Bangkok-coolest City On Earth

[Rinrada]

So now you know.

According to the Daily T. Krungthrep is the COOLEST City on the Planet,But WE all knew That......... RIGHT

The Thai capital has transformed itself from Asia's bargain basement into the coolest city on the planet. But it still offers unbeatable value, writes Paul Gogarty.

(Filed: 03/07/2004)

The City of Angels is going underground. Today the King of Thailand is opening the capital's sparkling new Metro. Instead of struggling through choked streets, visitors to Bangkok - as well as residents of Krung Thep ("City of Angels"), as Thais know it - will be able to travel at high speed in air-conditioned comfort beneath them.

High Thai: the Golden Palace is unmissable

While the city has long been a popular stopover for backpackers and budget travellers, its notoriously congested traffic used to put off many potential visitors. That began to change five years ago, when the Skytrain threw open a fast new route high above the treacle traffic. But the city has been changing in other ways, too. The late 1990s saw the opening of a fleet of deluxe hotels. And now Bangkok is transforming its once seedy entertainment image with fashionable bars, clubs and restaurants.

When I stayed recently at the new Metropolitan Hotel, the ultra-cool Met Bar, staffed by flunkies in black Yamamoto uniforms, was staging the launch party for the first shop to be opened in Thailand by the British designer Sir Paul Smith. Not far away, in the Bed Supper Club, Bangkok's beautiful people sprawled on white beds sipping banana daiquiris served by waitresses in pink ra-ra skirts. Over in Sirocco, lights that doubled as wind chimes led diners to tables from which they gazed down on the sinuous Chao Phraya river.

Since my previous visit a few years back, Bangkok has transformed itself from Asia's bargain basement into the coolest city on the planet. Fortunately it hasn't stopped offering unbeatable value along with the improved quality (the Peninsula last year scooped just about every hotel award that mattered). A double room at the Metropolitan can be had for less than £80 (compared with £285 at the Metropolitan in London). Shoppers can still find the latest CDs or PlayStation games for £1, and tailor-made or off-the-peg street fashion, sportswear and spectacles at a third of what they would cost in Britain.

Thankfully, the city has not lost touch with tradition in its rush to modernity. One marbled dawn I hopped on a ferry across the river from the Peninsula. In the backstreets life was already humming. Monks in saffron robes sought offerings from hawkers slicing pine-apples, wrapping sticky rice in coconut leaves, or assembling piles of green durian ("tastes like heaven, smells like ######"). Over in Lumpini Park, people were starting their day with foot massages (£4 for an hour), fan-dancing or working out at the outdoor gym.

Asian vibrancy, value and tradition allied to modern comfort and style have made Bangkok the favourite city destination for a growing number of travellers. If there's another capital that gets as many things right, I'd like to hear about it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jht.../ixtrvhome.html

[Rinrada]

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http://www.groovybangkok.com/thai_fashion.htm