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Bangkok - there is absolutely no other city like it in the world. Lively it is - and it is full of life...everywhere.

BANGKOK, THAILAND

Dave
2004-02-22 13:28:30

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and you are admitted to the main part of the station. You keep this card with you until you leave the Sky Train - in order to get out of the gates you insert the card into a slot and the gates open for you.

Walking is a cheap way to get around Bangkok, however, wear something quite lightweight due to the heat and humidity. Be sure to carry with you some sort of fluid so that you do not get dehydrated while walking. Most men do not wear shorts on the streets of Bangkok. There are several places you can get maps of Bangkok. Travel authorities at the airport should have maps of Bangkok as well as your hotel.

The Chao Phraya River is the largest and most central river running through Bangkok. Often times in the rainy season this river is quite dark looking from all the sediment runoff. I have also seen large piles of green plants floating down the middle in which birds seemed to have made these their temporary homes. There are many piers located along the edge of this river. Many small stands, usually fish and fruit vendors, congregate along here. The river ferry is an inexpensive method of transportation to reach sights and attractions that are located along this river. It makes stops at most of the piers located along the river. There are also several places in which boats will cross the river such as between Wat Po and Wat Arun.

Another type of unique boat operates along this river and is called the long-tail. These wooden very colorful boats contain several benches in the front while in the back is a huge engine with a long shaft that contains a motorized propeller at the end which extends from the end of the boat into the water. The controller of the boat steers by moving this long shaft back and forth in the water. These boats are available for rent and touring but are more expensive than the ferry service. These boats tend to take 1 or 2 hour trips for the tourists visiting the main river and several of the side canals - perhaps stopping at attractions along the way. The long tails also make trips down the side canals - not just along the main Chao Phraya River.