Astride the 'River of Kings', the Chao Phraya, Bangkok is the 'Venice of the East', a colourful and noisy blend of temples, chaotic traffic, excellent hotels and smiling courteous people.

At the hub of this bustling city rise the golden spires of 400 temples or wats. Wat Phra Keo, the most famous, houses Thailand's most verenated image, the Emerald Buddha. Wat Trimitr, with its 5½ ton solid gold Buddha and Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, are glorious to behold.

Bangkok is a veritable 'Aladdins cave' for shoppers where bargains abound in everything from Thai silk to semi precious stones, clothes and handicrafts.
Once a constantly congested bustling inner city, the new mono-rail system and highways have made Bangkok an explorers paradise.

Shopping
Bangkok is a veritable paradise for shoppers with traditional products like Thai silk, lacquer ware, wood carvings, precious stones and embroidery. There are many street markets, especially Pratunamand Patpong Night Market which offers handicrafts and copy brand name items all at a fraction of the cost (and quality) of the real thing.

Dining
Eating in Thailand is a true delight and amazingly inexpensive. There is a wealth and variety of restaurants.

Typical Thai food bears some resemblance to both Indian and Chinese cuisine but has a distinctive fillip of its own. Different kinds of chilli, coriander, garlic, basil and cardamon are used to give Thai food its characteristic tang of its own. Bangkok also offers a wide variety of alternative Asian and Western cuisines.

Nightlife
The nightlife is plentiful and varied, and caters for all possible tastes.
There is the serenity of classical Thai dancing, to the noise and excitement of Thai boxing matches and the legendary glitzy bars and massage parlours of Patpong.
If you are easily offended, then Patpong is best avoided.