If you and your family are planning a month-long holiday in Thailand and would like to spend the final few days touring Bangkok, this article was written with you in mind. Bangkok is a lively city and a perfect playground for the adventurer and if you don’t mind the heat and perhaps some heavy traffic, the City of Angels has many surprises for the tourist. Here are just a few ideas to give you some inspiration.
- Jatuchak Weekend Market – This is a huge open-air market that also have a covered, air-conditioned section, where you can find anything from Thai souvenirs to Teak furniture, and everything in between. Such is the size of the market, you are advised to obtain a map and plan your route, while also agreeing on a central meeting point, should any family member get lost. There are suppliers of fine Thai art and furniture and they will ship to any country, if you would like some antique furniture, plus you can get all your souvenirs in a single shopping session.
- Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise – This is a must, as the views from the Chao Phraya River are really something, with famous temples like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace are exquisitely illuminated. You and your family can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and they always have a Thai dancing team to entertain the passengers. The round trip takes just over 3 hours, which is the perfect way to spend an evening, and make sure your digital camera is fully charged.
- Check Out Bangkok Theme Parks – If you stay at an affordable family hotel in Bangkok, one of the boutique hotels on Ratchada Road would be ideal, then you can spend a few hours at Art in Paradise, which is in the Esplanade Mall, located on Ratchada Road. Other theme parks include Dream World, which is located in Thanyaburi District, and the Funarium Indoor Playground, which is great for young children.
- Exploring the Canals – If your kids are old enough, why not explore the many narrow canals in the city? There are longtail river taxi boats that take you on a route that might have as many as 40 stops, and this is a great way to spend the day, enjoying the beautiful Buddhist temples and small parks that are hidden away. Here is a list of the top 5 tourist attractions in Bangkok, which might help you with your planning.
- Rama IX Park – Located at the end of the Sukhumvit Road (Soi 103), this unique park was created to commemorate King Bhumiphol’s 60th birthday in 1987 and is open to the public. You can reach the park by getting off the Skytrain at Udom Suk then a short taxi ride will see you arrive at the scenic gardens that stretch for 500 rai. Be prepared to see some amazing flowers, shrubs and trees and you can have a picnic in certain places, see their website for further details.
Once you find an affordable family hotel on Ratchada Road, you can spend your days exploring this unique city, and this will be an experience your kids will never forget.
