TRAVEL - Exotic Destinations
Articles
THAILAND - BANGKOK
My articles on travel are meant to acquaint you in a nut-shell about the culture, language, religion, environment, main places of interest, transportation, entertainment, and food and drink, though not strictly in this order.
In this article, we shall explore BANGKOK, the capital of Thailand. Before doing so, we shall briefly share some important information on the tropical land of the native Thais - the country THAILAND - nicknamed the "pearl of the south-east".
Country: THAILAND, originally called SIAM. The region has a history as old as almost 3000 years. It is now a constitutional monarchy.
Location: South-East Asia, along the coast of Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southern Burma.
Climate: Tropical; normally rainy, warm and cloudy from May to September, during the southwest Monsoon; cool and dry from November to March; however, the narrow regions in the south remain hot and humid throughout the year.
Population: About 65,000,000
Ethnicity: Thai 75%, Chinese 15%, minorities 12%
Religion: Buddhist 95%, Muslim 4%, Christian 6%, Hindu 0.1%, others 0.5%, approximately.
Languages: Thai with several regional dialects. Also spoken Chinese, Lao, Malay and Mon-Khmer. English is becoming popular among the urban population and is in use at government and business levels.
Culture: Being mainly Buddhists, Thais place importance to compassion and love and self-control and believe in reincarnation. In Society they display all the outward forms of courtesy. Theirs is a Hierarchical Society built around the family, paying great respects to parents and seniors.
Food & Drinks: Rice is the basic food. Alongwith dishes with gravy, side dishes, soup, and a salad. While fish and shellfish are popular, there is a regional variety of curries. Meats are also relished including sausages specially a salad, called "larb", made from raw meat. Main course is followed with sweet snacks or a popular green papaya salad. A locally brewed alcoholic drink from rice is popular with the rural people while commercial alcoholic beverages including beer are widely available.
Folk dance styles: Each accompanied by particular set of music instruments, vary from region to region and are generally influenced by the traditions from or around the area. As an example, the dance styles of the people in the south of Thailand have been influenced by the southern Sri Lankan and Indian styles. While, the ethnic minorities have their own form of dance styles largely based on their traditions.
Economy: Besides Thailand's remarkable growth in international tourism, bringing in a large flow of foreign exchange for the country, it largely produces and exports agricultural products - rice, rubber, and tapioca. Also,Thailand is an important international hub for gems cutting and selling activity.
Currency: Baht
Secular Holidays: The celebration of the secular holidays are associated with Buddhism and monarchial events:
Chakkri Day - 6th of April
dedicated to Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty;
Coronation Day - 5th of May,
commemorating the Coronation of the present Monarch; and the Royal Plowing Ceremony held in Bangkok in the second week of May
The (present) Queen's Birthday - 12th of August
Chulalongkorn Day - 23rd of October, to commemorate King Chulalongkorn
The (present) King's Birthday - 5th of December
The Constitution Day - 10th of December
The New Year Day
BANGKOK is the the capital city of Thailand, being its commercial hub and the hottest international tourist destination in the South-East Asia.
Bangkok was built on flatland adjoining the Chao Phraya River. It was once nicked-named the "Venice of the East”, because of the crisscrossed canals flowing across it, but now replaced with roads often seen clogged by streams of traffic.
This bustling city has a population of about 10 million, having replaced the previous capital of Ayutthaya, a premium site to visit for historic ruins, founded in 1351 and was central to the spread of Buddhism. The first European influence was that of the Portuguese embassy in 1511, however no colonization of Thailand ever took place.
Modern Bangkok is a clashing mix of ancient and modern culture. Tall concrete structures jostle for space with traditional wooden houses intermingling with shinning temples and golden figures of Buddha. The older quarters are found in the royal island of Rattanakosin and busting Chinatown with a choice of hotels and condos. Also, places along the roads of Sukhumvit, Silom, and Sathorn where smell of grilled street food and jasmine flower follows where you go.
Bangkok and its Backyard: Bangkok offers, not only within its surroundings but also beyond never-ending arrays of attractions to visit and participate. Shopping for local artifacts, bars and restaurants for drinks (even a local drink brewed from rice ) and taste of Thai cusine, Food stalls with tropical fruits and ethnic food, gambling casinos, grooving night clubs and exotic night life.
A passenger train offering a view of the beautiful passing sorroundings connects Bangkok to Amphawa. Amphawa can boast of crossed-canals with floating market patronized by food-loving Thais. Away from Bangkok, in Phetchaburi, you can mentally consider yourself being a silent participant at the Royal Retreat Palace situated on the hill and even meditate the before the caves-shrines. Then there awaits you the long stretches of sandy coasline between Hua Hin and Khao Sam
Roi Yot National Park where you can dare to trail across the limestone mountains the mangrove swamps. Kanchanaburi, to the north, again offers you the chance to trek the mountain- forests areas and other outdoor escapades. Another place for a nature'e jungle retreat is the Khao Yai National Park linked to the city by train.
For your holiday exclusively in Thailand's sunny sandy beaches, away from the bustling city of Bangkok, we will continue these south-east Asia based travel series of articles next week.
***
I invite your comments or suggestions.
Paul Rodricks, Freelance Writer.
Paul's WRITERS DIG 7
Contact: paulrodericks@gmail.com
Blog: www.paulswritersdig7.blogspot.com