Travel Blog – Trip guides and travel tips

Bangkok dangerous? I could hardly tell my mother no, afterall it has a seedy reputation is seems unable to shake off. But I knew there were things to do in Bangkok other than drugs and ladies of the night.

While the mere mention of the name brings to mind rather unwholesome thoughts, it’s nickname has quite a different effect.

Venice of the East I’m sure you’ll agree has quite a different flavour to it and reveals more of Bangkok than what is covered by the tabloids. (You may want to tell your mum you are off to Venice of the East instead.)  In reality, Bangkok is a city of contrasts, of Monks, MTV and Motor mayhem that has to be seen to be believed.

When to Go

It’s best to avoid the rain season between May – October, unless you like your weather muggy.

Check out the graphs below for average Bangkok temperatures and rainfall levels.

Protests

It is a city synonimous with protests, but is Bangkok dangerous? I’m not sure it is especially so, but  only this week tens of thousands poured onto the streets to protest the expulsion of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a reminder that Thailand has very deep rooted political divisions. If you are travelling to Bangkok, it’s always a good idea to see what the Foreign Office are advising but on the whole, protests are a normal way of life in Thailand so putting off your trip to Bangkok could be unnecessary.

The people of this city consist of mostly Thai, but Chinese and Indians are a growing minority in a city that already bussles with 8 million souls.

My Defining Experience

You can’t go to Bangkok without indulging in one of their famous massages, man do the people at Wat Pho know their way around muscles.  And I hear from other fellow travellers that a thai massage just prior to the return flight guarantees an 8 hour sleep! Great if like me you can’t even cat nap on a plane. Unfortunately this tip came too late for this traveller.

After your massage relax in the author’s lounger in the Oriental Hotel, where the likes of Graham Greene and Joseph Conrad put pen to paper.  It’s simply the perfect way to end the day.

Walking back to your hotel, the smell of jasmin is just as common as the whiff of street food but I found the latter clung to the clothes that little bit longer! A stroll through this remarkable city really was an onslaught on the senses; colours, flavours and smells were seemingly endless.

Although it has to be said that the pollution is fairly sickening too, but I try not to focus on that and in truth, it gets less noticeable after a while.

Strengths

• Everything is cheap cheap
• Markets
• Veggie cafes
• Cheap five start hotels
• DVDs
• Fabrics

Weaknesses

• Pollution
• Prostitution
• Sweat
• “Same same but different”

The last point needs a little explanation. If you go to a tailor you will be shown some beautiful material from which you can have a suit made. When you go to pick up your suit expect to find it consisting of something of lesser quality. Any protestations will be met with the ubiquitous “same same” but actually, it will be quite different.

Remarkably in spite of this, rumours abound that Bangkok is to become the Milan of the far east. Although I don’t think the Italians are choking on their Frascati just yet.

Getting About

Tuk tuks are fast and efficient and go like a stabbed rat between buses and cars – a great adrenalin rush if you like living dangerously. Bangkok is located in the base of the Chao Phraya River, so the land is crisscrossed with canals and rivers. The landscape is made up of high rises, shopping malls and hotels, but the Skyrail circumnavigates the city quite nicely – it’s air conditioned too!

If you have never been to this part of the far east, then prepare yourself…arriving at Bangkok airport is your wake up call to a culture shock you will never forget.

Bangkok is not my favourite Asian city, but it’s certainly one to write home about.

Thailand online shop

If you are a fan of Thailand you’ll find a whole range of interesting stuff, such as souvenirs, shoes, lamps and loads more at getsiam.com