usage – there are even death sentences, which are really carried out. It is therefore you should not take any packages or gifts from strangers, especially not while on a plane or crossing a border, as a few ounces of coke can cost you your life!