AMUSEMENT PARKS These are always favourites with the kids and Bangkok has a number of such establishments. One of the more popular of these is the Siam Park, which has a number of pools, water slides and a wave pool, located around 10km outside Bangkok.

Another park is DREAM WORLD - Bangkok's newest and largest amusement park. The most popular ride is the "Big Splash" water flume, supposedly the largest in the world. Dream World's rides are the most technologically advanced in the entertainment industry in Thailand, while its Dinotopia exhibit takes visitors back 150 million years to the Jurassic era when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

ANCIENT CITY and CROCODILE FARM is the only crocodile farm located close to the city in neighbouring Samut Prakan province. The farm has a regular shows, lots of crocodiles and a tiger that you can take your photo with as well as other animals.

BANGKOK DOLL MUSEUM Located on Soi Ratchataphan, off Ratchaprarop Road, this museum exhibits dolls from many countries including Thai dolls in both classical and tribal costumes. Call 02 245 3008 for more information.

BOAT/CANAL TRIPS Bangkok’s water highways are a fun and exotic way to explore the city no matter how old you are. There are various trips offered along its many meandering waterways, passing by old teak houses and temples. You can choose to do a quick trip lasting an hour or join in on a longer trip such as the Mekhala River Cruise which takes in much of the waterway history, visiting palaces and ancient wats (temples). Boats can be hired along the Choa Praya River or through your hotel or nearby travel agent.

CHATUCHAK PARK Situated next to the better-known Chatuchak Weekend Market on Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak Park is a nicely landscaped park and is considered one of the major parks of Bangkok. This is a nice spot for relaxing after an exhausting shopping at the market and like Lumpini park, boats can be rented to paddle around the waterway. Take the Skytrain to Mo Chit Station.

LUMPHINI PARK If you are stuck in Bangkok and want to relax, close to amenities but ‘away from it all’ then Lumphini Park is the place to go. It has an artificial lake in its centre and one can hire paddle-boats at a rate of around 50 Baht an hour or simply meander through the wonderful greenery along well laid paths or lie back and relax on the well tended lawns. There are areas to picnic, a jogging track, a snack bar, free aerobic classes, and in the windier months it’s a popular place for kite flying. Take the Skytrain to Sala Daeng Station.

PLANETARIUM Located next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) on Sukhumvit Road, this is an exhibition centre on a variety of scientific knowledge including astronomy, communication technology, and biology. Visitors can also enjoy seeing an interesting aquarium, a computer world, a planetarium, as well as other devices created for fun and education. It is open daily except Mondays and public holidays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Take the Skytrain to Ekamai Station.

RARE STONE MUSEUM The museum features a fascinating display of over ten thousand unique pieces of rare stones from Thailand and various countries around the world. Among the items are precious stones, fossils, mineral crystal objects, stalactites, etc. The museum is located at 1048-1054 New Road, Bangrak. Best reached by taxi.

SCIENCE MUSEUM Visitors are encouraged to touch, to try things for themselves and to have fun with the exhibits in line with the 'Hands-on' concept. Six exhibition floors are each devoted to different aspects of science and technology including the traditional Thai technology. The museum is located at the Technopolis, Khlong 5, Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road. Tel: 02 577 4172. Best reached by taxi.

SNAKE FARM The most informative snake farm in Bangkok is that of the Thai Red Cross Research Institute open from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 pm. Monday to Friday and till noon on Saturday and Sunday, they not only show one how they extract the snake venom but also put on an informative slide show as well. Feeding time is 3 p.m. and admission is 70 Baht. Located on Rama IV Road near Henri Dunant Road, it’s a worthwhile spot to visit. Give them a call on 02 252 0161. Best reached by taxi.

SAFARI WORLD One of the largest open zoos in the world the park also houses a marine park. Residing inside its protective boundaries are both African and Asian animals including rare white pandas. Best reached by taxi.

ZOO Originally a private botanical garden for Rama V, the Dusit Zoo is now one of the premier zoological facilities in South-east Asia. Small circuses perform on weekends and public holidays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Best reached by taxi or from the Wimanmek Golden Teak Palace situated across the street. Admission to the Teak Mansion is included in the price of the ticket to the Grand Palace. If you start early, you can visit all three places in a day.

GOLF This ever popular sport is catered for in abundance in Thailand and Bangkok is no exception. The following courses will more than satisfy the average putter or golfing enthusiast and tournaments are held regularly. In addition, green fees are considerably lower than in most other countries.

Pinehurst Golf and Country Club With 27 holes, Pinehurst, located an hours drive north of Bangkok, is a golfer’s paradise. The course offers plenty of challenges, from water hazards to bunkers and plenty of foliage. The clubhouse is modern and lavishly furnished, offering fine dining, and is well-equipped for other sporting activities.

Rose Garden Located 38 km. southwest of Bangkok, this par 72 course was the former venue for the Thai Open. Beautifully maintained, the tree-lined fairways lead to difficult greens, well guarded by bunkers, offering plenty of challenges for golfers of any ability.

Vintage Club Golf Course Forty-five minutes east of central Bangkok, this 18-hole course was designed to take full advantage of the area’s terrain. Long fairways, beautifully shaped greens and bunkers run through coconut palms and bougainvillea bushes. It is a demanding course that yields low scores only to golfers making well placed tee shots. The fully appointed clubhouse offers a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, tennis courts, squash courts, snooker room, fitness centre and a restaurant.

Thai Country Club Recently redesigned, this course just east of the city is superbly laid out and the challenging fairways ensure it is destined to serve as the setting for premier Asian tournaments. Dennis Griffiths created the course which features immaculate fairways and greens laid out according to a neo-classic design. The 18-hole course offers five different climatic zones, each with its own flora and terrain challenges.

The Legacy Golf Club (Formally know as the Natural Park Ramindra) Designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the world's top five golf course architects, this course is located within easy reach of Bangkok's international airport. The superb landscaping features enormous lakes that provide not only a wealth of natural beauty but are obstacles on almost half the holes. Conditions are good and greens and fairways are well maintained.

HORSE RACING There are two courses in Bangkok, one is the Royal Turf Club of Thailand that is situated on Phitsanulok Road. The races are held every two weeks on Sunday during 12.30 am-6.00 pm. The other race track is at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club is situated on Henri Dunant Road. The races are held every two weeks on Sunday during 12.30 am-6.00 pm.

HORSE RIDING can be done at the following equestrian establishments; the Bangkok Equestrian Centre located at 20/1 Moo 2 Soi Chadsanthahanrue, Sukhumwit Soi 102 telephone: 02 328 0273-4. They offer rides, lessons and memberships. The other club located near Bangkok is the Garden City Polo Club where hire a horse by the hour and learn how to play polo. Tel: 317 1431-7 or go there, to 37 Moo 5 Bangna-Trad Road, Tambon Bangpu.

NESC offers special horse riding packages for all levels of riders. They are located in Northern Bangkok near Don Mueang Airport.  Phone: +66 (0)2 962 2735-6 (ask for Carol). Email to info@nonthaburihorses.com.

THAI BOXING For those keen on martial arts, a visit to the Muay Thai (Thai boxing) stadiums at Lumpini or Ratchadamneon is a must. Keep fit enthusiasts will find several gymnasiums around the city or in the larger hotels.

Dining out in Bangkok can be an experience in itself.

If you have never tasted Thai Cuisine before it owes much of it's appeal to the exotic spices, herbs and seasonings from China, India, Java and Portugal. The final art of the country's cuisine comes from the skill and ingenuity of the cooks.

Some visitors have heard that all Thai food is extremely hot. Although some Thai dishes are quite spicy, far more dishes are completely mild. Much of the heat of the spicy dishes comes from red or green chillies. If you don't want spicy food, it's a good idea to learn the words "My pet" (Not spicy).

Fast food is a big business in Bangkok. Some of them, such as McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Burger King, are popular and can be found in almost every shopping mall.

SHOPPING
Shopping in Bangkok for many is an exciting and pleasurable experience. Whether you are shopping for a custom tailored suit or bargain hunting in the markets, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for. Shopping in Thailand can be fun!

Street vendors often seem to be on every street corner showing you their goods (with a calculator in one hand) from silk scarves, hammocks and sarongs to laser pens and lighters, etc. If you are interested in any of the wares you find, then it is time to start bargaining. If you are not interested in what is on offer, simply smile and continue on your way.

Whether you are looking for luxury buys, such as silks and gems, fashion items, artworks, handicrafts or attractive souvenirs and gifts, you'll discover an exceptional range of quality buys offering excellent value.

The variety of what to buy is fully matched by an exciting choice of where to buy. From the ease of modern air conditioned shopping plazas and department stores to the fascination of traditional markets and street stalls, there is every scope for both the browser and the dedicated bargain-hunter.

Silk and other fabrics such as exquisite hand-woven silks, including the famous tie-dyed silks of the the Northeast; elegant woven handbags, Thai cottons and many other reasonably-priced souvenirs. These crafts may be purchased from exclusive outlets throughout Bangkok. For superior quality silks, visit Jim Thompson boutiques found in the more expensive hotels and upmarket shopping malls. Jim Thompson also has a factory outlet which sells large home furnishings, located on the fringes of the city at Sukhumvit Soi 93. You can also combine silk shopping with history by visiting the historical Jim Thompson House in Siam Square. Other silk outlets are Chitrlada Shops, which support silk weaving among tribal peoples. Chitrlada Shops in Bangkok can be found at the Decorations Pavilion in the Grand Palace, the Oriental Plaza shopping centre, the Hilton International Bangkok Hotel, in the compound of Wimanmek Mansion and at the Bangkok International Airport.

Thailand's reputation for fine wickerwork and rattan is world renowned. Both elegant and durable, items are available in a wide variety of designs and styles from the smallest basket to furniture and Bangkok has a vast selection.