Yuvone - Bangkok trip - Day 2, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of The Emerald Buddha), Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok Thailand, A lot of first time visitors aren't quite sure what to expect when first arriving in the capital of exotic Thailand, and some may be disappointed by their first impressions on the way into town - endless high rise buildings, busy expressway flyovers and billboards of western companies advertising in English. Yet while Bangkok has undoubtedly embraced westernization and modernization, you only need to look a little under the surface to see that it remains undeniably a Thai place at heart. In between the skyscrapers and sophisticated shopping centers there's still the remarkable Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace , the Temple of the Dawn and many more. Traditions live on too: don't be surprised, for example, to find a large dedicated spirit house built for good luck alongside almost every major building, or to see files of Buddhist monks making their early morning alms round - and it's surely one of the only major cities in the world where seeing an elephant paraded round the streets hardly even ranks as being unusual.
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok, ThailandWat Phra Kaew Bangkok Thailand, Amidst all of this is what many find one of Asia's most interesting and exciting cities, but it does have it's fair share of problems also - not least of which is the heat. Due to it's location in the tropics, Bangkok's average day time temperature is rarely much below 30 degrees centigrade at any time of year and the night time temperature is not much cooler. The maximum temperature can occasionally top 40 degrees during the hot season in April / May, when it is, not surprisingly, the low season for tourism. Despite the temperature, it is not all that sunny in Bangkok and most days are grey and overcast - meaning many visitors are surprised when they first walk outside Bangkok airport and discover that what appeared to be a cold, cloudy day is actually uncomfortably hot.
The heat, combined with the humidity and pollution, makes walking a sizable distance in Bangkok almost impossible, and breaking into a sweat after only a couple of hundred meters almost inevitable. The Thai people themselves will rarely walk any significant distance and there's a very large number of cars, buses, taxis and tuk-tuks to help them get about.
At Suan Lum Foodcourt, I bought 600baht (about RM60) food voucher before approached to food stall (for 2person - me and my bf) and my sis and her hubby bought another 500baht food voucher we order our own favourite food seperately
We ordered tom yum kung(70bht) and kai lan vege(50bht), thai's satay(90bht), crab (300bht - big size) and 2 drinks - Longan blended. The tom yum kung and kai lan tasted so yummy, but the satay tasted so so only, I prefer Malaysia ones, much better. Dish that I like most was the BBQ crab, fantastic! In their menu, they do recommended crab cooked in black pepper sauce but I felt weird, finally I decided to order BBQ crab, hmmm... really missed the nice BBQ crab! My sis also ordered tum yum kung from other stall, I ordered at the 1st stall.. their tum yum kung tasted so so only...they did ordered spring roll as well and som tam (mango salad), yeah tasted good! The balance of the food voucher that we bought can be refund.
Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok
With a mixture of well-dressed, fresh-from-the-office Thais and expats alongside fisherman-pants-clad tourists, Suan Lum could best be described as the VIP outdoor market of Bangkok (where you're always welcome, of course).
Covered walkways with centrally-located snack bars provide perhaps the most up-to-the-minute (outdoor) market shopping experience in the city. Several bars along with Thai, Italian, German, and even Mexican restaurants are conveniently within the market area; close enough to take in the crowd while enjoying a drink, yet away from the market's hustle and bustle. In the same area, dinner shows featuring classical Thai puppetry can be enjoyed at the famous Joe Louis Puppet Theatre.
On the other side of the market's curious Khmer-looking temple walkway is a large outdoor beer garden, food court, and concert venue all rolled into one. Here one can indulge in an assortment of international and Thai beers and food, with international fare such as Japanese (yakitori and Asahi) or German (sausage, Paulaner, etc). The beer and food are accompanied by live Thai cover bands performing the latest local and international hits and, after a few drinks with friends, head out to one of Silom's many nightclubs.
What to Buy in Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Suan Lum Night Bazaar is the ideal place for nocturnal shoppers, but as at any large market you have to do the leg work to be able to separate the junk from the gems. The fringes of the market are generally loaded with generic Thailand tokens such as counterfeit T-shirts, backpacking uniforms and bags, ethnic jewellery, trinkets, fairy lights and quirky homeware. Beachwear, flip-flops, trainers, miniature tuks-tuks made from the remnants of coca cola cans, tapestries, canvases adorned will saffron-clad Buddhist monks are all common.
Some of this stuff is pretty decent but if you think it isn’t the right price then attempt to barter it down. Once you enter the dense warren of shops, it’s almost an un-navigable bizarre and you’re best orientated by what stands on the outskirts eg a restaurant or pedestrian pathway.
Fashion
Suan Lum is a unique shopping experience in every sense of the word. This is true not only of the goods to be found, but the entire process of buying from an independent trader defies the whole super-brand culture we have become so accustomed to. What the market lacks in the way of air-conditioned changing rooms, and perfectly arranged window displays it more than makes up for in its creative layout and equally impressive attire that you won’t find elsewhere. This is also fertile ground for finding designer-inspired goods with their own unique twists, all at affordable prices.
Everyone – men, women, boys and girls are well catered for here. Many of the stalls adopt striking identities creating boutique like spaces for their clothes which range from quirky one of a kind pieces to indie-kid uniforms, rare vintage finds to some seriously, glam get-up . The Lopburi zone is like Siam Square’s edgier relative – with lots of fresh, young and up-and-coming designers that could well be hitting the catwalks in the future.
Furniture and Home Accessories
If you are interested in picking up some classic teakwood delights or pop-influenced furniture – worry not, you’re in the right place. At the back of the Night Bazaar you will find the Outlet Zone, which is dedicated to furniture and light fixtures. Keeping with the multi-coloured theme that plays throughout the central market, the Outlet Zone is home to bigger spaces displaying various types of furniture ranging from from bold contemporary to more subdued classics. A number of quirky light fixtures can also be found around here.
Art and Design
You can choose from a selection of contemporary and traditionally Thai-inspired canvases, postcards and small frames in Suan Lum. The market takes on the form as a commercial outlet for Bangkok’s creative set and comes highly recommended for those who enjoy buying art without spending astronomical amounts of money. Buddhist -inspired sculptures and teakwood furnishings are also commonly sought around Suan Lum. Usually most shops that sell weighty objects are happy to help arrange shipping back to your respective country.
CDs and DVDs
DVDs and CDs can easily be found at the Night Bazaar, but are not as common as you might expect. Speckled around the outskirts of the market are a handful of vendors selling the latest DVD releases in film and TV. You can also pick up Asian films and TV series. There is a CD store near the Khmer-style building that specializes in dance music, with some good international and homegrown mixes to be found here.
Jewelry
Suan Lum offers more than standard souvenir-style jewelry. You should expect to come across many of the accessories found and worn at backpacker destinations such as embroidered bracelets, chunky beads and turquoise stones. The market is also good for more classic knock offs such as the Tiffany Charm bracelets. When you venture in to the maze of stalls, you’re more likely to encounter sturdy silver pieces and rare stones. Men’s watches are rife, especially counterfeit Rolexes that pass off as the genuine article to the untrained eye.
What to Do in Suan Lum Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar is not all about shopping till you drop (although for most people it is). If you are not in the mood for trawling around the market in intense heat, it is entirely understandable. Alternatives include slipping off to enjoy a relaxing massage in an air-conditioned room, taking in a beer and a bite to eat or even a traditional Thai puppet show for those seeking some traditional culture. Next door to Suan Lum is the Lumpini Boxing Stadium where temperatures, voices and legs soar – a popular attraction for many of Bangkok’s visitors who are keen to see professional Muay Thai fighters exhibit ‘the science of eight limbs’.
Fish Spa
Forget salt scrubs, foot files and rubs; the Fish Doctor is where you’re going get the smoothest soles on your feet. Here we have a real feet treat; fish spas – originating in Japan offer a thorough alternative to the key part of any skin-beautifying regime, exfoliation
At the time of counting Suan Lum has three fish spas, where tourists and locals queue to immerse themselves in a pool of ravenous creatures, and for what? Forget salt scrubs, foot files and rubs – the Fish Doctor is where you’re going get the smoothest soles on your feet.
Massage
There are over a dozen massage parlors scattered around Suan Lum, offering the perfect antidote to the sore feet and aching joints often experienced after a day of exploring sweltering Bangkok. An oil massage shouldn’t cost any more than 350 baht and Thai massage 300 baht. We highly recommend a good foot massage and it is likely you will need one. Justremember the all important Thai phrases ‘Jep’, the Thai word for pain, and ‘Bao-bao’ meaning ‘softer’.
Fortune Telling
Fortune tellers (Mor Doo), are extremely popular amongst the Thai people who consider these “all seeing” doctors to be able to cure their spiritual ills and prevent any future mishaps. Many even entrust them with the daunting task of naming their children in an attempt to have a lucky name. The teller at Suan Lum speaks English to a good standard, which is fortunate as to be able to converse openly and freely with the teller is a definite positive.
Tattoo
In Thailand, tattoos are assumed to confer qualities, such as protection, good luck and blessings. You will notice that many Thais have Buddhist tattoos; these are thought to fend off evil spirits and are often applied for a small fee by a monk. Here in Lumpini, the tattooists are inclined to apply tattoos that are less religiously affiliated. Perhaps you’d like something that will remind you of that trip of a lifetime in Thailand? We suggest that you look around and see what each parlour has to offer.
After shopping for the whole day, we really felt tired and not much energy to walk. We shop until 12.30 midnight. We decided to go for a foots and body massage to relief tiredness and get ourself fresh for our 3rd day journey...shopping again!
Inside Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok, ThailandWat Phra Kaew Bangkok Thailand, Amidst all of this is what many find one of Asia's most interesting and exciting cities, but it does have it's fair share of problems also - not least of which is the heat. Due to it's location in the tropics, Bangkok's average day time temperature is rarely much below 30 degrees centigrade at any time of year and the night time temperature is not much cooler. The maximum temperature can occasionally top 40 degrees during the hot season in April / May, when it is, not surprisingly, the low season for tourism. Despite the temperature, it is not all that sunny in Bangkok and most days are grey and overcast - meaning many visitors are surprised when they first walk outside Bangkok airport and discover that what appeared to be a cold, cloudy day is actually uncomfortably hot.
The heat, combined with the humidity and pollution, makes walking a sizable distance in Bangkok almost impossible, and breaking into a sweat after only a couple of hundred meters almost inevitable. The Thai people themselves will rarely walk any significant distance and there's a very large number of cars, buses, taxis and tuk-tuks to help them get about.
Source : into-asia.com
Photo with a blessing
Clear all my bad luck away!!
Nice Backgroung right!
Yes Sir!
Ok, enough of snapping photos. Getting tired and hungry, we are heading to Suan Lum Night Bazzar for dinner then shopping...Wohooo!At Suan Lum Foodcourt, I bought 600baht (about RM60) food voucher before approached to food stall (for 2person - me and my bf) and my sis and her hubby bought another 500baht food voucher we order our own favourite food seperately
We ordered tom yum kung(70bht) and kai lan vege(50bht), thai's satay(90bht), crab (300bht - big size) and 2 drinks - Longan blended. The tom yum kung and kai lan tasted so yummy, but the satay tasted so so only, I prefer Malaysia ones, much better. Dish that I like most was the BBQ crab, fantastic! In their menu, they do recommended crab cooked in black pepper sauce but I felt weird, finally I decided to order BBQ crab, hmmm... really missed the nice BBQ crab! My sis also ordered tum yum kung from other stall, I ordered at the 1st stall.. their tum yum kung tasted so so only...they did ordered spring roll as well and som tam (mango salad), yeah tasted good! The balance of the food voucher that we bought can be refund.
Foodcourt at Suan Lum Night Bazaar
This are what me and my bf ordered for dinner
Fried Popiah and Mango Salad
Tom Yum Kung
Grilled Crab
Yummy..yummy...our dinner
My favourite Grilled Crab
Tom Yum Kung, Satays, Grilled Crab, Kai Lan and Longan Blended Drink
Bangkok Night BazaarSuan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok
With a mixture of well-dressed, fresh-from-the-office Thais and expats alongside fisherman-pants-clad tourists, Suan Lum could best be described as the VIP outdoor market of Bangkok (where you're always welcome, of course).
Covered walkways with centrally-located snack bars provide perhaps the most up-to-the-minute (outdoor) market shopping experience in the city. Several bars along with Thai, Italian, German, and even Mexican restaurants are conveniently within the market area; close enough to take in the crowd while enjoying a drink, yet away from the market's hustle and bustle. In the same area, dinner shows featuring classical Thai puppetry can be enjoyed at the famous Joe Louis Puppet Theatre.
On the other side of the market's curious Khmer-looking temple walkway is a large outdoor beer garden, food court, and concert venue all rolled into one. Here one can indulge in an assortment of international and Thai beers and food, with international fare such as Japanese (yakitori and Asahi) or German (sausage, Paulaner, etc). The beer and food are accompanied by live Thai cover bands performing the latest local and international hits and, after a few drinks with friends, head out to one of Silom's many nightclubs.
What to Buy in Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Suan Lum Night Bazaar is the ideal place for nocturnal shoppers, but as at any large market you have to do the leg work to be able to separate the junk from the gems. The fringes of the market are generally loaded with generic Thailand tokens such as counterfeit T-shirts, backpacking uniforms and bags, ethnic jewellery, trinkets, fairy lights and quirky homeware. Beachwear, flip-flops, trainers, miniature tuks-tuks made from the remnants of coca cola cans, tapestries, canvases adorned will saffron-clad Buddhist monks are all common.
Some of this stuff is pretty decent but if you think it isn’t the right price then attempt to barter it down. Once you enter the dense warren of shops, it’s almost an un-navigable bizarre and you’re best orientated by what stands on the outskirts eg a restaurant or pedestrian pathway.
Fashion
Suan Lum is a unique shopping experience in every sense of the word. This is true not only of the goods to be found, but the entire process of buying from an independent trader defies the whole super-brand culture we have become so accustomed to. What the market lacks in the way of air-conditioned changing rooms, and perfectly arranged window displays it more than makes up for in its creative layout and equally impressive attire that you won’t find elsewhere. This is also fertile ground for finding designer-inspired goods with their own unique twists, all at affordable prices.
Everyone – men, women, boys and girls are well catered for here. Many of the stalls adopt striking identities creating boutique like spaces for their clothes which range from quirky one of a kind pieces to indie-kid uniforms, rare vintage finds to some seriously, glam get-up . The Lopburi zone is like Siam Square’s edgier relative – with lots of fresh, young and up-and-coming designers that could well be hitting the catwalks in the future.
Furniture and Home Accessories
If you are interested in picking up some classic teakwood delights or pop-influenced furniture – worry not, you’re in the right place. At the back of the Night Bazaar you will find the Outlet Zone, which is dedicated to furniture and light fixtures. Keeping with the multi-coloured theme that plays throughout the central market, the Outlet Zone is home to bigger spaces displaying various types of furniture ranging from from bold contemporary to more subdued classics. A number of quirky light fixtures can also be found around here.
Art and Design
You can choose from a selection of contemporary and traditionally Thai-inspired canvases, postcards and small frames in Suan Lum. The market takes on the form as a commercial outlet for Bangkok’s creative set and comes highly recommended for those who enjoy buying art without spending astronomical amounts of money. Buddhist -inspired sculptures and teakwood furnishings are also commonly sought around Suan Lum. Usually most shops that sell weighty objects are happy to help arrange shipping back to your respective country.
CDs and DVDs
DVDs and CDs can easily be found at the Night Bazaar, but are not as common as you might expect. Speckled around the outskirts of the market are a handful of vendors selling the latest DVD releases in film and TV. You can also pick up Asian films and TV series. There is a CD store near the Khmer-style building that specializes in dance music, with some good international and homegrown mixes to be found here.
Jewelry
Suan Lum offers more than standard souvenir-style jewelry. You should expect to come across many of the accessories found and worn at backpacker destinations such as embroidered bracelets, chunky beads and turquoise stones. The market is also good for more classic knock offs such as the Tiffany Charm bracelets. When you venture in to the maze of stalls, you’re more likely to encounter sturdy silver pieces and rare stones. Men’s watches are rife, especially counterfeit Rolexes that pass off as the genuine article to the untrained eye.
What to Do in Suan Lum Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar is not all about shopping till you drop (although for most people it is). If you are not in the mood for trawling around the market in intense heat, it is entirely understandable. Alternatives include slipping off to enjoy a relaxing massage in an air-conditioned room, taking in a beer and a bite to eat or even a traditional Thai puppet show for those seeking some traditional culture. Next door to Suan Lum is the Lumpini Boxing Stadium where temperatures, voices and legs soar – a popular attraction for many of Bangkok’s visitors who are keen to see professional Muay Thai fighters exhibit ‘the science of eight limbs’.
Fish Spa
Forget salt scrubs, foot files and rubs; the Fish Doctor is where you’re going get the smoothest soles on your feet. Here we have a real feet treat; fish spas – originating in Japan offer a thorough alternative to the key part of any skin-beautifying regime, exfoliation
At the time of counting Suan Lum has three fish spas, where tourists and locals queue to immerse themselves in a pool of ravenous creatures, and for what? Forget salt scrubs, foot files and rubs – the Fish Doctor is where you’re going get the smoothest soles on your feet.
Massage
There are over a dozen massage parlors scattered around Suan Lum, offering the perfect antidote to the sore feet and aching joints often experienced after a day of exploring sweltering Bangkok. An oil massage shouldn’t cost any more than 350 baht and Thai massage 300 baht. We highly recommend a good foot massage and it is likely you will need one. Justremember the all important Thai phrases ‘Jep’, the Thai word for pain, and ‘Bao-bao’ meaning ‘softer’.
Fortune Telling
Fortune tellers (Mor Doo), are extremely popular amongst the Thai people who consider these “all seeing” doctors to be able to cure their spiritual ills and prevent any future mishaps. Many even entrust them with the daunting task of naming their children in an attempt to have a lucky name. The teller at Suan Lum speaks English to a good standard, which is fortunate as to be able to converse openly and freely with the teller is a definite positive.
Tattoo
In Thailand, tattoos are assumed to confer qualities, such as protection, good luck and blessings. You will notice that many Thais have Buddhist tattoos; these are thought to fend off evil spirits and are often applied for a small fee by a monk. Here in Lumpini, the tattooists are inclined to apply tattoos that are less religiously affiliated. Perhaps you’d like something that will remind you of that trip of a lifetime in Thailand? We suggest that you look around and see what each parlour has to offer.
Log on to: bangkok.com
After dinner, we went for Suan Lum Night Bazaar, which was just behind the food court, but i didn't took much photos cause busy shopping. I found Suan Lum Bazaar things were cheaper than Chatuchak, luckily didnt buy much things at Chatuchak and people at Suan Lum are more friendly polite compared to Chatuchak, especially when we are bargaining. The only photo I took was with the shop lady, holding the shirt, it's a handmade design by herself on the spot, she was so nice and friendly, I had bought 6pcs from her shop, cause the shirt quality was good, can try, can bargain too..I'm getting good discount!After shopping for the whole day, we really felt tired and not much energy to walk. We shop until 12.30 midnight. We decided to go for a foots and body massage to relief tiredness and get ourself fresh for our 3rd day journey...shopping again!
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