There are some places on earth that, as a wayfarer, you keep returning to. You don’t need any plan, any invitation, just pure instinct, a passport in hand and some local currency. Being visa-friendly and easily accessible are the prime factors for Thailand that draw Indians, who are among the top five tourist groups frequenting this tropical paradise. Another important factor that worked for us is that you don’t need long leaves, and a weekend in Bangkok is what you might need to escape from the rut of life. Hence, when VietJet Thailand, a budget-friendly airline, started a direct flight from Calcutta to Bangkok and gave the opportunity to spend a weekend away from deadlines, we grabbed our passports, tossed some athleisure in our strolley, a pair of sneakers, and landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport. VietJet Air, which is well connected to other hotspots in Thailand, also has direct flights from Ahmedabad and Mumbai, and Mumbai also enjoys a direct route to Phuket.

Statues of Lord Buddha at the Arun Wat complex.

A midnight flight landed us in a different time zone in two-and-a-half hours. The sky shifted from a canvas of midnight-blue to being lit up with tangerine streaks and ultimately clear and cloudless, dotted with skyscrapers, by the time we reached our hotel, Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong.

City of contrasts

Taking a step away from the fast lane with the tallest of buildings on Ratchadamri Road, Lumphini, that spoke of modern-day Thailand, we headed to soak in the history of the Venice of the East. Making our way from the buzzing street, a big, delightful distraction, and after sailing on the Chao Phraya River, we reached Arun Wat, which translates to the Temple of Dawn, and is inspired by Aruna, the Hindu God of the rising sun. The 70-80m-high monument dominates the skyline, surrounded by four smaller towers and guarded by mythic figures. While, from afar, the surface appears textured; up close, it reveals an extraordinary mosaic of broken Chinese porcelain, seashells, and coloured glass. Together they weave a fascinating story of trade, architecture, resilience and spiritualism.

The Grand Palace’s museum made visitors privy to the royalty’s lifestyle, with clothes of the queen occupying a big part of the gallery. From Thai Chakri to Thai Siwalia, silk-based ensembles tailored for specific occasions, and hats to hand fans, are featured in the museum.

The city is about stark contrasts, and the second half of the day revealed just that. From the compounds of Buddha, where the scent of incense drifts through the courtyard, bells chime softly in the breeze, and tourists and devotees move in quiet reverence, pausing before ordination halls guarded by stone giants, we landed at ICONSIAM as the sun descended on the horizon. It’s an experience marked by dazzling lights, luxury brands and retail therapy on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and it almost feels like a city inside a city.

The night culminated in a Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise, and our reservation at White Orchid River Cruise treated us with a lavish spread that was dominated by seafood and Thai classics. The rhythm of the cruise matches the river and the city passes in front of us, slow and smooth, illuminated by lights just like a richly preserved and presented photo album in GIF mode. Interspersed with live music and dance performances, the bridges passing over our heads at speed gave us a high.

Zebras pranced around at the Safari World.

With the Wild

Safari World is another universe that attracts tourists in large numbers. A car/bus ride of 45 minutes from the main city will take you to one of the largest open-air zoos in Asia, spread across 200 acres. The collective cacophony of Asian Openbill welcomes you first before you enter the enclave and catch glimpses of macaws, and buy tickets to witness the antics of sea lions and dolphins guided by human leads. The safari also offers a thrilling experience with Wild West, where skilled cowboy performers showcase jaw-dropping stunts. After the two staged theatrics, we took a ride inside Safari Park, where spotting tiger, zebra, elephant, giraffe and rhino in a natural setting is much easier.

Higher than high

Given that the city is dotted with skyscrapers, our trip included experiencing the Mahanakhon SkyWalk. The modern-day architectural wonder is pure adrenaline wrapped in glass and steel. A high-speed lift whisks you to the 78th floor in seconds, where the city stretches endlessly beneath your feet. The highlight at the rooftop is the transparent glass floor and stepping onto it is a heart-pounding moment. It’s difficult to fight acrophobia as the traffic and other buildings, seen through the glass floor, seem part of a big poster or a toy world. There’s more for adventure seekers at the Skywalk. The I-Tilt, the world’s first outdoor tilting thrill, makes you experience the city from 296m as you lean 65° into the sky.

While descending, we explored the Indoor Observation Area and the interactive digital displays, and the floor-to-ceiling glass walls provided an immersive experience, turning one into an inquisitive child overwhelmed by these new-age entertainment agents.

Truly Thailand

We visited Bangkok a few months after their Queen Mother, Queen Sirikit, passed away, and the city was in mourning. Photographs of her could be spotted across the city — in the airport and strategic locations, adorned with flowers and garlands. The Grand Palace, her current resting place for a year, exposed us to the respect and love the queen commanded, as scores of men and women dressed in black queued to pay her their respects.

Built in 1782 by King Rama I, the complex served as the royal residence and administrative heart of the kingdom for over a century. Its ornate rooftops, shimmering mosaics, and golden spires create a spectacle that is both regal and reverent. At its spiritual core lies Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade. Cutting across religious belief, pausing before the Buddha, and reflecting on your life or making a new wish, happens naturally in this spiritually inclined nation.

Bangkok lets all your senses indulge in different therapies and escape from the monotony of life. It overwhelms you, yet keeps you grounded, and recharges you to get back to the grind and wait for another opportunity to trade Thai baht for unlimited fun.