Bangkok
Thailand's capital city is a busy, crazy bustling metropolis which a lot of people use only as a stopover to other places. But if you stop and take the time to see the city, you'll find a fascinating place worth exploring.
Lebua Hotel
View from the Lebua Hotel
Lebua is one of the most exclusive hotels in Bangkok, and was made more famous by the second Hangover film.
Suite at the Lebua Hotel
The hotel offers beautiful rooms, great restaurants and incredible views of the city - especially from its world famous Sky Bar on the roof. The drinks and food are easily in the bracket of the most expensive in the city though.
Hangover II making the Lebua Hotel even more famous
The pool at the Lebua Hotel
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bangkok. Unfortunately though I never got chance to enter the grounds properly, due to being underprepared with my clothing. All the temples I visited in Thailand allowed me to enter wearing my long shorts, yet here they did not. There is a rental facility, but it has very long queues so be warned.
The Grand Palace
I have a few other bug-bears with the Grand Palace. Their dress code does not seem to apply to Thai's, as does an entrance fee. It's 500 baht for a non-Thai person to enter (this is a huge sum of money in Thailand, and it's free for Thai people to enter.
The Grand Palace
My final problem with The Grand Palace is the number of scammers and con artists that seem to be allowed to hang around outside the palace trying to scam tourists.
As you walk around the outside of the grounds people will approach you - quite official looking people who might be in a tie or even carry ID. They will tell you one of a number of things, for example that the temple is closed today (it isn't), that you can't walk in that direction as it's for Thai people only (it isn't), or that your clothing isn't appropriate for entry to the temple (it may or may not be, but that's not the point). In all these cases they are trying to engage with you, so they can suggest that you go on a tour with them. If you do go (I didn't thankfully but have since Googled this), you are likely to end up in an over-priced tuk-tuk at a gem shop. DO NOT GO!
It is such a pity that this practice is so obvious and common outside the palace. It taints what is a beautiful palace and a beautiful country.
Wat Pho
Me in Wat Pho
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is probably the best site to visit in Bangkok. The site is a beautiful series of temples, it costs only 100 Baht to get in, there's no dress code, and your ticket includes a free bottle of water!
Wat Pho
Wat Pho
Wat Pho
Wat Arun
Wat Arun
Another beautiful temple in Bangkok, set night next to the river.
Anthony Carlile