Bangkok--Thanksgiving 2019

- December 01, 2019

Bangkok

Thanksgiving 2019

Here are our Top Ten favorite things about the long weekend in Bangkok. For each category, there are two or three photos. Scroll down to the end to see the rest.

Remember, you can click on any photo to view them in scrollable, large format.

Walking

Our preferred activity on city visits of this sort is walking. Our iPhone health app tells us we took around 19,000 steps a day. This sort of activity builds appetite, and what better place than Bangkok to satisfy it!

Mediterranean Market Square

After a walk along a bustling 5th Avenue-esque boulevard (exaggeration acknowledged), we came across a quaint little market square, shaded by soft green of lovely trees, bustling with a food and craft market. At one end, a cafe with two small tables overlooking the scene. The coffee was prepared with such care and slow steps, its goodness was guaranteed. On a hot day, this oasis was perfect.

Coconuts

Coconut milk is a refreshing drink in a hot climate. The flavor evolves in a consistent wave over the palate.

Spiced Coffee Cafe by the Reclining Buddha

Flower Market

Like India, Thailand values flowers for their colors, aromas, and mystical properties. It is marigold season, and orange petals of this pungent flower are offered at temples everywhere (along with plates of fresh fruit). The Chinatown flower market was a cool, glowing labyrinth. From what hundreds of corners of Bangkok would all the customers come to buy them up? We're sure these folks know their business. The customers will come.

Food

Terrific food everywhere. Street vendors of all descriptions, corner restaurants with terrific menus, restaurants with great views, and on and on. Bangkok is definitely a city to thrives on its food. Everywhere you look, people are eating all the time.

The River

The Orange Boat

For 15 Thai baht (about 50 cents), you can ride the Orange Boat any distance it travels. It's like a city bus, taken by working people and tourists alike. The pilot flies it like an airplane from dock to dock, aided by the whistles of an assistant at the stern.

Diane's Corner Restaurant

Friendly People

The Thai people are the epitome of graciousness. People speak softly, often with hands clasped in a gesture of prayer, always smiling. People go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. (I wonder what they're like at home. Do they drop all that with family and friends? Or are they so gracious all the time? We don't know.)