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The
front door to Asia - Bangkok Thailand.
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Rightly qualified as the front door to Asia, Thailand is a bridge between our two cultures, as can be noticed by the tourist infrastructures, which are adapted to our needs and by this ever so welcoming nation which devotes most of its time to the “Sanuk”, in other words the “joy of living”.
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If many countries are still mainly turned toward their ancient traditions, Thailand has, without putting aside their culture, taken advantage of the infatuation of the Europeans and the North Americans for Asia. This country has developed well-equipped seaside resorts and interesting excursion programs based on the discovery of this fascinating country. The traveling conditions are superb.
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Thailand also wants visitors to discover other aspects of their life. They have therefore given access to their Buddhist temples, their archaeological sites and their cooking and massage schools. Thailand offers very exotic landscapes with its wooded mountains in the North, its central plains and river and obviously the paradisiacal beaches in the south.
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To visit Bangkok, the country’s capital, is a must! This city offers many contrasts with its luxurious hotels, huge shopping centres, its large head offices and its 400 temples. The infernal traffic is a subject of fascination for whoever has already tried to cross a street in Bangkok. The means of transportation are various, stretching from the simple bicycle, the taxi and the famous “Tuk Tuk”, a three-wheeled vehicle. If you decide to use the “Tuk Tuk” be informed that these drivers are true “kamikazes” of the road, so the sensitive hearts should maybe choose the taxi-boats that circulate along the Chao Phraya. The river is easily accessible from your hotel and remains the best mean of transportation across this megapolis.
If you want to see Buddhas this is the place! There are more Buddhas than temples in this city. You may visit the one made of 5 tons of solid gold, the longest laying down Buddha or the emerald Buddha located in one of the large temples of the city. The visit of this temple is a must when you are in Bangkok. It covers more than two square
kilometers and is a typical example of traditional Siam (ancient name of Thailand). During your stay you definitely must reserve time to visit the floating market of Bangkok, located on the city’s canals (klongs). You will be completely disoriented. Simply seeing these
colored boats, navigating and hurling through these canals in order to deal and trade, will fascinate and disorient you.
Although very warm and hospitable, the everyday life of Thai people is governed by a tradition of Buddhist customs that dictate their behaviour. Respect is the foundation of Thai life; it would be very inopportune to do otherwise. To greet one another is very important, so don’t be shy they will appreciate you that much more. Here are a couple of pointers; never touch the head of a child since it is the seat of the Buddhist soul and when you visit a temple do not point your feet in the direction of the Buddha since this would be interpreted as a lack of respect.
The city offers an incredible selection of international restaurants, yet, as can be understood, a special place is reserved for Thai food. Although Thai people prefer spicy dishes you will definitely find milder dishes on the menu. There is a wide selection of dishes in Thailand accompanied by a subtle mix of
flavors.
This is the ideal place to make all of your purchases. The craftwork is varied and of very good quality. Whether you are looking for wooden carved furniture, gold covered Thai warriors, handcrafted
jewelry, glazed pottery or decorated umbrellas, you’ll find all of these either in the large shopping establishments or on the market squares (bazaars).
Obviously the world famous Thai silk is sold everywhere. I recommend purchasing this product in a specialized boutique; this would better guarantee its quality and its origin. Take full advantage of your stay in Bangkok and buy custom made suits and clothing. The cost is definitely advantageous considering the quality of the tissue and the hourly rate of Thai workers. To give you an idea, you can purchase, in selected establishments, 3 tweed suits, one in silk and one in linen for less than 300.00 $ US and all this according to your model and custom made! If you happen to see a model that pleases you before you leave for your holiday, bring the page with you and they will make it for you within 48 hours, delivered to your hotel room.
The nightlife is incredible in Bangkok. The gay life is very present in this city, especially in Patpong but also in Sukumvit. You will find restaurants, dance-clubs, bars and saunas. Many establishments offer “specialized” services but be very careful. Even if Thai people have an honest reputation, be on the look out for twisted individuals who might attempt to trap you in a scheme such as little hotels working by the hour and the little “underground” bars.
ADVICE: It is important to note that the prostitution of minors is forbidden in Thailand. Tourists who are found guilty of these accusations are automatically imprisoned. Furthermore, the government has created a special police force in order to stop these illegal activities.
The prostitution of the full aged persons is legal (it is recommended to demand a proof of age and ID cards). You can invite a guest to your hotel room and even ask the hotel clerk to verify the validity of the ID cards. It’s better to buy condoms before your departure because the ones sold in Thailand are not as reliable and their dimensions are different than ours.
A number of stores in Bangkok will offer a five suit or ensemble special. I recommend you consult our on location representative in order to find out which are worthy of your trust. It is possible to negotiate your purchases on the market squares but to negotiate in a renowned establishment would be interpreted as an insult.
Bon Voyage!
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