Members of 25 royal families gathered in Bangkok for a spectacular twilight barge procession, the climax of Thai King Bhumibol's diamond jubilee celebrations on Monday. Among the delighted onlookers were Morocco's Princess Lalla Salma and Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit and husband Prince Haakon, who watched with their host from the naval headquarters. The lavish river procession involved 2,000 oarsmen who rowed elaborate barges down the Chao Phraya river.
And, obviously inspired, some regal visitors decided to experience Bangkok's famed waterways for themselves. Belgium's Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of Holland took a party on a boat trip to see the city's sights before they headed home.
Emperor Akihito of Japan and his wife Empress Michiko, however, stayed on terra firma, fitting in a trip to see Wat Mahathat, one of Bangkok's oldest shrines and the headquarters of Thailand's largest monastic order.
Known as the 'Venice of the East', Bangkok has a network of canals, known locally as klongs. A highlight of any trip is a visit to the bustling floating markets where sightseers can weave their way alongside boats carrying colourful arrays of fruit and souvenirs.
Another unmissable sight is the opulent Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the country's holiest shrine, built to house a 66-centimetre-tall statue of the Buddha. A huge golden pagoda nearby enshrines a relic of the prophet.
The Thai capital contains a cool mix of the traditional and modern and is home to some of the world's most luxurious resorts. For those in search of pampering, the Mandarin Oriental's renowned spa, loved by VIPs such as Pierce Brosnan and Goldie Hawn, is a favourite.
Meanwhile visitors with time to travel further afield should experience the area around Chiang Mai in the north, known as 'the land of a million rice fields'. Here intrepid explorers can take an elephant trek through the jungle and visit the city's bazaar which is crammed with handicrafts and antiques.
Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
