Bangkok: The Peninsula Mantra
Bangkok is a frenzy. It never sleeps, neither day nor night. Nevertheless, none of its 11 million residents ever forget to step out of the rat race, to find a bit of peace and admire the celestial gold. A roadside shrine, a temple, a quick prayer, a stick of incense… Here we go again! Step inside The Peninsula hotel to experience all this madness, highlighted by Thai refinement.
Sitting right on the banks of the Chao Phraya — the great river through Bangkok like its very own aquatic Champs-Élysées — the Peninsula takes centre stage in the capital of this kingdom (72 million souls). It moves in harmony with the city’s daily rhythm, all while preserving its elegant traditions.
It is 10:00 p.m.
The floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms (or better still, the balconies in the suites) look out over the stunning river: crammed barges handling heavy loads, sputtering speedboats, peaceful sampans heading off for posh dinners, floating kitchens, and party boats with dancefloors and garish neon lights…
It is 6:00 a.m.
Outside the hotel, a lama leads a line of novice monks in saffron robes. Each holds out their bowl. A ladle of rice, a banana, a hibiscus flower, a candle, a chicken breast, a banknote — you give whatever you want, whatever you can. With hands pressed together at forehead level, the holy procession gives thanks. No words are needed. The Peninsula brings its guests the joy of this morning ceremony. They will definitely be back tomorrow.
It is 11:00 a.m.
The SkyTrain — a bloody brilliant model of cleanliness, serenity, and safety — drops you right outside Chatuchak Market, the biggest in the world. Thousands of stalls crammed side by side offer everything under the sun and more. Silks, handicrafts, clothes, jewellery, spices, toys… It is overcrowded. You can expect a joyful shopping time where haggling is a must. Pick up a lovely holdall to tuck away your treasures. And yes, the Peninsula talks you through the journey and can even attend the tour with you.
It is 3:00 p.m.
The sweet sound of a fountain and its trickle of clear water, the charm of a pond blooming with lotus flowers, a statue of the Buddha… The music drifts through the air, soft and soothing. Take a break at the Peninsula Spa. Face, feet and hands, full body, solo or duo — pick your way of letting go. The hallmark treatment combines three Asian delights: Thai tradition, Chinese techniques, and Japanese refinements. A 90-minute wonder for €120: let us just come back!
It is 9:00 p.m.
Time to plunge into the frantic heart of Bangkok. Hop into a tuk-tuk, the gleeful driver weaves his scooter between cars with tinted windows, packed buses, posh convertibles, and motorbikes packed with passengers. Getting dropped off right outside the stadium where a boxing match is on, or at the bottom of a skyscraper where the Thai high society are gathered on the rooftop, cocktail in hand. Or maybe next to a woman stirring a wok — the absolute queen of her patch of pavement — while her kids hand out paper plates. Some of those lead straight to heaven.
It is 11:00 p.m.
With 367 rooms and suites spread across 37 floors, The Peninsula certainly makes quite an impression. Thanks to the magic of Thai refinements, the interior feels like a unique haven. King-sized beds, fine cottons, silks, and precious woods, alongside green and white marbled bathrooms… You could easily make this your own blissful home, overlooking the non-stop hustle and bustle of the Chao Phraya river. You never get tired of it.
It is 8:00 a.m.
The dining spots at The Peninsula are second to none. The iconic pad thai (stir-fried noodles with prawns) puts the Thiptara restaurant right at the top of the bill. Over at Mei Jiang, the star shines bright thanks to some seriously high-end Cantonese cooking. On the ground floor, The Lobby is perfect for treating yourself and catching up with friends over vegan bites and vegetable juices.
The cream of the crop remains the River Café, with its terrace sitting right on the water’s edge. Whether it is for breakfast, a quick smoke, or dinner, it delivers lavish buffets, an endless menu, elegant hospitality, and a thorough service. Enjoy it, admire the view, and now, again.
It is 10:00 a.m.
Extend the bliss in an entirely new way by heading up to the top of The Peninsula. In a larged room draped in twilight, settle down on a yoga mat and, with eyes half-closed, just listen. The practitioner takes a wooden stick and glides it around the rim of a metal bowl. Then another, deeper bowl, and yet another, wider still; they circle it round and round, the sound vibrates, the note holds. It settles in, takes over everything. It is pure bliss. The ordinary world slips away. It dissolves into the celestial wisdom accompanied by the Buddha’s enigmatic smile. Bangkok and The Peninsula offer up the finest of their mantras here.
Good to know. No visa needed for French citizens, just a valid passport. When it is noon in France, it is 6 pm in Thailand. The euro is currently trading at 34 baht (the local currency). The cost of living in Bangkok is a really lower than in France. To sort out your trip, get in touch with the Tourism Authority of Thailand: Tel: 01 53 53 47 00 or visit www.tourismethai.fr
To get there. Much like the Gulf carriers that invite you to make the most of a stopover during a trip to Asia, Finnair suggests heading to Bangkok via Finland. You will touch down in Helsinki, where you can easily extend your stay before flying onward. There are daily flights from Paris (taking 3 hours), followed by a 10-hour leg to Bangkok. The real advantage of this option? Return economy fares dip below €600 on select days, while business class starts at under €3,000 during off-peak periods — complete with fully flat beds, Nordic fine dining, and top-tier service. Tel: +33 (0)1 82 88 24 05 or visit www.finnair.com
Staying there. A night in a double room at The Peninsula Bangkok will set you back between €350 and €500, breakfast included. www.peninsula.com