The most sacred statue in Thailand is the Emerald Buddha which resides in the temple of the same name or, in Thai, Wat Phra Kaeo. This is located right next to the Grand Palace and can be visited at the same time but as the Royal Palace is a very large complex, it may be better to leave the Palace for another day.
Thais come here to pray, to light candles, burn incense, and to ask the Lord Buddha for favours. It is part of everyday Thai life. Please remember to keep arms and legs covered in all temples, no shorts or revealing tops. Open daily from 8.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The temple and palace are both located in the historic old part of Bangkok, Rattanakosin Island, near Wat Pho which is home to the reclining Buddha and a massage school.teaching the art of ancient Thai massage. It is also close to the National Museum and the National Gallery.
Khaosan Road, Street of Bars and Very Cheap Lodgings
Everyone visits Khaosan Road at least once in a lifetime - sometimes more than once. Considered the crossroads of Asia for young travellers, it is a multi-nationality area where budget conscious tourists hang out in the bars and restaurants, enjoying the life of the street, the vendors of foodstuffs and the handicraft merchants, the hustlers for jewellery shops and the odd shady character in search of gullible people to whom to peddle the "exotic bars treat".
The road's reputation continues to grow as more and more people read Alex Garland's 'The Beach' and watch the video of the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Ever older hippies are returning to KhaoSan Road to see if it really was a brilliant as it's made out to be in the book. Visit and see for yourself.
Phra A-thit Road, Bangkok's Bohemian Area
If KhaoSan Road is not to your taste, then pop along to Phra A-thit Road, Bangkok's Bohemian area, a pleasant contrast with its arty restaurants, chic bars and a riverfront park hosting dance, theatre and music from time to time. The nearby pier for river-taxis means that arriving and departing from this beautifully preserved area is easy.
Patpong and Soi Cowboy, Bangkok
Much has been written about Bangkok's red light district, some good some bad, but don't condemn it until you've visited it. It may still offend, but it is a place where families can safely wander without being menaced, it is not down some dark alleyway but off the main drag in Bangkok, and it has some of the best stalls of any market - apart from Katachuk - in Bangkok.
Mari Nicholson - Award Winning travel writer and historian, member of British Guild of Travel Writers.Travelwriters.co.uk, and Society of Women Writers and ...
