Close to the Charoenkrung and Yaowarat Road junction is Chinatown's star attraction, Wat Traimit (the Temple of the Golden Buddha). At first glance, the 3-meter high Buddha image looks rather average and undeserving of the busloads of tourists that flock here every day. The big attraction is the remarkable fact that it's made of 5.5 tonnes of solid gold, with an equally fascinating story behind it.
In 1957 a large stucco Buddha image was being moved by crane during development of a port. To the sheer horror and shock of everyone, the crane operator accidentally dropped the image, sending it crashing towards the ground. Instead of smashing, the stucco covering merely cracked, and in the process revealed the solid gold image hidden underneath. It is thought to have been covered like this during the early Ayuthaya or Sukhothai periods to protect it from the invading Burmese.
Although there are many things to see in Chinatown, one of the biggest sights is the experience of the place as a whole. The best way to explore the area is to pick a starting point and wander around. With about 14% of the buildings in the district designated as historical landmarks, Chinatown is home to many fine examples of the architecture of Bangkok's early years. A good example is the Tang To Gung gold shop on Sampeng Lane, around Mangkon Road.
Sampeng Lane, Chinatown's original main street, is a narrow alley which runs from the Pahurat Textile Market all the way down to Songsawat Road. The lane is too small for cars, and is now a crowded market selling mostly inexpensive household and all kinds of other interesting items.
Near the Tang To Gung gold shop is a very old Chinese pharmacy that is also worth a look. The Chinese temple of Wat Mangkon Kamalawat - known in Chinese as Wat Leng Nui Yee - is the center of festivities during important festivals like Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival. Another interesting temple is Wat Kanikaphon, with its main claim to fame being the fact that it was founded by a former madame who owned a brothel. And then, the charming and historical sights of the riverside and Old City areas are not too far away.
Khao San Road
Khao San Road as "the centre of the backpacking universe". Judging by the truth-seeking travellers who converge here to shop, exchange tales and prepare for their next stint on the backpacker trail, it's a phrase that sums it up pretty much perfectly. For over twenty years now, this has been the base camp of choice for budget backpackers delving intoThailand and South East Asia.
Little wonder, then, that everything they could need or want can be found here. Packed into a straight 1km long strip that spans only a couple of blocks are countless budget guesthouses and hotels, internet cafes, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, clubs, bars, bookshops, tailors, chemists, market stalls, tattoo shops and much, much more. So much in fact, that the people, peddlers and party spirit have spilled over into nearby Soi Rambuttri.
With its carefree, anything-goes vibe it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok and, probably, the world. In recent years there's been a subtle makeover, an influx of fast-food outlets, swanky bars and mid-range hotels helping the area to shed its shabby image. Only slightly though - it's still got an in-your-face energy that is all its own, and is still the stage for a cast of quirksome characters. Today, so infectious is its atmosphere it's also popular with locals, especially young hipsters and art students. Stay too long though and it may all wear a little thin.
Chatuchak
The Chatuchak area acquired its name from the large public park of the same name. However, the area is best known for the largest market in Asia, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Chatuchak also provides a convenient gateway to other areas like Vipawadee Rangsit, Ladprao and Saphankwai with a variety of public transportations such as the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS), the underground (MRT), and countless of bus lines.
If shopping at a labyrinthine open-air weekend market teeming with exotic bargains is your idea of bliss, then a stay in Chatuchak may be for you. Once you're all shopped out, the naturalist in you will be grateful the pretty Chatuchak Park is equally close by. The area is well served by both the Skytrain and underground.
Bangkok Riverside
Bangkok's riverside is where its historic roots lie; the traditional heartland of this magical city with origins that read like an epic novel - complete with fallen and rising Kingdoms, heroes and traitors. One of the most fascinating and scenic areas of Bangkok, the riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night; water-taxis ferrying commuters and heavily laden rice barges chugging upstream, set against a backdrop of glittering temples and palaces, historical landmarks and luxury, five-star hotels. Despite some condominiums and corporate towers that have risen from the river banks over the past decade or so, the area has retained its unique identity, exclusiveness and seductive charm.
Bangkok became the capital of Thailand in the tumultuous years following the Burmese sacking of the former Siamese capital of Ayutthaya in 1767. Originally established on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River (known as Thonburi), the capital was later moved to the eastern side (Old City or Rattanakosin). As a result, the Thonburi side is much less developed. A series of 'khlongs' (canals) branch off into local neighborhoods where communities still live above the water, and where life takes place on the waterline. On the other side, too, many of the 'khlongs' that formerly formed a major transportation network still exist - the reason Bangkok was dubbed 'The Venice of the East' by early explorers. Even today it is still possible to catch a water taxi from the center of the city to the riverside.
Silom
Who would have thought that an empty, swamp-like field with a tall 'silom' (windmill) stuck in the middle would somehow become Bangkok's equivalent to New York's Wall Street? Today, Silom (by day anyway) is undoubtedly one of the city's most important financial districts with many bank headquarters, financial institutions and office buildings. Fine hotels, smaller type malls and great restaurants abound in the area too - and then of course there's the infamous nightlife scene of Patpong.
It is no wonder that Bangkok's two most sophisticated mass transportation systems - the Skytrain (BTS) and underground - both have Silom connections, which are also conveniently connected by the walkway between MRT Silom and BTS Sala Daeng stations. Siam, Chidlom, Ploenchit, Sathorn, and the riverside are all located close to Silom, usually only a few BTS stations away.
What makes Silom unique though is the interesting mix of people who roam the streets, and a quite different 'day crowd' to an 'after dark' crowd too. Silom is one of the most cosmopolitan areas of Bangkok, and normally ranks very high on most visitors' to-do-lists. And with good reason. Patpong has after all been featured in a James Bond chase, and in a scene of the hippie cult movie 'The Beach'.
Apart from the famous Patpong Night Market and go-go scene, Silom is also home to a smattering of gay or gay-friendly venues, making it the city's 'rainbow hub'. Day or (especially) night, the streets of Silom provide endless entertainment and amusement, from blind singers and 'katoeys' to pavement and alley vendors selling pretty much anything you can imagine, legit or not, authentic or replicated.
