What's Hot in Bangkok
It's not all Hangover Part 2.
Gadget
If you’ve seen the Hangover Part 2, you may have it in your head that
Bangkok is a sweltering, sex-addled mad house, full of tourists ripped
on roofies. Whilst we at Itchy cannot guarantee that you won’t
come back with a facial tattoo, we’d like to add that it’s very
unlikely, especially with such a dazzling culture to keep you
occupied. So here’s our pick of some Thai top trips:
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Bangkok is a city of markets, but at 35 acres and comprising of over 5000 stalls, Chatuchak takes things to the extreme. If you need something, they’ll have it. If they don’t, they’ll find it. Clothes and gadgets are common fare, along with fruits and local art. It also flogs wood and nails, antiques, DVDs and anything else you can fix with a price tag. This includes pythons.
Khaosan Road
A traveller needs three things: one, a place to stay, two, a place to eat and three, a place to drink. Well, Khaosan has all of these. From “bed in box” hostels to triple star hotels: shops, markets and numerous clubs, Khaosan is a neon-drenched haven. It’s also a good place to pick up a visa, if you fancy trekking to the rest of Asia. But if you’re going to be there at any time make sure it’s Thai New Year (April 13-15), when the entire area is consumed in one, massive water fight. Now that’s celebrating with style!
Lumpini Stadium (Muay Thai Boxing)
It starts with a dance. Called the Wai Khru, it’s the sacred ritual of the Muay Thai boxers, honouring their trainers and the sport they love. After that it’s down to business... and by business, we mean bashing the hell out of each other. Using every part of the body, this brutal style can beat to bloodshed, and it’s one of the few sports where hitting below the belt isn’t taboo. Unfortunately at £40 a ticket it also hurts your wallet, although the rousing music makes it a spectacle worth your while.
Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
A sprawling complex of intricately craved pagodas, Wat Pho is not only Bangkok’s most beautiful temple, but also home to one seriously big Buddha. 46 metres long, 15 high, this gold plated statue is a must-see marvel. Even his feet are fancy, being decorated with 108 symbols of Buddha, inlaid with gorgeous mother-of-pearl. The Wat is also a school for traditional massage, meaning you can get pampered for a poultry 150 Baht. Just don’t ask for a happy ending... this is a temple, after all.
Snake Farm (Queen Saowapha Memorial Institute)
If you like snakes, and like seeing them at close quarters with fangs intact, the institute is right up your strange little alley. Officially started as a producer of anti-venom this half-zoo, half-hospital keeps all kind of nasties, the banded krait and Russell’s viper amongst the most notorious. For the price of 70 Baht (£1.45) you can watch the snakes being milked for their venom. Better yet you can watch their handlers, who play with them like puppies. So much for health and safety.
James Noakes
Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram Image Copyright Rogério Marques
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Bangkok is a city of markets, but at 35 acres and comprising of over 5000 stalls, Chatuchak takes things to the extreme. If you need something, they’ll have it. If they don’t, they’ll find it. Clothes and gadgets are common fare, along with fruits and local art. It also flogs wood and nails, antiques, DVDs and anything else you can fix with a price tag. This includes pythons.
Khaosan Road
A traveller needs three things: one, a place to stay, two, a place to eat and three, a place to drink. Well, Khaosan has all of these. From “bed in box” hostels to triple star hotels: shops, markets and numerous clubs, Khaosan is a neon-drenched haven. It’s also a good place to pick up a visa, if you fancy trekking to the rest of Asia. But if you’re going to be there at any time make sure it’s Thai New Year (April 13-15), when the entire area is consumed in one, massive water fight. Now that’s celebrating with style!
Lumpini Stadium (Muay Thai Boxing)
It starts with a dance. Called the Wai Khru, it’s the sacred ritual of the Muay Thai boxers, honouring their trainers and the sport they love. After that it’s down to business... and by business, we mean bashing the hell out of each other. Using every part of the body, this brutal style can beat to bloodshed, and it’s one of the few sports where hitting below the belt isn’t taboo. Unfortunately at £40 a ticket it also hurts your wallet, although the rousing music makes it a spectacle worth your while.
Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
A sprawling complex of intricately craved pagodas, Wat Pho is not only Bangkok’s most beautiful temple, but also home to one seriously big Buddha. 46 metres long, 15 high, this gold plated statue is a must-see marvel. Even his feet are fancy, being decorated with 108 symbols of Buddha, inlaid with gorgeous mother-of-pearl. The Wat is also a school for traditional massage, meaning you can get pampered for a poultry 150 Baht. Just don’t ask for a happy ending... this is a temple, after all.
Snake Farm (Queen Saowapha Memorial Institute)
If you like snakes, and like seeing them at close quarters with fangs intact, the institute is right up your strange little alley. Officially started as a producer of anti-venom this half-zoo, half-hospital keeps all kind of nasties, the banded krait and Russell’s viper amongst the most notorious. For the price of 70 Baht (£1.45) you can watch the snakes being milked for their venom. Better yet you can watch their handlers, who play with them like puppies. So much for health and safety.
James Noakes
Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram Image Copyright Rogério Marques
