BANGKOK - THAILAND - ASIA
PORT INFORMATION
Located in the center of the country, straddling the banks of the Chao Phraya River and close to the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. With its own unique charm and a culture that has been attracting visitors for centuries, Thailand offers a wealth of attractions including architectural wonders, golden spires, amazing temples, enormous buddha staues, archeological sites, and an invitation to share its way of life in explorations of it’s culture, cuisine, history, shopping, and nightlife.
Bangkok has been recently voted as the top city in the world, by Travel + Leisure Magazine in its 2010 "World's Best".
Cruise Terminals in Bangkok, Thailand
Cruise ships visiting Bangkok dock at either of two ports.
Gateway for most cruise ships coming to Bangkok, Laem Chabang International Terminal is for the larger cruise ships, and is located about 90 minutes south-east of Bangkok itself and just 30 minutes north of Pattaya
Facilities at the terminal include a tourist information centre, food and beverage outlets, souvenir and gift shops, duty free shops, and taxi and bus services.
The taxi service is, however, very expensive. Bus services to Bangkok are less expensive and take about 90 minutes to the city centre.
Closer to the city centre, and geared for the smaller cruise ships is Khlong Thoey or Klong Toey. Here, Thai customs and immigration processing usually takes place on board ship.
Although close to the city core, this low-keyed cruise terminal is not within practical walking distance of downtown Bangkok.
Cruise Lines using the Bangkok Cruise Terminals as an Embarkation / Disembarking Port
The many major cruise lines operating in Aisa using Bangkok as a port of embarkation or disembarking include Azamara Club Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises, and Voyages of Discovery .Must See Attractions in Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew: One of the most popular attractions for cruise passengers in Bangkok is the temple of Wat Phra Kaew in the Royal Enclosure, famous for its ornate decor and the equally famous Emerald Buddha.
Wat Po: Nearby, the complex of temples known as Wat Po is best known for the 132-feett reclining Buddha which is the third largest in Thailand.
Wat Arun: This river-side attraction is another top attraction in Bangkok, and also one of the oldest, dating back to before the establishment of the capital. Its center piece is the 270-feet spire famously promoted in many tourist brochures for the region. It is also a favorite sunset scene if your cruise itinerary allows.
National Museum: Housing the art of Thailand from over 1500 years, and featuring ipressive displays covering the history of the country, the National Museum is considered to be one of the most important such attractions in the whole of Southeast Asia and absolutely worth an extended visit. Permanent exhibitions include collections of modern art by famous Thai artists with works by the present King of Thailand
Royal Barges Museum: The Royal Barges Museum houses the ornate barges created for special royal occasions housing the ornate barges created for special royal occasions
Thon Buri: Any visit to Bangkok would not be complete without a ride on the Thon Buri canals offering views of the major architectural attractions in Bangkok - as well as a glimpse of what life is like on the water for the locals.
Other attractions include Khao San Road, the bohemian heart of Bangkok, Siam Square, a famous shopping area for trend setters, and the red light districts of Patpong, Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy.
If there is time, taking in mind the several hours to get there, one of the real must-see attractions in the region is the Floating Market of Bangkok about 100 kilometeres away.
