Avani Travel Diary – Bangkok, Thailand by FomefommeLog

This Bangkok itinerary will be of particular interest to photographers and art aficionados. Start at the Central Post Office at Bangrak. Best captured in diffused morning light, the Art Deco-style building stands in stark contrast with surrounding architecture. Directly opposite, the TCDC complex (Thailand Creative & Design Centre) hosts rotating art exhibitions. Visit the rooftop observation platform for some interesting skyline photography.

Charoen Krung – Bangkok’s street art district, is a filmstrip of striking murals. To make the most of your time here, come in the evening when parked cars are not blocking the view. The area is also home to Warehouse 30 on Soi Charoenkrung 30 — a hip community complex with restaurants, cafes, cinemas, craft shops, and fashion boutiques. The place is open for the public to shop, eat, and chill every day from 11 am to 8 pm.

A 10-minute walk from the warehouse, on the grounds of Suakularb School, the Holy Rosary Church is the perfect spot to recharge your batteries and enjoy a quiet afternoon on the river. The elegant interior of this Catholic church always makes me feel like I could be in another city. The building sits right on the bank of the Chao Phraya River and my best exterior shots are always the ones taken in late afternoon.

To wrap up your perfect Bangkok day, head to SEEN Restaurant & Bar Bangkok. (You can’t say you’ve truly experienced Bangkok unless you’ve toasted the setting sun at one of its rooftop bars.) To get there, hop on a complimentary Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort shuttle boat at the BTS Taksin pier. From this spectacular rooftop bar on the 26th floor of Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, you can see the three “curves” of the river, the Asiatique Ferris wheel, the Krungthep Bridge, and other landmarks. The best time to come here is just before sunset when the Art Deco bar is bathed in magical golden light.

Pre-Travel Guide for Bangkok, Thailand

• Thai Baht

Best Time to Visit Bangkok

• Between November and February, Bangkok enjoys the “cool” season when the heat and humidity are at their lowest. This is a good time to visit if you enjoy long walks and exploring on foot.

How to Get to Bangkok

• Flight: Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (IATA: DMK) are the two international airports serving Bangkok. They are linked by free shuttle buses and can be reached from central Bangkok by various modes of transport.
• Train: The four main rail lines are all anchored at the historic Hua Lamphong railway station near Chinatown in downtown Bangkok. For timetables, fares, and online bookings, please visit http://www.railway.co.th.
• Bus: Tickets can be purchased directly at Bangkok's three public bus terminals. Each of these long-haul bus terminals serves a different direction.

How to Get Around Bangkok

• The best way to get around Bangkok is by skytrain (BTS) or metro (MRT), which is fast, affordable, and easily navigable for visitors. Taxis and raid-hailing options are fairly cheap but gridlock is a regular issue. Ferries crisscrossing the Chao Phraya River and the Khlong Saen Saep boat service — a water bus through the city's commercial districts — are also popular.

 Helpful Local Words

• Sawadee khrup (for male)/Sawadee ka (for female) – Hello
• Khop khun khrup (for male)/Khop khun ka (for female) – Thank you
• Chai – Yes
• Mai – No
• Aroy – Delicious