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Chulalongkorn Day
Celebrated every 23rd October around the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn (1860-1910), this ceremony honours the king who abolished slavery, saved the country from colonisation, and modernised the country.
Loi Krathong Festival
This most charming of all Thai celebrations takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month which usually falls in November. Celebrants place joss sticks, coins, candles, betel and flowers in a lotus shaped receptacle or Krathong. Then the candles and joss sticks are lit and the Krathong is launched at the waterside, while the owners watch anxiously and hope that the candle light will not fade away. The flame means fulfillment of dreams and a long life. Along the riverside, visitors can buy ready made, cheap Krathong and join in the festivities. On the water, a thousand twinkling lights bob up and down, representing people’s hope and dreams. This celebration is a delight for all the family and should not be missed.
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Bangkok - "City of Angels"
Bangkok “City of Angels” – Historically and culturally Bangkok is amazing, and offers an intriguing blend of old and new. Bangkok’s Thai name is ‘Krung Thep’ which translates to ’City of Angels’.
The fantastic Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) are some of Bangkok’s most famous and memorable landmarks. Bangkok has restaurants serving just about every international cuisine imaginable and of course mouth watering Thai food.
Shopping is a further delight. Choose from small plaza's, massive shopping malls and department stores, to bargain street markets or floating markets.
The elevated ‘Skytrain’ and new underground offer a cheap, efficient and very quick way of travelling around some of the most popular areas of Bangkok.
Travellers' Secrets
Where to Eat
Vertigo Grill
Vertigo is unlike any other bar/restaurant in the world: some 61 floors above the streets at The Banyan Tree Bangkok, this open-air rooftop lounge grants views that simply take your breath away. Hours: 5pm - 12am
The Moon Bar
Still at Banyan Tree Bangkok, this highest al fresco bar in the Asia Pacific, offering a stunning venue for any occasion. Premium drinks are served in sumptuous comfort in a sensual, friendly and romantic ambience. Opening hours: 5pm - 1am
Cabbages & Condoms
Soi 12, Thanon Sukhumvit. Open 11am – 10pm daily. About 50 metres from Sukhumvit Road, next to the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) headquarters. Uses familiar vegetables to creat sufficiently complex flavours for those who are into Thai dishes. A fun place to be!
Eat Me
Located on 1/6 Soi Pipat 2, off Convent Road, Silom. East meets West cuisine served in intimate surroundings (a favourite with expatriate residents) and Bongo's - Italian food served in small proportions. This intimate restaurant/gallery offers a weekly menu of international food reasonably priced and served with a smile.
Black Canyon
Fantastic fusion food, all items are freshly cooked and affordable. You can find it almost in every big shopping centres like Siam Square, MBK, Central Chidlom and Silom area.
Where to Shop
Mah Boon Krong (MBK) Centre
Located right next to Pathumwan Princess Hotel, an enormous marble mall since 1985, the 8-story high and 330 metres long is one of the biggest malls in Asia. This mall covers products and services that satisfy everyone's needs ranging from clothes, cosmetics, leathered items, jewellery, electronics, information technology needs, furniture, restaurants, theatres and many others.
Siam Square, Siam Centre & Siam Discovery
Siam Square is an outdoor cluster of shops, filled up with independent clothing designers, music stores and other things of interest to the younger crowd. Or alternatively you can shop indoor at Siam Centre & Siam Discovery. Another shopping centre is currently under construction, called Siam Paragon.
Central Department Store
Shopping is a pleasure when a major mall is right next door under the same roof. The Central Plaza Complex houses one of the Central Department Stores, Thailand’s leading upmarket retail outlet amongst countless boutiques, shops and mini cinema theatres.
The Emporium
A typical modern shopping centre offers famous branded products on Sukhumvit Soi 24 near Prompong skytrain station. Full of designer collections, department store, restaurants, coffee shops, fast food, supermarket and multi-screen cinema on the 6th floor.
Patpong Night Bazaar
This is one of Bangkok’s most popular night bazaars near the red light district on Silom road. Beginning around 7:00 p.m. every day, Full of stalls by the sidewalks of Silom road as well as selling clothing, trinkets, music, sundry, souvenirs and anything one could imagine.
Pratunam Market
An outdoor wholesaler market right near Indra Regent, minutes walk from D’Ma Pavilion and Amari Watergate. Opens daily from 8am-6pm, it gets very crowded but has great deals in cheap clothing. Get ready to blend it with the local Thai and sharpen up your bargaining skills.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
This enormous market is only open on Saturday and Sunday. You can find almost everything from pets and plants to clothes and antiques. The market is open-air, though covered, and can be incredibly hot on even a mild day. The market is very well organized into sections for clothing, pets, furniture, etc.
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