Tag Archives: bangkok

Ayutthaya Temples Tour – Cruising Around Bangkok

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Bangkok is a modern city with one foot firmly in the past. Although the Thai capital maybe overrun with futuristic high rise buildings, it also has plenty of historic ones. While a majority of visitors come to Thailand’s cosmopolitan capital to enjoy the amazing shopping opportunities and vibrant nightlife, they all leave with a deeper appreciation for the country’s rich culture and coloured history. The city is steeped in ancient splendour and walking along its streets one will come across many interesting attractions.

Tourists who want to learn more about Thai history and culture can try visiting Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (shortened to Ayutthaya), which is located around ninety five kilometres to the north of Bangkok. The city was established in 1350 and served as the second capital of Thailand (then called Siam). It soon became an important trade city and grew quickly over the following centuries. Merchants came to Ayutthaya from all parts of the world and the city became more prosperous as time went by.

However, the period of prosperity did not last forever. Ayutthaya was razed in 1767 by Burmese invaders and now only a few ruins mark the presence of this once magnificent city. The ruins are well preserved and evoke visions of a bygone era. Standing here it is easy to picture ancient marketplaces bustling with activity and lines of devotees walking towards the call of temple bells. Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and no trip to Bangkok can be considered complete without visiting here.

As it is a major tourist attraction there are a number of ways to get here. Those who want to use public transport can try the bus or train. Those looking for a better alternative can try taking a Bangkok cruise tour. Not only does a cruise help save time, it is also a highly enjoyable experience. Anantara Cruises Thailand offer luxury Bangkok cruises that takes tourists on a journey through the past. See the ruins of Ayutthaya, the Royal Barges Boat House, the Temple of Dawn, the Grand Palace and a countless number of other attractions. It is bound to be a trip to remember.

Samphran elephant & crocodile shows – a must-see experience

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Thailand is definitely a land of wonders and amazements. There is everything exotic from elephants to golden temples to amazing beaches. There is something for everyone who comes to this place. Amongst the different attractions that this south eastern Asian land offers, the Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo is one of the most popular destinations in the region. It is situated in the province of Nakhon Pathom, which is towards west of the capital Bangkok.

The two main attractions here are the elephant show and the crocodile show, which are must-see events for anyone who comes here, irrespective of whether they are young or old. This place is sure to be of particular interest if you are travelling with family and young children. The acrobatics that the elephants get up to during the show such as racing, dancing and playing various games ranging from football to many other games is surely interesting and captivating. There are also regal battle scenes performed by the elephants for the benefit to those who come to see them perform.

The crocodile wresting show is also as entertaining, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats with the master catcher performing diverse daring tricks and stunts to the sheer amazement of the audience. The highlight of the event for many is the moment when the master puts his head inside the open jaws of the crocodile, making everyone think that at any minute now the croc might close its jaws. The show has even been endorsed by CITES as “one of the most…impressive public displays of crocodiles”.

It is open from 8.30 in the morning until 5.30 in the evening and in addition to the main two highlights, there are numerous other attractions such as an orchid nursery and an option to explore the grounds on elephant back. It is possible to also spend the whole day at the park and grab a bite at one of the many restaurants ranging from Indian to continental cuisine.

For anyone staying at a Bangkok Hotel, it can be easily accessed via many modes of transport, but the best option would be to take a taxi or a cab as it would be the easiest for a traveller. Hotels Bangkok such as Anantara Bangkok Sathorn would be more than happy to arrange a cab for those who are interested in visiting this must-see attraction.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Rocket Festival in Thailand

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Indulge in a Bangkok Cruise Tour to get a unique perspective of the city. Bangkok Cruises offered by Anantara Cruises are a popular choice in this regard. When in the city, a visitor cannot afford to miss the chance to experience its unique festivals. Celebrated throughout Laos and northeast Thailand by ethnic Lao people, the Rocket Festival customarily features musicians, dancers, competitive processions of floats, other performances and more. Home-made rockets are fired competitively on the third day of the festival. The gigantic skyrockets are part of this custom. These skyrockets are basically large black-powder bottle rockets. Traditionally the rockets are made from bamboo bongs.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony – A grand affair

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Marking the traditional beginning of the rice growing season, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony also known as Lehtun Mingala or the Mingala Ledaw is a grand affair indeed. Accommodation Bangkok would not be much of a hassle during this season as Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok conveniently located amidst all the acitivity harbours some of the most sought after Sukhumvit apartments located within the city. The festival is celebrated in both Cambia and Thailand and traditionally takes place at the beginning of the Buddhist lent in the Burmese month of Waso which usually falls on the 11th of May. On the day of t6he ceremony, two sacred oxen are tied to a wooden plough after which they are made to plough on a ceremonial ground. After the ploughing, rice seeds are being sown on the ploughed land by court Brahmins and the oxen that ploughed are offered grand feasts of various cereals, grass and rice whiskey.

 

Visakha Bucha

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Travellers to Thailand should always make it a point to explore its rich religious heritage. Being based at Bangkok serviced apartments ensures maximum convenience in doing so and Sathorn apartments at Ascott Sathorn Bangkok make for an ideal option. A holiday celebrating Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing, Visakha Bucha, more commonly known as Vesak is celebrated in most of the Asian countries including Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. The date of Visakha Bucha varies from year to year. Usually it falls on either May or April and sometimes even June. Celebrated on a full moon day, it is the most important day for Buddhists.

Siam Niramit Cultural Show – Amazing Thailand

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A Thai Arts and Cultural performance known the world over as one of the largest stage productions, the Siam Niramit Cultural show is a spectacular show now listed in the Guinness World records. The show features over 150 performers and around 500 costumes are used for the entire performance. Special effects have been added as a result of advanced technology as of recent years, keeping up with the moving world.

The show has three separate acts. The first act is on Thailand that then was and is named ‘Journey Back in to History’. The second act takes you beyond your imagination and is based on Hell, Himapaan and Heaven. The third act takes you on a journey through joyous festivals celebrated in this colourful country. Siam Niramit cultural show is a great way to discover the roots of the Kingdom of Thailand and its people.

There are tours to the concert that offer round trips to the event, departing Bangkok at particular times of the day. The fee offered is inclusive of the entrance ticket and dinner. A gala show that showcases the beautiful culture of this intriguing country, the Siam Niramit show is one not to be missed while in Bangkok and Phuket. Most visitors prefer to couple this tour with visits to the ancient replica villages that showcase traditional crafts and authentic Thai living.

While you make yourself at home with 700 years of Thailands’ history and its alluring arts and crafts, stay at a Bangkok luxury hotel that understands the true art of hospitality. Metropolitan Bangkok is a luxury Bangkok hotel that is fast making waves in the hospitality arena in the city, offering impeccable service standards and a heavenly overall stay. Equipped with state of the art facilities in its stylishly decorated urban premise, this hotel is a class apart.

Bangkok never seizes to amaze, with the wealth of experiences it has in store for its guests. From fantastic shopping precincts and gorgeous palaces to relaxing Thai massages, this city is an oasis for holiday makers and travelers. Whether you are traveling to Bangkok on business or leisure, the city amazes anyone.

Thai Cultural Shows – Glimpse of a rich cultural heritage!

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Thailand never fails to surprise its visitors with these most vibrant Thai cultural shows which would also give a chance to the holiday-makers in the country to get a glimpse of this rich cultural heritage. Some of the Thai cultural shows that a traveller should not miss out are Siam Niramit, Thai Classical Dance Drama, Thai Mask Dance, Thai Village Shows, ancient sword fights and Thai Puppet Shows.

Siam Niramit is a traditional Thai performance presented with the participation of more than 150 traditional performers on a huge stage along with many sound and lighting effects. There are 500 numerous colourful costumes being used during these shows. Siam Niramit is a magnificent opportunity for anyone who is visiting this great enchanted kingdom to get a glimpse of its world-class cultural performance. This breathtaking performance has now even managed to sail into the lists in the Guinness World Records!

Thai Puppetry is another must experienced cultural performance when you are visiting Bangkok. It has been a part of Thai cultural heritage for many long years. “Hung Luang” is the name of the very first puppet performance and it is also widely known as Royal Puppetry. Puppet shows in Thailand were originally performed as a Royal show during functions of the King of Ayutthaya. Thai puppetry evolved throughout many years and there are various other categories such as stick puppets, small puppets and so on. Aksra theatre is one of the popular places where you can head down to enjoy an exquisite puppet show.

One of the finest cultural shows one can experience in Thailand is Thai Mask Dance Drama. In these traditional dance acts, performers need to wear masks and each of these mask represents a specific character in the story. These cultural shows are regarded as both dance and drama, as none of the actors speak but give away their message through dance movements, expressions and mime. These mask dances are colourful and vibrant performances and a visit to one of these shows will give an unforgettable experience.

To experience most of these cultural aspects of this great nation, travellers need to find their comfortable Bangkok resort within the vicinity of the city’s popular entertainment venues. Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is popularly known as one of the finest 5 star hotels in Bangkok that is centrally located amidst many attractive shopping, dining and entertainment venues.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.

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Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall – The Mini Rattanakosin

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An interactive self-learning centre, The Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall has been built encompassing state of the art technology. The Hall exhibits information on the history, culture and art of the Rattanakosin area from its early inception in 1782. Equipped with 9 exhibition halls and 4D Multimedia technology, each of the rooms in the centre is dedicated to represent a part of the grandeur of the capital of Thailand the Rattanakosin.

Via the 4D multimedia facilities the centre successfully portrays the origins of the area. The Grand Palace and the famous Emerald Buddha statues are displayed on 4D down to the very last detail perfectly. A 360 degree multimedia demonstration depicts ancient forms of entertainment that existed in the area. Guests love the feeling of actually participating in the animation while it tours the island of Rattanakosin. You can also climb to the fourth floor of the building where you are greeted with a beautiful view of the Ratchadamnoen road along with sights of the metal castle known as the Loha Prasat and the Golden Mount.

The centre is open from Tuesdays to Fridays from 11. 00 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. It closes on Mondays. Admission fee for adults is 100 Baht, children walk in free. It’s a great idea to visit the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall before you start on your journey around the island as you will be able to make a note of what you want to see and not see through the virtual tour.

Stay at one of the finest Bangkok serviced apartments while you fall head over heels in awe of this colourful city. Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok is a conveniently located Sukhumvit Accommodation well known for its luxurious style and world class amenities which put you within easy reach of many of the attractions in the area. Along with 24 hour security and other facilities such as Jacuzzis and saunas, these apartments are a treat to one’s senses. Surrounded by lush greenery and a sophisticated neighbourhood these serviced apartments are the ideal place to relax while you explore this amazing city.

Chinatown Food Festival – A veritable feast for the senses

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This festival is not one just one for the taste buds, but a feast for all five senses. To truly soak up the amazing atmosphere that emanates from the location during this time of the year, one has to seek out a suitable Bangkok hotel to lodge in during the event. However this would not be an issue since Anantara Bangkok Sathorn is one of the most popular hotels Bangkok among those of who seek the true colours of culture during their travels.

The streets are practically glittering with life during these days while various aromas waft through the air making the mouths water. Music fills the ears while an immense assortment of delicacies adorn the streets, beckoning the passersby invitingly to have a taste of this delicious Chinese gastronomy so generously unveiled right in front of their eyes.

Celebrate the Thai New Year at Songkran 2013

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Tipped to be one of the most colourful and engaging local festivals in Thailand, Songkran is an annual event of truly monumental cultural significance. Three months after the rest of the world celebrated the dawn of a new year, this vibrant festival harking in the new year in the month of April is one of the best reasons to head down to Bangkok this holiday season. Also known as the Thai Water Festival, the Songkran festival of 2013 is due to take place from the 13th to the 15th of April with the days declared a public holidays all across the great nation. Formerly calculated according to the Thai lunar calendar, the event is now marked according to the Georgian calendar and typically falls between the 13th and 15th of April every year.

Regarded as the most significant cultural event in the country, Thai residents around the country set aside these auspicious days to engage in conventional customs and rituals as well as enjoy one another’s company in an annual event that truly encapsulates the Thai spirit of togetherness.

Religious activities also hit an all time high during Songkran as Thais head to their local temples to pay their respects to Lord Buddha and bathe Buddha images as a mark of reverence. Cleansing Buddha images is also a practice that is common during this time of year while alms for Buddhist monks are also offered by pious devotees in temples or wats across Thailand. The street side water fights have also become an integral part of Songkran as a traditional ritual has transformed in to a national sport of sorts during the holiday season. In its heyday young Thais would pour water gently on elders to bless them and guarantee good fortune to the entire family for the coming year. This ritual has now evolved in to a larger than life street water fight with Thais hurling buckets of water on passersby and loved ones in the spirit of camaraderie.

Those visiting Bangkok this April can witness Songkran festivities at the national event in Rattankosin Island while the areas around Sanam Luang, Khao San Road and the Grand Palace also serve as focal points of the celebration. The statue of the Phra Budha Sihing will also be on show at Sanam Luang Park and visitors can join locals in bathing the famed image of Lord Buddha.

Travellers on the lookout for a stylish Sukhumvit hotel should look to the Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok for all their accommodations. Ideally located in a picturesque landscape this Bangkok hotel is one of the finest rests in the Thai capital.