Serenity surrounds this spiritual building. Thousands pray to the Emerald Buddha at this temple inside the Grand Palace. The Buddha – carved of a single block of jade – is one of the most revered in Thailand. On your way in, study the walls: the gilded characters of the Ramakien – Thailand’s adaptation of the Hindu Ramayana) – tell a visual tale of their own.
The Grand Palace is the beating heart of Thailand. The Royal Family’s ceremonial home is a vast complex of buildings with paths swathed in golden light. Admire bejeweled sword-bearing Guardian Statues, view stately outfits in the Pavilion of Regalia, or bow before the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew. Cover up – tight clothes, bare shoulders, arms and legs are a no-no!
Ladies and Gentlemen: the birthplace of Thai massage. This elaborate temple doubles as the national headquarters for the education and preservation of traditional Thai medicine. If you prefer not to enrol in a study programme, walk the galleries filled with gilded images of Buddha, relax with the 46-metre long Reclining Buddha, or chat with the local monks.
Cool grey from a distance and a cavalcade of colour up close, Wat Arun’s fierce details leap at you from every direction. The main feature of this temple is its ‘prang’, a colossal tower covered with colourful porcelain that glistens in the sunlight. Scale the temple to admire the details up-close, or look at it from the east side of Chao Phraya River at sunset.
Adventure lies just around the river-bend. Rolling Chao Phraya River is Bangkok’s arterial waterway and main thoroughfare for boat traffic. Soak up a host of city sights in one shot with a short cruise that runs you past the major sites. Visit the bars and restaurants of the five-star hotels that pepper the shoreline for deliriously sublime vistas, even more so at dusk.
Silom Street 2 and 4 is the epicenter of gay nightlife in Bangkok. Here you will find the best bars and restaurants, the perfect place to begin your night on the town.
This 5-star hotel in Bangkok’s Sathorn area includes modern Thai-style rooms with free WiFi, a 20 m outdoor pool and a COMO Shambhala Urban Escape spa.
W Bangkok Hotel offers a luxury accommodation with modern amenities and free Wi-Fi in the public areas. It boasts an outdoor pool & fitness centre
Banyan Tree Bangkok offers luxurious rooms with views of the city or Chaophraya River. It features a roof-top restaurant and bar, a spa with pool
Located in Silom District, Bandara Suites offers rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi. It features 2 dining options, 2 swimming pools and a pool bar.
