Wednesday 22 June 2011

Holidays in Bangkok



Bangkok is a city with a reputation that precedes itself. As a centre for business and politics, constantly on the move and with traffic lining the streets, Bangkok is established as one of Asia's most important and exciting cities. However, beyond the hustle and bustle the area has much to offer in terms of history and architecture, such as the 30 or more temples that are spread across the Thai capital, as well as its more modern attractions such as the famous Floating Market. Though the sex industry looms large in Bangkok and indeed remains a major draw for many visitors, the city is earning a new status as one of the world's foremost tourist centres full of style and mystique. Temperatures are traditionally hot and tend to stay above 30°C throughout the year. If you want to avoid the rain and the extreme heat it's best to head to Bangkok between November and February, but there is really no bad time to visit. Bangkok Airport can be reached from many UK airports with an average flight time of eleven hours.

Best available Bangkok deals

Average maximum temperature
Average number of rain days
Departure airport Jun
33°C
10
Jul
33°C
13
Aug
32°C
13
Sep
32°C
15
Oct
32°C
14
Nov
31°C
5
Dec
31°C
1
Jan
32°C
1
Feb
33°C
1
Mar
34°C
3
Apr
35°C
3
May
34°C
9
London £766 £551 £601 £511 £511 £531 £574 £565 £575 £580 £613 £627
Midlands £711 £720 £604 £542 £604 £606 £740 £647 £762 £777 £605 -
North West £718 £645 £528 £528 £526 £532 £698 £654 £700 £608 £700 £657
Scotland £942 £808 £701 £542 £616 £569 £678 £684 £678 £682 £767 £713
Prices are based on 7 night stays, 2 adults sharing and are obtained from recent customer searches.
Best for...
Bangkok's culture and nightlife attracts all holidaymakers and the city is a gateway to the exotic east...
Due to its hedonistic reputation, Bangkok might not be ideal for most family travellers. Nevertheless, it has many cultural sites that are worth taking in, and as such it is very popular with backpackers and single travellers. There's plenty for couples to enjoy too, and it's a fabulous destination for the young and old alike for contrasting reasons. The young will love the party atmosphere, while older travellers can take in some dazzling scenery as well as the varied nightlife.
What to do...
The elevated monorail in Bangkok makes it much easier to get around than it was previously as there are two lines running across the central area and this makes a welcome escape from the packed buses and constant traffic jams. Indeed you'll want to get around with as much ease as possible as there is plenty to pack in.

The young will love the party atmosphere whilst older travellers can take in some dazzling scenery....
Visiting a temple or two is a must, and there are plenty to choose from. The most spectacular though are Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. Wat Phra Kaew is a dazzling sight, home to the Emerald Buddha and said to be the source of many miracles. The Grand Palace is its neighbour, and was once a royal residence and features a blend of Italian Renaissance and Thai architecture. There are lots of other religious sites that are worth taking in including Wat Mahatat, the centre of Buddhist learning that bustles with visitors and monks.




Be sure to head to the Ancient City of Bangkok, which is deemed the largest open-air museum in the world. It features more than 100 monuments and is a great spot for a bike ride. And if you fancy a day trip head to Kanchanaburi, which was the original site of the Bridge Over The River Kwai and the site were thousands of prisoners of war were used by the Japanese to build the Death Railway.
Though Bangkok is home to some terrific restaurants, some of the best food is to be sampled on the streets but you must ensure that whatever you indulge in is cooked properly. There is a wide range of eateries from budget establishments like Arawy, Thailand's first non-meat restaurant, and Khrua Nopparat, which offers everyday Thai dishes to deluxe business like La Piola, which serves Italian food.
Fans of shopping simply have to experience the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. The market features canals that you can sail down while sampling the delights from many local farmers and experiencing the delightful river villages. Indeed shopping is perhaps second only to eating on the Thai menu, with a host of places to satisfy your urge to spend including the Chatuchak Weekend Market that features everything from CDs to live chickens and snakes! Bangkok is also known for its sale of imitation goods including designer clothes, bags and watches.
Bangkok has issued curfew laws but that doesn't stop its nightlife from thriving. It's important to choose your venue carefully though depending on your tastes, as there are many strip clubs featuring Thai girls and ladyboys that are not to everyone's enjoyment. The Bamboo Bar is a good place to head to if you feel like a romantic night with some soothing jazz, while Cheap Charlie's and the Barbican Bar make good spots to down a few cocktails. The clubbing scene is red hot and there are numerous dance floors while those who like something more risqué will be entertained by the pole-swinging temptresses at the Go-Go Bar and the colourful cabaret shows. And just to prove how diverse Bangkok is, why not take in the Joe Louise Puppet Theatre, which offers shows in the age-old art of puppetry in a modern setting.

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