By Rama Gaind.
Scenic night view across Bangkok, Thailand’s most populous city with a population of more than 9.5 million. Well-known landmarks include Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, Grand Palace, Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).
Thailand is amazing! This kingdom-destination continues to emulate its slogan as travel accolades keep cascading into the repository of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Also significant is an emerging valuable co-relation between Thailand, India — and Australia.
Earlier this year, Thailand won the ‘Best Foreign Destination 2019’ Award at the South Asia Tours and Travels Exhibition 2019 in New Delhi, India. Last November, the Thai capital of Bangkok won the top honour as the Best City — International category in the seventh edition of India’s Best Awards conferred by the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia.
Understandably, TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, said: “We are very proud to be recognised thus by senior leaders and executives of India’s top travel institutions. It will go a long way to bolster our strong marketing and promotional efforts across India”.
Ranked fifth in terms of tourist arrivals, India is one of Thailand’s top 10 sources of visitors, and one of the growing club of countries that generate more than one million visitors a year. From January–November 2018, Thailand received 1.42 million visitors from India, up by 12% over the same period in 2017. They generated an estimated 63 billion Baht in tourism revenue, up by 31%.
Indian leisure travellers generally go shopping and sightseeing in Bangkok and Pattaya with an increasing number also heading to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Chiang Rai, Krabi, Ayutthaya and Ko Chang (Trat).
Mariamman Temple (also called Maha Uma Devi Temple) is a south Indian architecture style Hindu temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple’s facade features
strikingly elaborate, multi-coloured carved images of deities in different shapes and sizes. A six-metre-high gopura, or tower, is at the entrance to the temple.
Photo: Rama Gaind
This year, Thailand shared the ‘Best Foreign Destination 2019’ Award with Australia from a shortlist of 11 countries.
A marked increase has also been evident recently with a rise in the number of Indian film-makers, MICE delegates, wedding parties and honeymooners in Thailand.
Anantara highlights
When it comes to choosing a hotel in the Thai capital, don’t look any further than the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort. A luxurious riverfront choice for lovers of peace and relaxation, you can kick back in the tranquil surroundings secure in the knowledge that Bangkok’s bright lights and colourful markets are just a quick drive away, should you feel the urge to splurge.
Nestled on the west bank of the majestic Chao Phraya River, it is an oasis of calm in the bustling city. Located on the river’s west bank in the midst of more than four hectacres of greenery, this Anantara complex offers urban serenity entwined with authentic discoveries.
Partake of happy hour at Loy Nam Bar, be game and try a couple of the several kinds of saki on offer at the Behihana or step into Numero Uno and be tempted by the smells of freshly, brewed coffee and rich chocolate. You’ll be amazed to learn that there are over 300 different types of chocolate available!
The sprawling complex has many eateries so you will not be short of dining options.
Unwind at the fitness centre and sauna, indulge in some retail therapy in-house at the Jim Thompson boutique or play a spot of tennis before heading to the swimming pool and jacuzzi for a cocktail at the swim-up bar. Have a special treatment at the Anantara spa where pampering has been elevated to an art form.
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, with views across Thailand’s capital.
Admire the ‘River of Kings’ while on a Manohra Cruise. You’ll savour Thailand’s finest regional specialties, whilst passing some of Bangkok’s most famous cultural landmarks along the historic Chao Phraya River.
You’ll be fascinated to learn Manohra’s cruise fleet of restored antique rice barges are built with elegant teak wood and crafted in the traditional rua krachaeng style, meaning ‘boat with canopy’. These deep-hulled hardwood vessels were once the primary mode of transport on the river.
The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple (Temple of the Dawn) with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.
Alternatively, hop on an Anantara shuttle boat to connect with the charms of the city. Discover the real Bangkok with the hotel’s Streetwise Guru. This custom experience takes you beyond tourist highlights to uncover lesser-known attractions. Led by the Streetwise Guru, wander through alleys or hop on a tuk-tuk, riverboat or sky train. Sample the capital’s best street foods — from duck noodles to barbecued pork — and shop at local markets. Meet traditional alms bowl craftsmen and community elders, discovering the city as it’s lived and loved by its own residents.
See the sights of Bangkok cruising the Chao Phraya River in a long-tail boat. The riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night: water-taxis ferrying commuters and heavily-laden rice barges chugging upstream, set against a backdrop of glittering temples and palaces, historical landmarks and luxury, five-star hotels. Photo: Rama Gaind
For a more adventurous kind of fun, get acquainted with the city’s pulsating street life on a customised tuk-tuk escapade or soak up the sights and sounds of river culture aboard a traditional long-tail boat. If bargain hunting is your forte, then hop on one of the resort’s shuttle boats to Saphan Taksin skytrain station which links to the city’s prime shopping districts.
Bollywood connection
Thailand is a fascinating mix of nature’s beauty, friendly people and remarkable culture. It’s a top location for shooting films with pristine blue beaches, adventure sport activities, striking temples and other picturesque treasures. These are some of the reasons why a good number of Indian movies and television commercials have been shot in this marvellous tourist destination.
Bollywood producers have a drawcard: encouraging more films to be shot in Thailand is a strategic objective of the TAT as it seeks to promote the kingdom as a quality destination. Top locations for international film shooting in Thailand are Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Thailand has all the elements to make it a wonderful visual treat for filmmakers. From white sandy beaches to amazing rock formations and from gleaming mountains to lush green forests, Thailand is really endowed with amazing natural splendour. Among the Hindi films shot in Thailand are Thugs of Hindostan, Veere Di Wedding, Ek Tha Tiger, Ready, Kaho Naa … Pyaar Hai, Ready and Student of the Year.
Include a visit to Phahurat Market, in Little India, while in Bangkok. Put shopping on your itinerary, along with eating out … and tempt your tastebuds with tasty sticky rice pudding. A landmark of the area is the golden-domed, Siri Guru Singh Sabha (Sikh) temple. Photo: Rama Gaind
‘The Land of Smiles’ is also the best destination for Indian weddings. It is an idyllic place that beholds the wonders of flourishing mountains, rich lands and the cleanest of sandy beaches. Pristine water flows from the Andaman Sea towards the west and the Gulf of Thailand towards the east. Experts say “Thailand is and will continue to be a preferred destination for Indian weddings because of its proximity to India, its unparalleled hospitality, and the value for money if offers”.
Another connection to India is Madame Tussauds Bangkok. The wax museum, in the Siam Discovery shopping centre, houses one of the biggest collections of Bollywood superstars including — Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
Tussauds is where you can make the most of a revolutionary concept: be photographed as you touch, hug or even kiss the superstar wax exhibits!
Two renowned writers — Mark Twain and Henry Miller — had the right idea about dispelling myths. While Twain said “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness”, Miller put a trip into perspective: “one’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”.
DETAILS BOX
Travel
Tourism Authority of Thailand
T: (02) 9247 7549
W: www.tourismthailand.org
Thai Airways International
T: 1300 651 960
Thai Airways International flies daily from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth to Thailand with onward domestic connections.
Bangkok Airways
Stay & cruise
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
257, 1-3 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khwaeng Samre, Khet Thon Buri, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand
T: +66 2 476 0022
W: www.anantara.com/en/riverside-bangkok
Manohra Cruises
257 Charoennakorn Road,Samrae Thonburi Khwaeng Samre, Khet Thon Buri, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand
T: +66 2 477 0770
