Joanna James
Home to some of Asia's most iconic cultural attractions, the capital of Thailand is a traveller's dream destination. Offering visitors a wealth of diverse cultural and recreational experiences, here are five must-encounter highlights for all Bangkok vacationers.
As one of the most delectable spheres of Thai culture sampling the many street food varieties Bangkok has to offer is a treat for the palette. Bangkok residents take their meals and snacks so seriously that there are dedicated food streets and food markets all across the great city serving up everything from piping hot bowls of Pad Thai to seafood rice dishes. Food carts are omnipresent all around Bangkok and grabbing a bite from the kiosks down Yaowarat Road or any other street food hub is a veritable cultural experience for tourists. Cheaply priced and freshly prepared, the street-side grub includes egg noodle soup, fried bananas, pancakes and sticky rice to fried meats and barbequed fare. Travellers can wash down their meal with fresh juices, milkshakes or teas which are also sold by hawker stalls.
Often regarded as a rite of passage for all first-time visitors to Bangkok, signing up for a cruise along the Chao Praya River can be a romantic experience as well as a cultural encounter. Conducted on converted rice barges, the cruises on the River of Kings not only include a five-course traditional Thai meal but also on-board entertainment such as Apsara dance recitals. Allowing visitors the chance to witness the Bangkok river shores by day and by night, these engaging tours offer those who holiday in the city the chance to admire its beauty while feasting on authentic Thai cuisine.
If the idea of consuming fruit at all hours of the day seems unappealing to you, Bangkok is more than ready to change your mind. The local markets and the streets of Bangkok are lined with fruit vendors selling a host of home-grown fruits but chief among them, the stinky Durian and the succulent mangoes. No trip to Bangkok would be complete without taking a bite out of the King of Fruit and enjoying a juicy mango as a chutney, salad or as a dessert.
Bangkok's local markets include the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the Talat Rot Fai Market, the Neon Night Market and the Sampeng Market and many others and all these retail landscapes offer tourists the chance to practice their haggling skills. Bargaining down the price of a product to 40% less than its quoted price is a cultural experience in Bangkok where local vendors also have a healthy tolerance for tourists with haggling skills.
Shopping is a national pastime in Thailand and nowhere is it more apparent than in Bangkok where mega malls the likes of Siam Square, CentralWorld, Geysorn, MBK, Pantip Plaza and others are located. Those based at lyf Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok or any other co living space in Bangkok will have easy access to these shopping complexes. Schedule a shopping spree in Bangkok's biggest department stores to indulge and enjoy great deals on branded goods while understanding Thai consumer culture at the same time.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
