Gateway Ekamai Bangkok

Gateway Ekamai mall aims to offer an alternative shopping experience from the other cookie-cutter centres across Bangkok. The mall is meant to epitomise the Japanese lifestyle that Thai people embrace readily with a mix of restaurants, clothes stores, health and beauty shops, as well as an edutainment centre, a large IT zone and a 24 hour supermarket. Whilst it probably won’t deliver for Japanophiles its ease of access via the skywalk link to BTS Ekamai and decent, affordable selection of restaurants under one roof is sure to attract visitors.

The overall experience is very pleasant. A huge Maneki-neko (lucky cat) welcomes you as you step off the train and the building’s soft lines and terracotta colours are warm and inviting. Inside the mall is light and airy, with origami birds floating up high in its central atrium. There are also replica cherry trees, lanterns, a bamboo water fountain, girls dressed as geishas and the sound of J-pop. Although the experience might not be entirely authentic it adds to the soothing atmosphere.

Nana Station Bangkok

Nana looks its best after dark, and this station puts you right at the centre of Bangkok’s nightlife hotspots – the chic and trendy down Sukhumvit Soi 11, while the complete opposite in Sukhumvit Soi 4.

Wat Traimit Bangkok

This temple is well known for its Buddha image, constructed over 700 years ago during the Sukhothai period. Originally the gold image was covered with plaster to conceal it from the invading Burmese and was just rediscovered accidentally about 40 years ago.

On 14 February 2010, Wat Traimit’s new building named “Phra Maha Mondop” was officially opened to the public. And the Gold Buddha was moved here. The first floor of the building is the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Centre where tourists can learn the history of the Chinese immigrants in Thailand as well as their culture which has become part of the Thai culture.

Chao Phraya River Bangkok

The Chao Phraya[1] (Thai: แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา (Pronunciation)) is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.