The Riverfront - Asiatique Bangkok

It’s popular not just with tourists, but also with Thais, but it definitely is the most upscale night market in Bangkok. Asiatique has combined two of the most popular shopping experiences in the city: a night bazaar and a mall. It houses over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants  under a huge replica warehouse complex.

night life at Asiatique Bangkok

The Riverfront is an homage to Bangkok’s past as a riverside trading post during the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Originally this was the pier where a lot of the teak wood trade took place, managed by Mr. Hans Nille Andersen. Located on the grounds which formerly belonged to a Danish trading company, many of the original buildings have been retained (although they did get a “facelift”).

Home Deco shop at Asiatique Bangkok

Asiatique is split into four categories to help you find what you are looking for without too much hassle.

The Factory District is where the shopping goes on. There are around 1500 small shops located in old warehouses. You find lots of fashion, some souvenirs, design items, handicrafts, furniture, home furnishings and other things, and the selection resembles the kind of merchandise you find at Terminal 21 – at least when it comes to fashion. It’s not the cheap bargain hunting you find at many other night markets.

This place has the uniquely design section - you can get a lot of unique items not commonly found at other tourist attractions in Bangkok. The clothes/bags are from independent designers with nice designs at affordable prices.

The Waterfront District is a boat terminal.  Upscale dining selection can be found in this district, with smart Italian, Thai and seafood restaurants.  You find fancy restaurants and event venues lined up along a 300m boardwalk. The New Year festive and countdown celebrations take place here.

The Town  Square District is a mixture of Thai & Western influences – a large sports bar, outdoor space for events and international food. Some independent cafes are dotted around selling strong drinks and decently priced Thai food

There are plenty of international dining options, from Japanese, to Italien, Korean, American, Thai, Seafood, Chinese, and like this shop – Champion Kebab – Turkish (it’s quite popular with international tourists).

sign to The Town Square District

The Chareonkrung District is where you find over 1,000 small boutiques  in four warehouses  that sale souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry, home decor  and clothing. The little storefronts are attractive, the displays are interesting and there is a wide range on offer too, from fashionable Thai brands to affordable stores selling merchandise similar to those on offer in places like Chatuchak and MBK.

shops parade at Asiatique Bangkok

Asiatique also has branches of KFC, Pizza Company, Au Bon Pain and MK. As well as all this food and shopping, the two biggest entertainment draws are the Thai puppets by Joe Louis Theatre and Calypso Cabaret, one of Bangkok’s celebrated ladyboy shows. Both these shows have been attracting audiences for years, and Asiatique is the perfect new surrounding for them, offering so much more than just a performance.


Opening Hours: 17:00-midnight
Location: Chareonkrung Soi 74-76
How to get there: The easiest and fastest way to get there is via boat. Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin and jump on the free shuttle at the end of the pier. It only takes ten minutes, and the boat runs until 23:00. Taxis are not recommended as the traffic can be terrible in this area.

Source:
http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/asiatique.htm
http://www.bangkoknightmarket.com/asiatique-the-riverfront

by "Feb zakri"

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The Calypso - The most popular and unique show at Asiatique - Bangkok

Thailand is well known for their “ladyboys” shows and The Calypso Bangkok Theatre is just the place to visit.  Some of these ‘ladies’ have features that would have made any woman jealous but this is just an attractive illusion; they were all born men.

the uniform show of calypso Bangkok

The Calypso Bangkok is well worth a visit. It is one of the most popular and unique shows in Bangkok as it stars unbelievably beautiful transsexuals and transvestites. These shows are not just about boys who want to be girls throwing on a show. These are seasoned, highly talented performers. This is about great choreography, amazing costuming. Some of which are breath catching! The show treats various "eras" of performance, reflected by the music and the costuming

Calypso ticket

Currently Calypso Bangkok Theater has moved to Asiatique; The Riverfront - Warehouse No.3, the new travel destination in Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River. Asiatique is the perfect location for Cabaret Calypso as this part of town has also gone through a huge transformation. The attempt to recreate a night market on a pier from times gone by seems a little manufactured, but with over 1,500 small boutique shops,  40 restaurants  and faux vintage set-up, the place gives the best panoramic view of the Chaopraya River for photo opportunities.

The easiest and fastest way to get there is via boat. Take the BTS to Sapphan Taksin and jump on the free shuttle at the end of the pier. It only takes ten minutes to get there, and the boat runs until 23:30 allowing you time to get back too.

the opening show of calypso bangkok

The show caters for tourists of all nationalities with songs in Korean, Japanese (a very humorous geisha who will dedicate her performance to an embarrassed and bemused member of the audience), Chinese (a poignant ballad), English (Tina Turner, Michael Jackson), and, of course, Thai. The cabaret was like a Broadway show but it was lip-synced and it went for 1 1/4 hours.

GEISHA: Try not to laugh – the calypso Japanese classic

The theatre sits near the town square, with rainbow neon lights beckoning the audience in. Everything is scarlet: the chairs, lighting, wallpaper, making it feel a little intense at times.  All of the seats with groups of five around each table give you a great view of the stage. You get a small table upon which you can place you glasses and you can keep ordering drinks if you want to.

The Elvis show at Calypso Bangkok

You can take pictures or a video to show your friends back home. When you exit the cabaret you will see the cast lined up and you may have your picture taken with the ladyboys!  Prepared somel 100 Baht notes for the tip, usually 100-200 Bahts per ladyboy, sometimes 2 or 3 ladyboys can come to your side

grandma and gorgeous "lady"

Here some of the shows:

• OPENING: A magnificent presentation of female beauty and evening gowns of fantastic grandezza. 
• ELVIS: The Elvis and CALYPSO’s most beautiful groupies. 
• THE BIRDS & THE BOYS: An ostrich festival 
• MUSIC-HALL: A joyful medley of the alltime favourites of yore. 
• MISTY: A tour de force of talent, energy and youth. 
• BLOSSOM: 1 woman and 3 men and she is winning. 
• BURLESQUE: No need to name her - she’s just ravishing. 

full moon at Calypso Bangkok

• GEISHA: Try not to laugh – the calypso Japanese classic. 
• MARILYN: Your eyes will pop - the incredible icon, made in CALYPSO! 
• TACO: A sophisticated fatamorgana - beautifully daring. 
• KINNAREE:  tribute to classical THAI DANCE with that typical CALYPSO twist: contemporary. 
• RIRANG:  interpretation of the touching Korean classic in a haunting rendition. 
• ALL THAT JAZZ: A never aging or ending sensation of pizzazz in motion. 
• HONEY RAG: 2 girls 1 rhythm – inseparable – a feast of joy. 
• THE FLOW OF THE RIVER: the most beloved and admired Japanese song of wisdom of life 
• THE BLUE LADY: try not to love her – a hilarious gal 
• FINALE: each and every one on stage in sparkling gowns and tails with high steps & spirits - THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOWBUSINESS

the finale -  calypso Bangkok

source:

http://www.calypsocabaret.com/

by "Feb zakri"

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The Temple of the Reclining Buddha - a must see when visiting Bangkok

Wat Pho known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is a must see when visiting Bangkok. The Reclining Buddha statue and surrounding grounds are stunning with Hundreds of amazing photo opportunities. It is a Buddhist temple located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. Its official name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan.  It also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage

inside Wat Pho

Wat Pho is named after a monastery in India where Buddha is believed to have lived. Prior to the temple's founding, the site was a centre of education for traditional Thai medicine, and statues were created showing yoga positions. An enormous Buddha image from Ayuthaya's Wat Phra Si Sanphet was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767; King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) incorporated its fragments to build a temple to enlarge and renovate the complex.

reclining Buddha

The image of reclining Buddha is 15 m high and 43 m long with his right arm supporting the head with tight curls on two box-pillows of blue, richly encrusted with glass mosaics. The 3 m high and 4.5 m long foot of Buddha displays are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. They are divided into 108 arranged panels, displaying the auspicious symbols by which Buddha can be identified like flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers and altar accessories. Over the statue is a seven tiered umbrella representing the authority of Thailand.

reclining Buddha at wat pho

There are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor indicating the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. People drop coins in these bowls as it is believed to bring good fortune, and to help the monks maintain the wat. Though the reclining Buddha is not a pilgrimage centre, it remains an object of popular piety

108 auspicious characters of Buddha

The temple is considered the first public university of Thailand, teaching students in the fields of religion, science and literature through murals and sculptures. The temple is home to one of the earliest Thai massage schools. Traditional Thai massage and medicine is taught at the Traditional Medical Practitioners Association Center, an open air hall outside the temple. For Thai massage therapists, the medical inscription inside the temple acts as a base for treatment.

Tips:

• When you were looking forward to the great massage and it lived up to its reputation.  Do treat yourself with it to escape from all the people outside queuing to take photos with the Buddha.
• Any time of the year, the tropical climate is too hot. So if you are planning to be here early morning or late afternoon will be the best time.
• Don’t forget to take your free drinking water that is included at 100 baht entrance fee.
• There is also a little gift shop onsite if you want to get any souvenirs
• There are many fruit sellers outside the temple. They sell chill slices of tropical fruits like mangos and pineapples. It was nice for some baht to kill your thirsty. The Vitamin C is good for your health too.
• Do not expect to spend long there if you are going to see just the Buddha, it was around 30 minutes. But you can run out of time to see the rest of the grounds.
• A short walk from the ferry,  that will take you to the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun). A short walk on both sides, no more than 10 minutes will get you to the other attraction, both of which are must sees.

Coconut Ice cream seller at wat pho

There are a few things you need to know about the reclining Buddha:

• You cannot wear shoes inside the building.  They will give you a bag to carry your shoes in.
• You cannot wear hats inside the building
• The only place you have to cover up is when you go to see the Buddha. They ask you to cover up your shoulders and your legs - if you happen to turn up uncovered they will give you a bright green long robe to cover yourself with (around 10% of people in there were wearing one)

By "febzakri"

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