Bangkok has become a major force in finance and business after numerous multinational corporations moved their regional bases here in the 1980′s and 1990′s and up to now, Bangkok continues to increase its influence on global politics, culture, fashion and entertainment. It is the second most expensive city in South East Asia, second only to Singapore. Despite its rapid modernization, the glory of the past still prevails and is visited by millions of international tourists from around the world. Here are some of the most popular attractions in Bangkok.

The Grand Palace is the city’s most famous landmark and a visit to Bangkok will not be complete without going here. It was built in 1782 and has been the home of the King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government for 150 years. The intricate details and beautiful architecture continues to draw tourist and admire it. Today, the Grand Palace still serves as spiritual center of Thailand because within the complex lies the Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha which of course contains the revered Emerald Buddha. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the 1900′s but all ceremonies are still performed here. Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the largest temple in Bangkok and houses the majestic reclining Buddha. The Buddha measures 46 meters in length and is covered in gold leaf. Its 3 meter long feet are decorated with mother-of-pearl illustrations.

Bangkok is also known as the “Venice of the East”. Although many canals have been filled to make way for roads and prevent the spread of cholera, some still remains but these canals or khlongs are no longer used as avenues for trade. For a few bahts, tourists can still take a ride on boats and see old wooden houses laden with colorful flowers and old bridges. These rides can offer a glimpse of how people used to live. One just has to be careful of the spray of rancid water as boats speed forward. Though considered to be the second most expensive city in South East Asia, getting there need not be expensive. There are Bangkok cheap flights available to experience these exotic sights. Bangkok cheap flights are not known for their on-time schedules but just for 50 dollars (more or less), thousands of miles can be covered.

The basic Thai meal has rice, soup, a steamed dish, fried dish, fruit and salad. You will get the same food even at a stall along the pavements and it will be lip smackingly delicious! The dishes are all served at once and there is no particular order in which to eat. The locals eat the food with a fork and spoon. The fork is used for pushing the food into the spoon. They have soup all through the meal. Salt and pepper is hardly on the tables, but they have ‘phrik nam pla’, which is a fish sauce with added lime juice. This sauce is always served with meals.

The spices used in Thai cuisine are usually garlic and coriander. These are the basic spices used in Thai cooking. Then comes salt and pepper followed by chilies. The cook can add any spice which he may think will enhance the flavor of the dish.

The salads of Thailand are not at all similar to western salads. Thai salads include cabbage, raw vegetables and cucumber pieces.

The country has many regions and every region has its own specialty. In places like Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai, you can have unique dishes like fried grasshopper and field rat. Of course, it would require a strong disposition and stomach!

In Isram, the food is in Laos style and you can get food like fermented black crabs with sticky rice and also the papaya salad. If you go down along the Malaysian border, you can have the hot and spicy curries. The dishes have cashew nuts and also coconut milk.

You can drink anything you want along with Thai food. Beer and whiskey are preferred by the locals though.

Just go ahead and enjoy the different varieties of food that Thailand provides.