Lonely Planet Bangkok

Description

The familiar and the exotic constantly collide in Bangkok: megamalls sit side-by-side 200-year-old village homes; gold-spired Buddhist temples share space with neon-lit strips of sleaze; slow-moving traffic is passed by long-tail river boats; and streets lined with food carts are overlooked by glitzy rooftop restaurants.  Lonely Planet will get you to the heart of Bangkok, with amazing travel experiences and the best planning advice: • Inspirational images, 3D illustrations, city walks and recommendations from our expert authors. • Planning features and top itineraries to help you plan the perfect trip. • Local secrets and hidden travel gems that will make your trip unique. • Plus an in-depth food section, a Grand Palace guide, shopping secrets and excursions from Bangkok. Coverage includes: Plan Your Trip, Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi, Banglamphu, Thewet & Dusit, Chinatown, Siam, Square, Pratunam, Ploenchit & Ratchathewi, Riverside, Silom & Lumphini, Sukhumvit, Greater Bangkok, Day Trips from Bangkok, Understand Bangkok and Survival Guide. Bangkok Contents Welcome to Bangkok Why I Love Bangkok Bangkok’s Top 10 Open-Air Dining Jim Thompson House Banglamphu Chatuchak Weekend Market Wat Pho Shopping Mae Nam Chao Phraya Chinatown Thai Cookery Schools Songkran What’s New Chinatown’s Renaissance Need to Know Daily Costs Advance Planning Useful Websites Arriving in Bangkok Getting Around Sleeping First Time Bangkok Checklist What to Pack Top Tips for Your Trip What to Wear Be Forewarned Money Bargaining Tipping Etiquette Language Top Itineraries Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four If You Like… Temples Museums Architecture Eating Like a Local Boats Hipster Haunts Urban Exploration Art Month by Month January February April May July September November December With Kids Eating Food Spotter’s Guide Drinking & Nightlife LGBT Bangkok Entertainment Shopping Sports & Activities Explore
Bangkok Top Sights Neighbourhoods at a Glance Ko Ratanakosin &
Thonburi Explore: Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi Local Life Getting There & Away Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace Wat Pho Wat Arun Sights Neighbourhood WalkKo Ratanakosin Stroll Eating Drinking & Nightlife Entertainment Sports & Activities Banglamphu Explore: Banglamphu Local Life Getting There & Away Sights Wat Suthat Golden Mount & Wat Saket Eating Drinking & Nightlife Neighbourhood WalkBanglamphu Pub Crawl Entertainment Shopping Sports & Activities Thewet & Dusit Explore: Thewet & Dusit Local Life Getting There & Away Dusit Palace Park Sights Eating Drinking & Nightlife Entertainment Chinatown Explore: Chinatown Local Life Getting There & Away Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) Sights Neighbourhood WalkA Taste of Chinatown Eating Drinking & Entertainment Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi Explore: Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi Local Life Getting There & Away Jim Thompson House Sights Siam Square, Pratunam & Phloen Chit Suan Pakkad Palace Museum Ratchathewi Eating Siam Square, Pratunam & Phloen Chit Ratchathewi Drinking & Entertainment Siam Square, Pratunam & Phloen Chit Ratchathewi Shopping Neighbourhood WalkSiam Square Shopping Spree Sports & Activities Riverside, Silom & Lumphini Explore: Riverside, Silom & Lumphini Local Life Getting There & Away Sights Riverside Bangkokian Museum Silom Neighbourhood WalkRiverside Architecture Ramble Lumphini Park Lumphini Eating Riverside Silom Lumphini Drinking & Nightlife Riverside Silom Lumphini Entertainment Shopping Sports & Activities Sukhumvit Explore: Sukhumvit Local Life Getting There & Away Sights Siam Society & Ban Kamthieng Eating Drinking & Nightlife Entertainment Shopping Sports & Activities Greater Bangkok Explore: Greater Bangkok Local Life Getting There & Away Chatuchak Weekend Market Sights Eating Drinking & Nightlife Entertainment Shopping Sports & Activities Excursions from Bangkok Ayuthaya Historical Park Ko Samet Sights Beaches Eating & Drinking Sleeping Amphawa Sights Eating Sleeping Phetchaburi (Phetburi) Sights Around Phetchaburi (Phetburi) Eating & Drinking Sleeping Kanchanaburi Sights Around Kanchanaburi Eating & Drinking Sleeping Khao Yai Sights Eating Sleeping Sleeping Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi Banglamphu Thewet & Dusit Chinatown Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi Riverside, Silom & Lumphini Sukhumvit Greater Bangkok Understand Bangkok Bangkok
Today Best on Film Best in Print Return to Authoritarian Rule Car-mageddon Sinking into the Earth History From the Beginning Ayuthaya & Thonburi The Chakri Dynasty & the Birth of Bangkok The Age of Politics European Influence & the 1932 Revolution Military Dictatorships The Recent Past It’s Just Business The Rise & Fall of the Shinawatras The 2014 Coup People & Culture People of Bangkok The Thai Character Religion Theravada Buddhism Guardian Spirits Other Religions Monarchy Visual Arts Divine Inspiration The Modern Era Music Classical Thai Lôok Tûng & Mǒr Lam Songs for Life T-Pop & Indie Cinema Traditional Theatre & Dance Kŏhn Lá·kon Lí·gair Lá·kon Lék Eating in Thailand How Thais Eat The Four Flavours Staples & Specialities Rice & Noodles Curries & Soups Stir-Fries & Deep-Fries Hot & Tangy Salads Nám Prík Fruits Sweets Drinks Coffee, Tea & Fruit Drinks Beer & Spirits Vegetarians & Vegans Habits & Customs The Sex Industry
in Thailand An Illegal & Vast Industry History & Cultural Attitudes Economic Motivations Working Conditions Child Prostitution & Human Trafficking Survival Guide Transport Arriving in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport Don Mueang International Airport Eastern Bus Terminal Northern & Northeastern Bus Terminal Southern Bus Terminal Hualamphong Train Station Getting Around Bangkok BTS & MRT Taxi Taxi Alternatives Boat Motorcycle Taxis Túk-Túk Car Bus Bicycle Tours Directory A–Z Customs
Regulations Embassies Electricity Emergencies Health Internet Access Legal Matters Medical Services Money Opening Hours Post Public Holidays Safe Travel Taxes & Refunds Telephone Time Toilets Tourist
Information Travellers with Disabilities Visas Women Travellers Language Basics Accommodation Directions Eating & Drinking Key Words Meat & Fish Fruit & Vegetables Other Drinks Emergencies Shopping & Services Time & Dates Transport Public Transport Driving & Cycling Behind the Scenes SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK Our Readers Writer Thanks Acknowledgments Index Bangkok Maps Our Writer