SIGHTSEEING

The main points of cultural interest are to be found in the regal heart of Bangkok's old town.

. The Grand Palace is the focal point with its large audience hall and impressive throne room open to visitors every weekday. The building has not been used for royal residence since the mysterious death of King Rama VIII (the older brother of the current King), found shot dead in his room in 1946. Inside the Palace complex you can also see the stunning Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Budda) which is Thailand's most sacred site. The temple is enclosed by a cloister like gallery painted with scenes from the Ramakien, the Thai epic based on the Hindu Ramayana. Note: There is a strict dress code for visiting the Grand Palace. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc... Hours: The Grand Palace is open every day from 8:30 to 3:30, unless its being used for a state function. The audience halls in the Grand Palace are closed on weekends. Beware of touts working outside the palace area who tell you its closed, and suggest their own guided tour instead.

. Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) - Immediately south of the Grand Palace lies Wat Jetuphon, commonly known as Wat Po. It's actually the oldest temple in Bangkok, having been established in the 16th century. It was extensively remodelled by the early Chakri kings who made it Bangkok's first centre of public education. The huge gold reclining Buddha is impressive but it is the intricately painted walls and the mother of pearl encrushed feet of the Buddha that really stand out.

. Wat Arun (The Temple of the Dawn) - This is Bankok's most recognisable landmark and sits on the opposite side of the river to the Grand Palace. The temple's towering prang with its four smaller siblings was started by Rama II in the early part of the 19th century, and completed by his successor Rama III. The central Prang represents Mount Meru, home of the gods. The four smaller prangs symbolize the four winds. High up on the four smaller towers, you can see a statue of Pai, god of the winds, on his horse.

CHINATOWN

The Chinese community in Bangkok pre-dates the founding of the Thai capital in the city. Indeed, the land where the Grand Palace is today was originally a community of Chinese traders. When King Rama I decided to establish the capital in 1780 on the site of the village of Bangkok, he asked the traders to move. They created a township of narrow alley ways and soi covering about 2km square. It may be hard to believe today, but the narrow Sampaeng Lane, which isn't even big enough for a car, was once Chinatown's main street.

Yaowarat Road is now the main throughway and the centre of the Chinese gold trade in Bangkok. Lined with hundreds of shops with gold dripping from the shelves this road is a real sceptical. However, just off the Yaowarat Road in either direction is a whole other world, where it is said you can buy just about anything. This is especially true of Thieves Market which sells everything from genuine antiques to broken calculators. This area was originally home to opium dens, brothels, gambling houses and pawn brokers all denoted by green lanterns that hung outside the door making the area known as the green light district. Chinatown is an easy place to explore on foot, and in fact there really isn't any other way. About 14% of the buildings in the district have been designated as historical landmarks. Most of them are off the side streets. One of the most well known is the is the Tang To Gung gold shop on Sampaeng Lane around Mangkon Road.

SHOPPING

Bangkok offers some of the most diverse shopping experiences imaginable. You can buy everything from quality designer labels and high tech electronical devices, old antique furniture and Chinese silks, to knock off jeans, hand bags, dvds, watches etc and total junk. Shopping is never dull in Bangkok and the shops and markets frequently stay open late. A top personal recommendation for all lady travellers or men wanting to score well with wives, girlfriends or female relations would be the licensed replica hand bag shops in Patpong. Glass fronted and air-conditioned you can spend hours in these shops deciding over bags the quality of which would fool most. But be prepared for some heavy bartering if you want a good price!!

EXCURSIONS

If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city for a day there are several places of interest you can visit around the outskirts of Bangkok and further afield.

1) The Floating Markets ('Talaat Naam') - These markets are an iconic imagine of Thailand with Thai women in their blue shirts ('Mor Hom') and flat-topped hats ('Muak Nob') jostle with each other for the attention of buyers alongside the canal. Set against a country backdrop the Floating Markets are very picturesque and a natural draw for visitors, but as a result some have become a little too touristy and so it is important to chose wisely.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the largest floating market and probably the one you've seen on the postcards! It quickly fills up with groups of tourists so if you want a more 'authentic' feel to your visit, it's best to get there as early as you can. Details: The market is located in Ratchaburi province some 80 kilometres southwest of Bangkok. It is most active between 06.00 and 11.00.

The Taling Chan Floating Market takes place at the weekends in front of Taling Chan District Office. Only recently discovered by tourists, the market is entirely authentic and frequented by locals. Fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants and trinkets are on offer, and after the market a boat trip along the canal will reveal a host of small gardens and villages that are worth seeing. Details: The market takes place between 9:00 and 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday

2) Kanchanaburi (The River Kwai & Death Railway) - The magnificent landscape and charming beauty of Kanchanaburi have resulted in major tourist attractions including several well-known waterfalls, caves which were once inhabited by Neolithic man, pristine national parks, tranquil rivers, virgin forests, and reservoirs. Moreover though, the city of Kanchanaburi is known as the location of the notorious Death Railway and the Bridge on the River Kwai one of the worlds most famous World War II sites, which has since been immortalized in print and film. Kanchanaburi is home to 3 dedicated war museums, 2 war cemeteries and a national museum. You can of course also still see the Thai-Burmese Railway (Death Rialway) that claimed the lives of 16,000 Allied POWs and the bridge over the River Kwai.

3) Jim Thompson House - Jim Thompson was an American who first came to Thailand as part of the OSS (the military precursor of the CIA) towards the end of World War II. After the war and upon leaving the service, he decided to return to Thailand. He saw the international potential of the almost forgotten cottage industry of silk weaving in Thailand, and is largely credited with reviving the lost art. For his contribution to the development of the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners for having rendered exceptional service to Thailand.

However, Thompson's appreciation of things Thai extended to all of the arts, including Thai architecture. Once he had made his "fortune" he began the construction of his house. The collection of six buildings represent some of the country's best traditional architecture and were brought from different owners across Thailand before being assembled as one structure in 1959. Many of the houses are at least two centuries old and fortunate to have survived the 1950s at a time where old building were being torn down to make way for all things new. The house and Museum is therefore well worth a visit.