“This Sukhothai is a good place! There are fish in the waters, rice grows in the fields. The king does not tax his subjects. The faces of the people are happy.” – An inscription in stone found at the remains of the former royal city of Sukhothai, capital of the first Thai Kingdom in Siam between 1238 and 1349.
When one hears the word “Bangkok,” it conjures up wondrous romantic fantasies, adventurous excitement and tinkling temple bells. Romance is here – adventure and delight are around every corner and a gentle, gracious, smiling people inhabit a corner of our planet called Thailand.
Thailand is Thai silk, gloriously costumed Thai dancers, lush green flatlands covered with rice fields, orchids that grow anywhere and everywhere, elephants trained to work, water buffaloes as transportation, clear mountain streams and tumbling waterfalls.
A touch of history
Bangkok is the main port of Thailand and its capitol since 1782. She sprawls across the delta plain of the Chao Phraya River at a point just 25 miles from the Gulf of Thailand.
On the west bank of the river is Thornburi, which served briefly as a Thai capital after the razing of the royal city of Ayutthaya by Burmese invaders in 1767.
“Village of the Wild Plums”
The name Bangkok – “Village of the Wild Plums” – would not do for a royal capital, and Rama I endowed it with a prodigious string of titles that had to be written or spoken in full during the transaction of official business. To Thais, Bangkok is known as Krung Thep, “The City of Angels.”
This is a country of a proud, friendly and nationalistic people. Thailand has the distinction of never having been under colonial rule by a western nation. Thai people place great importance on dealing with one another peaceably and with dignity.
The Grand Palace – The Emerald Buddha
The most splendid part of Bangkok is Rama I – Grand Palace, which stands close to the bank in the westernmost corner of the river’s loop. It is really not so much a palace as it is a city within a city. The palace compound covers one square mile and encloses spacious lawns as well as Bangkok’s finest temple, Wat Phea Keo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
In the dim light of the interior, high on a gilded altar with a royal, nine-tiered ceremonial umbrella behind and crystal balls on either side representing the sun and moon, reposes the Emerald Buddha – actually made of green jade – from which Rama I built the temple.
Shangri-La Hotel
The Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, is as close to out-of-this-world as you can get. Upon entering the spacious lobby you are immediately impressed with a combination of marble floors and crystal chandeliers that give a feeling of openness that seems to go on to infinity. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge area overlooking the Chao Phraya River leave no doubt of where to be at sunset. The swimming pool and gardens are set alongside the river and is a place to unwind and relax.
The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated with teak wood and pastel colors. The rooms on the horizon floor have outstanding views of the river. The Krungthep wing has been placed in a separate tower across the gardens, creating a hotel within a hotel. She rivals her sister with balconies that overlook the gardens. With colors that compliment the warmth of wood and more chandeliers, this wing gives the true ambiance of the Shangri-La and service throughout the property is superb.
The Shangri-La Hotel takes pride in having been named one of the top 10 hotels in the world.
Another fine choice
The Central Plaza Hotel is the flagship of the expanding chain of Central Hotels, is another option. As is with the Shangri-La, the Central Plaza is geared for conventions and leisure travelers with all the amenities available anywhere.
As its name implies, the Central Plaza is conveniently located just 15 minutes from the airport and downtown. Within the hotel complex is the Central Plaza Shopping Center, one of Asia’s largest shopping centers, boasting hundreds of fashion boutiques and specialty stores, international fast food outlets and cinemas.
The one challenge is Bangkok’s constant gridlock of traffic. Schedule extra time to get from one place while in the city, and arrange boat or helicopter transportation when feasible.
Important etiquette
The royal family is treated with ultimate respect. Rude and boorish remarks in this area can land a person in jail.
It is considered offensive to point your foot at a person or object. Sitting cross legged pointing your foot at someone is considered an insult. Public displays of affection are not acceptable. Never pat anyone, including children, on the head.
