CNN host, James Williams, begins his day with an exclusive tour of one of Thailand’s top religious sites, Wat Pho, with the very monk who showed President Barack Obama around in 2012. Then he tackles one of the country’s famous forms of exercise, Muay Thai, at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, The Siam. This hotel is the passion project of Thai rockstar and actor, KrissadaSukosol Clapp, so Williams sits down with him to find out why Bangkok is the ideal setting for him.
Then in the afternoon it’s time to take a step back in history as Williams heads to the historic Mandarin Oriental for high tea with famed author Lawrence Osborne to learn why this city is one of literary dreams. Afterwards, he takes a cruise up the river on one of the Anantara Riverside’s luxury refurbished historic rice barges. Up river, he finds himself in the midst of Thailand’s former capital, Ayutthaya, one of the country’s most mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
As evening approaches, Williams head back into town just in time for dusk at the famous Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree Bangkok which also happens to be the perfect place to catch a glimpse of Bangkok’s newest building and now Thailand’s tallest, the MahaNakhon. We meet the owner, SorapojTechakraisri, for a first look at the premier piece of real estate and top it off with sunset from the rooftop. Finally, we head to Nahm, one of the top restaurants in Bangkok to learn what makes the Thai palate tick with chef PrinPolsuk.
‘In 24 Hours’ microsite: http://edition.cnn.com/specials/travel/in-24-hours
‘Bangkok in 24 Hours’ trailer: http://cnn.it/2rNkhhS
Airtimes for 30-minute special: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Taipei
Wednesday 7th June at 1730 HKT
Saturday 10th June at 1330 HKT
Sunday 11th June at 1930 HKT
Saturday 17th at 1930 HKT
Sunday 18th June at 1330 HKT
