Bangkok's Cultural Heart, THAILAND
Airing Date: Jan 1st, 2002
Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, is a six-hour flight from the east coast of Australia. With a population of 10 million people it's easy to get lost in the hectic pace of Bangkok, but the best way to see it is on foot.
Walking tours of the city incorporate the food, fun and fashion of Bangkok for anyone on a budget.
You begin at the opulent temple of the Emerald Buddha - only 30 minutes from the main shopping centre.
The Emerald Buddha itself is only 70 centimetres in height but the image is so revered that a massive gold leaf temple was built to house not just the Buddha, but the many thousands of worshippers who move through here each day.
Included in the cost of your entry ticket to the Emerald Buddha is entry to the Grand Palace - an elaborate construction located right next door! Every morning at 10 they still perform an intricate changing of the guard.
Just outside the palace gates is a colourful street dotted with market stalls. Here, you can pick up a number of souvenirs, like the sarong that Laura found.
Now you're probably feeling hungry, and only two blocks down the road is the Phra Chan food markets - an ideal spot for a cheap bite to eat. Any one dish will cost you just a dollar!
One place not to miss on your tour of Bangkok is the peaceful Vimanmek Mansion.
Hold onto your ticket from the Emarald Buddha and the Grand Palace because it'll get you in here for no extra charge. Only 40 minutes out of the city, the mansion was the King's residence in the early 1900s. It's also the largest teak building in the world!
If you're at the Vinmanmek Mansion at 10.30am or 2.00pm you'll get to see a traditional dance display. The dance lasts about 45 minutes and is included in the price of the ticket.
While it's important to stay cool in Bangkok, do keep in mind that many traditional sites, like those seen on your walking tour, require a certain standard of dress, which means no shorts and no bare arms.
The facts
Royal Orchid Holidays has packages to Bangkok from $1089 per person from the east coast and $899 from Perth. The deal includes return economy airfares with Thai Airways International, 5 nights accommodation, transfers, daily breakfasts and a city sightseeing tour.
Royal Orchid Holidays
Tel: 1300 369 750
Email: ROH@thaiairways.com.au
