Bangkok
October 6th 2006 08:56
Welcome back to Thailand...
Queen Sirikit is the patron of "the Support Foundation" whose aim is to nurture the continuation of traditional handicrafts in Thailand. Among these is the making of "Sa'" paper-a distinctive ripple surface paper made from mulberry leaves used by artists. You can see examples of the craft and texture of paintings on the website: www.mulberrysquare.com. Other crafts include the world renowned Thai silk fabric made into garments, accessories and figurines, woven products using wool with silk for traditional costumes including the thai 'sash', or delicate table covers and elaborate wall hangings. Jewellery making with precious stones. or silver table settings and cutlery can be found all around the capital.
Many factories are open for the public to visit and see first-hand the intricate work involved.
The night market in Bangkok- Suan Lim- near Silom Road provides a relatively convenient place to view or buy handicrafts. I like to go after having a good meal as you will soon get hungry while browsing the rows of stalls. Be sure to keep a note of favourite locations as there are many stalls selling similar merchandise and the streets look the same! I generally view first and go back to purchase later unless of course, the item is a 'one off'. The grounds are enclosed, behind large gates. Taxis drive right up to the streets of stalls. Finding a taxi to leave the market is easy as they are continually driving in with new sightseers-- remember to use metered taxis.
Bangkok is a great place to stock up on gifts for special occasions or the festive season.
Handmade christmas cards, assorted gift bags and boxes, colorful wrappings and decorative floral shaped candles help to dress up your purchase.
Some of my 'best buys'?... thai silk scarves in assorted colors and designs, a handpainted metal letterbox, a large cat-shaped basket made of paper mache, a 'hill tribe' hand stiched skirt, and silk covered trinket boxes. Wood carvings are attractive and plentiful..be sure to check that you can bring wood items back home!
I still search each trip for the automatic egg boiler that I saw in a hotel...it was metal with catches on the side bars, with three little mesh bottomed 'baskets' attached to metal chains on a crossbar above an electric oval metal bowl. When a catch was moved down a notch (representing a minute of cooking time), a basket was gently lowered into the pan of boiling water and then raised according to the time set for cooking....useful and entertaining to watch!
While Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city where international cuisines are available, I make a point of trying local food- there is nothing like eating the real thing! There are wonderful little restaurants offering a whole new world of tastes and aromas. If you cannot take food too spicy, it is best to ask for less or milder chilli! For a first time traveller it is nice to try a fish market where you buy all the fresh ingredients required for a meal- this is then taken to the kitchen area, where you can have it cooked to order - fried, grilled, stir fried or steamed with a choice of seasoning. It may be a bit pricey tho'.
Take a trip to a supermarket and marvel at the different foods available. Seafood is always impressive and very fresh. Some supermarkets have little stalls inside to buy hot snacks or light luncheons where local office people dine.
Enjoy a ride up the river in a rice barge. These can be hired for functions and some provide catering on board. It is a good way to 'get your bearings' and enjoy the sight of elaborate temples and the city skyline from the best vantage point. Hotels on the river have their own little jettys and motorboats to take guests around.
I always like to watch the 'original' siamese cats strolling around inner city streets. These appealing rounder-bodied, moon faced creatures with blue eyes and dark tipped ears are so different to the slender 'yowling' indoor ones we are more used to seeing nowadays. The original siamese cats are those represented in wood carvings.
For those visiting Bangkok for the first time I recommend going to the Pavillion building next door to the Arnoma Hotel. You will have a glimpse of everything clever Thai artisans make all under one roof. Upstairs there are elaborate furniture settings, musical instruments, pottery, buddhas and paintings- while the lower floors and basement house everything from clothing to artificial flowers, luggage and bags, candles, papergoods, silver and antiques. There is conveniently a money changer just outside the main door. This shopping centre has a 'fixed price' policy- so no bargaining! If you want to try out your bargaining skill- visit outdoor markets.
Every trip to Bangkok provides another new 'find', it is an alluring city that hums with activity all day long. The traffic jams still require that you allow a lot of time to get from place to place.
Another good thing about visiting Bangkok is the affordability.
It is definately is a city worth walking around to take in everything. It is also a place of great changes...each visit there are new buildings and shopping malls.
One thing is constant...its welcoming heart.
Next week: la bella Roma
Queen Sirikit is the patron of "the Support Foundation" whose aim is to nurture the continuation of traditional handicrafts in Thailand. Among these is the making of "Sa'" paper-a distinctive ripple surface paper made from mulberry leaves used by artists. You can see examples of the craft and texture of paintings on the website: www.mulberrysquare.com. Other crafts include the world renowned Thai silk fabric made into garments, accessories and figurines, woven products using wool with silk for traditional costumes including the thai 'sash', or delicate table covers and elaborate wall hangings. Jewellery making with precious stones. or silver table settings and cutlery can be found all around the capital.
The night market in Bangkok- Suan Lim- near Silom Road provides a relatively convenient place to view or buy handicrafts. I like to go after having a good meal as you will soon get hungry while browsing the rows of stalls. Be sure to keep a note of favourite locations as there are many stalls selling similar merchandise and the streets look the same! I generally view first and go back to purchase later unless of course, the item is a 'one off'. The grounds are enclosed, behind large gates. Taxis drive right up to the streets of stalls. Finding a taxi to leave the market is easy as they are continually driving in with new sightseers-- remember to use metered taxis.
Bangkok is a great place to stock up on gifts for special occasions or the festive season.
Handmade christmas cards, assorted gift bags and boxes, colorful wrappings and decorative floral shaped candles help to dress up your purchase.
Some of my 'best buys'?... thai silk scarves in assorted colors and designs, a handpainted metal letterbox, a large cat-shaped basket made of paper mache, a 'hill tribe' hand stiched skirt, and silk covered trinket boxes. Wood carvings are attractive and plentiful..be sure to check that you can bring wood items back home!
I still search each trip for the automatic egg boiler that I saw in a hotel...it was metal with catches on the side bars, with three little mesh bottomed 'baskets' attached to metal chains on a crossbar above an electric oval metal bowl. When a catch was moved down a notch (representing a minute of cooking time), a basket was gently lowered into the pan of boiling water and then raised according to the time set for cooking....useful and entertaining to watch!
While Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city where international cuisines are available, I make a point of trying local food- there is nothing like eating the real thing! There are wonderful little restaurants offering a whole new world of tastes and aromas. If you cannot take food too spicy, it is best to ask for less or milder chilli! For a first time traveller it is nice to try a fish market where you buy all the fresh ingredients required for a meal- this is then taken to the kitchen area, where you can have it cooked to order - fried, grilled, stir fried or steamed with a choice of seasoning. It may be a bit pricey tho'.
Take a trip to a supermarket and marvel at the different foods available. Seafood is always impressive and very fresh. Some supermarkets have little stalls inside to buy hot snacks or light luncheons where local office people dine.
Enjoy a ride up the river in a rice barge. These can be hired for functions and some provide catering on board. It is a good way to 'get your bearings' and enjoy the sight of elaborate temples and the city skyline from the best vantage point. Hotels on the river have their own little jettys and motorboats to take guests around.
I always like to watch the 'original' siamese cats strolling around inner city streets. These appealing rounder-bodied, moon faced creatures with blue eyes and dark tipped ears are so different to the slender 'yowling' indoor ones we are more used to seeing nowadays. The original siamese cats are those represented in wood carvings.
For those visiting Bangkok for the first time I recommend going to the Pavillion building next door to the Arnoma Hotel. You will have a glimpse of everything clever Thai artisans make all under one roof. Upstairs there are elaborate furniture settings, musical instruments, pottery, buddhas and paintings- while the lower floors and basement house everything from clothing to artificial flowers, luggage and bags, candles, papergoods, silver and antiques. There is conveniently a money changer just outside the main door. This shopping centre has a 'fixed price' policy- so no bargaining! If you want to try out your bargaining skill- visit outdoor markets.
Every trip to Bangkok provides another new 'find', it is an alluring city that hums with activity all day long. The traffic jams still require that you allow a lot of time to get from place to place.
Another good thing about visiting Bangkok is the affordability.
It is definately is a city worth walking around to take in everything. It is also a place of great changes...each visit there are new buildings and shopping malls.
One thing is constant...its welcoming heart.
Next week: la bella Roma
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