Bangkok: The Unforgettable Experience

Thailand becomes one of the most popular tourist destinations with over 10 million tourists visiting in the year 2010. Since there are various kind of tourist attractions such as cultural, natural, historical, nightlife and shopping place with the low expense for tourists, Thailand was named as the worthiest place for travelling. Therefore, the number of tourist has grown every year. However, many of tourist places in Thailand are located in Bangkok especially historical, cultural, shopping and nightlife place.

Two hundred years of history, Bangkok is not only the capital of Thailand but it is also an alive and very diverse metropolis. It is a good blending between modern and original culture. Many people from other parts of Thailand and other nationalities from various cultures and religious stay together peacefully

Established by King Rama I in the year 1782, After King Taksin of Thonburi died, by King Rama I's order, the capital was moved to another side of Chaopraya River. Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) and The Grand Palace were built near the river bank. At this position, he thought that it was easier to protect the capital from enemy than it was at another river side. Moreover, he ordered to dig canals around the capital area which was known as the old Bangkok area because of the security reason. That was why later Bangkok was named by westerners as Eastern Venice because there were many canals around the town. Bangkok has continued the prosperity from Ayuddhaya, the former capital. The Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha were built at the same style as The Grand Palace of Ayuddhaya city. Moreover, he demanded to revive all knowledge from Ayuddhaya period such as laws, architectures, fine arts and other area of philosophies for setting up the governing system and infrastructures of the new capital. Today, by the modern stream from globalization, Bangkok has grown more and more and become a major city of South East Asia.

As mentioned, Bangkok is popular for tourists and for shopping. Many tourist places have their backgrounds related to the history for example, Temple of Emerald Buddha and The Grand Palace. Wimanmek Mansion in the Dusit Palace is one of the amazing place that visitors cannot miss. Moreover, if tourists choose to see the mix of culture, Yaowarat Road or China Town is recommended for visiting, you can see the lifestyle of Chinese -Thai residence as well as the biggest golden Buddha statue in the world. Furthermore, Bangkok is the heaven for shopping. Chatuchak weekend market, Ratchaprasong intersection area, Pratunam, Siam shopping area and MBK Centre are very famous for tourists since they can buy cheap and good quality products. For the night entertainment, Silom, Khaosarn and Sukhumvit Road are for visitors who need to relax after a whole day trip.

Visiting Bangkok, it is much more than travelling and sightseeing. This is a valuable memory that you can gain with the reasonable price. You will not only take many shopping bags and photos back home but also bring back the unforgettable experience that make you want to return.

Please visit here for total information of Bangkok for travelers.

I am a new internet marketer, tourist guide student and with 5 years experience in human resources management.

Riding a Bicycle in Bangkok Thailand, Asia

Can you ride a bicycle in Bangkok? The answer surprisingly is, yes. There are even some cycle lanes in certain areas. In areas such as Banglamphu near the famous Khaosan road there are cycle lanes painted on the side of the road these are fairly easy to follow and will mean you wont get lost but there are some problems. Most of the cycle lanes are parked on with cars which can result in having to ride into on coming traffic so the best thing to do is ride carefully on the foot path to be safer.

Main roads. The main roads are always busy and can be dangerous for a cyclist but you will often see the locals on bikes peddling sausages or lottery tickets etc . If you do ride on the big roads then try to keep to the left and always remember the rule ' the biggest has right of way'.

Where are the best places to ride a bike in Bangkok? You can ride bicycles in a lot of Bangkoks parks. One of the biggest and nicest parks is at Phuttamonton Sai 3 there are quiet roads to follow through the park with lakes and lots of wildlife to see, there is also a 7km mountain bike trail to follow.

Other good places to ride are the local sois (lanes) these places are usually quiet and don't have much traffic and can follow narrow roads and Klongs (canals). You will often see small shops to buy refreshments if needed. You could almost mistake yourself for being in another city in some sois. The noise from the traffic is lost and trees and local Thai houses make good scenery.

There are also tour companies that can take you on short trips. These trips take you over bridges down local sois and through temples avoiding the main roads. Some are at night and some are combined with long tail boat rides. More information can be found here http://www.mountainbiketoursthailand.com.

Apartment and Condo - Several Options to Find One

The real estate market in Bangkok is on a high. If you are a foreigner and looking at retiring or making an investment, then the city of Bangkok could be a wise choice. One of the fastest growing cosmopolitan cities in Asia, this capital city offers a wide variety of housing options for tourists, locals and foreigners. Buying a Bangkok apartment or condo is one of the easiest and ideal options for foreigners due to the restrictions imposed on them for purchase of land.

Bangkok condos not only provide the best of accommodation and facilities but also ensure that you don't miss your home by giving you a comfortable and homely ambience and style. Over the last few years, the number of property developers catering to expats has gone up tremendously and today the expat market has made the real estate business a lucrative venture. Although there is a Bangkok condo available for every taste and budget, it is mostly meant for the middle and upper strata of society.

In spite of political instability and a recessionary economy, the real estate business in the city is one sector which has steadily seen an upward surge and continues to have a promising and bright future. One way to locate a Bangkok apartment or condo is by looking out for the condos for rent sign boards in the many neighbourhoods of Bangkok. Thailand has always welcomed foreigners with open arms and expats have seized such opportunities time and again.

More often than not, foreigners who land in Bangkok find it difficult to locate the right Bangkok apartment as most of the newspapers and publications that carry real estate advertisements are in Thai language. For a foreigner new to Bangkok, this may be a bottleneck in finding the condo of his choice. This is where the many real estate agents and brokers come into the picture. There is no dearth for professional real estate agencies in Bangkok. A majority of them are specialists who can help you find the right accommodation to suit your budget and taste. Almost all of them have a presence online where they have developed their own websites to make the search easier.

The best way to find a Bangkok apartment or condo is with the help of the internet. There are many promoters and developers selling condos online. If you don't want to go through a broker, then you can do your own research online, look for properties in Bangkok that are available for rent or sale and get in touch with the developer directly. While taking this route, you need to be absolutely sure of the developer. It becomes necessary to do a background check on the reputation of the builder, his past credentials, his standing in the market etc. Always consult a few people who have bought condos in the past before you finalise on a deal. The last thing you want is to get cheated in a foreign land.

However, if you are not confident of dealing with the builder on your own, the other practical option is to go through a reputed real estate broker. There are online sites that give you access to the best real estate agents in town. These sites also brief you about the kind of services offered by them, the rates charged by them and the neighbourhoods that they specialise in. This makes your search even easier and you can go for the agent who best matches your requirements.

Alternatively the internet also provides listings of Bangkok apartment and condos neighbourhood wise, giving you details of the facilities offered, the nearest sky trains, international schools and universities close to the property in question and the rentals and prevailing rates in the particular area under consideration. The advantage of online resources is that they also provide visuals of the Bangkok condo and apartments so it gives you an idea as to how they look. In some hi tech sites, you also have an option of taking a virtual tour of the condo online. This will give you a feeling of being physically present inside the house and taking a tour of the house.

Irrespective of budget, location and amenities sought after, the Bangkok real estate market has something to offer for every kind. If you are seriously looking at buying a Bangkok apartment or condo, the time is just right. By dedicating enough time and doing your research thoroughly, you would definitely find the Bangkok condo of your choice.

Bangkok's Best No Joiner Fee Hotels - Tips From an Insider

The term No Joiner Fee is associated with hotels in Bangkok that do not charge their registered guest an extra fee for taking an unregistered guest(s) up to their room. You may have heard other labels such as Girl or Guest Friendly hotels instead. Either way, such hotels are by far some of the most popularly booked hotels in Bangkok. So it's best to reserve far in advance for your first choice of no joiner fee hotels for your stay.

Many would think that most lower class hotels in Bangkok won't charge such a fee but you would be sorely mistaken. Most of the upper range hotels in Bangkok do not charge fees for bringing in a guest yet the many middle and lower class hotels charge about 500 THB to 1500 THB. So if you're planning to bring company into your room every night you can see how joiner fees can really add up. This is one of the reasons why so many hotels in Bangkok that don't charge joiner fees are very popular and in demand.

The majority of Bangkok's no joiner fee hotels are located in the areas of Sukhumvit and Nana. This is an area that is heavily commercialized and popular amongst tourist and the expat community. So it's no surprise that two of Bangkok's most famous nightlife districts called Nana Entertainment Plaza and Soi Cowboy are located. You can find many popular go-go bars attracting men all over the world at those places. This is the major reason why the areas of Sukhumvit and Nana have so many no joiner fee hotels in the nearby vicinity.

Here are the Names of 5 very Popular No Joiner Fee Hotels in Bangkok:

1. Nana Hotel


2. Majestic Suites


3. Ambassador Hotel


4. Grand President Hotel


5. Swiss Park Hotel

A quick note, unregistered guest must provide an ID to security, which will be returned when they leave. It's just a security precaution to protect the hotel's guest.

A very popular alternative to booking standard hotels that is guest friendly is by staying in Serviced Apartments. Serviced apartments are typically meant for long term stays. However many welcome guest with short time stays. Most serviced apartments in Bangkok are run like any other hotel operation with the same types of hospitality such as housekeeping, desk reception, security and bell boys. Most even include a free breakfast in their rates. One of the most popular serviced apartment accommodations in Bangkok are Centre Point Serviced Apartments. They have about 7 different properties located throughout Bangkok, most of them near the commercial and main attraction areas.

For a more comprehensive review and list of guest friendly hotels please visit Guest Friendly Hotels [http://www.squidoo.com/girl-friendly-hotels-in-bangkok] in Bangkok for more information.

If you would like to know more about Centre Point Serviced Apartments please visit Centre Point Hotels in Bangkok Review for more information on all 7 of their locations.

James P. Hunt is an avid traveler and writer for an underground blog with information about Bangkok, Thailand.

Reasons to Visit Bangkok, Thailand For Your Next Vacation

Bangkok is the capital city of the Southeast Asian nation of Thailand. It is a highly westernised and modern city with a population estimated at over 11 million. Located 14 degrees north of the equator, Bangkok has a climate that encourages the growth of flowering shrubs and trees creating beautiful scenic natural views. Bangkok is the perfect blend of Western and Eastern cultures, and travellers can expect to find a contrast of trendy nightclubs and temples taken care of by saffron-robed monks in this city. Here are a few reasons why you should visit Bangkok, Thailand.

Rattanakosin island is one of the city's older districts and is the home of most of Bangkok's sight seeing locations. All travellers to Bangkok must pay a visit to Rattanakosin island if they want to experience the best of the city in one place.

For followers of Buddhism a visit to Bangkok will be a great experience owing to the Buddhist temples in the regions. The three most visited temples of this district are Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), The Grand Palace, featuring Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho, the place where of the world's largest reclining Buddha and a famed massage school are located.

Bangkok also has a number of museums that feature the country's rich history, culture, and arts. The Bangkok Dolls Museum and Museum of Thai Pharmacy are two museums that offer interesting learning experiences for free. Visitors who are travelling with children should not fail to pay a visit to the Bangkok Dolls Museum, which the kids are sure to enjoy.

The Sukhumvit area is known for its shopping malls and markets. Compared to Western standards, prices are relatively cheap and bargaining is expected and required. Visitors will enjoy shopping in Bangkok as they would be able to purchase beautiful clothes, handbags, sandals, souvenirs and handicrafts for excellent prices here.

Bangkok also has a rich and vibrant nightlife and travellers are sure to enjoy a visit to the many clubs or restaurants in the city after a hard day of sightseeing and shopping.

The majority of Bangkok's residents speak Thai, and most of the signs are written in Thai script. If you do not speak the language, it is advisable to take a local guide with you while travelling or buy or tourist's phrasebook to help you as the number of fluent English speakers in the city is few and asking for directions can prove to be a bit of a challenge. Travellers are advised to bring maps with them and a calling card showing the address of their hotel, which they can present to the driver of their vehicle.

Paul writes about Bangkok travel and culture and about Amsterdam culture and travel.

Thailand Travel Tips and Customs

After living in Bangkok for over a year I have learned many things about the Thai People that I wanted to share with other foreigners living or vacationing here should know. The first thing you have to accept is that eastern culture is different. The people in the east are less emotional and more polite and while they know westerners are different, they often are uncomfortable when we stray from their norms. The things I found to be important are listed below in order of importance:

Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all else. Their very language has politeness built into it. If you follow what is considered "common courtesy" you will be fine.

Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, King Rama IX. Never show any type of disrespect to him or the Royal family. The Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and the visitor should also show respect for the King and the Queen, and the Royal Children. When attending a public events where a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide on how to behave is to watch the crowd and do as it does.

Safety - Stealth crimes, such as pick pocketing, are the most common problem so it's worth keeping a close eye on your belongings at all times and being aware of the people around you. Unprovoked violence against tourists are very rare, but it pays to exercise common sense.

National Religion - Buddhism is Thailand's national Religion with nearly 95% of Thailand's population being Buddhist. All Buddha images are considered sacred and there are laws against removing these images for anything other that personal worship.

Buddhist Monks - Buddhist Monks are recognized quickly by their shaved heads, bear feet and bright orange robes. It is forbidden for women to touch Buddhist Monks, this includes a woman handing something to a Monk, The items should be first given to a man, who hands the item to the monk. Also, western men should never attempt to shake hands with a monk.

Buddhist Temple - Wearing shoes around a temple is acceptable but they should be removed when entering their church (the area where the Buddha image is kept).

Be Quiet - Loud people are considered impolite. Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. Of course there are the common places such as bars, celebrations and parks that being loud is appropriate and expected.

Greetings - Greetings in Thailand can be quite formal in appearance to the western eye. The basic gesture is to put hands together, fingers up, with a slight bow of the head. The words "saw dee (krup)" (or "kaw" for women) are spoken during fm bow. It is more complicated for Thai people, with three levels based on age and position but westerners attempting this greeting are not expected to understand. (levels: 1. Monk, thumbs touching forehead durin bow; 2. Same age or older, thumbs touching lips; and 3. Younger person, thumbs touching chin.)

Food - Food in Thailand is customarily HOT, spicy HOT. Most westerners can not handle the amount of chili spice that Thai people enjoy. For the westerner visiting foreigner, the best tip i can give them is how to ask to make the food less spicy. There are two phrases to be used based on you preference: 1) "mai ped" - not spicy and 2) "ped nit noi" - a little bit spicy. The food is awesome in Thailand and this tip should help you enjoy it even more. In the near future I will be publishing a description of my favorite foods. Stay tuned.

Street Food - There is an old Thai saying "a little bit of dirt makes the food a little bit more delicious (rough translation). For westerners, buying food on the street can impact your health with the possible contraction of various gastro digestive problems. While most street food vendors are clean, this only by local standards. I live by "rule of thumb" which has served well living in Bangkok. This rule is simple but you need to stick to it. It is "only eat from the street what is cooked in front of you". This ensures that the food is fully cooked one more time before you eat it. Unfortunately, this eliminates a lot of food served on the street but better safe than sorry for week.

Body Odor - Thai people almost never smell badly and they find it offensive if others do.

Crowds - if you go to areas in Thailand during Thai holidays and celebrations, be prepared to encounter many people. To Western experience the volume of these areas can be incredible. Be prepared to be pushed and shoved and be aware that they mean no harm. There sence of personal space is quite different than westerners.

Watch where you walk - The sidewalks in Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay attention. Oh, also, the streets have many stray dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave landmines on the sidewalks.

Taxi Drivers - Most taxi drivers are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive and with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you are going a significant distance negotiate... Also, the Taxis marked "We love farang, we speak English", well most of them do not. They do have a radio that has a person that knows a little English.

Movie Theater - After the advertising and right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King Comes on and everyone stands in respect.

Driving in Thailand - If you are a brave one and decide that you want drive yourself around Thailand, don't be too worried, it really isn't that bad. There are just several things to understand. Drivers use the left side instead of the right, like in the US, and the roads tend to be narrower than in the US. So driving next to a bus or a truck can be a little intimidating.

Toilets - Eastern toilets can be quite intimidating to the western traveler as well. Be aware that eastern toilets are little more than holes in the ground surrounded by ceramic and involve water, not paper, for cleaning. To be honest, I still have not gotten used this type of facility to its full extent. Also, there are often women in the men's room, stationed there for cleaning. It can be quite unnerving when you first experience this but they are not there for any more than cleaning.

Following these tips will allow you to have better understanding of the Thai people and more fun in your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be more comfortable with you and give you a better understanding of how things function in Thailand.

Please visit our Website for more ideas for traveling in Thailand.

Copyright 2008 Asia Products LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Christopher Snyder is the owner of Asia Products LLC and currently is living in Bangkok, Thailand managing an e-commerce store buying products to sell on http://www.asiaproductsllc.com He is documenting some of his more interesting travels in his Asia Travel Ideas website: apllc-connect.com You can email him using info@asiaproductsllc.com

Bangkok Hotels

So, you've decided on Bangkok, Thailand, as your vacation spot. Excellent choice. It's the most exciting place to be. Enchanting, mystic, pulsating with every kind of exhilaration...palaces, temples, skyscrapers, cruises, shopping malls, explorations... steeped in traditions, vibrating with modernity, and offering every kind of personality experiences of a lifetime.

Bangkok's a tourist's paradise of exemplary, legendary and totally experiential accommodations. From US $ 10 to over US $ 1000, you'd find a place that suits every pocket size and preference.

5-star hotels

If you're used to the 5-star culture, you'd delight in the unsurpassed luxury and gracious services of top brass hotels such as Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok; Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok...including several others with convenient locations. Premier accommodations at surprisingly inexpensive tariff.

Budget hotels

Budget hotels are aplenty in Bangkok. With all basic facilities that are clean, safe and service-ready. You'd find them all over the city, so that you can opt for the one that most suit your holiday plans. For example if you want to spend exploring Bangkok's scenic spots, your perfect choice would be the newly renovated White Orchid Hotel on Yawaraj Road in the heart of China Town. Or if you want to experience old Siam, the Sawasdee Bangkok Inn with its unique colonial architecture and yesteryear's charm is on the Khaosan Road area.

Boutique Hotels

Are you game for a really exclusive style? Boutique Hotels have made a name for themselves in Bangkok. As the name suggests, boutique hotels are distinctly different. Unique thematic styles, ultra-modern designs, arty, personalized service all suitable for the high flying urban society, places such as Shanghai Mansion Bangkok are frequented by many tourists.

Serviced Residences

A veritable home-away-from-home, these accommodations are used by many frequent travellers to Bangkok, families travelling together, business executives on short stays, or those seeking a base before permanently moving to Bangkok. Cheap, comfortable, and private, with service that's no less than 5-star level, and ambiance of a home such as fully-equipped kitchen, lounge, dining rooms, etc. Princeton Park Suites and Bliston Suwan Park View are some names that you can opt for.

Honeymoon Hotels

Romantic honeymooners? With planned honeymoon packages offering every conceivable enjoyment and pleasure, you'll discover that life can be far more exciting than you've ever known. Try the Mandara or the Imperial Queen's Park.

Bangkok. It's a lifelong adventure. It's a soulful experience. It's totally addictive.

This article was written by Graham Pringle who is an authority on Honeymoon Tips and also owns a SEO Copywriting Services website.