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Bangkok: A little daughter Traveller's Guide

Bangkok is definitely an exotic, friendly, and delightful city in southern Thailand. It does not take capital of Thailand, it's over eight million people in fact it is the cultural center of the country. It's really a host to outrageous nightlife and exquisite temples, of delicious food and sweltering heat, of crowded streets and large markets. There is no deficiency of circumstances to see and do from the city, but additionally, there are many travel tricks to bear in mind while travelling through Bangkok also.

Some Basics

Thai will be the main language spoken in Bangkok, but because of the booming tourist industry, many individuals speak English (practice a few Thai phrases, though- the time and effort will probably be appreciated).

The device of currency could be the Baht (THB), often misspelled "Bath" at work. One US dollar is around 31 Baht. Price is highly affordable in Thailand making Thailand a major hotspot for Western tourists. You don't need to tip for services or at restaurants as with a number of other countries, but it's certainly appreciated.

There are a few cultural taboos and laws that you ought to take seriously while travelling anywhere in Thailand:

When going to a Buddhist temple, dress conservatively and take off your shoes upon entering. Don't take photographs if anyone is meditating or during ritual, without prior permission.

Touching another person's head (a good child's head) is really a religious affront and should not be practiced. Touching someone else's foot is consider an impure act and should not be prevented. Pointing to something together with your feet are also not done.

Females shouldn't touch a Theravada monk, but monks often touch lay men, and also females if the lay female is extremely ill.

Never participate in public displays of affection.

The King of Thailand is kept in reverence by the Thais. The King is legally "inviolable" and it's also a legitimate offense to say or do just about anything that could by any means be interpreted as "disrespectful." This is the serious matter. A violation can get you arrested and put in prison. That is serious.
Food and Water

Water and food safety is another serious problem here. Don't drink the plain tap water in your hotel or perhaps in restaurants, and don't use ice. Drink only water in bottles. Avoid eating street food that may spoil inside the heat. Although Thai cuisine is delicious high are street vendors nearly everywhere, you dont want to take your time in Bangkok sick from this food.

The Streets

The traffic in Bangkok is overwhelming- it's extremely congested, and even crossing the road is dangerous! As a result of large population, there are numerous alternatives for transportation: the Metro, the SkyTrain, the boat network, the buses, taxis, and tuk-tuks.

Although three-wheeled, motorized tuk-tuks aren't the most cost-effective way of getting across the city (agree with a price prior to in-sometimes apply for inexpensive!), they may be this kind of huge section of Bangkok that it's worth just operating one at least one time!

Sex available for sale

Bangkok has a flourishing and over-active [http://escort-inthailand.webs.com/ Massage Bangkok], both straight and gay. Many male and female prostitutes are HIV positive. A particular percentage of visitors come to Thailand in order to meet their sexual desires and fantasies. So, know that especially male website visitors to Thailand will be propositioned rather aggressively because you land on the airport, along with the red districts in Bangkok. Just be firm in saying "no", and guys, do not look interested or even the sales pitches will end up more aggressive and demanding.

Temples and Palaces

Bangkok is acknowledged for its abundance of temples and palaces. Included in this are:

The Grand Palace is perhaps one of the most spectacular. This massive residence with the King is made up of many buildings-each more beautiful as opposed to next. Usually it takes hours to discover, and it is well worth the 400 Baht (about $13 US) admission fee.

The Temple with the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, is often a national monument as well as a must-see here-it was probably the most memorable sights from my time in Bangkok. You have to dress very conservatively as a way to enter, so plan in advance.

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, located nearby the Grand Palace, is the one other temple that's extremely memorable. It's you will find beautiful gardens, sculptures, as well as a golden statue of Buddha that's over 150 feet long. Entrance is affordable (20 Baht, about 60 US cents), determined here is a famous Thai massage school that will ensure you get an hour-long massage for only 200 Baht (about $6.50)!

The Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun, is another incredible temple to see. It is on the Chao Phraya River and it's also recognized for its high colorful spires and Ordinance Hall. For 50 Baht ($1.60 US), this attraction provides beautiful views of the river and provides great insight into Buddhism.

Markets

Bangkok has an impressive number of markets, and they are generally the ideal places to get Thai clothing, food, and crafts. You will discover some pretty amazing prices, but anticipate to haggle- you are able to almost always bargain for a cheaper price! Along with be afraid to walk away if you think maybe you're getting tricked.

Watch out for personal belongings inside the markets. You will find lurking pickpockets.

Should you be within the city on the weekend, go to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which has thousands of stalls offering anything you could possibly imagine. Although it's crowded (try got going in the morning before it gets too hot), it's worth a vacation in just experience something so large in dimensions and thus full of Thai culture.

Another important companies are the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Vendors are common in small boats and they primarily sell fruit and veggies. There is an use of looking at land or renting a smaller boat at the same time. Although this is rather touristy, there are not many other areas in the world which have floating markets!

Museums

If you prefer somewhere less crowded, Bangkok has many museums which are intriguing and attractive. There are two i particularly recommend:

The nation's Museum can be a stunning building which has a huge assortment of Thai art and architecture.

The Jim Thompson Home is a rather large compound that houses art, antiques, with an interesting mix of both Thai and European design.

Nightlife

If you want some really unique nightlife, there are two spots in Bangkok that can leave a really lasting impression.

Soi Cowboy will be the city's very tourist-heavy sex district- it's a street full of fluorescent lights and go-go bars.

Khao San Road, meanwhile, was the best place I went along to in Bangkok. While there are many clubs and cheap bars (mobile bars are very popular here too), additionally, there are Thai restaurants, Western fast-food chains, cafes, street vendors and performers, the ones throughout the world having a great time experiencing the city. It's a place where Thailand meets free airline, and also this mixture of numerous cultures makes Khao San Road an interesting place.