Like I mentioned before I have spent too much time in Bangkok mostly due to unexpected events, I met somebody there but that's another story. One of the first tourist attractions I wanted to visit was Grand palace located next to Chao Phraya River in Phrat Nakon area. The Grand Palace in Bangkok has been official residence of the royal families since 1782 until 1925. I arrived to the location but then I saw it had been closed. At that moment some guy approach me. He mentioned about the palace some details, that as a foreigner I have to pay 500 THB fee and I would need formal clothes not shorts and t-shirt, since then I have not visited the palace at all, come on that heat outside and the clothes would kill me. The man as tourist guide as he said with relatively good English started to talk to me, ask me where I am going and offer me guide through Bangkok. Since beginning I was very skeptical I knew he will somehow try to scam me but I agreed on it anyway. By the way always when you going to use tuk-tuk, taxi or some similar transportation always ask for price and try to bargain first before ride especially outside of Bangkok where the taxies doesn’t have usually taximeter.
During the ride our stop was some small temple but the second stop was weird because we stopped nearby some tailor suit company. I asked why we stopped here that I am not willing to buy anything so we can skip it. He told me it doesn’t matter I should go inside at least for 10 min and then we can continue. I was upset but for other hand I was expecting something sneaky so I swallowed it and went inside. Some seller came to me and immediately start to spew questions “suit or shirts? Which fabric? color?” I asked for price and seller told me 3 pieces for 1500 THB I think, I don’t remember exactly the price. I refuse talk to him at all I make step closer to doors and waiting for 5 min then I leaved. They were furious but I calmly leave and told the driver we can continue. The next stop was official tourist office. The driver told me that there I can buy some tours in Bangkok. Of course again I went inside and they were pushing me to buy something I nicely refuse and we continued to two other places. After one hour at the end of trip we stop by another Tailor Company, same result again. The driver was sad and nervous that I didn’t participate in anything I didn’t want to be asshole so I asked him how much he would like to get paid for the trip, he didn’t answer so I gave him some bills I had found in pocket and leave.
We finished the trip in Chinatown which was suitable for me and I explored that place little bit. The streets are full of small shops selling usually exotic, very interesting food ingredients from a lot of unknown mushrooms to some strange Chinese vegetables and herbals. In Chinatown is high density of population so its very busy and crowded place. Let’s move on.
Now temple area the Wat Pho. Frankly, I visited the temple more than once, amazing place to see. Best way to get there is by skytrain to Saphan Taksin station and then take boat from Sathorn port which is located right next to the station. Important part of Thai history is dominant Buddhist religion which influence specific built of structures.
In Thailand 95 % of citizens are Buddhist so is not surprise that the country is full of temples, monasteries and sculptures of Buddha. The temples which I have seen were marvelous it was first larger encounter with Buddhism for me so it was really nice to see architecture, monks, sounds of prayers and places where monks live for first time.
Of course in Bangkok is even Catholic Church. I am not true believer but I was just curious so I had done my research and I found the one cathedral in Bangkok, in Thailand. The Assumption Cathedral located near to already mentioned the Saphan Taksin station. During my first visit of Bangkok the cathedral had been unfortunately under construction but during the second arrival I had came again to see it from inside. First time I saw Christian Thai people with translated Thai Bible and praying with Thai speaking priest I have to say it was really interesting experience. To see in minor Buddhism country people praying in church in their own, for us exotic language was at least for me marvelous feeling from cultural and social point of perspective.
I think generally is important to mention that despite the unpleasant experience mentioned above, Thailand is beautiful country which vibe mostly by positive energy, country with lot of nice, kind and smiling people. I have never felt endangered or unsafe in any part of Thailand at any time and I think it would be very hard to find similarly place in our world.
Of course throughout spent time in Bangkok I had visited another few places as Phuket, about these destinations I’ll write next time.