An exotic blend of the traditional East with the modern West, Bangkok’s every street has a surprise in hold for everyone. Ramshackle buildings next to exotic temples surrounded by delightful gardens, which in turn are overlooked by modern hotels and offices. Bangkok has emerged as a major world city with the traffic to match, as well as the must needed mobile phones and designer clothes that are a prominent feature on the streets. The chaos on the streets is mirrored by the busy traffic on the Chao Phraya River, which dissects the city and is crisscrossed by long-tailed boats, river taxis and small rowing boats, all somehow missing each other.
But the traditional Thai life is never far away. The saffron-robed monks can still be seen collecting their alms, while just moments from the city centre huge communities live in stilt houses by the river, eking out a living using skills that have not changed in centuries.