Invigorating mix of culture and cosmopolitan lifestyle in Bangkok
By Rama Gaind
Thailand radiates an energising mix of culture and a 21st century cosmopolitan lifestyle which is nowhere more apparent than in Bangkok.
With a population of 64 million, this is one capital city where the numbers matter: there are crowds everywhere, but you don’t feel uncomfortably confined.
Once you get used to the humidity (which takes a monumental effort) and bumper-to-bumper traffic, you get down to the business of sightseeing.
First on the list is a visit to the dazzling Grand Palace with The Temple of the Emerald Buddha which is Thailand’s most sacred site.
Built in 1782 – it was home for 150 years to the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government. Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom.
An inspection of Wat Phra Kaew (temple of the Emerald Buddha) which is located in the grounds of the Grand Palace is a must.
Until the 20th century, this complex was the official home of the Thai monarchy. Here you can see some spectacular examples of a range of architectural styles including authentic Thai and Italian Renaissance.
It also houses the Emerald Buddha. The Buddha figure, dating to 43BC and originating in India, is carved from green jade and adorned in intricate gold ornaments. There’s so much to see here, along with the Grand Palace.
However, beware because there’s a strict dress code for when you visit the Grand Palace with The Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Women should be modestly dressed, with no see-through clothes or bare shoulders.
Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops).
You should not have bare feet and if you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks.
Thailand is ‘Amazing’! Being able to see some of it, courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has left me yearning for more memorable experiences on a return trip – very soon.
Unwind at the Centara Grand
It had been an exhaustive day, so relaxing over dinner at the Centara Grand Hotel reminiscing about the 2008 Indian International Film Awards made for an exciting evening.
Spending a few hours with Andrew Cornelio, director of sales and marketing at Dusit Thani in Bangkok, was quite refreshing. He elaborated on a memorable experience when his hotel hosted the “most famous Indian actor” Amitabh Bachchan, along with his wife, Jaya, their son Abhisek Bachchan and his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Andrew said he could not believe how the hotel was full of many other “famous people from Bollywood” and abroad – and he got to meet some of them. “I can’t wait to host the event again!”
India is ranked number one on the list of most films shot in Thailand, followed by Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, USA and China. The future looks rosy for Bollywood.
Bright future
Thailand’s national committee on film production recently approved a 2009-2011 master plan to promote Thailand as the hub for shooting films with post-production facilities. The Thailand Film Office will make several recommendations for incentives to attract foreign filmmakers to shoot in Thailand
Director-general of the tourism development section of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Dr. Seksan Narkwong, says “Everything from sci-fi ‘moonscapes’ and prehistoric dinosaur caves and rock carvings to our famous beaches, modern cities and tropical rainforests, Thailand has a wealth of locations to shoot and stories to tell”.
For more than 30 years, Thailand has provided production services for foreign filmmakers and offers a wealth of experienced crew and cost-effective budgets. Production support crews have become adaptable in the different demands of filmmakers from different countries.
The Thailand Film Office estimates revenue from foreign film shoots at US$57.8 million in 2008.
It seems that just as Indian production houses are eager to seek out a competitive source in south-east Asia, Thailand too is keen to welcome Bollywood with open arms.
May such collaboration continue for a very long time!
