Travel Thailand: 5 Top Destinations

With several sights to see and surprises to offer, Thailand could be one of the best locations you should not miss to visit. Culture, beaches, people, and heritage sites are some of the things you can expect when you travel to Thailand.

Bangkok - Traveling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation's capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahanyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.

Phuket - Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breathtaking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia beating every beaches of the neighboring countries. It has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, and scuba diving. By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island.

Chiang Mai - The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 200,000. This city located in the northern part of the country offers greener and quieter city. Chiang Mai's tourism is becoming more and more popular and permanently settling at this city is very common. When you travel Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you surely would want to see museums such as Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center. With religion and history enriching the city, you can see several Buddhist temples such as Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Oo-Mong, Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and Wat Chedi Luang. The oldest temple dates back in the 11th century. Chiang Mai features attractions such as Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February, Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival in January, The 2nd Orchid Fair also in January, and the Loi Krathong Festival usually falls in November.

Pattaya - Located 150 km. north of Bangkok, Pattaya is one of the most popular tourist destinations, which offers great beaches, beer and go-go bars, and a wide array of sport activities. Visit Pattaya when you travel Thailand is a must. Although it is the most overdeveloped part of the country in terms of tourism, prices in Pattaya still remains with reach. In fact, prices of foods, accommodation, and transportations are very affordable.

Krabi - In a small province of Krabi lies a small town with the same name. Paying a visit Krabi town when you travel Thailand is worth the time. Located south of Bangkok near Phuket and Phi Phi island, the town features great beaches along with high end hotels and not so expensive hotel that cater tourists of different classes.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides Thailand travel resources on http://www.your-thailand-travel.info.

By Robert Thatcher

Bangkok - One For the Kids

Bangkok always seemed to me a bit of a paradox when it comes to kids. Sure Thai people are, on the whole, very friendly and love kids. Walking around anywhere in Bangkok, on the street or in a shopping centre your child will always attract lots of attention and coo-cooing. However to take a look at Bangkok as a city, it always struck me as being incredibly child unfriendly.

Poorly maintained, narrow and congested pavements make pushing a pushchair near impossible. A lack of lifts and a lot of stairs make life even more difficult. The traffic is always bad which makes crossing the street at ground level always a risky task! And I wasn't really aware of many child friendly activities as they're all fairly well hidden.

Before my latest trip to Thailand I found myself thinking, what will I do with our daughter who is now at the age where she needs constant entertaining? So I did some research, asked around and came up with the following list. These places are fairly diverse and well spread around town, so should give your kids something to do wherever you're staying.

Children's Discovery Museum - Rotfai Gardens, Chatuchak Park

Located just across the road from the top entrance to Chatuchak Weekend Market and opposite Chatuchak Park, this place is very easily accessed by Skytrain (Mo Chit) or underground (Chatuchak). Ideal for children from the age of about 4 upwards, it has lots of interactive exhibits in various themed zones. There's a science zone, featuring amongst other things a giant bubble maker which your child can stand inside! There's also a Global Warming zone, Nature zone, outdoor play areas and best of all cake decorating! Although older children will definitely get more out of it, there is also plenty to occupy toddlers as well.

Yoyoland - Seacon Square

This place is a little bit more out of the way; to travel there you'd need to take a Skytrain to the end of the Sukhumvit line at On Nut, then a taxi onto Srinagarindra Road. But if you can make it, it's well worth a day or half a day out. This is basically a small theme park in Seacon Square shopping centre, open from 11 each day. It gets busy at weekends, but never so bad that you shouldn't consider going. We never queued more than 5 minutes for any rides. There are carousels, a train track, ferris wheel, racing cars, ghost train, log flume, soft play, computer games and more. Your little one will love this place!

Funarium - Rama IV Road

Located just off Rama IV Road, you can access this place with a combination of Skytrain (to Phrom Pong) and taxi or a bus. Funarium is a giant indoor soft play centre, with giant climbing frames, roller skating area, small football/basketball pitch, soft play for babies and an upstairs arts and crafts area. Your kids will spend hours here and (fingers crossed!) be shattered by the end!

Khao Kheow Open Zoo - Chonburi Province

This is not in Bangkok, but Chonburi province, about an hour or two from Bangkok depending on traffic. So you'd either need to hire a car or book onto a day tour. But if your child likes zoos, this place is streets ahead of Dusit Zoo in Bangkok. The animals are kept in open enclosures and seem to be reasonably well cared for. There are opportunities to feed some animals and elephant rides are available for an extra fee. Another great day out, if you fancy escaping Bangkok for a while!

Safari World - Minburi (North Eastern edge of Bangkok)

This is another drive through zoo, along similar lines to Khao Kheow and again you'd really need to book on a day tour to access it. See my website for pictures, link at the bottom.

Shopping centres around Bangkok

You will find that a lot of shopping centres around Bangkok have some kind of kids play area (usually on the top floor). They all have a combination of cinema, bowling, ice skating and child friendly restaurants as well.

Siam Paragon shopping centre - Aquarium and Department Store toy section

As much as I personally don't like the place, Siam Paragon has a lot to offer kids! There is a somewhat overpriced aquarium in the basement. That said, it does offer a great array of sea life and your kids will love it.

Also, the toy section of the Paragon department store is great free entertainment for your little one (if you can handle the nagging to buy things!) They have a lot of toys laid out that your little one is welcome to play with, as well as a soft play area and some small sit on rides and computer games.

There are other activities that we didn't get around to this time, such as the Butterfly Garden (near to the Discovery Museum), hire a pedal boat on the lake in Lumpini Park or even just a ride around on the Skytrain!

This is just a small selection of some child friendly activities that are available in Bangkok. Like everything in Bangkok, there is so much more available than you might think, you just need to scratch beneath the surface and do a little research beforehand. Of course you can always ask a local for some recommendations, they're always happy to help!

http://www.matthewt.co.uk
http://matthewted.blogspot.com

By Matthew Tedstone

Ten S's of Thailand

Thailand has earned its unsurpassed admiration for the rich assortment of attractions but the ongoing development of the country's tourism industry indicates that there are still more waiting you to explore. From the abundance of settings and activities, the country is spotting novel destinations and promoting niche markets which afford special interests and requirements to travelers seeking memorable holidays. Our cover story will unveil to you remarkable things in this breathtaking country under the title "Ten S's of Thailand."

Smile
Thailand boasts an affluence of diversity with the legendary Thai smile which is amongst the authentic delights of unearthing Thailand. One of the key reasons why a plethora of tourists return to the country year after year is because Thai people are so friendly and ready to break a smile on every occasion, thereby leaving Thailand to be dubbed the "Land of Smiles". So as to serve this world-renowned slogan, the country has been developed into the cosmetic dentistry hub for beautification. Numerous aesthetic dental clinics are now blossoming drastically. They offer an innovative sort of dental services which has impressed the world.

Sabai
The word sabai means comfortable and at ease in Thai. Whilst here you can extremely feel sabai as the nation comes with a vast selection of luxury serviced apartments, hotels, resorts and other genres of accommodations to choose from with excellent value for money. Tourists can relax, laze and lounge or they can luxuriate in the comfort of facilities and amenities provided. Whether it is for your getaways, vacations or any important occasions, the accommodations of all kinds present a stay in style for every taste and budget. They feature heavenly locations, international standards, peerless services and unrivaled local hospitality.

Sanook
Journeying in Thailand has been quite eye-opening granting a true sense of fun or sanook in Thai. A land of tropical beaches, luxuriant mountains and amazing rivers, Thailand is beyond doubt an oasis in the hectic world. This lovely country is also blessed with natural wonders that make it an ideal base for ecotourism where visitors can have an experience with memories to last a lifetime. With this relaxing offer, visitors will enjoy an extraordinary chance to appreciate natural beauty and savor such exhilarating activities as nature study, bicycle tour, elephant safari, trekking, wildlife viewing and whitewater rafting, to mention just a few.

Spice
Thai food has a unique taste and flavor that makes the country the "Kitchen of the World". It is especially hot and spicy. Most of Thai food is prepared with indispensable ingredients including chili, garlic, lemongrass, fresh coriander leaf, limejuice, fish sauce and shrimp paste. Besides providing a sizzling and exotic aroma, Thai food that contains chiefly herbs and spices also exerts medicinal and curative properties. With their low-fat qualities, they help make Thai food one of the healthiest anywhere. One of the signature Thai dishes is the spicy shrimp soup tom yum goong. Those who have nibbled Thai food will long for it again and again.

Spa
This scenic country is conceived as the "Spa Capital of the World", where traditional therapy is ingeniously upheld as an alternative way to eliminate pains, toxins and harmful elements from the body. Spa has been a leading-edge therapeutic trend. Going hand in hand with tourism boom, it is presently flourishing in eminent tourist destinations. Spa confers a complete choice of treatments for a profound state of relaxation as well as physical and spiritual rejuvenation. These include general body scrubs, facial treatments, foot reflexology and traditional Thai massage, one of the world's oldest healing methods with substantial health benefits.

Swing
Amongst the most mesmerizing attributes of golfing in Thailand is a multiplicity of locations and surroundings in which the courses are located, making the country the "Golf Capital of Asia". There are many championship standard courses in Bangkok and around the nation all fitted with top-notch facilities, terrific signature holes and perfect maintenance to keep them international standards, enabling you to enjoy your swing all year round. Every course has its well-trained caddies and it is compulsory to employ one caddie for your round. Most of the new courses have fine accommodations on site plus leisure activities for the family.

Silk
Silk from Thailand has been popular around the globe. It has accentuated the fabric's stoic elegance. Silk is a natural filament made from the salivary glands of silkworms, a type of moth that feeds on the mulberry plants. Since a single filament is too thin to use alone, several threads are mingled to create a thicker and more durable fiber. Thai silk is different in colors from light gold to very light green. Good caliber Thai silk is woven on handlooms. The warp and weft are not of the same color, making Thai silk so exceptional in terms of color tones and blends. Wherever you buy it from, Thai silk is always a lasting keepsake and treasure.

Safety
Dwelling in Thailand is utterly safe and sound. The quality of life of the Thai people and travelers is now escalating to a gratifying level. Through the decisive administration of the Thai government, travelers can relish their vacations in the country more safely and securely. Targeting to endorse Thailand as a world-class destination, the government has strong willpower to tackle with all detrimental problems that may affect the tourism industry and to proffer budget tour packages to all types of travelers. Therefore, travelers are reassured that whilst here they can immerse in their pleasure to the fullest yet feel protected and secure.

Shopping
The Land of Smiles is a shopping paradise where dedicated shoppers can buy a wide variety of high quality products and services with special discounts. A unique shopping opportunity awaits visitors to bargain and purchase handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewelry, antiques and more contemporary wares. Shopping in Thailand can be marveled from high-end shopping complexes and department stores to bustling markets and high streets. In Bangkok, the famous shopping streets are strategically situated along MBK-Siam Discovery Center to Ratchaprasong Intersection as well as along Sukhumvit Road to Emporium Shopping Arcade.

Sea, Sand & Sun
A sanctuary for sea, sand and sun lovers, Thailand prides itself on a number of the world's most beautiful beaches and islands with pristine white sands, crystal clear waters and spectacular coral reefs. There are various things along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea to suit your preferences. Fabulous beaches and incomparable marine environments have enticed a multitude of holidaymakers from around the world. They can pamper in superb accommodations, beachside bars and restaurants as well as an endless option of recreational activities like Phuket yachting, Andaman Sea diving, sailing, sunbathing and much more.

http://www.iguidebangkok.com

By Nattapol Bumsuntiea

The Emporium in Bangkok

The Emporium is a large building which houses the Emporium Shopping Complex and the Emporium Department Store. It is on Sukhumvit Road between Benjasiri Park and Soi 24 in Bangkok, Thailand. Apartments and offices are beside the shopping areas. It is the most luxurious and expensive place of its kind in Bangkok and Thailand's high society are seen here.

It has some good shops, as you would expect, especially in home furnishings, English language books, home appliances, and sporting goods. For entertainment there is a five screen cinema which operates on the 6th floor of the Shopping Complex. It includes digital, standard, and 3D screens.

Asia Books is an English language bookshop which offers a 10% discount for members. The cost of membership a year ago, when I purchased mine, was 200 baht. It is a one-time payment. The bookshop is on the 3rd Floor of the Shopping Complex. A second English Language bookshop on the same floor is Kinokuniya which has a better selection but does not offer a discount. From time to time, Kinokuniya holds discount sales of less popular books.

The Wi-Fi systems in the Shopping Complex are poor. Truewifi works unreliably and not at all in some parts of the Shopping Complex. Truewifi sells monthly Wi-Fi memberships for 500 baht which they say can be used all over Bangkok. This has not been my experience. Opinions of shop assistants vary on whether you can buy the memberships in the Emporium or whether you have to travel to Siam Paragon. Truewifi is best avoided.

AIS, the phone company, has AIS Hotspots which do work at their hotspot locations. However, there are large areas of the Shopping Complex where AIS does not work. People pay around 900 baht to have a month's access at AIS Hotspots around Bangkok. I don't think it is worth the money personally. There are not that many AIS Hotspots and their Hotspot areas tend to be small. There are large parts of the Shopping Complex where AIS Hotspots can not be used.

The first three or so times I came to the Emporium I got lost. Almost to the point of panic. There seemed to be no end of problems finding a way back to the Sukhumvit Road entrance. I was unable to communicate that I was lost. I also could not explain where I wanted to go in Thai. Despite the high number of foreigners, shop assistants have very basic or non-existent English Language skills.

Perhaps there should be a GPS system in operation for new customers to the Emporium. Or plenty of easy-to-read maps showing their location within the building. However, once you have visited many times, as I now have, everything seems to fall into place.

The Emporium has lots of shops, but I have visited only a few so far. These shops may not be typical. I have reviewed a few of them. The Mandarin Oriental Shop is a cafe on the 4th Floor. It charges premium prices. A cup of coffee is over 125 baht. This is about four dollars. The coffee is poor quality. The shop often sells out of certain lines of food by just 3 pm; despite opening until at least 9 pm. The service is excellent if you are sitting in line-of-sight of the front counter. This could be good or bad, depending on one's personal preferences. Some people do not like to be bothered while they are reading, or eating.

This cafe has a good selection of English Language newspapers including the International Herald Tribune, the Bangkok Post, and The Nation. Surprisingly, they do not have Wi-Fi internet. If one asks to use their power points one is refused. Without Wi-Fi and with high prices Mandarin Oriental Shop is not recommended.

Starbucks has an outlet on the 4th Floor of the Shopping Complex, and another outlet in the annex on the 2nd Floor between the Shopping Complex and the Emporium Suites. The coffee is expensive for Thailand. They have a Wi-Fi system called KC Hotspot which costs 120 baht per hour. The coffee is not great and you will pay around 90 baht for a Cappuccino. The Starbucks' outlet in the Shopping Complex has no power points which is surprising with their very high internet charges. Starbucks at the Emporium is not recommended if you are using a computer.

The Whittard Coffee Shop on the ground floor of the Shopping Complex is on the same bank of escalators as the cinema's. It has free Wi-Fi and moderate prices for coffee, tea, and food. The Wi-Fi internet comes in 30 minute blocks. One block is usually given with a purchase of food or drink. A frequent customer may get more internet time. Be careful because there is no warning before your time runs out. The login process is quite lengthy. I like the tea and muffins here. The staff are friendly. With the free Wi-Fi included, Whittard is recommended.

One of the extraordinary facts about the Emporium is that it has no proper gold shop. I find this completely bizarre. Of all the shops you would want in a high-end shopping mall in Asia, a gold shop would be close to the top of your list.

The Emporium is a highly recommended shopping experience. But it does not give the best value in Bangkok. It has a Skytrain connection on the 2nd Floor of the Shopping Complex which is very convenient. The Skytrain Station is Phom Phrong. You can take Skytrain to the Siam Station, and you can walk straight into Siam Paragon. I think Siam Paragon is better value. However, visitors to the Emporium can expect good service, high prices, top-end products, and a wide selection... but not a gold shop!

Michael Edgerston lives in Thailand and writes on Thailand related subjects. He is building a Thailand Travel website at http://www.ThailandTravel.net and also has a Thailand Travel Blog at http://www.Thailand-Travel-Blogger.blogspot.com.

By Michael Edgerston

Bangkok 5 Star Hotels - Where to Stay?

Bangkok - the capital city of Thailand - has become a hub for leisure, entertainment, and business, receiving loads of travellers from all over the world. Bangkok has a little of everything to afford, from scores of unsurpassed attractions to continuous entertainment, to important business and financial centres.

There are numerous Bangkok 5 star hotels sprawled around the city and its many districts, primary districts being Sukhumvit, the Chao Phraya Riverside, Siam and Silom. The amazing part about the luxuriant hotels here is their quick access to the rest of the city, via sky or underground stations, or even boats.

Sukhumvit

The Sukhumvit district is a popular destination for tourists, being incredibly vibrant, trendy and modern. This area is a exciting hodge podge of trendy shopping malls, a plentiful choice choice in dining, perpetual leisure, and a night life ranging from the posh to the naughty. Being such a popular area, Sukhumvit houses many five-star hotels, such as the JW Marriott Bangkok, The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, and many more.

Chao Phraya Riverside

The Riverside area of Bangkok is where traditional and modern times meet. Amidst the many sophisticated, luxury hotels, there are quaint rice barges and water-taxis floating down the river, against a wonderful backdrop of temples and palaces. Traditional and historical places of interest are abundant in the area, and also some shopping, dining, entertainment and diverse high-end hotels like the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok.

Siam

When it comes to shopping, the Siam district takes the lead. Countless sought-after shopping centres are situated here, such as the MBK Centre, Slam Discover Center, and myriad others. Siam Square is particularly loud, packed with restaurants of all sorts, designer stores, cinemas, entertainment and myriad attractions - not to speak of ritzy hotels such as the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. Public transport in the area naturally gives Siam an easy access to other districts of Bangkok.

Silom

Perhaps best known as one of Bangkok's most important financial districts, Silom in the daytime is a bustling business centre. But it's not merely all about work here - there is lots of play, particularly after the sun goes down. There are many smaller-scale malls and restaurants here, as well as the infamous nightlife district of Patpong. Many of the city's noted hotels are also found here, such as the Dusit Thani Hotel, Pan Pacific Bangkok and others.

When staying in these main areas of Bangkok, one doesn't have to worry about seeing the rest of the city, as public transport systems allow easy access to the rest of the city. There is a wide array of luxury hotels to choose from, and there is always some form of entertainment and dining nearby.

List of hotels

Once you have decided where to stay, you can look for the Bangkok luxury hotels in that particular area.

If you want to know what hotels are available in the area, you can go to http://www.bangkokluxuryhotels.org.

By Julian Khoo

Sukhumvit - - How to Travel Around in It

There are a few different options for travelling around the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok in Thailand. Sukhumvit is an area that attracts foreigners in large numbers. One option is BTS Skytrain which runs in the air above Sukhumvit Road, the main road in the area. The closest BTS Station to the beginning of Sukhumvit Road is Pleon Chit. After this Station, the next Station on the BTS line is Nana. If you walk out on the left side exit you will be close to Soi 7/1, a popular entertainment Soi.

The next station after Nana is the interchange Station, Asoke. Underneath the Asoke Stationit is the MRT subway system which predated Skytrain. If you want to go further down Soi Asoke, this is the place to change to the underground subway system. The subway station is called Sukhumvit.

Phrom Phong is the next BTS Skytrain Station along Sukhumvit Road. If you exit on the right hand side you will walk into Thailand's most exclusive shopping centre and department store, The Emporium. Exiting on the left of Phrom Phone Station will take you to other Sukhumvit Sois such as the popular Soi 33, which is well known for its night life. For the average foreigner visiting Bangkok, Phrom Phong is usually as far as they wish to go on Sukhumvit Road or on the BTS Skytrain system.

Another way of travelling around Sukhumvit is by car taxi. However, there are times when the roads are so jammed up that taxis can not move very much. In the mornings, particularly between 7 am and 9 am, it is very difficult to get anywhere in Sukhumvit in a taxi because people are commuting to work. You might as well go back to that cafe or sleep in!

In the afternoons and evenings, between 4 pm and 9 pm, the Sukhumvit area is jammed up with traffic as well. Better to walk to Skytrain than try and get anywhere in a taxi at this time. Otherwise, when in a taxi, the flag fall amount is 35 baht. If you are stuck in traffic the metre will run quite slowly. You will find taxi drivers are reluctant to pick you up. This is because they can not make much money from the metre in a traffic jam. They will usually quote you a high fixed price to take you where you want to go.

There are also Tuk-tuk's in Sukhumvit. These are noisy two-stroke engine open-air taxis that ply their trade on Sukhumvit Road. They can be more expensive than a normal taxi. They have no metre, and as a tourist unfamiliar with Sukhumvit, you will not know what the fair price should be. They also have little protection against rain. If it pours you will be soaked. Tuk-tuks are best experienced a few times. Taxis are cleaner, cooler, and often cheaper.

Another way of getting around is by motorcycle taxi. This is a cheap way to travel. But it can be very dangerous. You will probably not have a helmet. The bikes zig-zag in-and-out of traffic. The chances of having an accident are much higher on a motorcycle in Bangkok. Motorcycles are best for short distances when there is high traffic volume. Sometimes, in traffic jams it is the only way to get from deep in a Soi to BTS Skytrain reasonably quickly.

Short distance rides on a bike are around 20 baht. If there is a sudden shower, you will be very wet and so will any bags that you are carrying. These are the ways of getting around in the Sukhumvit area. Remember though, if you have the time, you can walk to most places in Sukhumvit. It will take less than an hour to walk anywhere. In the rainy season if you are walking take a big umbrella!

Michael Edgerston lives in Thailand and writes on Thailand related subjects. He is building a Thailand Travel website at http://www.ThailandTravel.net and also has a Sukhumvit Blog at http://sukhumvitblog.blogspot.com.

By Michael Edgerston

Things to Do in Bangkok Near Skytrain Silom Line Stations

Bangkok's Skytrain is a quick, cheap and efficient way to get around Bangkok. This guide will let you know where to get off the Skytrain for some of the major attractions in Bangkok.

The Silom line is one of two lines on Bangkok's elevated BTS Skytrain mass transit system that covers much of the areas of the capital that are of interest to tourists. The other line is the Sukhumvit line and these two lines intersect at Siam station, one of the major stations on the network.

The Silom line runs from National Stadium in the Siam area, interchanges with the Sukhumvit line at Siam, then heads down through the Silom area and crosses the majestic Chao Phraya River and continues on for two stations to Wongwian Yai. If these names mean nothing to you, don't worry because I'm going to show you some of the interesting things to see and do near a lot of these stations.

National Stadium

This is the first station on the Silom line and around here you will find one of the huge youth meccas of Bangkok, MBK, Center (Mah Boon Krong). This is a multi-storey mall that has a lot of fashion stores (and knock-offs), as well as a lot of restaurants and a multi-screen movie theater. There are also a large number of electronics stores and this is where a lot of people purchase their mobile phones. You can also get your iPhone unlocked here and put in a local SIM card so you can avoid extravagant data charges while on vacation.

Jim Thompson House, a museum of the life and times of the famous silk baron is also in this area. Jim Thompson silk stores are ubiquitous throughout Bangkok and he certainly left his mark on the country. This museum was built inside the beautiful home he built and is a fascinating look into Bangkok of days gone.

Siam

Siam station is one of the busiest stations on the Skytrain network and also serves as an interchange between the Silom and Sukhumvit lines. It is also where you alight if you are in the mood for some serious shopping.

Siam Paragon, Thailand's most upscale shopping complex opened in December 2005 and covers more than 400,000 square meters. Just about every luxury brand that you can think of has their flagship store here amongst the 250 establishments housed here.

Within Siam Paragon you will find the 21 screen Siam Paragon Cineplex, which also features an IMAX theater. Going to the cinema is very cheap in Thailand, with tickets costing the equivalent of about USD 3. You may want to spend a little more though and try the truly luxurious VIP seats, which offer reclining leather seats with blankets and waiter service.

The basement of Siam Paragon houses Siam Ocean World- the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, covering 10,000 square meters. The aquarium is home to 30,000 marine animals of 400 species.

Across the street from Siam Paragon is the lively district of Siam Square, a trendy area of shops and restaurants popular with young Bangkokians. This area is always lively and it is a great place to see emerging trends. You will also find Siam Discovery Center here as well as a Hard Rock Café.

Sala Daeng

This is the station you get off at if you want to see the famous Patpong. Patpong has nightly markets that are very popular with tourists selling everything from fake designer jeans and watches to pirated CDs and DVDs as well as a lot of handicrafts.

Patpong is perhaps better known though for it's many go-go bars which line both sides of the street which houses the night markets, as well as a number of other nearby streets.

There are also a number of clubs, restaurants and bars in this area, but they mostly cater to foreign tourists and can be overpriced.

Saphan Taksin

Saphan Taksin was the final station on the Silom line until May 2009 when the network was extended across the Chao Phraya River two more stations to cater to the many commuters who live in Thon Buri.

Being by the river, Saphan Taksin has a ferry wharf where many local ferries, Chao Phraya river express boats, as well as shuttle boats from many of the riverside 5 star hotels drop off and pickup passengers. Also a number of the dinner cruise companies depart from here.

A free cruise can be had by boarding one of the hotel riverboats that taxi guests up and down the river. The Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa is about 15 minutes downriver and provides two teak boats that go back and forth between this pier and the hotel all day until late in the evening. You don't have to be a guest at the resort to board this boat and it provides a fantastic view of the Bangkok skyline at no charge.

The Skytrain is a very inexpensive and efficient way to travel around Bangkok, with fares ranging from 15 Baht (around 45 US cents), to a maximum of 40 Baht (USD1.20). The stations are clearly signposted in English and there are also announcements inside the carriages in English.

With the streets of Bangkok being notoriously clogged most of the day with seemingly endless traffic, the Skytrain is a smart way to move around Thailand's largest city.

For a convenient place to stay in Bangkok, check out our comprehensive list of hotels near BTS Skytrain stations, as well as many other thoughtful lists of hotels we have put together at http://www.reservethaihotels.com.

By Aaron James