Tourist Attractions in Bangkok

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The national museum certainly warrants a visit, but I've got mixed feelings about it. The exhibits are fine, but the way they are exhibited is old fashioned, to say the least.

Unique Suggestions: This is not a flash modern museum with high tech interactive displays, but it does have a certain charm. The majority of the displays are in large stone buildings with shuttered windows, i.e. no air conditioning. You feel like you are exploring a museum they way they used to be; character filled and quite quaint in places. Definitely not hi tech, e.g. the leaflet we were given upon entry was a poor photocopy with many English errors, not what you would expect from a National Museum.

Fun Alternatives: I like the museum and I like to look at the artifact from Thai history but the information for non Thai is not good. Many labels are Thai only so it is not so visitor friendly. I hoe they can improve this

when i first came to bangkok i booked into modern place apartments soi 99 ramintra road bangkok,i paid 12 months in advance and the owner told me that after 12 months i would get one month free,well when the 12 months was up they started to charge again and the owner denied the promise of 1 free month,during my stay there i encounted many problems such as the internet i was paying for hardly ever worked,the air con was always breaking down,water leaking from ceiling in bathroom,not to mention that there is a truck yard directly opposite the apartment that you have to put up with,noise, dust and fumes.the apartment is situated in a very noisy soi at the back of fashion island.when i left the apartment they refused to give me back the 7 thousand bart deposit and charged me a further 3 thousand baht for power and water for a 13 day period, i would not recomend this place to anyone

Unique Suggestions: ask them to put any contract in english

Fun Alternatives: there are many other decent apartments a little further away

That snake was put on the shoulder of innocent and naive looking tourist in front of the gate to Wat Po (where reclining Buddha is). The owner of the snake goes around with his snake in hand and offers tourists to take it on their shoulders to take photo with her. When he takes advantage of a naive person and put the money in pocket he quickly moves to another victim yet unaware and to big amusement of his colleagues-mercenaries who sell all kind of useless things to tourists there. These people are pushy types and are best to be ignored altogether. Often they don't even ask if you want snake around your neck or not but just put it on you and you may think how nice they are to show you thier pet. Just remember they will charge you a lot for that if you let them do it.
My father was also among the 'victims' and he was charged 350 THB (!!!) for having snake around his neck for a minute or two. It didn't make sense to argue with that kind of person since he has advantage of having friends around him who will stand by his side.

Unique Suggestions: Give him some money very fast and run away.

Fun Alternatives: Never take such 'service' from anyone even though they look and speak all soft and sweet as a candy. Don't be naive. Arguing with them can put you in troubles because they will gang up together. When you will be in the position you will want to lower their ridiculous price they will become very unfriendly and ever mean. If you will get loud then you situation will become centre of attention. They know that very well.

If you must do it then always ask for the price first and negotiate. Worst thing is when you don't ask and count they will say OK price in the end. They won't. Don't be fooled with their 'friendliness' - all they want from you is to extract as much baht as possible.

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Wat Mangkon Kamalawa in China Town Bangkok is on Charoen Road. The Chinese name is Leng Noei Yi.
The Thai name is Mangkon Kamalatawa. It was built in 1871 and comprises a series of Chinese Buddhist Temples and Taoist deities in the total complex. The style is Southern Chinese. The Chinese temples are to the rear of the grounds after you pass through a passage way from Charoen Rung Road.

Mangkon road. The Temple is open from 6 am until 5 pm every day.
ph: 66 2 222 3975

Unique Suggestions: if you in Chinatown, you'll pass this Wat.. just take a picture from outside of the main building, because 'no camera' sign is written.

Fun Alternatives: take a short walk to new market, you'll find a very intersting foods, dried fruits etc or go go Sampheng line

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Trimurti, the god of love, with offerings of red roses - all in the name of love, and in the hope that they will meet their eternal sweethearts. The shrine is a landmark in front of CentralWorld.

In Hinduism, Trimurti represents the three aspects of God: Brahma (the Source/Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Transformer or Destroyer). Some resemblance with the concept of Trinity in Christianity is evident here. Many claim Trimurti is especially successful in matching foreign mates with Thai partners, and the shrine is so crowded on a Thursday night that you'll have to wait your turn. What we wouldn't do for love.

Located in front of Centralworld
BTS Chidlom

Fun Alternatives: shopping at Centralworld

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Ganesh is another Hindu Diety. He has the head of an elephant and the body of a fat human male. Elsewhere in Bangkok images of Lord Ganesh can be seen where the arts, education and media activities are located. This is because Lord Ganesh as the diety of good fortune and the remover of obstacles is associated with trade, arts and education.

Located in front of CentralWorld, Ratchaprasong
BTS Chidlom

Unique Suggestions: Lord Ganesh is also accompanied in the images with a cobra and a rat. The cobra is a snake associated with Shiva and the symbolism is that Ganesh is the son of Shiva. The rat symbolises that which is small and weaker, but the two together symbolise co-existence of the great and the small.

The position of Lord Ganesh's trunk has symbolism also. When the trunk turns to the left this reflects the direction for success. To the right represents denouncing aspects of the world. For believers in Lord Ganesh as a spiritual force for them, when purchasing an image which is proper for their future path in life it is necessary for them to choose one with the correct trunk position.

Fun Alternatives: shopping and eating at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong District

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Wat Mahannapharam built over a century ago is a fine blending of Thai and Chinese art, mirroring the great influence Chinese culture wielded on Siamese people at the time. The temple houses a gold statue of ‘Luang Por Pra Ruang’ from the Sukhothai period.

Fun Alternatives: if you pass Thanon Tanow, you can take a picture to Wat Mahannapharam.. then try eating experience along Thanon Tanow.

There are some life sized pictures of Thai costumes that have holes where you can put your face on it to take a picture. Well, this one is not also free. The people won't mislead you that it's free but they would not tell you either that there's fee for every picture taken with it. They'll just stand around and let tourists put their faces on the hole and after a picture is taken that's when they will collect Thai baht 20 for it. Subtle trap, don't you think? So next time you see anything anywhere, where there is hole for you face to put on, expect that a payment will be asked after a picture. A thing I'm reminded of, nothing is for free! :(