Bangkok Features

Bangkok Features

• Roaming the Waterways
  

  Bangkok used to be known as "Venice of the East," but many of the klongs (canals) that once distinguished this area have been paved over. Traveling... read more

• Shadow Puppets
  

  Shadow puppets—carved animal hide stretched between poles—showed up in Thailand during the mid-13th century. Historians believe the... read more

• Marionettes
  

  Marionettes, born from a blend of shadow puppets and khon, a traditional form of Thai dance, entered the scene at the beginning of the... read more

• Where Else to See Shows
  

  Chiang Mai is a hotspot for contemporary puppet troupes. Hobby Hut (www.cmaipuppet.com) and Wandering Moon (www.wanderingmoontheatre.com) are... read more

• Top Reasons to Go to Bangkok
  

  The Canals: They don't call it "Venice of the East" for nothing. Sure, boat tours are touristy, but the sights, from Khmer wats to bizarre riverside... read more

• Bargaining in Bangkok
  

  Even if you've honed your bargaining skills in other countries, you might still come up empty-handed in Thailand. The aggressive techniques that... read more

• Bangkok Spas
  

  Venues offering traditional massage are quite common in Bangkok—you can even pamper yourself while sightseeing at Wat Po. The staff at... read more

• Thai Puppetry
  

  For hundreds of years, Thailand's puppeteers have entertained both royal courts and village crowds with shadow puppets and marionettes. Historically... read more