by Wolfgang Jaegel
A luxury vacation or trip is perhaps the dream of everyone. Just imagine if the trip is to such a destination that is a blend of modern and ancient and which offers an array of options to see and do. One such destination is Bangkok, situated close to the Gulf of Thailand, on the eastern banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the south-west region of Thailand.
Covering an area of about 1600 square kilometers, Bangkok is regarded as the gateway to the country, and is made up of about 50 Khets or districts. Founded as the capital of the country in 1782, Bangkok has now become a modern destination with towering skyline and well maintained establishments, al though retaining its ancient glories. No wonder why many tourist organizations as well as magazines have rated Bangkok among the top tourist destinations in the world.
Bangkok boasts of such a great number of attractions that it is quite difficult to list them all. Of which, perhaps the most noteworthy are exquisite palaces and ancient shrines in the region such as Grand Palace, which would be the first attraction that comes into the mind when one think about the city.
Suan Pakkad Palace, which served as the residence of Princess Chumphot; Wat Trai Mit, whose centerpiece is a golden image of Lord Buddha; Wat Mahathat, which is home to Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University; Wat Pho, the oldest as well as largest of its kind in the city, which is much famed for its mural paintings and inscriptions; Wat Arun, with a 79-metre-high pagoda; and Wat Ratchabophit, whose architecture is a blend of traditional and western styles.
A visit to Bangkok would not to be complete without taking a tour to some of the fascinating museums in the city such as National Museum, with a vast selection of items collected from Neolithic and Ayutthaya periods; National Gallery Museum, exhibiting both traditional and contemporary works created by Thai artists; Museum of Imagery Technology, the first camera and photograph museum in Asia.
Science Museum, with an interesting aquarium, a planetarium, and several other sections for entertainment and education; Philatelic Museum, which is a must-see for stamp collectors; and Royal Barge National Museum, which has on display an array of royal barges that were used during royal occasions.
Interesting attractions in Bangkok also include Dusit Zoo, boasting of more than 200 mammals, 150 reptiles, and 1000 birds; Pasteur Institute or Snake Farm, with an amazing collection of poisonous snakes; Thai Cat Palace, featuring several breeds of cats such as Siamese, white pure Maeo Khao Mani, and diamond-eyed cats. Thus goes on the attractions in the city.
Bangkok has something for everyone. For instance, if you are a shopping enthusiast, some excellent options are available in destinations like Chinatown, a business center packed with a plethora of shopping malls, Chatuchak Weekend Market, a huge open ground where everything from food and clothing items to handicraft items and pets can be shopped, and Pak Khlong Talat - the largest wholesale market in the country to shop all types of vegetables and cut flowers.
Likewise, while your stay in the city, take a cruise along the much celebrated Chao Phraya River to experience the majestic beauty of the destination. For fun and recreation, some better options are available in the form of Magic Land, Siam Water Park, and Dream World. Apart from these, there are a myriad of centers in the city presenting Thai cultural shows such as National Theatre, Thailand Cultural Centre, and Chalerm Krung Royal Theatre.
In short, Bangkok has everything to make your vacation truly unforgettable as well as enjoyable. A host of accommodation options, especially luxurious, are there for visitors who want to spend their vacation in Bangkok in style and elegance. Many of the five-star accommodation choices are based in the central Silom district of the city. Some of these hotels are attached with more than 700 rooms and provide options to choose from suites, standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and apartments that are suitable for long stays.
Further, many of the upscale hotels in the city are excellent dining facilities. Even some render superb choices for fitness and rejuvenation in the form of fitness centers and spa facilities. Apart from these, some luxury hotels in the region offer packages for such events as wedding parties.
Mostly, these hotels are in close proximity to some of the top attractions in the city. An added advantage is that many of them are within easy reach of almost all major transport system such as the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the Saphan Taksin station of the Skytrain, which is the elevated metro system of the city.
Since many of the hotels have their own websites with rates and pictures of rooms, this allows you choose an accommodation of your choice and book it in advance via online. All you have to do is to let them know your preferences and rest they will take care!
About the Author: Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 54 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.
