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For some, the frenetic pace, heat, traffic and lack of personal space can be overpowering and are good reasons to pass through the city as quickly as possible but, for many others, the sheer dynamism is intoxicating. Often called “The City of Angels” it is a city of immense Oriental charm, with ornate temples and shrines and traditional Thai life is never very far away. Weaving among the nose-to-tail traffic in the morning rush hour, saffron-robed monks can still be seen collecting alms. Towering golden spires reach for the heavens while sunlight glistens on the majestic Royal Palace and boats drift up and down the myriad canals.
Shining through this dream-like setting is the hospitality and warmth of the gentle Thais. These talented people have raised folk dance to high art, created mouth-watering cuisine and built a splendid capital in Bangkok. It is the epitome of the country’s kaleidoscopic blend of old and new. More than anywhere else, it is an expression of the Thais’ respect for tradition coupled with a vibrant involvement in modern progress.
Although many modern buildings that reflect Western influence punctuate Bangkok’s city skyline, its most distinctive features are still the approximately 400 Buddhist temples, known as wats. They range from opulent, colourful structures to basic temple-monasteries. Bangkok provides its visitors with a mind-boggling experience. Sights include the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Damnernsaduak Floating Market, Thai Art at the Parsart Museum, and the Temple of Angkor Wat.
