Introduction
You have just made that momentous decision to spend your vacation in Thailand but, before you make a final booking you really do need to decide where you are going to go. The distances in Thailand, from city to city and region to region are vast and it is impossible to experience the whole of Thailand in a single vacation. The international airport into which you will be flying is situated in Bangkok so, unless you are particularly limited to being elsewhere at a specific time, stopping off in Thailand's capital city for a few days is well worth it - even if it is just to get over jet lag!
Probably the most invaluable advice to you, reading this, is to book your flight and hotel stay independently. This will be more cost-effective and provide you with greater freedom to arrange your own itinerary: there are always plenty of really good hotels available to the independent traveller and the cheaper Thai hotels compare very favourably with the more expensive hotels aimed specifically at Western travellers.
Bangkok for a Few Days
For the independent traveller, try to book into the Bangphlat Resort if you can. Resort in Thailand has a slightly different connotation to what we imagine a resort might be in the West. This resort consists of two rows of traditionally-styled wooden chalets facing each other with a paved path running along the centre. The ground floor consists of a living room, double bedroom and shower with Western-style toilet.
You can book an additional bedroom or two if required. Breakfast comes as either Western or Thai food: take your choice. As with all traditional Thai hotels and guest houses, everywhere is spotless and immaculate and the Western traveller never need worry about booking into any places like this - even guest houses and hotels off the beaten track follow similar principles of cleanliness, order and attention to detail.
Suan Siam Park
While in Bangkok, if you only have a few days, you really should visit the Siam Water Park, part of the larger Siam Amusement Park. Locally, this amusement park is known as Suan Siam Park and is situated at 101 Sukhapibam 2 Road. There is a choice of pools for swimming in as well as water chutes, whirlpool and a very sedate lazy river. A day here is bound to relax you after your flight. Prices are reasonable, including the cost of purchasing food and drink while you are there. Admission costs are 400 baht for adults and 300 baht for children.
Floating Markets
A visit to one of Bangkok's floating markets is also an interesting experience, if somewhat more costly when compared with the value you get from a day at Suan Siam. It is important to note that you don't just catch a boat and off you go. The first thing to negotiate is the 'admission' cost, or rather, the cost to hire a boat to take you along the waterways known as klongs.
These waterways are, amazingly, quite extensive and seem to go on forever. The most touristy market is Damnoen Saduak, probably because it is open every day. There are other floating markets that you can visit but these are either open just at weekends or, in the case of Bang Khu Wiang, the market opens at 4am and closes up again at 7am - great if you're an early bird because this market is well worth getting up early to visit.
Emerald Buddha
If you are the kind of person who enjoys museums and visiting other monuments to the history of civilisations then a day visiting the Grand Palace which houses the Emerald Buddha, is an absolute must. Two words of advice, however: the grounds of the Grand Palace are very extensive and there is a huge amount to see. If you are intent on getting the most out of your visit to the Grand Palace, try to avoid taking children. There is absolutely nothing for them to do apart from trail after their care-givers.
Furthermore, if you are visiting Thailand during Songkhran which is held in April, it might be an idea to miss out a tour of the Grand Palace - the temperatures are just too high for comfortable sightseeing and, with most sights being outside, you are going to be subject to the heat of the day. April is the hottest time of year in Thailand so you would be better leaving the Grand Palace until a visit when the weather is cooler, such as the more comfortable temperatures in December. Believe me, there is a lot of walking involved, although most of the Grand Palace is fairly well accessible for people reliant on wheelchairs to get about.
The Emerald Buddha is housed within the exquisitely and extravagantly decorated Wat Phra Kaew Temple attached to the Grand Palace. Entry to the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and the many other buildings costs around 350 baht so entry is not expensive, especially when you consider how much upkeep all the buildings need to maintain them. Purchase a guide book as there is so much information to take in. Personally, what struck me when I saw the Emerald Buddha, was how small it actually was. Incidentally, there are adequate toilet facilities, all of which are spotlessly clean despite the crowds of visitors using the amenities.
Grand Pearl River Cruise
Personally, if this was the only thing you could fit in during your trip to Bangkok, I would not want to miss this. The food is superb, it takes place during the pleasant warmth of the evening with gentle breezes on the river to keep you comfortable and the entertainment rounds off the evening beautifully. Choose your cruise carefully, however, as there are different cruises available: those more suitable for Asians, serving only Indian and Thai food and the other cruise that is advertised as being more appropriate for the Western palate. Thai food is also served on this cruise but there is also an extensive choice of Italian dishes and other Western cuisine.
Moving On
After enjoying the pleasures offered by Bangkok you should be ready to move on to enjoy the rest of your holiday, whether you are headed to the beaches to the south of Thailand, north-west to Chiang Mai or north-east to the Isaan lands of north-east Thailand. Wherever your holiday takes you, remember to remove your shoes before entering a building [even many stores and restaurants]. To say hello to somebody a woman says 'Sa wa dee ka' and a man will say 'Sa wa dee kup'. If that is the only words of Thai you can remember, your Thai hosts will appreciate it.
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